How To Create Your Own News Broadcast
In order to create your own news broadcast, you must first brainstorm the types of stories you would like to include in your show. It is best to work with a group of people, so you have plenty of ideas to choose from. Once you have a possible list of stories, you should narrow your list down to include no more than 10 to 15 brief stories. Choose those stories that must be aired now, and leave the others for the next show. For example, if you are doing a story in early February and two of your choices are Valentine's Day and the first day of spring. It is better to choose Valentine's Day, because the first day of spring story can wait until the next show and still be "news," where as Valentine's Day will be old news if you wait.
Once you have your list of stories you must decide on the roles each participant in your show will play. These roles include the script producers, editors, movie producer, camerapersons, anchors and reporters. It is suggested that their be two script producers who work on actually writing the script for the show, 2 editors who edit all stories, 1 movie producer who imports all digital video into a movie and edits and puts together the movie, and then teams of 1 camera person and 1 reporter each to research and write their stories. There should be two anchors to read the lines the producers wrote. The anchors can be chosen later based on who wants the position and who worked hard.
The script producers begin by placing the stories into order. Deciding the order can be difficult. It is suggested that you start with the most interesting story on your list. You should then alternate the exciting stories and the less exciting stories as you create the timeline of stories. For example, based on the audience, sports, the school play, and Christmas parties are the most exciting news stories on the list; while the lunch menu and weather are the least interesting. The producers for this show might place the stories in the following order: Christmas parties, lunch menu, sports, weather, and the school play. This order is most likely to keep your viewers interested based on the audience.
Producers must then begin writing the script once the story timeline is finished. The script should begin with a brief introduction of the show by an anchor. Anchors should be labeled by number in the script, unless you already know the anchor's names. Then each anchor will be alternated as they introduce each story. The producers decide how each story will be introduced. Producers may need to seek out the individual storywriters to find out some interesting trivia about their stories, so they can write each introduction. Then the script should end with some sort of send off from the show.
While producers are writing the script, reporter and cameraperson teams should be working on chosen stories from the original brainstormed list. They must first decide on how to present the information to their audience. There are several possibilities. The story can be presented in an interview format or by the reporter actually telling the story to his/her viewers based on research completed. If the story is to be done in interview form, then the written part must include an introduction to the story and the person being interviewed, questions to ask the interviewee, and a closing to the story. Remember when you are writing questions to stay away from yes or no answer questions. It's best to try to ask questions that will generate a thoughtful response. The research-based story should be written in essay format similar to conversation, just like a newspaper article would be. Upon completing the story, it must be taped. Taping should be done in a location that helps add ambiance to the story. It should be taped by digital camcorder so that it can be easily imported into a movie.
Once stories are written the editing crew must edit them. The editing crew should make any adjustments or changes to the story that would encourage a better flow. This includes adding information, changing wording, or even rewriting portions of the story. Stories should not be taped if they have not been edited. The anchors are also taped during this time, so that all of their lines are recorded as well.
The movie producer begins their job by finding an interesting way to introduce the show. They should include a title clip and can add a taped introduction that may have "catchy" music recorded over it. Then once the stories begin to be taped, the movie producer must import the digital video into a movie. This is easiest to do by using the program i movie. Once each story is successfully imported, each needs to be edited according to the program's direction. Then each clip is taken and placed in the order provided by the script producers. The producer should then add a transition for each story change and in between each anchor piece. Then an ending must be decided as well. It could be simply a title page created with the credits or even something taped with music added. It is solely up to the movie producer. Let your imagination run wild!!!
The last part to get your movie ready for an audience to view is to export it back to the camera. Basically you follow your program guidelines on exporting. Once the movie is back onto the digital camcorder, you simply rewind it and record it to a VHS tape by hooking it up to a VCR. This to can be done by following the handbook suggestions on all pieces of equipment.
