Television field production and reporting / Fred Shook, John Larson, John DeTarsio.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Table of Contents

Preface xix
Acknowledgments xxi
About the Authors xxiii
Introduction 1 (1)
Television Is a Language 1 (3)
Telling the Visual Story 4 (23)
Visual Stories Begin with a Clear Focus 5 (1)
The Visual Storyteller Defined 5 (2)
Write the Pictures First 7 (1)
Shoot Sequences 7 (1)
Prove the Story's Focus Visually 8 (1)
The Focus May Change 9 (1)
Look for a Story Focus in Spot-News Events 9 (1)
Identify the Larger Spot-News Story 9 (1)
Tell Your Story through People 10 (1)
Strong Natural Sound Helps Tell the Story 10 (1)
Build In Surprises 10 (1)
Keep Sound Bites Short 11 (1)
Address the Larger Issue 12 (1)
Make the Report Memorable 12 (1)
News Packages Are Factual Mini-Movies 12 (1)
The Lead 12 (1)
Provide Visual Proof for All Main Points 13 (1)
The Close 14 (1)
Be Hard on Yourself as a Writer 14 (1)
Write from the Visuals 15 (1)
The Edit Console Is a Rewrite Machine 15 (1)
Reportorial Editing 16 (3)
A Blueprint for Shooting Spot News 19 (8)
John DeTarsio
Summary 23 (1)
Key Terms 24 (1)
Discussion 24 (1)
Exercises 25 (1)
Notes 25 (2)
The Visual Grammar of Motion Picture 27 (27)
Photography
The Shot 27 (1)
The Sequence 28 (1)
Basic Shots 29 (1)
How Shots Work Together 30 (1)
Camera Movement 31 (2)
Changes in Camera Perspective 33 (1)
Shots That Help Tell the Story 34 (3)
One Shots to Crowd Shots 37 (1)
Master Shot with Cut-Ins 37 (2)
Overlapping Action 39 (1)
Matched-Action Sequences Can Be Shot In 40 (2)
Spot News
Screen Direction 42 (2)
Vary Camera Angles 44 (1)
Angles Provide Psychological Impact 45 (1)
Contrast and Comparison 46 (1)
Composition 46 (8)
Summary 51 (1)
Key Terms 51 (1)
Discussion 52 (1)
Exercises 52 (1)
Notes 53 (1)
Video Editing: The Invisible Art 54 (16)
Toward a Philosophy of Editing 54 (1)
Everyone in Television News Is an Editor 54 (1)
The Cut 55 (1)
Choosing Edit Points 56 (1)
There Can Be No Matched Action without 56 (1)
Overlapping Action
Cutting on Action or at Rest 57 (1)
Into-Frame/Out-of-Frame Action 57 (1)
Jump Cuts 58 (1)
Pop Cuts 58 (1)
Devices to Compress Time and Advance the 58 (1)
Action
Parallel Cutting 59 (2)
Shot Order Impacts the Illusion of 61 (1)
Continuity
Content Dictates Pace 61 (1)
Cutting to Condense Time 61 (1)
Composition Affects Pace 61 (1)
Screen Direction 62 (1)
Editing to Eliminate the False Reverse 63 (1)
The Transition Shot 63 (1)
Sound as a Transitional Device 64 (1)
Cold Cuts 64 (1)
Flash Cuts 65 (1)
Cutting to Leave Space for Audience 65 (1)
Reaction
Communication Pays 65 (1)
Dissolves and Other Optical Effects 66 (4)
Summary 67 (1)
Key Terms 67 (1)
Discussion 68 (1)
Exercises 68 (1)
Notes 69 (1)
Field Techniques of Shooting Television News 70 (21)
Use a Tripod Whenever Appropriate 70 (1)
The Handheld Camera 70 (3)
How to Use the Zoom Lens 73 (1)
Storytelling and Planning 74 (1)
Establish Communication in the Field 75 (1)
Think Before You Shoot 75 (1)
Shoot Sequences 76 (1)
Shoot and Move 76 (1)
Anticipate Action 76 (1)
Shoot Only the Shots You Need 76 (1)
Avoid Indiscriminate Shooting 77 (1)
Edit in the Camera 78 (1)
Shoot to Eliminate the False Reverse 79 (1)
Involve the Camera in the Action 79 (1)
Working with People 80 (1)
Avoid Distracting the Subject 81 (1)
The One-Person Band 82 (2)
Shooting in Cold Weather 84 (1)
Safety First 85 (6)
Summary 88 (1)
Key Terms 88 (1)
Discussion 89 (1)
Exercises 89 (1)
Notes 90 (1)
The Magic of Light and Lighting 91 (1)
Photography Is the Art of Controlling 91 (5)
Light
Mixing Light Sources 96 (1)
Basic Lighting Patterns 96 (1)
The Role of Artificial Light 97 (1)
Key Light 97 (1)
Contrast Control 98 (1)
The Inverse-Square Law of Light 99 (1)
Backlight 100 (1)
Broadlighting and Short Lighting 101 (1)
Lighting for High Definition 101 (1)
Flat Lighting 101 (1)
Light Diffusion 102 (1)
Bounce Lighting 102 (3)
Eye Reflections 105 (1)
Exposure 105 (1)
Essential Lighting Equipment 106 (1)
Lighting in Sunlight 106 (1)
How to Light a News Conference 107 (1)
Setting Up Lights in Cooperation with 108 (1)
Other Crews
Lighting Etiquette 108 (1)
Lighting Spot News at Night 109 (1)
Photographing Subjects with Dark Skin 109 (1)
Large-Scale Lighting 110 (1)
Cautions 111
Summary 112 (1)
Key Terms 112 (1)
Discussion 113 (1)
Exercises 113 (1)
Notes 114
The Magic of Light and Lighting 91 (24)
Photography Is the Art of Controlling 91 (5)
Light
Mixing Light Sources 96 (1)
Basic Lighting Patterns 96 (1)
The Role of Artificial Light 97 (1)
Key Light 97 (1)
Contrast Control 98 (1)
The Inverse-Square Law of Light 99 (1)
Backlight 100 (1)
Broadlighting and Short Lighting 101 (1)
Lighting for High Definition 101 (1)
Flat Lighting 101 (1)
Light Diffusion 102 (1)
Bounce Lighting 102 (3)
Eye Reflections 105 (1)
Exposure 105 (1)
Essential Lighting Equipment 106 (1)
Lighting in Sunlight 106 (1)
How to Light a News Conference 107 (1)
Setting Up Lights in Cooperation with 108 (1)
Other Crews
Lighting Etiquette 108 (1)
Lighting Spot News at Night 109 (1)
Photographing Subjects with Dark Skin 109 (1)
Large-Scale Lighting 110 (1)
Cautions 111 (4)
Summary 112 (1)
Key Terms 112 (1)
Discussion 113 (1)
Exercises 113 (1)
Notes 114 (1)
The Sound Track 115 (26)
How Microphones Work 115 (1)
Directional Patterns 116 (1)
On Choosing a Mike 117 (1)
Impedance 118 (1)
Frequency Response 118 (1)
Microphones for the Broadcast Journalist 118 (2)
The Wireless Transmitter-Receiver 120 (3)
The Mixer 123 (2)
Essential Points for Audio 125 (4)
Techniques to Reduce Wind Noise 129 (3)
Be Aggressive 132 (1)
The Microphone Hears Differently 132 (1)
Sound Perspective 132 (1)
Stereo 133 (1)
Covering News Conferences 134 (1)
Recording Group Discussions 135 (1)
The Two-Person Interview 135 (1)
Record Room Tone 135 (1)
The Seductive Quality of Nat Sound 135 (1)
Watch What You Say 136 (1)
Sound and Video Accessories 136 (5)
Summary 137 (1)
Key Terms 138 (1)
Discussion 138 (1)
Exercises 139 (1)
Notes 140 (1)
The Broadcast Interview: Shooting the 141 (16)
Quotation Marks
Establish Trust 141 (1)
Practice Hospitality 142 (1)
The Most Important Interview Question 142 (1)
Save Your Questions for the Interview 142 (1)
Use a Wireless Microphone 143 (1)
Do Your Homework 144 (1)
How to Frame Interview Questions 145 (1)
The Art of Listening 145 (1)
Avoid the Easy Questions 145 (1)
Build Questions Around the Five W's 146 (1)
Avoid Two-Part Questions 146 (1)
``How Do You Feel?'' 146 (1)
Anticipate Questions the Viewers Would Ask 146 (1)
Practice the Fine Art of Hesitation 147 (1)
Pitch Reporting Opportunities 147 (1)
Prearrange Signals between Reporter and 148 (1)
Photographer
How to React without Appearing to Agree 148 (1)
Retain Control of the Interview 149 (1)
Interviewing Children 149 (1)
The Talking Head 150 (1)
Influencing How Viewers Perceive the 151 (1)
Subject
One-Eyed Talking Heads 152 (1)
Body Language 152 (1)
After the Interview Is Over 153 (1)
Interviews Allow Reporting through Direct 153 (4)
Observation
Summary 154 (1)
Key Terms 155 (1)
Discussion 155 (1)
Exercises 155 (1)
Notes 156 (1)
Television Script Formats 157 (11)
Luan Akin
Reader 157 (1)
VTR VO (Voice-Over Video) 158 (1)
VTR VO (Voice-Over Video) VO/SOT/VO (VO 159 (2)
SOT or A/B for Short)
Intros to Live Shots 161 (1)
Live Intros to Packages 162 (1)
Package Scripts 163 (2)
Reporter and Anchor Closes 165 (1)
The Case for Caps and Lowercase 165 (3)
Summary 166 (1)
Key Terms 166 (1)
Exercises 166 (2)
Writing the Package 168 (12)
Define Your Focus 169 (1)
Write the Beginning (Studio Lead-In) 169 (1)
Write the Package Lead 169 (1)
Write the Middle or Main Body 170 (2)
Write the Close 172 (1)
Preplan the Package 172 (3)
Spot-News Packages 175 (1)
Set a High Standard for Packages 175 (1)
Use Natural Sound Liberally 176 (4)
Summary 177 (1)
Key Terms 178 (1)
Exercises 178 (1)
Notes 179 (1)
Write Like a Storyteller 180 (19)
John Larson
Transmitting the Experience 180 (3)
Writing Your First Sentence 183 (1)
The Three Horses---Storytelling Tools for 184 (1)
Video Stories
First Horse: Surprise 184 (5)
Second Horse: Quest 189 (3)
Third Horse: Character 192 (1)
Tips for Writing Strong Stories 193 (6)
Summary 195 (1)
Discussion 196 (1)
Exercises 197 (2)
How to Improve Your Storytelling Ability 199 (18)
Seek Gradual Improvement 199 (1)
Excellence Versus Perfection 200 (1)
Have a Story 200 (1)
Excuses 201 (1)
Know the Community 201 (1)
Curiosity Pays 202 (1)
See Beyond the Obvious 203 (1)
Show Audiences What They Missed 203 (1)
Involve the Camera 203 (2)
Sequences Advance the Story 205 (1)
Don't Try to Show All of New Zealand 205 (1)
Pursue Your Interest in People 206 (1)
Make Viewers Watch 207 (1)
Develop Video Fluency 207 (1)
Adapt Your Reporting to Story Demands 208 (1)
Reporting the Nonvisual Story 208 (1)
Personal Appearance and Conduct 209 (1)
Etiquette 209 (1)
Shooting and Reporting Spot News 209 (4)
Toward a News Philosophy 213 (4)
Summary 213 (1)
Key Terms 214 (1)
Discussion 214 (1)
Exercises 215 (1)
Notes 216 (1)
Live Shots and Remotes 217 (22)
Luan Akin
What Does It Take to ``Go Live''? 218 (1)
Spot News 218 (4)
Television Live Shot Formats 222 (4)
Narration 226 (2)
Helicopter Live Shots 228 (1)
Live in the Newsroom 228 (1)
Live Graphics 229 (1)
Live/Anchor Intros 229 (1)
Reporter Close 230 (1)
Anchor Close 230 (1)
Why Go Live? 231 (1)
Why Not Go Live? 231 (1)
Phoners 232 (1)
Live Teases 233 (2)
Some Parting Advice 235 (1)
A Final Thought 235 (4)
Summary 235 (2)
Key Terms 237 (1)
Exercises 237 (2)
The Assignment Editor and Producer: 239 (18)
Architects of the Newscast
The Assignment Editor 239 (2)
Assignment Editors Help Conceptualize the 241 (1)
Package
The Producer 242 (1)
Toward a News Philosophy 243 (6)
Teases 249 (1)
Help Make the Station a Regional Force 249 (1)
Improve Audio-Video Linkage 250 (1)
Visuals 250 (1)
Freshen File Video 251 (1)
Use Talking Heads with Purpose 252 (1)
Weather and Sports 252 (5)
Summary 253 (1)
Key Terms 254 (1)
Discussion 254 (1)
Exercises 255 (1)
Notes 256 (1)
Sports Photography and Reporting 257 (18)
Bob Burke
Marcia Neville
How to Be a Great Sports Photographer 257 (1)
Bob Burke
The Biggest Problem in Sports Photography 258 (2)
How to Shoot Sports Highlights 260 (1)
How to Shoot Sports Features 261 (1)
How to Shoot a Sports Feature and 262 (2)
Highlights Simultaneously
Sports Reporting: Originality Counts 264 (1)
Marcia Neville
Be Prepared 265 (1)
In-Field Sports Reporting 266 (5)
Feature Reporting 271 (1)
Writing and Voicing Sports 271 (1)
Avoid Personal Involvement 271 (4)
Summary 272 (1)
Key Terms 273 (1)
Discussion 273 (1)
Exercises 274 (1)
Law and the Broadcast Journalist 275 (18)
Gathering the News 275 (1)
Libel 276 (1)
Invasion of Privacy 277 (1)
Defamation 278 (1)
Use of the Word Alleged 279 (1)
Apparent Authority 279 (2)
Technology 281 (1)
Telephone Recordings 282 (1)
Juvenile News Sources 283 (1)
Subpoenas and Shield Laws 284 (1)
Access Laws 284 (1)
Courtroom Television 284 (5)
A Legal Perspective 289 (4)
Summary 289 (2)
Key Terms 291 (1)
Discussion 291 (1)
Exercises 292 (1)
Notes 292 (1)
Journalistic Ethics 293 (20)
Definition of Ethics 293 (1)
Effects of Competition 293 (1)
Situational Ethics 294 (1)
Licensing 295 (1)
Contract with the Public 295 (1)
Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas 296 (5)
Reverse-Angle Questions 301 (1)
Staged News Events 301 (1)
Reenactments 302 (1)
File Video 303 (1)
Material Provided by Outside Services 303 (1)
Toward an Individual Code of Ethics 303 (10)
Summary 309 (1)
Key Terms 309 (1)
Discussion 309 (1)
Exercises 310 (1)
Discussion of Ethical Conflict 310 (2)
Situations
Notes 312 (1)
APPENDIX A Shooting Television News: The 313 (13)
Basics
The Camera 313 (2)
The Lens 315 (8)
Be Careful with That Camera 323 (3)
Summary 323 (1)
Key Terms 323 (1)
Discussion 323 (1)
Exercises 324 (2)
APPENDIX B Improving Performance in Field 326 (17)
Reporting
Develop Qualities That Make You 326 (1)
Interesting and Interested
Why We Communicate 327 (1)
Communicate What You Feel About the Story 327 (1)
Put Experience into Your Reports 328 (1)
Multidimensional Reporting 328 (1)
The Body Language of Effective Reporting 328 (1)
Give the Story's Meaning Some Thought 329 (1)
Marking Copy 329 (1)
Learn How to Relax 330 (1)
Develop Conversational Delivery 331 (1)
Give Yourself Something to Do 331 (1)
Reasons to Do Standups 332 (1)
The Demonstration Standup 332 (1)
Avoid Staging in the Demonstration Standup 333 (1)
Your Appearance 333 (2)
Let the Audience Know You as a Friend 335 (1)
Community Analysis 335 (2)
Impact How People Perceive Your News 337 (1)
Sources
Use Your Body More Effectively 338 (1)
Posture Matters 338 (1)
Split-Focus Presentation 338 (1)
The Anchor Debrief 338 (1)
When You Are Before the Camera 339 (1)
How Reporters Evolve into Anchors 339 (4)
Summary 339 (2)
Key Terms 341 (1)
Note 341 (2)
Glossary 343 (8)
Index 351 (9)
Credits 360