syllabus 2009 - News - Syracuse University

Television News Producing/Anchoring
RTN 565 Section 003
Fall, 2009 Syllabus & Calendar
Professor: Frank Currier
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone:
Office: Newhouse II Rm 362
Office: Friday
11:30-1:30pm
Hours: Thursday 2:00-4:00pm
And by Appointment
School: 443-5072
Home:
637-0679
Cell:
447-0219
Lab:
Tuesday
Lecture: Thursday
Text:
11:00am- 5:30pm (482)
11:00am- 1:40pm (482A)
Power Producer, A Practical Guide to TV News Producing. Fourth Edition;
Dow Smith, RTNDA. Available at the SU Bookstore.
Course Goals & Objectives
This course will teach you the skills required to be a confident producer and
anchor of a daily TV newscast….and to get the broadcast on the air and up on
the website on time. Of course, the ultimate aim is to prepare you for your
first job in TV news. Over the next 15 weeks, you’ll receive hands-on
experience as a producer and anchor… and test your skills in seven other
positions including weather, sports, field reporting, web writing, tape editing
and shooting. You’ll learn the advantages of adapting your unique individual
strengths to a team production. We’ll also discuss current issues and ethics
in broadcast news and examine criticism of the industry.
By the end of the course, you will:
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Exercise solid journalistic judgment in creating a broadcast
Develop professional on air performance skills
Be proficient with all facets of the ENPS computer system
Write clear, conversational broadcast news copy under deadline
Demonstrate an ability to work with others as a news team
Assemble a video resume tape
Thursday Lecture
The weekly 2-hour 40-minute class meeting will focus on critiques and
evaluation of Tuesday’s lab newscasts. Expect unannounced current events
quizzes. In addition, we’ll review the mechanics of the news production
process, explore topical issues in the industry, examine ethics and diversity
in the news media, the relationship of ratings, profits and newsgathering,
discuss career planning and hear from industry professionals.
Tuesday Lab:
The Tuesday 6 ½ -hour lab will provide the opportunity to anchor, report and
produce in a working multi-media newsroom environment. You’ll use all of the
skills learned in Newhouse writing and reporting classes. Yet unlike other
courses, the clear emphasis in RTN 565 is teamwork.
•
How it works: The newsroom will be divided into two teams
producing two different newscasts each week…the first at 4:00 pm,
the second at 4:40pm. Students from RTN 265 will perform technical
support such as camera, floor manager, TelePrompTer, CGs and audio.
Expect two ungraded practice newscasts before the regularly
scheduled half-hour casts. Working with the same team throughout
the semester, you’ll rotate through every newscast position.
•
Evaluation: Weekly lab/newscast grades will be based on the
performance of tasks for the assigned position. Students with no
interest in sports may trade positions with someone who wants to
produce and anchor a sports block…with one exception: If you’re
scheduled to be the producer or the associate producer, you may not
trade off. Every student will produce at least one newscast. You’ll
receive details of your rotating assignments after the first week.
Please be advised: You’ve heard it before --attendance is not
optional. Assigned producers/anchors must arrive on lab day before
11:00am to get the day organized for their team. Do not schedule a
Tuesday class that interferes with this requirement. Everyone must
also attend a brief post-newscast critique session at 5:15pm Tuesdays.
Other Course Elements:
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Quizzes: Quizzes will cover current events (world, national and
local), and the assigned readings in the Power Producer handbook.
Questions also will test your general knowledge of newsmakers,
prominent people, places and things you’ll be expected to know for
your job interviews (and your job!) For this course, quiz scores are a
key component in figuring final grades. Stay in the loop on what’s
happening worldwide…from Cazenovia to Casablanca
•
Producer Reports: Each producer will write a follow-up report
about his/her newscast. The 2-3 page summary should detail at least
SIX things that went right with your production and SIX things you
might’ve done differently. The reports must be detailed with
comments and suggestions for improving team performance. These
summaries are important…and due by 5:00pm Wednesday. (The day
after your lab) Late reports will be penalized by one full grade point.
Please email it to me as a Word document attachment. The report will
be part of the in-class Thursday review/critique of your newscast.
Grades for each newscast will be determined, in part, by the quality of
the report. A sample guideline will be provided in class.
• On-Air Talent Self Critiques: Each week, the news anchors
(not co-anchors) will write a 1-2 page self-evaluation of your on-air
work. You must bring a blank VHS tape to lab on the day you anchor,
so the engineer can dub your newscast. Please emphasize in your
critique what you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses
…what you intend to work on. These are due no later than 5:00pm
Wednesday via email Word doc. attachment. We’ll also schedule oneon-one delivery/performance critiques to review your anchor work.
•
Survival Guide: After the first graded newscast, you’ll offer
advice to classmates in the form of a detailed single-page tip sheet on
how to survive and thrive in the position you filled for that lab. The
summaries will be assembled in a hand-out manual for your use during
the semester. You’ll be graded on it. Samples are attached.
•
Content Analysis: In the first week, you will write a 3-4 page,
report, “de-constructing” one of the local 5:00 p.m. newscasts (to be
assigned). You’ll detail every element in the newscast and provide a
comprehensive content analysis. Three of you will make a brief class
presentation. Details are outlined in a separate handout.
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TV Market Analysis: You’ll write a 5-7 page, typed paper
including an analysis of the market and a TV newscast from one
station in the market. Details forthcoming in a separate handout.
Reading and Viewing:
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As a journalist, you’re expected to read your daily newspapers, listen
to radio news and watch local and national news broadcasts. As a
producer or anchor, it’s essential that you arrive in the newsroom with
a thorough knowledge of what’s happening, ready to go to work right
away. You’ll need to read the Syracuse Post Standard , USA Today
and the New York Times every day. In addition to the newspapers,
watch one network and one local TV newscast every day. Review the
http://9WSYR.com and the http://News10Now.com websites for
background. If you don’t already read Don Fitzpatrick’s Shoptalk
online, subscribe to the listserv and get it each day in your email.
•
You’ll be asked to read chapters from the text according to
assignments made in class, or included in the course calendar. Please
read assigned chapters before the lecture so you’ll be prepared both
for quizzes and participation in class discussion.
Equipment/Supplies:
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Digital cameras, lights, tripods, mics etc are set aside for your use on
lab day. The cameras may be reserved (book time up to two weeks in
advance) any other time, including weekends. Weekends are great
times to shoot sports feature packages or news franchise stories.
You’ll be provided mini-DV tapes to use on lab day.
•
The computers: You’ll be learning new functions for newscast
rundowns and scripting. ENPS is the AP’s Electronic News Production
System…the industry’s most popular newsroom system.
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The editing suites are reserved for your use on lab day. If you want
the facilities at other times to work on franchise packages or sports
stories, you must book a suite—up to two weeks in advance. Heavy
competition for use of the equipment at Newhouse is not unlike the
demand placed on resources in typical newsrooms. Plan ahead.
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Earpiece for IFB A custom earpiece available from Miracle Ear, 5781
Bridge St East Syracuse, NY 13057 315 446-5600) What you buy
now will work for years to come, both for field live shots and studio
anchoring. If you choose to use the earpiece provided in lab, it will not
fit correctly and you will look unprofessional.
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Syracuse/Onondaga County Map & Stopwatch for timing copy and
voice-overs. Do NOT depend on a wristwatch with a sweep hand.
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Tapes: We’ll have limited blank mini-DV tapes available, but you
should purchase a 3-pack for your own use—they’re cheap. You’ll need
them when you shoot your franchise packages. Two VHS tapes--for
content analysis assignment; and on the day you produce or anchor,
you must bring a blank VHS tape to class--to dub your newscast in
order to prepare your producer/talent reports. You’ll also likely want
to save your anchor work. A master tape and DVD of every newscast
will be saved throughout the semester as back-ups for assembling
resume tapes in December.
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Makeup: You’ll need it on the set under the lights. Many women opt
for the MAC line of cosmetics. Often, guys prefer Max Factor
pancake Cool Tan #2 as a foundation. (Available in most drug stores)
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Dress Code: All on-air talent (news & sports anchors, weather and
field reporters) will be expected to bring look professional on camera,
so be sure to bring a change of clothes to lab.
Course Policies:
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Deadlines/Attendance: Your scheduled newscast will be on time…
and it goes on with or without you. You must let me know in advance if
a serious emergency is going to prevent you from meeting a deadline.
Attendance is equally critical. Failing to show up for lab has a negative
impact on everyone.
Because you are learning to work as a member of a team and as a
professional journalist, there can be no unexcused absences from the
labs. If you miss a lecture, you’re likely to miss a current events quiz.
Producers, anchors and editors work with a headache, cold, flu, fever,
insomnia, male-patterned baldness, hangover, irregular heartbeat, low
blood-sugar, overactive bladder, constipation and shortness of breath.
If you’re very sick, you are required to notify your newscast producer
and help arrange for your replacement. Be prepared to document your
illness. Unexcused absences from lab will result in a “0” for that day.
There is no known cure for this condition…no way to make up the
grade. With an unexcused absence you cannot earn an A.
•
Grading: Final grades are calculated on the following scale. Your
performance in each assigned weekly position will be graded A to F.
Newscasts
(Producing/Anchoring/Writing)
General Knowledge & Current Events Quizzes
Projects
(Tip Sheets/Analyses/Prod. Reports)
Teamwork
(Attitude/Attendance)
50%
20%
20%
10%
As you can see, there are risks to blowing off the quizzes. It’s not
uncommon for students doing first-class work as producers, anchors
and reporters, but who score poorly on current events (25%), to see
an A grade erode into a C+ for the semester.
Other Considerations
• Work Saved:
Be aware some of your on-air work may be dubbed and
saved for use as examples for future RTN 565 classes. Some of your work
also may be used online via the Newhouse web page.
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Special Accommodation:
Any student needing accommodation
because of a disability should see the instructor within the first two weeks
of class.
• Transportation:
If you have a car and plan to use it, you must be willing
to handle costs and insurance liabilities. Newhouse cannot pay costs
associated with towing, parking or speeding tickets.
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Safety:
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Conduct/Ethics: You’re expected to carry out your lab newscast
Never compromise your personal safety for ANY story. Use
caution, good judgment and develop “street smarts” in the field.
assignment in accordance with the RTNDA Code of Broadcast News Ethics
and the policies of the Newhouse School. All work will be your own.
Newhouse School Academic Integrity
Any piece of work bearing a student's name is assumed by the School to
guarantee that the thoughts, expressions, editorial and photographic
material not credited to another are literally the student's own. If such
credit is not given for another's work the student shall be guilty of
committing plagiarism. Plagiarism proceedings will begin when a teacher
submits evidence thereof to the Academic Standards Committee of the
School. It is not permissible for any student to submit the same material,
with substantially the same style, structure, or wording, to instructors in
two or more courses."
Syracuse University Academic Rules and Regulations state: "Syracuse
University students shall exhibit honesty in all academic endeavors.
Cheating in any form is not tolerated, nor is assisting another person to
cheat. The submission of any work by a student is taken as a guarantee that
the thoughts and expressions in it are the student's own, except when
properly credited to another. Violations of this principle include giving or
receiving aid in an exam or where otherwise prohibited, fraud, plagiarism,
the falsification or forgery of any record, or any other deceptive act in
connection with academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of
another's words, ideas, opinions, or other products of work as one's own,
either overtly or by failing to attribute them to their true source.
Sanctions for violations will be imposed by the dean, faculty, or student
standards committee of the appropriate school or college. Documentation of
such academic dishonesty may be included in an appropriate student file at
the recommendation of the academic dean. "
Past Awarding Winning NCC News Teams
Fall Schedule/2009
Monday
Tuesday
RTN 565.3 Lab
11:00am – 5:30pm
482 Lab/Studio A
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
RTN 564M
8:25am-11:05am
RTN 565.3 Lec
11:00am-1:40pm
Rm 482A
RTN 564M
8:25am-11:05am
RTN 510 Lecture
2:30-5:20pm
Rm 486
Office Hours
2:00-4:00 pm
Office Hours
11:30am-1:30pm
Grading
NCC Newscasts
COM 100
5:00-7:00pm
Grading
“Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so
they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.”
--Joseph Pulitzer
RTN 565.3 Course Calendar
Fall Semester 2008
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays---Sept 1st through December 10th . Expect
some changes, additions and/or deletions as class needs/circumstances dictate.
Guest speakers will visit. In the next week, you’ll receive a lab team schedule with
rotating newscast duties.
Week #1
Sept. 1 Lab
Lab/Studio Orientation; TA/Camera Demo; ENPS Review
and Rundowns/Exercise; Logging the Feeds/Team assignments
for Practice Casts on 9/8 & 9/15.
Sept. 3 Lec Introduction/Syllabus Overview; Local News/Role of the
Producer; Anatomy of a News Block; Content Analysis
Assignment/Due Thurs. Sept. 10th; Read: Power Producer
Ch 1-2-3 “What’s in a Newscast?”
Week #2
Sept. 8 Lab
Practice Newscast #1 (Dry Run/482 Lab)
Review Newscast Positions/Lab Day Timeline
Sept. 10 Lec Newscast Content Analysis Due/Presentations
Newscast Style & Formats; Practice Cast Skeds; Tip Sheet
Assignment due 9/24; Read Power Producer Ch 6-7
Week #3
Sept 15 Lab
Practice Newscast #2 (In the Studio)
Sept 17 Lec
The Production Team/Mechanics of Producing/Leadership
Developing/Packaging the Lead Story; Science of Crafting
Strong Teases & Headlines; Read: Power Producer Ch 8 & 11
Week #4
Sept 22 Lab NEWSCASTS #1 (4:00pm & 4:40pm)
Sept 24 Lec Critique Newscasts; Semester Lab Schedules; Tip Sheets due
TV News Audience: Where’s it Going? News Media Diversity;
Workplace Trends/Minority Hiring; Small Market Analysis –
Due Thurs, Nov. 5th. Read: Power Producer Ch 12-13
Week #5
Sept 29 Lab
NEWSCASTS #2 (4:00pm & 4:40pm)
Oct. 1
Critique Newscasts; Performance/Delivery; Ethical Issues
Facing Producers; Continuity; Transitions
Lec
Week #6
Oct. 6
Oct. 8
Lab NEWSCASTS #3 (4:00pm & 4:40pm)
Lec
Week #7
Oct. 13 Lab
Oct. 15 Lec
Week #8
Oct. 20 Lab
Oct. 22 Lec
Week #9
General Knowledge Quiz; Writing for Web Platforms/Cable
News 24/7; Read: Handouts; Power Producer Ch 9-10, 14
NEWSCASTS #4 (4:00pm & 4:40pm)
Critique Newscasts; Guest Speaker
NEWSCASTS #5 (4:00pm & 4:40pm)
Critique Newscasts; Guest Speaker
Oct. 27 Lab
NEWSCASTS #6
Oct. 29 Lec
Critique Newscasts/Franchise Story Focus & Pitches
Week #10
Nov. 3
Lab
Nov. 5 Lec
Week #11
Nov. 10 Lab
Nov. 12 Lec
NEWSCASTS #7
Critique Newscasts; Home Market analysis Due (everyone)
Begin Home Market class presentations: Group I
NEWSCASTS #8
Critique Newscasts
Home Market class presentations: Group II
Week
#12
Nov. 17 Lab NEWSCASTS #9
Nov. 19 Lec
Week #13
Nov. 24 Lab
Nov. 26 Lec
Week #14
Dec. 1
Dec. 3
Critique Newscasts
Home Market class presentations Group: III NEWSCASTS #9
THANKSGIVING BREAK/No Class
Lab
NEWSCAST FINALE
Lec
Screen Cast/DMA’s; Job Market/Resumes, Cover Letters;
Strategy for First Job Searching;
Week
#15
Dec, 8 Lab
RESUME TAPING - Studio A (1:00pm to 5:00pm)
Dec. 10 Lec
Celebrate/Course Evaluations
RTN 565.3 Newsroom Assignments
PRODUCER
The producer is responsible for all aspects of the newscast and every decision you make-editorially and technically--will impact all members of your news production team. By
definition, a producer a) thinks through the newscast beforehand and decides how it should
look; b) assembles a rundown and keeps track of completed material; c) line produces the
4:00 pm and 4:40 pm broadcasts in the control room.
Attention to detail will make or break you and the preparation begins before you walk
through the door. Knowing what’s in the news and having a vision for the newscast is
required before 11:00 a.m. You cannot begin to think about your day at 11:01 a.m. You will
discover on lab day that seven hours will fly by…often you’ll discover there aren’t enough
hours in a day to accomplish everything you want to do. Your performance evaluation will be
based upon your preparation, news judgment, knowledge of current events, news writing,
organizational skills, creativity, story placement, problem-solving, delegation of authority,
flexibility, people skills and the ability to communicate clearly under deadline.
It’ will be your job to assign reporters and photographers by 11:00 a.m. to cover stories for
the A and B blocks of the newscast. You must be familiar with video from Pathfire. You will
monitor and log the local noon newscasts.
Your rundown should consider news values, video, pace, flow and timing. We’ll be discussing
these important issues throughout the semester. During the afternoon, you’ll keep track of
team members to assure that all assigned tasks are completed by the deadlines. Be sure you
know the cell numbers of your troops in the field. Be sure they know the newsroom phone #.
The 4:00 p.m. news producer will turn out a preliminary rundown by 1:00pm and by 1:20pm
for the 4:40 p.m. newscast and discuss your plans with the anchors, the news director and
the operations manager. By 3:00 p.m. (or 3:40pm for the second newscast) you must
distribute 10 copies of your final rundown to the production crew. The director will mark
the scripts. If the director receives a late script, the chances increase for a meltdown
during the cast. You must have read all copy before it is printed.
When the newscast is on the air, you’re in charge. Bring a VHS BLANK TAPE on lab day so
the engineer can dub you a copy to review for your written evaluation, due via e-mail
attachment by 5:00pm Wednesday. See syllabus for details about preparing this report.
Fall, 2009
The Assignments
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
The Associate producer is responsible for the following:
• Assist the producer – you’re a firefighter and a problem solver, jumping in,
as needed…doing whatever it takes to help get the newscast on and off the
air in a clean, professional manner. You are the producer’s extra set of eyes
and ears. Breaking news and other unscheduled events will require two heads.
In addition to logging tape, writing copy, making calls and sometimes editing,
the associate producer has independent responsibilities. Lets review:
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Graphics Coordinator – You will assure that all graphics requests are
coordinated between reporters/anchors and the TA. The TA will work from
graphics request sheets.
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Assignment Editor - It’s your job to find out in advance the planned stories
for Tuesday. Check the papers at home and local news websites, check out
the Neighbors section from the Thursday Post Standard and circle potential
event/stories. You can do the same thing with the New Times, any of the
Eagle suburban newspapers and the Syracuse Record. If you have access to
news releases at an internship, that information is open and available to you.
•
Brief the producer by phone before Tuesday morning—so she/he knows
what’s on tap for Tuesday. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO COME UP WITH FOUR
WORKABLE IDEAS FOR VO’s, VO/SOTs & REPORTER STORIES THAT
CAN BE SHOT ON TUESDAY. Remember, your job as A-P is a warm-up
to the producer’s chair the following week.
Note: At the producer’s discretion, you may be assigned to stay in the
newsroom during the newscast to watch for breaking stories, write latebreaking copy, as needed, and to oversee newsroom live reports.
The Assignments
ANCHOR & CO-ANCHOR
The co-anchor sits in the screen left chair…the anchor in the screen right chair. In short,
you are responsible for writing and delivering the news. You and your co-anchor will write
most of your own copy. The 4:40pm co-anchor must prepare an on-camera newsroom tease
that’ll air in the 4:00pm cast. Be prepared to help the producer with any and all requests.
Volunteer your services to the producer for any task (everything from coffee & a sandwich
at Food.Com to editing a VO/SOT) that will—in the end—result in enhancing the newscast
and showcasing your talents in a positive and professional way. The credibility of the
newscast depends upon your leadership in developing the news blocks. The days of Ron
Burgundy and Ted Baxter are history.
You must be sure to allow adequate time to read through all scripts in the news blocks—not
just your own copy. Dress for air, arrange hair, prepare makeup and be in place, ready to go
at least 10 minutes before air. Complete the appropriate mic checks and rehearse your
open. Know your camera, know your communications, plan your moves. Stay focused and
concentrate. Never complain on air about tapes that don’t roll, prompters that aren’t
working or floor managers who forget to cue you to a camera. You are in command and the
audience expects you to roll with the flow, even when chaos prevails behind the scenes.
Please Note
The anchor is responsible for preparing a combined national/world segment of news. It
usually runs in the B-Block between 3-4 minutes. This means -–with producer approval--you
will select stories, format them properly on the show rundown, find videotape and sound
bites (generally from Pathfire), order graphics (OTS & Fullscreen) thru the AP…and you will
write the copy. At times, you will do an Anchor Package. Use Pathfire video as your primary
source for this segment.
IMPORTANT: The ANCHOR (not the co-anchor) should arrange for a VHS dub of your
newscast (at 4:00 and 4:40pm) so you can critique it at home. You must type up a 2-page
self-critique about your experience anchoring, to include a personal evaluation of your on-air
skills and the areas in which you want to improve. This must be emailed to me as a Word
document attachment no later than 5:00pm Wednesday. Do not forget. The anchor and
co-anchor will be evaluated on the quality of your conversational writing, your self-critique,
your chemistry with the other on-air talent and your ability to clearly communicate via the
TelePrompTer. In addition, anchor evaluations will be based on your teamwork in lab, your
interaction with the producer and your national/world segment. Between your first and
second anchoring experience this semester, schedule a one-on-one evaluation during regular
office hours.
The Assignments
SPORTS
One sportscaster provides material for both broadcasts, but the segments will be
different…a package for 4:00 pm and a sportscast for 4:40 pm. For the 4:00pm
newscast, you must produce a 2:00-2:30 local sports feature package that will run
in your block. The piece cannot be shot on the day-of. You must work in advance and
have this package shot, written and edited when you arrive on lab day. The story
should focus on a subject of general interest to all viewers, not just hardcore
sports fans. It can be sports news, an athlete profile or an interesting take on a
sport, a coach or a team. But if it’s a profile, don’t just do a sit-down interview with
someone and fill in the blanks with wallpaper video of the team practicing. There is
no limit to the number of good sports (as news) story ideas. Individual sports can be
as interesting as team sports. It can include youth soccer, archery, bowling, car
racing, curling, prepping for a marathon run, rowing, high school lacrosse. Work with
the AP to coordinate graphics. The package will usually air in the sports block with a
live on-set top and bottom..
For the 4:40pm newscast, the sports anchor is responsible for a more traditional
sportscast. It means you are in charge of the entire sports segment, information,
content and video. You are responsible for producing, writing and editing. Repeat:
you will write and edit the entire sportscast and you will be expected to work with
the newscast producer to assure the rundown is complete ONE HOUR before news
time. Timing is critical. So is content. You cannot simply record ESPN the night
before and use that to do scoreboards and play-by-play to fill your sportscast. By
late afternoon on lab day, this is generally old news and provides you no real skills
needed to become a good sportscaster in your first job. Strive to incorporate
material about local teams, including any professional teams in the state of New
York, college or high school teams in the Syracuse area.
Performance evaluation will focus on a) the originality of your package and how
much it appeals to a general audience; b) your ability to produce a sportscast that is
well-written and paced, CLICHÉ-FREE and interesting to a broad audience of
viewers who are not necessarily hard core fans.
The Assignments
WEATHER
The weathercaster is responsible for three things: 1) Preparing a :30-:45 “First
Weather” live tease (done outside via patio cam) for inside the 4:00pm Ablock….The weather often is the lead story in Syracuse, so First Weather can
sometimes be part of team news coverage on The Big Story. 2) A traditional
weather forecast and summary for the 4:40pm News. The traditional weather
segment will incorporate the chromakey wall with weather and satellite maps and
graphics. Graphics may be your own, those lifted from Pathfire, Newschannel 9, the
Weather Channel, the web and/or local weathercasts. It’s imperative that,
whenever possible, you incorporate some local weather-related VO video (:20 to
:30) in your summary that you arrange through the AP to be shot the day-of by you
or someone else. This could be a weather event (rain, fog, snow), or something
related to weather: (people outdoors enjoying or struggling with the Winter/Spring
of 07). It can also include any outdoor video from Syracuse that showcases the
surroundings as it relates to the seasonal conditions: sunny day at the state fair,
changing colors of autumn, a picnic at Onondaga Lake, families picking apples at a
local orchard, shoppers bundled up against the wind, trick-or-treaters. 3) A 2:002:30 FRANCHISE PACKAGE for use in the C-Block. It will be a specialized beat
story on health/medicine, the economy, consumer news or urban neighborhood news.
You will intro and tag your package live from the set or in front of the big-screen
monitor. It must be shot, produced and edited before your 11:00 a.m. Tuesday lab
begins. If you are still editing on Tuesday afternoon, you’ll create more work for
your teammates. You and the newscast producer must meet days before lab to
discuss the package you want to do. It’s your responsibility to reserve the
equipment, set up interviews and get everything done in advance. If the package is
not complete when you walk into lab, you will be penalized. Your primary job on lab
day is to help write the newscast, not edit your package. Since you will be
introducing and tagging your package live on camera, do not do a standup close
(standup bridges are optional) unless you want one for a self-contained version that
might appear on your resume tape or the Connect newsmagazine show. Be sure to
coordinate with the AP about graphics for the lead-in.
Performance evaluation will be based on the quality of your package and your
ability to adlib and smoothly communicate what the viewer wants to know about the
weather. The professionalism of your presentation will depend in part on your
familiarity with the visuals you select. All video will be your personal responsibility –
I.e. weather-related video for use as VO, all satellite maps, 5-Day forecast charts
(work with the TA) and current conditions chyrons.
The Assignments
REPORTER-PHOTOGRAPHERS
Most successful reporters figure out a way to wind up with the story that
leads the newscast. That should be your goal in this class. It can be breaking
news or an enterprised report. Coming up with a great idea is more than half
the battle. As a day-of backpack reporter, you are competing to be the most
memorable element in the 4:40pm newscast. In addition to your package, you
may be asked to provide a VO/SOT version for the anchor of the other
newscast to handle. You’re looking for A-Block material, and competitive
with stories covered by the three local stations until 3:00p.m. You and the
producer must decide together what to cover—a story with news value,
rather than a soft C-block feature. You will remember to shoot (in :10 or
less), an on-camera pre-show story tease)
Please don’t walk in and say it’s a slow news day and nothing is happening. And
remember that most stories in a morning newspaper are at least a day old. If
you follow the newspaper, you’ll be expected to do a legitimate follow-up
story. Advance the story with new information and/or a fresh angle. In
other words, you must add value to any story in the paper.
On a big news story, the reporters from both teams may work different
angles to that story and be part of team coverage. Sometimes, the producer
of the other newscast will request that you go live for that cast… (a
newsroom live wrap around a VO/SOT---an abbreviated version of your
package.) It all depends upon the strength of your story. You must also
make a live appearance, leading into and out of your package…either from the
set, from the newsroom or from the Newhouse plaza. You and the producer
will decide. Naturally, when you are tagging your story live, you do not want a
standup close in the package.
You will be evaluated on your ability to come up with a good story, your
reporting skills, live delivery, writing and editing. Package evaluations will be
based upon a list of criteria which you will receive in class.
The Assignments
TAPE EDITOR
The linear tape editor is responsible for the following:
• Edit all show opens, teases, VOs, VO/SOTs. You are NOT responsible for
editing reporter packages, weather video or sports material.
• Make sure all tapes are correctly labeled and in Master Control at least 10
minutes before airtime.
• Stay with the RTN 265 tape playback person to help with cueing and to
correct any mistakes. This is critical.
• Make sure ALL TAPES are returned to the TA at the end of the day.
• The tape editor is one of the most thankless but critically important jobs in
assuring the newscast looks clean.
The photographer may be available to help you edit, but it’s your primary
responsibility to assure all tape is edited and makes the deadline.
Keep in contact with the producer. If you’re overwhelmed and falling behind and
need help, ask for it. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help.
You’ll be evaluated on the quality of your editing both technically and editorially. If
you notice things that don’t make sense, communicate with the producer any
concerns you have about video/content issues.
Here are some procedures to follow:
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•
•
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Tapes are in the left-side cabinet in the 482 lab. TA’s have the keys. You will
be held accountable for every single tape connected with your newscast.
Count the tapes at the start of the day, as the TA turns them over to you.
Be sure stories are clear -- script and video must tell the same story
VERY IMPORTANT: To prevent going to black on the air, BUILD IN PLENTY
OF PAD at the end of VO’s and VO/SOTs. Avoid shot changes at the end of
the script. Pad should be the last scene…extended an extra :10-:15!
VERY IMPORTANT: To prevent hitting black on the air, BUILD IN LOTS OF
PAD at the end of VO’s and VO/SOTs. Avoid shot changes at the end of the
script. Pad should be the last scene…extended an extra :10-:15! At the end
of SOTs—when there’s no available pad on the tape, freeze and hold the
video for :10 after the outcue.
The Assignments
WEB REPORTER/EDITOR
The Web Reporter/Editor is responsible for the following:
•
Writing and posting text versions of the stories the newscasts are covering in
real time. This means being in touch with the field reporters as well as with the
show producers and being completely familiar with the stories. In most cases
this means you will write the stories before we go live-to-tape at 4:00 and 4:40.
De-brief the reporters on your team AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE IN HOUSE
and write web stories.
•
Updating the above stories as appropriate throughout the course of the day.
This will sometimes require following up by phone to sources. Once you get new
information you must be sure the producers and any reporters working on the
stories are aware of the latest developments.
•
Adding jpeg photos/graphics and hyperlinks to the text stories.
•
Making sure complete packages and inserts are uploaded to the web site by the
end of the day. This will mean dubbing packages to Avid if they are edited linear
and then uploading. If they are edited in Avid they just need to be uploaded.
These packages will be added to the text versions of the stories. Reporters and
tape editors are expected to help with this.
•
Writing text versions of other significant local, regional, national and
international stories throughout the day and posting them to the web site with
hyperlinks and photos/graphics. With rare exception we will not link to
competitors’ web pages (e.g. syracuse.com, local TV station websites). We never
will take stories from our competitors without attribution and we will only use
their stories with attribution if the story is essential and we are cannot the
facts of it independently. Once a story appears on the AP wire we may use it
without attribution but keep in mind that most local stories are outdated by the
time they get on the wire.