VO/SOT – Video Clip Starts as a voice over includes sound on

tape▪ Sound bite or bite

Contains anchor voice▪ Plus one or more comments▪ From source or sources

Sometimes called VO/B or VO/B/B▪ To indicate number of bites

Role of a VO/SOT Helps producers vary the pacing of a news

program▪ Can stretch out a VO to a longer length if needed

Allows content to be incorporated▪ If something that cant be paraphrased is said▪ Emotional▪ Useful▪ Impactful

Give me an example of a good sound bite source

Scripting a VO/SOT This script should be developed like a VO▪ With a couple of additional steps▪ Identify the speaker by name and title▪ “John Smith a local farmer…”

This shows relevance to speaker Super should not replace this

▪ Set up what is about to be said “commented on the water shortage in the midwest”

▪ Set up bit thematically How does it go with the story

Setting up the bite▪ Video Clip

Key to setting up clip▪ Give sense of what is coming up▪ Don’t duplicate what viewer will hear▪ Write something specific▪ Avoid “And Mayor Jones had this to say”▪ It doesn’t give sense of what’s coming

▪ Bites should be 8-12 seconds▪ Less than 5-6 makes the SuperFont hard▪ Longer than 12 should be only if significant

Marking the VO script▪ VO only needs length of clip▪ VO/SOT needs▪ When video starts▪ Length of clip▪ Start time and length of bite

▪ Padding with no audio is usually added to end of tape▪ This allows room for error without going to black or odd

B-Roll

▪ The script text will have a gap where the SOT is▪ Gap in text tells anchor to stop reading

Reading up to the SOT Different newsrooms work different ways▪ To avoid overlap▪ PA’s, Directors, Producers, etc, will give anchor a

countdown▪ Some stations keep VO & SOT in separate decks

▪ Timing is key in keeping a good flow during the broadcast

Stand-alone SOT’s This is a rare occurance

▪ SOT’s without video for a VO▪ Usually a headshot of someone talking

A visual medium should have video▪ Meetings▪ Photo opportunities▪ File video▪ Something to lead into the SOT

Need for good communication Without ▪ Proper script markings▪ Good communication

A newsroom/broadcast can turn into a nightmare

Packages are Complex news stories Woven together into coherent reports

How to make a package Video Clip

What goes into a package?▪ Video Clip

Stand – Ups Reporter is in the field▪ Delivers a line or two▪ During the recording▪ Beginning middle or end

▪ Middle stand up is called a bridge▪ More common due to

Visual strength of video at start or end

Importance of stand-ups Face time for reporter▪ Allows viewers to identify with them

Allow discussion ▪ When video of topic is limited

Can draw reader in▪ Be natural & relaxed▪ Use mom rule when recording it

Leading into and out of bites Similar to VO/SOT▪ If speaker talks multiple times▪ Don’t introduce each time▪ But still preview bite

Video & Natural Sound Using compelling but relevant video▪ Movie clips, trailers, animations, etc▪ Will draw readers into news package

Natural sound▪ Any sound other than an interview▪ Car horns, church bells, trains, plane overhead, etc

▪ Can enhance package as well▪ Make it relevant to the story

Package Scripts Editing Script▪ This is for the editor to put the package

together▪ Or the reporter to edit it▪ Some editors edit their own packages

Producers Script▪ This has the anchors lead in and tag▪ Used during the broadcast

Importance of audio▪ Important to putting essence/feel into stories▪ Effective in storytelling

▪ Good news photographers know▪ Capture NAT sound when gathering footage▪ Great for use in packages, VO’s and VO/SOT’s

Music▪ Used to set mood▪ Look for music that is appropriate▪ Not too sad or irrelevant to story (Don’t create bias

with music)

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