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Storytelling – Preparing and shooting news packages

News packages

•These are self-contained news items.
• Unlike VOs/SOTs, the news anchor need do no more than introduce the item and then wrap it up at      the end.
• The reporter themselves also wraps up the story with their ‘TAG’ at the end (name, location)
• The package contains the reporter usually both on camera and also their voice as “track” ( aka              VO/Comm).

• Use the script as a template for structuring and guiding your edit.
• Ensure you fully research what you are trying to shoot so that you are as prepared as possible.

Structure and Content

A good package will contain a mix of the following elements :
 – Interviews, vox pops & set ups
 – Sequences and actuality
 – GVs/archive
 – PTCs and walky talkies
 – GFX

It is useful to structure your piece as you might a good written piece of work:
 – INTRO
 – BODY OF ARGUMENT
– expert opinion, stats, background info etc
– CONCLUSION

Storytelling

Think of them as you would any other creative piece of work. Consider:
 – Style
 – Storytelling devices and motifs
 – How you will introduce the key themes, characters and locations
 – ENGAGE the audience
 – make them want to know more
 – Don’t forget to entertain as well as inform
 – entertainment often makes information more palatable!


SHOOT ACTION – Preferably with people/animated beings in them!
 • LET THE ACTION HAPPEN – camera moves best for framing PRIOR to recording!
 • ALWAYS SHOOT SET UP SEQUENCE FOR EACH INTERVIEWEE
 • CLOSE UPS ARE BEST! – aim for around 40 – 50% of the piece on CU e.g. 30” VO piece needs      around 7 – 8 shots of which 3 – 4 CU •
   REMEMBER TO HOLD YOUR SHOTS – Count in for 10” and once finished count out for 10”
 • LET THE SUBJECT ENTER AND LEAVE FRAME – this gives you edit points
 • GET GOOD COVERAGE!!!!

Light and Sound

 • Take time to check your kit and choose the best conditions that you can.
 • A few moments spent thinking PRIOR to recording will save a lot of trouble later!
 • Do your sound checks
 • Consider the best position to put your camera in for FRAMING and LIGHTING
 • Set your tripod for EACH SHOT so the camera is on eye level with those you are filming for               interviews and ensure you use it for ALL STATIC SHOTS in particular!

Editing stages

 •THE SYNC PULL This is where you assemble all of your interview sync back to back, not                  worrying about covering your edits. As with the documentary unit, script your VO (aka track/              commentary) and record a guide track to lay down for illustration.
 • ROUGH CUT You can then begin to paint in your actuality, sequences and GVs.
 • FINE CUT Final stage of editing, covering all edits, adding picture and sound mixes and                     improvements to produce the final polished film.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR NEWS REPORTS 

 •Ensure your stories are appropriate to your brand and audience.
 • Therefore make sure you work out what your channel brand and target audience is BEFORE your       ideas as they need to be appropriate to your audience.
 • Ideas must be REAL and genuinely NEW.
 • The PACKAGE is entirely pre-shot, the “LIVE” can include pre-shot material, but could be a               reporter in the field simply doing an interview/interviews.



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