Evaluating show content Target audience Appeals Pacing Advertiser issues Quality vs. appeal Production quality

Newscast A / B / C blocks & variations Length of blocks Pacing of types of stories Your newscast--treat all stories like they

fit for that day Reader / VO / vo-sot / package variations Graphics additions – ‘cut sheet’ Taped open / credits Pre-production issues

Demonstration Show Use props, present as if you are

trying to sell a product and are demonstrating how it’s used

Use good FSS, good CU shots, good camera movements, good pacing and appeal

Interviews: no creative directing Your choice content

Audience Engaging Principles A good script (and thus, show) has two

dimensions: 1-- Form--basic design, genre and logical

construction (e.g. newscast, talk show, demonstration show...)

• our goal relates to what we want the audience to experience, feel or gain

• Our vision relates to how we personally use the tools of the trade to translate the goal into an audio and visual experience for the viewer

Audience Engaging Principles 2. Content -- includes goals and visions,

includes the production's emotional attributes. It's primarily within the realm of content

(goals and visions) that engrossing and effective productions are separated from those that are mediocre and dull.

It is primarily within the ream of content that videographers can make their own personal, creative contributions.

What is good content? There may be some definite rules for the

successful operation of production equipment, there are no rules for program content; maybe guidelines, but no hard-and-fast rules.

The bottom line for content is simply, does it do what it's supposed to do; or, more specifically, does it work?

Demonstration Steps

Topic and host sign up by Friday Final Draft Show Outline script Tues Final Draft Show Directing Script Th Completed show graphics and theme

music content on server and verified by 5 pm 3/27

Submit hard copies of scripts and 'cut sheet' at 2 pm 3/27, stapled.                    

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Chapter 9Working with the Talent

““Talent” generally refers to anyone who appears in Talent” generally refers to anyone who appears in front of the camera: anchors, voice over front of the camera: anchors, voice over

announcers, interviewers, DJs, etc. announcers, interviewers, DJs, etc.

‘‘Actors’ ‘Performers ‘Announcers’ Actors’ ‘Performers ‘Announcers’

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Teleprompters are attached in front of the lens of Teleprompters are attached in front of the lens of the video camera. Video or text can be placed on the the video camera. Video or text can be placed on the prompter, allowing the talent to see the program or prompter, allowing the talent to see the program or read the script while looking into the camera lens.read the script while looking into the camera lens.

Portable teleprompters, such as the software/app Portable teleprompters, such as the software/app used on an iPhone in the second photo, are used on an iPhone in the second photo, are increasingly being used in the field.increasingly being used in the field.

Reversed image / view through lensReversed image / view through lens Talent or crew operationTalent or crew operation

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News talent records voiceovers for story News talent records voiceovers for story packagespackages

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Talent must be able to concentrate on the work, even Talent must be able to concentrate on the work, even with a lot of distractions going on involving cameras, with a lot of distractions going on involving cameras, audio personnel, lighting, and other crew membersaudio personnel, lighting, and other crew members

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Note that while these two sports commentators Note that while these two sports commentators rehearse, audio and production personnel are rehearse, audio and production personnel are working around them, testing their mics and working around them, testing their mics and

adjusting talent’s headset on his neckadjusting talent’s headset on his neck

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A “standup” is when talent are placed in front of something A “standup” is when talent are placed in front of something that provides context for the story being coveredthat provides context for the story being covered

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The experienced interviewer can help inexperienced guests in many The experienced interviewer can help inexperienced guests in many ways:ways:

Put them at ease. Explain what will be happeningPut them at ease. Explain what will be happening Give them clear instructionsGive them clear instructions

Keep the area clear of distractionsKeep the area clear of distractions Place items on a pre-arranged markPlace items on a pre-arranged mark

Be aware of the time limitsBe aware of the time limits

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One of the hosts from NBC’s Today Show, One of the hosts from NBC’s Today Show, sitting in the light shirt, is prepping his sitting in the light shirt, is prepping his

guest for the next segment of the programguest for the next segment of the program

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People bring life to scenes, making the image more People bring life to scenes, making the image more interesting to the audience. This image captured the interesting to the audience. This image captured the atmosphere of the red carpet at the British Academy atmosphere of the red carpet at the British Academy Awards.Awards.

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You and yourshow talent

Preparation work Timing issues Addressing the camera Showing close-ups Pacing / talking while demonstrating Pacing / timing to conclusion

You and yourshow talent

Open with show overview Keep the steps simple Connect the steps together along the

way Lead to a conclusion, summarize Plan for VO times, FSG, name keys…

You and yourshow talent

Extemporaneous, conversational style

Relaxed, organized, methodical, friendly

Ignoring the distractions Handling the unexpected

What makes a good demonstration?

Revisit what makes a good show Who is the target audience What is your goal Personality of talent Quality of production Importance of pre-production

Reminders

Thursday morning sign-up

Thursday afternoon sign up Topic, host sign up Show outline and directing script

samples