THE PROCESS OF TELEVISION

JOURNALISM
• Packaged news - explored, shot, edited and
most importantly, broadcast after the event
has happened

• Live news- captures and broadcasts the action

of an event as it happens.
 Packaged News Stories
• Steps involved –
1. Information - reporter gets information about a potential news story
from a source
2. Research - The reporter then researches the story.
3. Shooting - the reporter, along with a cameraperson, travels to the various
locations, which are relevant to the story. There, the cameraperson shoots
visuals and cutaways related to the story.
4. Logging - Logging is very useful both during scripting and editing of the
story. The reporter previews the recorded tapes to identify OK and NG
shots. Reporter mentions the time-codes(TC) of their in and out points in
Log sheet
5. Ingest’ - Ingest is a technical facility. It consists of a server to which various
computer terminals in the news channel are connected. The staff in the Ingest
facility captures the OK takes mentioned in the log sheets.
• •00.01.30 – Shots of college
• •00.02.30 – CU Bhelpuriwala
• •00.03.00 – I/V Student
• •00.03.25 – Talks about the taste
• •00.03.55- Talks about hygiene (Good bite)
• •00.04.20- Talks about style (NG)
• Labelling Tapes: As soon as a tape is recorded,
do not forget to label the tape and lock the
record tab. This is done to avoid accidental
erasure.
• Script - While the capturing process takes place the reporter writes a script, which
includes voice-overs VO and which states exactly which sound bites and PTCs are
to be used.
• Record VO - the reporter records the voice-overs written in the script.
• Editing - The reporter then edits the story, with or without the help of a video
editor. An experienced reporter is expected to know enough video editing to be
able to edit the story himself or herself. Editing involves organizing the shots,
interviews sound bites and voice-overs in a coordinated and correctly ordered
manner. At this point various graphic elements, such as Astons and slugs may be
added. Slug - Fire 2/10/08 9 a.m. PR, 2min3sec
• Final Package - A senior member of the editorial team who decides whether or not
it should be included in a news bulletin for telecast now screens it. If approved, the
package is included in a list called the Rundown.
 Live News Reports
• The word ‘live’ refers to the broadcast of an event
which takes place as the event happens.
• The process of live reporting is not neatly divided
into steps but is more of a coordinated process in
which several things take place simultaneously
• The reporter is present at the location, and is
accompanied by a vehicle called an OB Van,
which is short for Outdoor Broadcast Van
• It consists of a technically equipped van to which
a camera and microphone are connected.
• Sometimes, there may be several reporters present at different
locations simultaneously, and each of them may be sending back
images and sounds of their locations to the news organization at
the same time
• All of these signals reach a technical facility in the news
organization called the PCR, which means Production Control
Room
• Within the PCR, there are several monitors television screens
present, each of which shows the signal coming from any one
camera or OB Van. There is also another monitor which shows
exactly which of these signals is being telecast at that moment. The
technical staff in the PCR keep switching between various signals,
alternatively putting one, then another, and then a third, and so on,
on air. This process is called live editing, online editing, or switching.
 Broadcast vs. Newspaper and Web
writing
• Attribution: always first in broadcast. First or
last for print and the Web.
– Naming the source of every bit of information
would make stories almost incomprehensible.
– Information that a reporter observed directly can
be stated without attribution.
– Indisputable or well-accepted facts do not need to
be attributed
• Active voice: active voice is preferable for print
but even more necessary for broadcast.
• Present tense: use when possible for
broadcast. Past tense is more common in print
and the Web.
• Updated leads: use the latest information.
This technique is recommended for all media,
but especially for broadcast and the Web.
 Before you script:
• Step 1: Keep your log ready: As already explained the log will come
handy if you need to figure out what you have or whether a
particular sound bite is available.
• Step 2: Block your story: Break your story into various parts the
beginning, middle and the end. You are telling a story. Hence it
should be told logically. Think how absurd the crow, jug of water
and pebble story would be if it is told in the wrong order.
• Step 3: Write anchor link first: The anchor link is the summary of
the story. Once written this also clarifies the story idea in your
mind. This also ensures that you do not repeat the introduction in
the first paragraph of the story.
• Step 4: Write the script itself: Once the above steps are completed
one is ready to script.
 WRITING FOR VISUALS
• Spoken Language/ Short sentences: The television script
is written for the ear. Since there is no scope of rewinding or cross checking what has been
said…it is better to use simple words. Short sentences also help as it keeps the story
simple…one idea per sentence. Once you have written the script read it aloud once or
twice. When you listen if it sounds right, it is correct.

• Writing to visuals: keep the visuals in mind. Do not try to explain

something for which you do not have the supporting visuals.

• The first paragraph - After the story has been introduced by the
anchor…the voice of the reporter takes over. The reporter in his first paragraph
should never repeat what has been said in the anchor link

• You tell the story: Remember that you as the journalist are telling
the story. The sound bites are only meant to support what you are
saying. They are not supposed to add new elements of the story.