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TV News Reporting and Production MCM 516

LESSON 34

SHOOTING A NEWS FILM

News Production

If there's a war, a disaster, or a major civil disturbance somewhere in the world, television news will be

there. Electronic newsgathering or ENG technology can make us all eyewitnesses to happenings.

Those who produce TV news and documentaries collectively hold the keys too much power and

influence. For this reason we'll spend some time investigating this television genre.

Although the printed word can be powerful, as we've so often seen in the last 50 years, seeing images,

especially on TV, makes happenings much more real.

At the same time, keep in mind that George Lucas, one of the most successful producers of all time,

said, "It's very foolish to learn the how without the why."

In news and documentary work the "why"-- the context of what we are seeing -- is especially important.

The major news organizations now assemble a wide range of live video, audio reports, photography

collections, animated weaponry displays, and interactive maps for Internet users.

The Difference between ENG and EFP

Electronic newsgathering (ENG) is a part of electronic field production (EFP).

Although in all-digital operations we're starting to see the initials DNG used for digital newsgathering,

we'll stick to "ENG" for this discussion.

Electronic Field Production (EFP) includes many other types of field productions, including

commercials, music videos, on-location dramatic productions, and various types of sports coverage.

EFP work generally provides the opportunity to insure maximum audio and video quality.

In ENG work the primary goal is to get the story. In 90% of news work there will be time to insure

audio and video quality, which is what the news director and producer will expect.

But conditions are not always ideal in news work, and if compromises must be made they are made in

audio and video quality, not in story content.

The most-watched and celebrated television news story in history was shot with one low-resolution

black-and-white video camera -- not the quality of video that you would think would make it to every

major TV network in the world.

The video was of mankind's first steps on the moon.

Although the quality of the footage was poor, no TV news editor said to NASA, "You've got some

interesting footage there, NASA, but we'll have to pass; the quality just doesn't meet our technical

standards."

In democratic society news and documentaries also serve an important "watchdog" function. Not only

do they tend to keep politicians and other officials honest, but they have also brought to light countless

illegal activities. Once such things become public knowledge, corrective action often follows.

Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.

--Thomas Jefferson

The Influence of telecast News

We can more fully appreciate the power and influence of TV news when we consider the lengths to

which some people and nations go to control it.

As we have seen countless times, the news media are the first target for those who want to control the

people of a country.

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TV News Reporting and Production MCM 516

Although censorship is often justified as a way of protecting values or ideals, history has repeatedly

shown that censorship leads to a suppression of ideas and often to political, military and religious

control.

Today, there are many countries that censor, or at least try to censor, broadcast news, books, magazines,

and the Internet. Although the stated justification is often to protect moral values, the list of censored

materials sometimes includes the web pages of newspapers as well. One can draw own conclusions

about the real intent.

Thus, stories that will grab and hold an audience are favored over those that in the long run may be

much more consequential. Stories that are "visual" are favored over those that are static and more

difficult to explain or understand.

A baby beauty contest or a dog show may win out over coverage of a city council meeting or an

international trade conference.

Given the preferences of viewers who are constantly "voting" on program popularity with their TV

remote controls, a news director whose job largely depends on maximizing ratings and station profits,

may have little choice but to appeal to popular tastes.

As media conglomeration spreads with more and more media outlets being owned by several huge

corporations, news is emanating from fewer and fewer sources.

Even now it's alleged that corporate self-interest shapes decisions on what will and will not be covered.

At the same time, news is very competitive and outlets that bypass or downplay certain stories because

they may negatively impact advertising profits or corporate prestige may find that their credibility drops

with viewers. This route is unwise, if for no other reason, because it will eventually impact news ratings

and, subsequently, profits.

But, there is also this: Most people get most of their news from their favorite TV news station. If TV

news bypasses certain stories because they may be unpopular or not easily understood, the viewers may

never know. (How can you miss something if you don't know about it in the first place?)

Handling Controversial Subject Matter

When handling controversial subject matter broadcast television is different from many of the feature

films noted above because it must attempt to show balance.

Part of your responsibility as a newsperson is to bring out the various sides of an issue. This means you

allow each side to state their views as strongly and convincing as they can. Not only is it the

professional thing to do, but it will also add interest and controversy to your news stories.

If you keep an open mind right from the beginning, you may uncover facts that put issues in a whole

new light. Again, speaking from many years of experience in news, I often found that my initial views

on issues dramatically changed after I uncovered facts that were not commonly known.

In speaking to potential spokespersons for TV news pieces you need to explain the nature of the story.

You also want to carefully document your attempts at finding opposing views. This will protect you

both legally and professionally.

In news pieces you have to rely on the telephone to set up interviews. If key people refuse comment or

refuse to be interviewed, some producers send these people registered letters so after the piece is aired

they can't suddenly say they didn't understand what was going on, or that they were denied the

opportunity to present their side.

At the same time, keep in mind that when an issue is being litigated an attorney might restrain them

from commenting, a fact that should also be mentioned.

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TV News Reporting and Production MCM 516

Like Any Good Scout, Be Prepared

Most major news stories come up unexpectedly, and it's the reporter-video grapher (cameraman) who's

prepared to get to the scene of the news first that has the best chance of getting the story on the air first.

"Scoops" of this sort can rapidly advance a career.

First, this means having a checklist of essential equipment drawn up so that you won't forget anything in

the rush to get out the door. (There are many sad stories about crews driving 50 to 100 miles, only to

discover they forgot to bring along an essential piece of equipment.)

Have batteries charged and all cameras and equipment ready to transport at a moment's notice.

Things happen very fast in a breaking story, so when you arrive on the scene, you should be able to start

recording within a few seconds.

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