The document provides guidelines for students to follow when creating a final news package, including: 1) The format should include voiceovers, two sound bites from different interviews, a stand-up piece, and another voiceover section. 2) Students should research their topic, conduct two interviews - one with an expert and one affected individual - and ask open-ended questions. 3) When filming, students should properly frame interviews and capture b-roll footage, along with directing their stand-up piece to camera. 4) For production, students need to record clear voiceovers, assemble their package in the correct order with natural sound, and include an attention-grabbing lead and concluding tag.

1. Final Packages
Overview

2. Format of Final Package
 VO – Your voice recorded onto the finished package over B-roll
 SOT 1 – A sound bite from one of your two interviews
 Stand-up Bridge – You on Camera talking to the viewer
 SOT 2 – A second sound bite from a DIFFERENT person than SOT 1
 VO – Your voice recorded onto the finish package over B-roll
(No black between elements and no handles on SOTs)
(TRT – 1m 30s)

3. Research Your Story
You need stats and facts for your script
Having a lot of information will help you
ask better questions in your interviews

4. Interview Process
Do NOT wait until the last minute to set up your
interview…if they
cancel at last
minute you will
be stuck!
Have several questions prepared. Even if you
don’t use one of the sound bites, you can use the
information they supply in your script.

5. Do TWO Interviews
One of your interviews should be
with an expert on the topic. Or
someone very knowledgeable.
The other interview should be with
someone affected, impacted or part
of the story.

6. Interview Questions
Don’t set yourself up for “yes” or “no” answers.
Ask Open-ended questions.
Have them tell you
stories about what
happened.
Ask people to describe
and explain things,
events and feelings. “What was that like?”

7. Interview Framing
Do NOT have your subject
look directly into the
camera.
Do NOT have your subject
in the middle of the shot
They should be slightly off
to one side, looking across
the screen.

8. Interview Framing
Do NOT have too much room
above their head.
Do NOT cut off their head.
Make sure the camera is at
the same eye level as your
subject.

9. Interview Framing
Frame your subject from the chest up.
We should not see their hands or
their feet. That’s too wide.
Do NOT shoot your interview in front
of a blank wall. Have an interesting
background.
We should NOT see your
microphone wire anywhere. Hide it
behind your subject.

10. Shooting your B-roll
Shoot A LOT of b-roll shots. When you go to
edit, there may be issues with some of your
shots. Don’t use them!!!
Shoot a minimum of 15
DIVERSE B-roll
shots.
All B-roll shots should be completely different.
Have a lot of variety.

11. Shooting your Stand-up Bridge
Do NOT just stand there
without telling the viewer
why you are there.
Do NOT stand there like a
statue. Be interactive.
Make it clear WHY your are on camera.
At the end, set up what is coming NEXT!

12. Shooting your Stand-up Bridge
Look directly into the camera,
but do not stare at it.
Do NOT read something off
to the side or below the
camera. You need to
memorize your stand-up bridge.
Have fun with it! Stand somewhere that pertains
to your story if possible.

13. Recording Your VO
Read your VO slowly!!!
Mic Placement – If it is
too close to your mouth
your words will ‘pop’.
Be Animated – This helps with tempo
and energy. Don’t be monotone.

14. Recording Your VO
Pitch - Changing the pitch of your voice is
an excellent way to create emphasis.
Rhythm - Change the rhythm and inflection
of your voice. Adding pauses after each
sentence will also enhance your VO.
Do TWO recorded readings – This will
make it easier for you to edit. You will
hear mistakes better when editing. Use the
best version.

15. Recording Your VO
Find a Quiet Place to Record your VO
Empty rooms are NOT a good place to
record your VO. They have too much
echo.
Hold Script
Up
When reading your
script, hold it in front
of you to keep your

16. Recording Your VO
 Check Your Audio Levels
Make sure your microphone is ON
when you are recording your VO and
that you can see the audio levels
moving on your camera!!! Adjust the
audio knob if they are too high or too
low!!.

17. Assembling Your Package
Log all your interviews verbatim – This
will help you decide which sound bites to use
and what to put in your VO.
Decide how you want your story to flow -
What information MUST you include. What
can you leave out.

18. Assembling Your Package
Write Your Script
Write out your VO, your SOTs verbatim and your
stand-up bridge in script format.
Make sure it is NOT over 1m30s
If too long, take out unnecessary words or sentences.
Remember, short simple sentences.
Get your script approved
You may go through 2-3 versions, so plan for that.

19. Editing Your Package
 Lay down your VO audio tracks first. This
will help you match your B-roll shots to
your VO better.
 When adding your B-roll, make sure you add
a second line of
audio so we can
hear the NAT
sounds on your
B-roll.

20. Editing Your Package
 The NAT sound from your B-roll should
NOT overpower your VO, it should
enhance it.
 Your B-roll shots should all be about 5
seconds. Anything shorter is too quick for the
viewer to adjust to.
 There should NOT be ANY black holes in
your package. Everything should flow
together.

21. Anchor Lead/Tag
 Anchor Lead - This should be attention
grabbing, but not a newspaper headline. It should
be a complete sentence.
Anchor Tag – This should tell us what is going to
happen NEXT with the story.
Both should about 10-12
seconds long.

22. Uploading your Package
After you have finished editing your package,
upload it to YouTube.
After you upload your package to YouTube,
WATCH it again!!!!
Changes to packages have occurred when
uploading, so make sure your YouTube link
BEFORE you submit it.