Beginning of the First Newscasts

As I posted in the last response, a producer's first job is to get the right script. This week marked the first week of my highly anticipated midterm newscast for this semester, unprecedented of WSB-TV interns. I am preparing some SOTs and writing for the others. I have been searching for enterprise stories that will remain relevant for the audience in a few weeks. For example, the zebra escaping the circus and running down the expressway. The key for this story is finding the footage no one else has. since I wasn't at work that day I didn't get the opportunity to get my own shots but I'm hoping someone has close ups on the zebra running head on. This particular story will be different because I may have to write to the video instead of making the video speak and allowing the words to accompany. I also have to get together with reporters and anchors and choose whichj ones I want. Then figure out which shots are going to be best for which person. The one thing I don't want is a generic newscast that looks like all the other ones. so this week marks the embarking on one of two highlights of the semester.

ALL NIGHT LONG

This week has been slow. I did more intern type of activities like running scripts and answering phones. But I have been working on my writing. It's difficult to differentiate between different writing styles. When writing for film or plays the rules kind of transform from how you write for the news and vice versa. I have to change the writing here when producing. I have to remember to keep in mind the important aspect is conversation. It was easier the first week I did this. But I did produce a VO-voice over adn included a few SOT's-Sound over tape.

The Reporting Aspect

Sorry to get to you all so late but this process is time consuming. This week was a breif introduction to field producing. I shadowed a reporter/anchor and a photographer. The story was partially put together outside of the newsroom. This taught me what I need to ask for and look for as a producer receiving a story from reporters and photogs. We needed good film to write to so I was able to see excellent camera angles and how to get them. When to use the zoom and pan features for a story. This came from a guy basically running from us because he didn't want to comment on the story. We took the film back and wrote scripts and cut the film to match it.