Teaching Guide: Producing a News Package

INTRODUCTION:

This is an assignment for a group of two to four students where they will produce a news package from suggested topics.  Because this is a team-oriented activity it will help to foster communication and cooperation skills.  Time management abilities will also be developed. To participate in the assignment, basic news ethics/news judgment, basic camera operation and editing skills are required.

AIM:

This lesson is designed to help students to organize, write, direct, shoot, and edit a news package which will air on the local school station and/or be posted on the school’s web site.

RATIONALE:

This module provides multiple opportunities for students to find resources on producing a news package. By looking at various web-based resources and handouts, students will find all the resources they will need to produce a news package. 

AUDIENCE:

The Producing a News Package Web was designed for a group of mixed-level high school students (grades 9-12) enrolled in an Intro to Broadcast News class. 

SUBJECT MATTER:

The lesson is to produce a news package; therefore, the subject matter may be almost anything.  The lesson does stipulate that all news packages must be appropriate for airing in the school newscast.  Content must be school-appropriate.  Click here to refer to the “Sources for High School Story Ideas”.

 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to produce an edited news/feature/sports story package, between 60 seconds and two (2) minutes long.  The specific objectives include the following:

The student will:

• Define terms associated with the lesson
• Identify the members of a news crew
• Identify the purpose and responsibilities of the members of a news crew
• Determine the focus of a news package
• Gather background information
• Write a preliminary proposal and script
• Write the interview questions
• Prepare a list of all B-roll video
• Tape interviews
• Tape B-roll
• Log footage
• Rewrite the script
• Tape the reporter’s voice-over (VO)
• Edit
• Use sound bites effectively
• Insert/edit video that reinforces the audio

Included in this goal are the following requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Education's interdisciplinary subjects including English, and PreK-12 Instructional Technology Standards.

Also included in this goal are a number of work-related (real-world) objectives, including:

• identify employment opportunities, including entrepreneurship, and preparation requirements in the field of media technology;
• demonstrate the principles of group participation and leadership related to citizenship and career preparation;
• identify employers’ expectations and appropriate work habits;
• apply the competencies related to resources, information, systems, and technology in appropriate settings and situations;
• demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills with individuals from varied cultures, including fellow workers, management, and customers;
• successfully complete work orders and related paperwork;
• safely use tools, materials, and equipment commonly employed in the field of media technology;
• properly utilize audio recording, editing, and mixing systems;
• properly operate a videotape recorder;
• operate different types of video cameras;
• identify and apply the basic principles of lighting;
• utilize the various capabilities of television switching and special effect systems;
• utilize various video signal control and monitoring equipment;
• script, direct, and produce media productions.

PRE-REQUISITES:

1. News Ethics lesson
2. News Judgment Lesson
3. Basic Camera Operations
4. Using a Microphone with an audio box and XLR cable
5. Basic Editing on any software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, and/or Final Cut Pro

CO-REQUISITE:

1. News ideas lesson
2. News Interview lessons - preparations and conducting

SUBJECT MATTER:

Introduction

News is the voice of the community. One of the most powerful elements in a news program is the news package. The news package is the complete news story including video and audio of the actual event as well as the report of the event. The news package brings an event to the audience. 

Introduce the essential people and tasks needed to complete a news package: 

1. PRODUCER

• Has the final authority over the production
• Works well with others
• Instills confidence
• Well organized
• Able to keep others on schedule
• Provides critique and encouragement to the members of the production team.

Ask: What are some of the responsibilities of the Producer?

2. RESEARCHER/WRITER

• Searches for new and interesting story angles
• Communicates information in a clear, concise and interesting manner
• Before a shoot
  • contacts experts
  • checks for background information
  • investigates all sides of a story
• Provides script information so reporter and videographer know what to emphasize during the shoot
• Communicates to video editor who ties words and pictures together in a package

Ask: What are some of the responsibilities of the researcher/writer?

3. REPORTER

• Must speak clearly
• Communicates well with the audience
• Communicates with those involved in the production
• Communicates an interest in and an enthusiasm for the story
• Guides people who may not be comfortable on-camera to communicate information, ideas and feelings to an audience

Ask: What are some of the responsibilities of the reporter?

4. VIDEOGRAPHER

• Has technical know-how
• Well organized
• Gathers and transports all equipment for a shoot
• Must be able to anticipate problems
• An artistic eye
• Insures visual appeal when setting up shots to tell the story.
• Varies camera composition and movements to capture the viewers’ interest

Ask: What are some of the responsibilities of the videographer?

5. EDITOR

• Possesses technical skill
• Has an artistic eye
• Turns hours of video and audio into a seamless story
• Must pay attention to details
• Insures that voice-overs reinforce the appropriate visuals

Ask: What are some of the responsibilities of the Editor?

 INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN:

 The NEWS PACKAGE modules or components include the following:

 1.  PREPRODUCTION:

• Students will check out the assignment and break into groups. Students must work on this on their own time after school; therefore, it may be better to allow them flexibility on their partnerships for this project.  This is a great time to show them award-winning news packages on the internet:

  • Award Winning Broadcast News Stories

  • Award Winning Student News Casts

  • Background Help

  • Student Television

  • Films for the Humanities

• Students will find a topic by selecting the sources link and determine the focus of the package.  (Lesson: How to find a news story by browsing through the newspaper every day and taking a national/regional story and making it local. Other strategies will also be looked at.)

• After finding a topic, students will then write up a story proposal which will help to focus them on what they exactly need to do.

• Students will then work on how to interview (Lesson: How to interview)

• Students will design their own storyboard.

 2.  PRODUCTION

• Students will review tips on framing your subject (composition, framing).

• With an Equipment Checklist in hand, students will go out and get their interviews  (Lesson on Conducting an Interview).

 3.  POST PRODUCTION

• Students will spend time logging their footage.
• Students will then organize their video clips
• Students will write their final script.
• Students will then digitize/edit.
• Students will save their news package as an avi file and email.

 Guided Practice:

Monitor student progress while the students follow the steps to produce a news story package.

• Students can use the News Check List to track their progress.

Independent Practice:

News Package Assignment

Summary: Review

 Identify the members of a news crew

• Producer
• Researcher/Writer
• Reporter
• Videographer
• Editor

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• Mini DV Tape(s)  

EQUIPMENT NEEDED (See Equipment Checklist):

• Mini DV Video camera
• Tripod
• Microphone
• Editing system

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:

Evaluation - Informal Assessment:

Students will be assessed on their level of participation in class discussions, individual and group work.

• Students can use the News Package Contributions to evaluate group participation and contribution to the production.

• Storyboard can be graded using the Script-Storyboard Group Evaluation.

• Students will have the opportunity to evaluate other groups.

Evaluation - Formal Assessment:

News Package can be graded using the News Package Rubric.

Accommodations for Learning Differences:

• Lesson Plan/Curriculum Modifications Checklist
• Guidelines and Procedures for Adapting Instructional Materials
• Instructor Format for Curriculum Customization for Learning Differences
• Sample Curriculum Customization for Learning Differences

Extension/Enrichment:

• Ask a reporter to speak to the class about his or her daily work.

• Job shadow with a broadcast news reporter.

 APPENDICES

• Resources:  See More Site Information and …

•  Glossary:  See Glossary of Vocabulary