TV NEWS STORY FORMATS

A Reader or Copy in television is essentially the same as in radio. An on-camera anchor reads a story with no additional video. A VO (short for Voice-Over) is a story in which an anchor reads over pictures. There is no additional audio, except possibly for natural ambient sound that the anchor reads over. A Soundbite is similar to a radio actuality. It is a shortened excerpt of an interview. SOT (short for Sound on Tape) is another name for a soundbite. A VOSOT (short for Voice-Over Sound on Tape) is a story in which the anchor reads over pictures and then pauses for a soundbite. A Package is a self-contained story that includes the reporters voice-over narration, soundbites, pictures, sometimes a stand-up (a segment in which the reporter appears on camera), and a standard outcue (For example- Cindy Wilkins, Trojan Vision News). Types of stand-ups: An opening stand-up should never be used in a TV package unless the story is a LIVE piece where the reporter is on the scene to introduce his/her package. Otherwise, an opening stand-up should not be used unless the reporter is the most important part of the story. Chances are likely the reporter will not be the most important part of the story. In other words, if the story is about a house fire, then show opening pictures of the fire, not the reporters face. A bridge stand-up occurs in the middle of the package (these are used often). A closing stand-up occurs at the end of the story (these are used often). The closing stand-up must include an ending thought and the standard outcue, not solely the standard outcue.

TV NEWS STORY FORMAT samples

Sample script for VO (voice over)

Earthquake 3/1/10 6pm Your Name

Anchor on Camera/No video Two buildings are all that remain in Huntsville, after a major earthquake hit the Texas community this afternoon.

Take Tape--(Anchor VO)

Rescue crews are still searching through fallen buildings, homes and stores. Doctors at Huntsville Memorial Hospital say

super: Huntsville, TX the death toll now is 25-hundred people. Officials at this hour are appealing for medicine and bandages, saying the supply at the town's hospital is running out. Relief supplies have not yet reached the disaster area because the quake destroyed too many roads.

Total Tape Running Time: 35 seconds

Sample script for Reader

Earthquake 3/1/10 6pm Your Name

Anchor on Camera Video)

Officials estimate 25-hundred people have (No

died following an earthquake in Huntsville this afternoon. The quake registered nine-point-four on the Richter Scale and has ravaged this east Texas community. Two buildings are all that remain at this time. Doctors at Huntsville Memorial Hospital are in dire need of medicine and bandages. They say the hospital's supply is running out.

Sample Script for VOSOT

Bengal Tiger 3/7/08 6pm Your Name

Anchor on Camera Montgomerys population has grown by (No video) one, thanks to the addition of a new tiger.

Take Tape--(Anchor VO) 15 seconds

Sheeban, a rare white Bengal tiger, was born this morning at the Montgomery Zoo, weighing in at 22 pounds. Sheeban joins her mom, Simba, and three

super: Montgomery Zoo siblings as the zoo's latest additions.

Zoo director Kim Summers says the new tiger will feed on milk and small bites of beef for the next few days. super: Kim Summers Montgomery Zoo Director

Outcue: "We couldn't be happier." Running Time: 12 seconds

____________________________________________________________________

Keep Tape--(Anchor VO) 15 seconds

The zoo is open daily from nine a-m until four p-m.

Total Tape Running Time: 42 seconds

Sample Script for Package Lead-In

Courthouse Fire 3/1/10 6pm Your Name

Anchor on Camera (No Video)

Fire officials may have an answer to what caused a blaze which destroyed the Pike County Courthouse

early this morning. (Your name) reports. Take Tape----

supers: Troy, AL Mario Bantini Witness Steve Carter Troy Fire Dept. Captain Your Name Troy Trojan Vision News

Total Tape Running Time: 1:23

Sample Reporter Package Script

Courthouse Fire 3/4/08 6pm Your Name

Reporter Voice Track #1:

Construction crews had just finished renovation work on the courthouse building when the fire broke out. Mario Bantini, owner of the Caf Trojan, watched the blaze from his restaurant across the street. Soundbite (Bantini): Outcue: Even before the fire trucks got here. Reporter Voice Track #2: Officials say the building was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Fire chief Steve Carter says the building could not be saved. Soundbite (Carter): Outcue: The building didnt have a prayer. Reporter Voice Track #3: Officials do not anticipate foul play but are not yet certain as to the cause of the fire. They estimate the damage at slightly more than three million dollars. Your name, Troy Trojan Vision News.

Broadcast News Writing Writing Assignment #5 Due Monday, March 1, 2010

THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO THIS ASSIGNMENT:

1. Re-write a newspaper story (from any newspaper) in broadcast VOSOT style. A sample form is provided for you. Make sure there is at least one quote from a named source in the newspaper article. Write the script according to the sample. Your directors cues are in bold type and on the left. The anchors script is typed on the right side. Make sure you include running times (you do not have to have exact time on this) plus an accurate outcue on the quote. Your lead sentence must be written in present, present-perfect, or future tense. Your story must be written in ALL CAPS and double-spaced. THIS PORTION IS WORTH 17 points. 2. Re-write a lead sentence or main idea of another newspaper story (from any newspaper) in broadcast style anchor package lead-in style. A sample form is provided for you. Make sure there are least two quotes from at least two different named sources in the newspaper article. Your directors cues are in bold type and are on the left. The anchors script is typed on the right side. You are the reporter so make sure your name is listed as (Your name) reports. Make sure you include running times (you do not have to have an exact time on this). Your lead sentence must be written in present, present-perfect, or future tense. Your story must be written in ALL CAPS and double-spaced. THIS PORTION IS WORTH 16 points. 3. Re-write the same newspaper story (as used in #2) in broadcast reporter package style. A sample form is provided for you. The article must have at least two quotes from two different named sources. Your reporter voice tracks do not have to be written in present, present-perfect, or future tense. They may be written in any verb tense. The first sentence of your reporter package script may not be the same as your lead sentence as the anchor package lead-in script. Your closing on the story must read, Your name, Troy Trojan Vision News. Your story must be written in ALL CAPS and double-spaced. THIS PORTION IS WORTH 17 points.