Television Field Production and Reporting

by Shook, Frederick

• ISBN13: 9780205418466
• ISBN10: 0205418465
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This introduction to the art of visual storytelling is the most contemporary, professionally-oriented book on television field production and reporting on the market. Widely adopted and universally respected, this text is endorsed by the National Press Photographers Association as a resource for college students and working professionals alike.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxi
About the Author	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	(1)
Write the Pictures First	6	(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)
Identifying 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	11	(1)
Keep Sound Bites Short	12	(1)
Address the Larger Issue	12	(1)
Make the Report Memorable	12	(1)
News Packages are Factual ``Mini-Movies''	13	(1)
The Lead	13	(1)
Provide Visual Proof for all Main Points	13	(1)
The Close	14	(1)
Be Hard on Yourself as a Writer	15	(1)
Write from the Visuals	16	(1)
The Edit Console is a Rewrite Machine	16	(1)
Reportorial Editing	17	(2)
A Blueprint for Shooting Spot News	19	(4)
John De Tarsio
Summary	23	(1)
Discussion	24	(1)
Exercises	24	(1)
Notes	25	(2)
The Visual Grammar of Motion Picture Photography	27	(28)
The Shot	27	(2)
Basic Shots	29	(1)
How Shots Work Together	30	(1)
Camera Movement	30	(3)
Shots that Help Tell the Story	33	(3)
Location Shooting	36	(1)
One Shots to Crowd Shots	36	(1)
Master Shot with Cut-Ins	37	(1)
Multiple-Camera Photography	37	(1)
How to Shoot Matched Action with One Camera	38	(1)
Overlapping Action	39	(1)
Photographing Action under the Photographer's Control	39	(1)
Photographing Action Not Under the Photographer's Control	40	(1)
Matched-Action Sequences can be Shot in Spot News	40	(3)
Screen Direction	43	(2)
Vary Camera Angles	45	(1)
Angles Provide Psychological Impact	45	(1)
Contrast and Comparison	46	(1)
Composition	47	(5)
Summary	52	(1)
Discussion	52	(1)
Exercises	53	(1)
Notes	54	(1)
Video Editing: The Invisible Art	55	(21)
Toward a Philosophy of Editing	55	(1)
Everyone in Television News is an Editor	55	(1)
The Nature of Editing	56	(1)
The Cut	57	(1)
Every Cut Needs a Reason	57	(1)
Choosing Edit Points	57	(1)
There can be no Matched Action Without Overlapping Action	58	(1)
Editing Action that was Under the Photographer's Control	58	(1)
Cutting on Action or at Rest	58	(1)
Into-Frame/Out-of-Frame Action	59	(1)
Jump Cuts	59	(1)
Pop Cuts	60	(1)
The Cutaway	60	(1)
Devices to Compress Time and Advance the Action	60	(1)
Advance the Action	61	(1)
Parallel Cutting	61	(2)
Shot Order Impacts the Illusion of Continuity	63	(1)
Content Dictates Pace	63	(1)
Cutting to Condense Time	63	(1)
Shot Length	64	(1)
Composition Affects Pace	64	(1)
Reveal Meaning Through Composition	64	(1)
Screen Direction	65	(1)
Editing to Eliminate the False Reverse	65	(1)
The Transition or Reveal Shot	66	(1)
Sound as a Transitional Device	67	(1)
Cold Cuts	68	(1)
Flash Cuts	68	(1)
Cutting to Leave Space for Audience Reaction	68	(1)
The Burden of ``Rambo Video''	69	(1)
Crash Editing	69	(1)
Dissolves and Other Optical Effects	70	(1)
Nonlinear Video Editing	70	(1)
Summary	71	(2)
Discussion	73	(1)
Exercises	74	(1)
Notes	75	(1)
Field Techniques of Shooting Television News	76	(22)
Use a Tripod Whenever Possible	76	(1)
The Handheld Camera	76	(3)
How to Use the Zoom Lens	79	(1)
Storytelling and Planning	80	(1)
Establish Communication in the Field	80	(1)
Think Before You Shoot	80	(1)
Shoot Sequences	81	(1)
Shoot and Move	82	(1)
Anticipate Action	82	(1)
Shooting Action Outside The Photographer's Control	83	(1)
Shoot Into-Frame/Out-of-Frame Action	83	(1)
Shoot Only the Shots You Need	83	(1)
Avoid Indiscriminate Shooting	84	(1)
Edit in the Camera	84	(1)
Shoot to Eliminate the False Reverse	85	(1)
Involve the Camera in the Action	85	(2)
Working with People	87	(1)
Avoid Distracting the Subject	87	(2)
The One-Person Band	89	(1)
Shooting in Cold Weather	90	(2)
Safety First	92	(3)
Summary	95	(1)
Discussion	95	(1)
Exercises	96	(1)
Notes	97	(1)
The Magic of Light and Lighting	98	(24)
Photography is the Art of Controlling Light	98	(6)
Mixing Light Sources	104	(1)
Basic Lighting Patterns	104	(1)
The Role of Artificial Light	105	(1)
Key Light	105	(1)
Contrast Control	105	(1)
The Inverse-Square Law of Light	106	(3)
Backlight	109	(1)
Broadlighting and Short Lighting	109	(1)
Flat Lighting	109	(1)
Light Diffusion	109	(1)
Bounce Lighting	110	(1)
Eye Reflections	110	(1)
Umbrella Lighting	110	(1)
Exposure	111	(1)
Essential Lighting Equipment	112	(1)
Lighting in Sunlight	112	(2)
How to Light a News Conference	114	(1)
Setting Up Lights in Cooperation with Other Crews	114	(1)
Lighting Etiquette	115	(1)
Lighting Spot News at Night	115	(1)
Photographing Subjects with Dark Skin	115	(1)
Large-Scale Lighting	116	(1)
Cautions	117	(1)
Summary	118	(1)
Discussion	119	(1)
Exercises	120	(1)
Notes	121	(1)
The Sound Track	122	(28)
How Microphones Work	123	(1)
Directional Patterns	124	(1)
On Choosing a Mike	125	(1)
Impedance	125	(1)
Frequency Response	125	(1)
Microphones for the Broadcast Journalist	125	(2)
The Wireless Transmitter-Receiver	127	(5)
The Mixer	132	(1)
Essential Points for Audio	133	(4)
Techniques to Reduce Wind Noise	137	(3)
Be Aggressive	140	(1)
The Microphone Hears Differently	140	(1)
Sound Perspective	141	(1)
Stereo	141	(1)
Covering News Conferences	142	(1)
Recording Group Discussions	143	(1)
The Two-Person Interview	143	(1)
Record Room Tone	144	(1)
The Seductive Quality of ``Nat'' Sound	144	(1)
Watch What You Say	144	(1)
Sound and Video Accessories	145	(1)
Summary	146	(1)
Discussion	147	(1)
Exercises	148	(1)
Notes	148	(2)
The Broadcast Interview: Shooting the Quotation Marks	150	(17)
Establish Trust	150	(1)
Practice Hospitality	151	(1)
The Most Important Interview Question	151	(1)
Save Your Questions for the Interview	151	(1)
Use a Wireless Microphone	152	(1)
Do Your Homework	153	(1)
How to Frame Interview Questions	154	(1)
The Art of Listening	154	(1)
Avoid the Easy Questions	154	(1)
Build Questions Around the Five W's	155	(1)
Avoid Two-Part Questions	155	(1)
``How Do You Feel?''	155	(1)
Anticipate Questions the Viewers Would Ask	155	(1)
Practice the Fine Art of Hesitation	156	(1)
Pitch Reporting Opportunities	156	(1)
Prearrange Signals Between Reporter and Photographer	157	(1)
How to React Without Appearing to Agree	157	(1)
Retain Control of the Interview	158	(1)
Interviewing Children	158	(2)
The Talking Head	160	(1)
Influencing How Viewers Perceive the Subject	161	(1)
One-Eyed Talking Heads	161	(1)
Body Language	161	(1)
After the Interview is Over	162	(1)
Interviews Allow Reporting Through Direct Observation	163	(1)
Summary	163	(1)
Discussion	164	(1)
Exercises	165	(1)
Notes	166	(1)
Television Script Formats	167	(11)
Luan Akin
Reader	167	(1)
VTR VO (Voice-Over Video)	168	(1)
VTR VO (Voice-Over Video) VO/SOT/VO (VO SOT or A/B for Short)	169	(2)
Intros to Live Shots	171	(1)
Live Intros to Packages	172	(1)
Package Scripts	173	(2)
Reporter and Anchor Closes	175	(1)
The Case for Caps and Lowercase	175	(1)
Summary	176	(1)
Exercises	176	(2)
Writing the Package	178	(13)
Define Your Focus	179	(1)
Write the Beginning (Studio Lead-In)	179	(1)
Write the Package Lead	179	(1)
Write the Middle or Main Body	180	(2)
Write the Close	182	(1)
Preplanning the Package	182	(2)
Spot-News Packages	184	(1)
Set a High Standard for Packages	185	(1)
Use Natural Sound Liberally	186	(1)
Summary	187	(2)
Exercises	189	(1)
Notes	190	(1)
How to Improve Your Storytelling Ability	191	(18)
Seek Gradual Improvement	191	(1)
Seek Minor Victories	191	(1)
Excellence Versus Perfection	192	(1)
Have a Story	192	(1)
Excuses	193	(1)
Know the Community	194	(1)
Curiosity Pays	195	(1)
See Beyond the Obvious	195	(1)
Show Audiences What They Missed	195	(1)
Involve the Camera	196	(1)
Sequences Advance the Story	196	(1)
Don't Try to Show all of New Zealand	197	(1)
Pursue Your Interest in People	198	(1)
Make Viewers Watch	199	(1)
Develop Video Fluency	200	(1)
Accommodate Your Reporting to Story Demands	200	(1)
Reporting the Nonvisual Story	200	(1)
Personal Appearance and Conduct	201	(1)
Etiquette	202	(1)
Shooting and Reporting Spot News	202	(3)
Toward a News Philosophy	205	(1)
Summary	205	(1)
Discussion	206	(1)
Exercises	207	(1)
Notes	208	(1)
The Role of Talent Performance in Field Reporting	209	(22)
Benefits of Developing Performance Potential	209	(1)
How to Develop the Qualities that Make You Interesting	210	(1)
Why We Communicate	211	(1)
Communicate What You Feel About the Story	212	(1)
Put a Feeling of Experience into Your Reports	213	(1)
Multidimensional Reporting	213	(1)
The Body Language of Effective Reporting	214	(1)
Give the Story's Meaning Some Thought	215	(1)
Marking Copy	215	(1)
Err on the Side of ``Overdoing It''	216	(1)
How to Relax	217	(1)
Developing Conversational Delivery	217	(1)
Give Yourself Something to Do	218	(1)
Reasons to do Standups	218	(1)
The Demonstration Standup	219	(1)
Avoid Staging in the Demonstration Standup	220	(1)
Dress for the Environment	220	(1)
Your Appearance	221	(1)
Let the Audience Know You as a Friend	222	(1)
Community Analysis	223	(1)
Impacting How People Perceive Your News Sources	224	(1)
Use Your Body More Effectively	225	(1)
Posture Matters	225	(1)
How Reporters Evolve into Anchors	226	(1)
Split-Focus Presentation	226	(1)
The Anchor Debrief	226	(1)
When You Are Before the Camera	227	(1)
Summary	227	(1)
Discussion	228	(1)
Exercises	229	(1)
Notes	230	(1)
Live Shots and Remotes	231	(22)
Luan Akin
What Does it Take to ``Go Live?''	232	(1)
Spot News	232	(5)
Television Live Shot Formats	237	(3)
Narration	240	(2)
Helicopter Live Shots	242	(1)
Live in the Newsroom	242	(1)
Live Graphics	243	(1)
Live/Anchor Intros	243	(2)
Reporter Close	245	(1)
Anchor Close	245	(1)
Why Go Live?	245	(1)
Why Not Go Live?	246	(1)
Phoners	246	(1)
Live Teases	247	(2)
Some Parting Advice	249	(1)
A Final Thought	249	(1)
Summary	249	(1)
Exercises	250	(3)
The Assignment Editor and Producer: Architects of the Newscast	253	(21)
The Assignment Editor	253	(2)
Assignment Editors Help Conceptualize the Package	255	(3)
The Producer	258	(1)
Toward a News Philosophy	259	(5)
Teases	264	(1)
Help Make the Station a Regional Force	265	(1)
Improve Audio-Video Linkage	266	(1)
Visuals	266	(1)
Freshen File Video	267	(1)
Use Talking Heads with Purpose	267	(1)
Weather and Sports	268	(1)
Summary	269	(1)
Discussion	270	(1)
Exercises	271	(2)
Notes	273	(1)
Sports Photography and Reporting	274	(18)
Bob Burke
Marcia Neville
The Biggest Problem in Sports Photography	275	(2)
How to Shoot Sports Highlights	277	(2)
How to Shoot Sports Features	279	(1)
How to Shoot a Sports Feature and Highlights Simultaneously	280	(2)
Originality Counts	282	(1)
Be Prepared	283	(1)
In-Field Sports Reporting	283	(5)
Feature Reporting	288	(1)
Writing and Voicing Sports	288	(1)
Avoid Personal Involvement	289	(1)
Summary	289	(1)
Discussion	290	(1)
Exercises	291	(1)
Law and the Broadcast Journalist	292	(22)
Anyone Can Sue for Anything	292	(1)
The Four Essential Questions	292	(1)
The Chilling Effect of Litigation	293	(1)
Gathering the News	293	(3)
How to Avoid Common Legal Problems	296	(4)
Technology	300	(1)
Routine Telephone Use	300	(2)
Access to Children and Juveniles as News Sources	302	(1)
Subpoenas and Shield Laws	303	(1)
Access Laws	303	(1)
Courtroom Television	304	(5)
A Legal Perspective	309	(1)
Summary	309	(2)
Discussion	311	(1)
Exercises	312	(1)
Notes	312	(2)
Journalistic Ethics	314	(22)
A Definition of Ethics	314	(1)
The Effects of Competition	315	(1)
Situational Ethics	316	(1)
Those Who Disseminate Ideas Cannot be Licensed	316	(1)
The Journalist's Contract is with the Public	317	(1)
Law and Ethics are Intertwined	318	(1)
Toward a Personal Standard of Ethics	318	(1)
Case Studies in Ethical Dilemmas	318	(5)
Reverse-Angle Questions	323	(1)
Staged News Events	323	(2)
Identify File Video Prominently	325	(1)
Identify Material Provided from Outside Sources	325	(1)
Toward an Individual Code of Ethics	326	(5)
Summary	331	(1)
Discussion	331	(1)
Exercises	332	(1)
Discussion of Ethical Conflict Situations	332	(3)
Notes	335	(1)
APPENDIX A Shooting Television News: The Basics	336	(13)
The Camera	336	(2)
The Lens	338	(8)
Be Careful with that Camera	346	(1)
Summary	346	(1)
Discussion	347	(1)
Exercises	347	(2)
APPENDIX B A Reporting, Writing, and Editing Checklist	349	(3)
Story Checklist	349	(1)
Applying the Checklist	350	(2)
APPENDIX C Using the Internet as a Reporting Tool	352	(4)
Multi-Engine Search Tools	352	(1)
Internet Sites of Interest to Journalists	353	(2)
A Word of Caution	355	(1)
Glossary	356	(9)
Index	365