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