Chapter 12

Producing a newscast Includes planning every second of the

broadcast▪ News stories▪ Weather▪ Sports▪ Commercials

Usually involves several editors and producers

Logging the Tape ENG (News photogs)▪ Gather visual information▪ Capture video▪ Conduct interviews

Producers▪ Watch videos▪ Choose soundbites

Planning a rundown Rundown is a listing of the time for every

story▪ Includes length for each one▪ Helps keep the show on time

Footage often exceeds allotted time▪ 32 miuntes of footage from an event▪ 1 min 30 sec of space for the story

Intro, story & Q&A all must fit into the time

Assigning the Stories▪ Assignment editor assigns stories

During morning meeting▪ Has a file/list of possible stories▪ Reporters also pitch stories

Editor also plans possible stories▪ In case of mishaps▪ If another story doesn’t pan out

Tips for writing well Clarity and brevity Use of plain English Avoid repetition▪ Especially repetition between reporters

writing and sound bite Pick sound bites that have emotion▪ Reporters can give facts▪ Interviewees can provide emotion

Writing Tips – Page 229 Why should I care What is it all about So What? Attribution A good lead Write to the corners Avoid jargon

Broadcast vs Newspaper and Web Writing Attribution▪ Always first in broadcast

Active voice▪ Who is doing what (necessary for broadcast)

Present tense▪ Use when possible for broadcast

Update Leads▪ Use the latest information

Broadcast Script Format Two columns▪ Directions for technical crew on the left▪ Story text on the right

Review sample script

Web/Newspaper versions Web allows for a variety of presentation

methods▪ Video▪ Photo Galleries▪ Slideshows w/sound

Newspaper▪ More detailed and thorough▪ Uses details not necessary for video

Teasers & Lead Ins Tease – ▪ Short blurb to entice viewers to stay tuned to

a newscast▪ Write a tease as though you telling a friend

Lead-in▪ This should give the essence of the story and

possibly the context for how it occured

Writing for Radio Radio newscast may be 90 seconds▪ With 6-7 stories▪ Typical stories may contain 100 words▪ Should include only the most important

details▪ Should include word pictures ▪ Since there is no video

Broadcast Style Punctuation

▪ Avoid quotation marks▪ If you must quote someone write the word “quote” in

the script

Numbers▪ Round off numbers when possible▪ Also limit the use of numbers

Names and Titles▪ Spell difficult words phonetically (Names,

Places, etc)

Broadcast Style Use contractions with caution▪ Write them out▪ Let anchors decide to contract them

Omit needless words▪ This will help with fitting content into time

slot Timing of copy

Leads Put a human face on the story whenever

possible▪ Impact Lead▪ Uses your voice

▪ Mystery-teaser▪ Creates anticipation

Ending - tags/wrap-ups Summary, Future Factual, Consumer

Revising Stories Important part of the writing process▪ Read story aloud▪ Check all your sources▪ Names and titles for spelling

▪ Eliminate bureaucratic language/jargon▪ Delete adjectives▪ Let video show the scene

▪ Don’t repeat sound bites