News Package Assignment
Name: Date:
PURPOSE:
To get you to organize, write, direct, shoot, and edit a news package.
REQUIREMENTS:
You will work in groups of two or three. The members of your group must cover the jobs of producer, reporter, researcher/writer, videographer, and editor.
TOPIC:
Each group will write and produce a news package. All news packages must be appropriate for airing in the school newscast. You should develop ideas for possible news package topics. Refer to the possible topics handout. If your group does not decide on a topic, one will be assigned to you.
LENGTH:
The edited news package must be between 60 seconds and two (2) minutes long. This does not include the length of the introduction that will be read by the main anchor. A production that runs under or over time may be re-edited to fit the required time allotment.
AUDIO:
Location audio is a problem. Be sure to take the appropriate microphones. You must include at least 2 sound bites from different people. You must interview several different people for this package to get ALL sides of the story. When editing, be sure that the B-roll shots reinforce the reporter’s voice-over (V/O) audio.
FOOTAGE:
You are required to interview at least four different people for this production. You should interview at least one adult and one student as determined by the topic. You may interview more and in many cases, should. You must interview several different people for this package to get all sides of the story. Get a variety of steady focused shots. Use close-ups, medium shots, long shots of the same activity. People should be doing activities in your shots. Shots of students sitting in desks are boring. While taping, hold a shot longer than you think you need. Generally, hold each shot for ten (10) seconds. Avoid pans and zooms for the sake of panning and zooming. All movement should be motivated.
SCRIPTS:
You must produce a full script for the news package. The script must include: a separate main anchor’s introduction, as well as, the full script for the package. The package script must include all audio (VO and sound bites), shots (B roll) and graphics including the name and title for each sound bite. Sound bites must be written verbatim in the script.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Make an appointment before you go to the classroom or office to tape. Have a call script when you make your appointment to tape. Be sure to call and confirm your appointment on the day you are scheduled to tape.
GRADES:
Proposal & Questions, Scripts (Rough(s), Final, News Package, Production Contribution, Ability to meet deadlines/Progress, Production Critique
NEWS PACKAGE PRODUCTION JOBS:
PRODUCER has the final authority over the production. The producer works well with others, instills confidence, and is well-organized and able to keep others on schedule. The producer provides critique and encouragement to the members of the team.
RESEARCHER/WRITER searches for new and interesting story angles. The researcher/writer communicates information in a clear, concise, and interesting manner. Before a shoot, the researcher/writer contacts experts, checks for background information and investigates all sides of a story. The researcher/writer provides script information to the reporter and videographer so they will know what to emphasize during the shoot. Information must also be communicated to the video editor who ties words and pictures together in a package.
REPORTER must speak clearly and communicate well with the audience and those involved in the production. The reporter communicates an interest in and an enthusiasm for the story. The reporter guides people who may not be comfortable on-camera to communicate information, ideas, and feelings to an audience.
VIDEOGRAPHER has the technical know-how. The videographer must be well-organized, gathering and transporting all equipment for a shoot and must be able to anticipate problems. An artistic eye is a must for visual appeal when setting up shots to tell the story. The videographer varies camera composition and movements to capture the viewers’ interest.
EDITOR also possesses technical skill and an artistic eye. An editor must turn hours of video and audio into a seamless story. The editor must pay attention to details to insure that voice-overs reinforce the appropriate visuals.