3. TV Broadcast Newsroom
Positions
News Director
• Top person in the news
department,
responsible for hiring,
firing, promoting,
budgeting and working
with other department
heads.
Producer
• “Architect of the
newscast”.
• Determines what
stories will be in a
show as well as their
placement.
• Decides the packaging
of a story
• Determines if it will be
a reader, anchor voiceover
Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7
4. TV Broadcast Newsroom
Positions
Assignment Editor
• Also known as
“assignment manager”
• Traffic cop of the
newsroom
• Maintains future files;
monitors police, fire
and emergency
services scanners,
coordinates films
crews with producers
Anchor
• “Talent”
• Host the news
• Also serve as
reporters, particularly
in smaller markets
• Usually started out as a
reporter
Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7
5. TV Broadcast Newsroom
Positions
Reporter
• Covers events
• “Neutral witness” or
observer of major
event
• Responsible for
conducting
interviews, working
with photographer to
capture video and
audio
Photographer
• Photog, cameraman,
photographer
• Drive satellite truck,
run the equipment,
set up lights, make
the live shot work
Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7
6. TV Broadcast Newsroom
Positions
Video Editor
• Often works as a
photographer, too
• Handle all network
feed
• Need to work fast on
deadline
Graphic Artist
• Works with reporters
and producers in
newsroom and with
advertising
• Skilled in image,
animation and
multimedia
Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7
7. TV Broadcast Newsroom
Positions
Studio production staff
• Includes director,
technical director,
audio technician,
floor manager, and
studio camera
operators
Librarian / archivist
• Knows where to find
the archived videos
Field producer/editor
• Combination of a
producer and editor
who works in the
field with a reporter
• Gathers and edits
information and
makes sure complete
stories are sent back
to newsroom
Source: Principles of Convergent Journalism. Chapter 7
8. Key Principles
It’s all about the
visuals
• Compelling, exciting
and interesting
images
• Reporter or anchor is
the narrator of these
images
“Live and latebreaking”
• Timeliness element
looms large
• “This just in…”
• Balancing “live”
coverage with
packages based on
breaking news stories
that occurred earlier
in the day
9. Key Principles
Keep it Simple
• Anchors/reporters
copy – their scripts
must be written in
present tense, using
active verbs in short
sentences
• Writing visually
“Live and latebreaking”
• Timeliness element
looms large
• “This just in…”
• Balancing “live”
coverage with
packages based on
breaking news stories
that occurred earlier
in the day
10. Basic terms
• B-roll
• Background images of
scene
• Reader:
• Most basic kind of
story.
• No pictures
• Anchor or reporter
readers a script
• Typically 20 seconds
• VO: Voice over
• News anchor
introduces a story,
then after a sentence
view sees video of
story
• Typically 20-30
seconds
• VSOT: Voiceover/Sound over
tape
• Typically 25 seconds to
a minute
11. Basic terms cont.
Package
• A reporter’s recorded
story
• Anchor introduces it
• Packages run from
1:15 to 1:45
• Include stand-up
open, stand-up close,
Video Essay
• Telling stories with
pictures
12. Let’s listen to the pros
Broadcast Journalism 101 with NBC's Mara Schiavocampo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Av04xCQXSw
TV News Skills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV6-QE7tYPI
Bob Schieffer and the Future of News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6GRnXuswIU
Carole Simpson- 40 Years as a Broadcast Journalist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F2kjU7qpG4
13. I. Preproduction and reporting
1.
Find a
story
• Research it
• Plan who
you’re going to
interview
• Make
appointment
• Get equipment
14. 2. Field production
2. Go to
location
• Arrive at least
10-15 minutes
early, if possible
• Introduce
yourself to key
sources
• Set up camera
• Shoot B-roll
15. II. Field production cont.
3. Record
Interview
• Keep it short
• Record your best
three questions
• Be firm, polite
and direct
• Shoot cutaways
16. II. Field production cont.
4.
Shoot
b-roll
• Be aware of public,
private property
• Capture elements that
help viewer
• Wide, medium and
tight
• Capture MOTS: man on
the street interviews, if
appropriate
17. II. Field production cont.
5.
Write
Script
• Choose sound
bites
• Include as man
facts and
information as
possible
18. II. Post Production
6. Record
(lay
down)
Voice
Track
• Take a look at
sample script
• See flow of
video, audio,
natural sound,
stand-ups
19. II. Post production cont.
7. Lay
B-Roll
•Set up
sequences
•Keep pacing
consistent
20. II. Post production cont.
8.
• You’re
Export on the air
to tape,
DVD or
post
21. Advantages of Broadcast News
• You’re a witness to important events
in real times
• Real time
• Powerful visuals, capturing human
drama
• Short, concise, crisp
http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478
22. Disadvantages
• Limited airtime
• Broadcasts defined in seconds, minutes
• Most half-hour newscasts usually on 20 to
22 minutes of actual news
• Sometimes out of context
• Entertainment driven
• “Good news” hard to top murders, fires or
mayhem, particularly in local news
http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478
23. Disadvantages
• Limited airtime
• Broadcasts defined in seconds, minutes
• Most half-hour newscasts usually on 20 to
22 minutes of actual news
• Sometimes out of context
• Entertainment driven
• “Good news” hard to top murders, fires or
mayhem, particularly in local news
http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478
24. Types of TV News Reporting
• Breaking News
• Taped stories (packages)
• Planned major events
• Live reporting
• Streaming (online)
http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478
25. Terms You Need to Know
• Ratings: Nielsen
• Impact of Social Media:
http://socialguide.com
• Local v. network
• Cable v. broadcast
• Correspondent, editor, producer, anchor,
creative director
• Live v. taped
http://www.slideshare.net/cressman/deconstructing-tv-news-10299478
29. Discussion Question
You’ve just been named the news director of a local TV
station that it No. 3 in the ratings. Your competitors
are known for their happy-go-lucky broadcasts that
feature crime stories, pet stories and festivals. You’ve
been known for your investigative packages and instudio interviews with news makers.
What would you do to improve your station’s ratings?
How would you change your coverage? How would
you use the Internet or social media to engage
viewers?
