Producing a News Broadcast
AS a team, you will be producing a 5-6 minute long news broadcast that will cover local/national/world news, sports, and weather. All aspects of movie making thus far still apply including:
Preproduction:
Scripting (typed) must be completed for each section of the broadcast (news, weather, sports). Storyboard must be completed and show correct sequence of broadcast elements. Any locations must also be pre-scouted and documented either with the storyboard or separately. Maintain an accurate job log. In addition, a dated schedule of: scripting, filming, and editing must be completed.
Production:
Filming must take placed during scheduled time that you have created. Shooting on location and inside the studio is to be completed in a professional manner with high quality video and audio.
Post Production:
Editing must be done by EVERY group member. There are five sections to film, so there are five sections to edit. You may help each other. Be sure that both video and audio are of high quality, free play music only.
Suggestions for the “A”
Don’t forget the cliff hangers…. Ex: Next up! Gorilla climbs Empire State building, dress appropriately for an anchor, get into character, use visual and sound effects.
Hard News Vs. Soft News
News stories are basically divided into two types: hard news and soft news. Hard new generally refers to up-to-the-minute news and events that are reported immediately, while soft news is usually background information or human-interest stories.
Politics, war, economics and crime used to be considered hard news, while arts, entertainment and lifestyles were considered soft news. But increasingly, the lines are beginning to blur. Is a story about the private life of a politician "politics" or "entertainment"? Is an article about the importance of investing early for retirement a "business" story or a "lifestyle" story? Judging solely on subject matter, it can be difficult to tell.
One difference between hard and soft news is the tone of presentation. A hard news story takes a factual approach: What happened? Who was involved? Where and when did it happen? Why?
A soft news story tries instead to entertain or advise the reader. You may have come across newspaper or TV stories that promise "news you can use." Examples might be tips on how to stretch properly before exercising, or what to look for when buying a new computer.
Knowing the difference between hard and soft news helps you develop a sense of how news is covered, and what sorts of stories different news media tend to publish or broadcast.
Commercial
A commercial is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message. Commercials can range in length from a few seconds to several minutes. They include public service announcements, advertisements, political campaign messages and much more.
Characteristics of commercials include features like catchy jingles or catch-phrases which may remain in the mind of the viewer even after the advertising campaign has ended. Does anyone recognize the phrase “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up?” What are some other catch-phrases and jingles that come to mind?
Humor is another method used by advertisers to create a lasting impression. Think about some of the commercials that make you laugh and has that had any effect on the purchases you make.
Animation is increasingly becoming a technique used in advertising. They can be hand drawn (redbull) or computer generated (movie trailers and car advertisements).
Weather
When brainstorming for your weather report it is important to decide two things. Will my story be National or Local, and will it be a Forecast or a Report?
When talking about National weather we are obviously referring to the entire county. A radar map spanning from coast to coast is the norm for a meteorologist. Local weather focuses on either the state or county that a broadcasting station is in. It will discuss local temperatures and conditions for a surrounding area.
A forecast is a prediction. A meteorologist in front of a radar map tells viewers current conditions and what to expect in the near future (usually a computer generated list of temperatures and conditions). A report can be on or off site. It can be a story about a flash flood or an earthquake. It is not a prediction like a forecast but rather a story being reported.
Interview
Interview someone as a part of your Newscast. It can be about national headlines, sporting events, school events, etc. Try to keep it on the serious side. Consider your camera angles, lighting and background/foreground/atmosphere.
Camera tips for interview:
AS a team, you will be producing a 5-6 minute long news broadcast that will cover local/national/world news, sports, and weather. All aspects of movie making thus far still apply including:
Preproduction:
Scripting (typed) must be completed for each section of the broadcast (news, weather, sports). Storyboard must be completed and show correct sequence of broadcast elements. Any locations must also be pre-scouted and documented either with the storyboard or separately. Maintain an accurate job log. In addition, a dated schedule of: scripting, filming, and editing must be completed.
Production:
Filming must take placed during scheduled time that you have created. Shooting on location and inside the studio is to be completed in a professional manner with high quality video and audio.
Post Production:
Editing must be done by EVERY group member. There are five sections to film, so there are five sections to edit. You may help each other. Be sure that both video and audio are of high quality, free play music only.
Suggestions for the “A”
Don’t forget the cliff hangers…. Ex: Next up! Gorilla climbs Empire State building, dress appropriately for an anchor, get into character, use visual and sound effects.
Hard News Vs. Soft News
News stories are basically divided into two types: hard news and soft news. Hard new generally refers to up-to-the-minute news and events that are reported immediately, while soft news is usually background information or human-interest stories.
Politics, war, economics and crime used to be considered hard news, while arts, entertainment and lifestyles were considered soft news. But increasingly, the lines are beginning to blur. Is a story about the private life of a politician "politics" or "entertainment"? Is an article about the importance of investing early for retirement a "business" story or a "lifestyle" story? Judging solely on subject matter, it can be difficult to tell.
One difference between hard and soft news is the tone of presentation. A hard news story takes a factual approach: What happened? Who was involved? Where and when did it happen? Why?
A soft news story tries instead to entertain or advise the reader. You may have come across newspaper or TV stories that promise "news you can use." Examples might be tips on how to stretch properly before exercising, or what to look for when buying a new computer.
Knowing the difference between hard and soft news helps you develop a sense of how news is covered, and what sorts of stories different news media tend to publish or broadcast.
Commercial
A commercial is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message. Commercials can range in length from a few seconds to several minutes. They include public service announcements, advertisements, political campaign messages and much more.
Characteristics of commercials include features like catchy jingles or catch-phrases which may remain in the mind of the viewer even after the advertising campaign has ended. Does anyone recognize the phrase “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up?” What are some other catch-phrases and jingles that come to mind?
Humor is another method used by advertisers to create a lasting impression. Think about some of the commercials that make you laugh and has that had any effect on the purchases you make.
Animation is increasingly becoming a technique used in advertising. They can be hand drawn (redbull) or computer generated (movie trailers and car advertisements).
Weather
When brainstorming for your weather report it is important to decide two things. Will my story be National or Local, and will it be a Forecast or a Report?
When talking about National weather we are obviously referring to the entire county. A radar map spanning from coast to coast is the norm for a meteorologist. Local weather focuses on either the state or county that a broadcasting station is in. It will discuss local temperatures and conditions for a surrounding area.
A forecast is a prediction. A meteorologist in front of a radar map tells viewers current conditions and what to expect in the near future (usually a computer generated list of temperatures and conditions). A report can be on or off site. It can be a story about a flash flood or an earthquake. It is not a prediction like a forecast but rather a story being reported.
Interview
Interview someone as a part of your Newscast. It can be about national headlines, sporting events, school events, etc. Try to keep it on the serious side. Consider your camera angles, lighting and background/foreground/atmosphere.
Camera tips for interview:
- Set up your subject's "look." Plan to place yourself about 10 to 15 degrees to one side of the principal camera position. When looking at the interviewer, the subject's head and eye alignments will appear just about right.
- Decide on Eyeline. Will the subject being looking at the interviewer or the camera? Make this a conscious choice and relay it to the interviewee before shooting. It can be VERY distracting to have the subject’s eye line change throughout the interview.
- Pick a Style. Before you can pick the right equipment and questions for your interview you need to define a creative style for your production. Will the interviews be flatly lit or have dramatic lighting? Will the interviewer be seen on camera as well? Whether you’re emulating a style you’ve seen or coming up with your own style formula, you need to make sure that the look is clearly defined and communicated to the rest of the crew before the camera rolls.
Project must include:
-Hard News -Soft News -Commercial -Weather -Interview |
Must Use the following techniques:
-Chroma Key -Picture in a Picture -Interviewing set ups -Music and Voice over -Side by side from "anchor" to "reporter" -Graphics |
- Each person in the group will be in one section, will edit one section and will produce one section.
- Storyboards and scripts will be turned in.
- DUE DATE: by the end of class. Each class period it's late, 5 points off, each week, 10pts off.