Welcome

Chapter 2: Social Media and News

What is Social Media?
Major Social Media Sites
Establishing the Social Media Identity
Social Media and the Newsroom
The Challenge of Social Media Use
News is News—Even on Social Media
Making the Most Out of Specific Social Media Sites
Social Media Leads to Competition Among Journalists
Social Media and Connecting with the Audience

• Work-Related Social Media Accounts

Trying Not to Offend

• Personal Social Media Sites
• Maintaining Professionalism on Social Media Sites

Conclusion

Chapter 3: Storytelling and Writing for Video

Telling a Story
Preparing to Write

• Review the “Five Ws”
• Identify the Characters
• Determine the Angle
• Personalize the Story
• Keep It Simple

Writing the Story

• The Lead
• The Hard Lead
• The Soft Lead
• The Throwaway Lead
• The Umbrella Lead
• The Question Lead
• The Suspense Lead
• Chronological Order
• The Main Point
• Present, Past, Future
• Including the Sound Bite
• The “How Do You Feel?” Question
• Writing to the Sound Bite
• Lead-In to Sound Bites
• Inform with Lead-Ins to Sound Bites

Ending the Story

• Avoid Grand Conclusions

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 4: Writing in Broadcast Style

Using Verbs Correctly

• Avoid the “Verb-Free Zone”
• Choose the Correct Verb Tense
• Avoid Distortion of Verb Tense
• Use Active Voice

Putting the Words Together

• Choose Words Accurately
• Attribution: Where the Information Comes From
• Include Necessary Names and Identity
• Avoid Unnecessary Names
• Place Titles Before Names
• Delay the Name
• Avoid Using Ages
• Use Pronunciation Guides
• Write for Breathing

Special Style Requirements

• Numbers
• Ordinals
• Symbols
• Scores, Times, Dates
• Abbreviations and Acronyms

Common Mistakes
Additional Tips
Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 5: The Basics of Shooting Video

Defining Photojournalism
The Language of Video

• Video from Cell Phones
• The First Steps in Learning to Shoot Good Video

Framing Skills

• Hold the Camera Still
• Fill the Screen
• The Ten-Second Rule

Shooting Video in the Field

• Get Plenty of Shots
• Shoot Wide, Medium, and Tight
• Take Angled Shots
• Consider Pans and Zooms

Shooting Interviews

• Leave Head Room
• Leave Lead Room
• Include Action in the Interview

Conceiving and Shooting the Stand-Up

• Reasons for Standups
• The Video Journalist/Backpack Journalist, MMJ, and the Stand-Up

Lighting

• Camera Settings
• Lighting Scenarios

Capturing Good Audio
Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 6: Shooting Video II: Beyond the Basics

Cutaways and Jump Cuts

• Interview Cutaways
• Sequence Jump Cuts
• Transition Shots

The Shooting Axis

• Neutralizing Shots

Sequences

• Wide, Medium, and Tight Sequences
• Match the Action
• A Series of Related Shots
• Completion
• Action/Reaction
• Reversed Point of View
• Action Sequences

Using Artistic Principles

• Leading lines
• Movement
• Color
• Light and Dark
• Balance and Symmetry
• Foreground
• Background

Shooting Tips for Natural Sound Packages
Succeeding as a Photojournalist

• Practice Assertiveness
• Understand the Story
• Broaden Your Skills
• Avoid Complacency
• Communicate

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 7: Video Editing

The Editing Process
Elements of Editing

• Pacing
• Using Repetition
• Timing and Punctuation
• Surprise
• Characters

Nonlinear Editing

• The Video Track
• Establishing Shots
• Illustrating the Narration
• Stories Within the Story
• Using Cutaways
• Editing Sequences

The Audio Track

• Basic Process of Editing a Video Package
• Adding Natural Sound
• Nat Sound Breaks

Overlapping Audio and Video
Using Graphics
The Editor’s Responsibilities

• Ensuring Truth and Accuracy
• Adhering to Legalities
• Exercising Creative Control
• Avoiding Sensationalism

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 8: Voice and Presentation

The Qualities of a Successful Communicator

• Appearance
• Courtesy
• Nervousness
• Voice Quality
• Breathing
• Avoiding Nasal Sounds
• Warming Up
• Delivery
• Enunciation
• Phrasing
• Emphasis
• Pitch
• Speech Patterns
• Pacing
• Tone
• Additional Considerations
• Local Pronunciations
• Techniques for Improving Delivery

Presenting Stand-Ups

• Use of Clear, Simple Language
• To Memorize or Not to Memorize
• Stationary Stand-Ups
• Action Stand-Ups
• Live Shots
• The Wraparound
• The Live Shot Interview
• Extended Live Coverage

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 9: Finding News Sources

Where We Find News

• Observation
• Listening
• Printed Materials
• News Conferences
• News Releases

People as Sources

• Friends as Sources
• Getting People to Talk
• Offer Motivation

Preparing for the Interview

• Do the Background Work
• Talk to the Right Person
• Plan What to Ask
• Set the Ground Rules
• Do a Pre-interview

Getting the Most Out of the Interview

• Don’t “Interview”
• Be Skeptical
• Begin the Interview
• Guarantee Accuracy
• Listen Carefully

Use Interview Strategies

• Conclude the Interview

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 10: Using Public Records

An Open Government
Research and Public Records

• Records: Online and Off
• Asking for Public Records

Freedom of Information Laws

• The Federal Freedom of Information Act
• State FOI Laws

Government in the Sunshine Acts
Sources of Public Information

• Birth and Death Records
• Zoning and Planning Records
• Building Permits
• Tax Records
• Disclosure Forms for Elected Officials
• Phone Books
• Business and Organizational Reports

Overview of the Courts

• Open Courtrooms
• Exceptions to Open Courtrooms
• Federal and State Courts
• Criminal and Civil Cases
• Grand Jury Indictments and Civil Actions
• Cameras in Courtrooms

Court Records

• Information about Jurors
• Dockets
• Divorce Records
• Deeds
• Wills
• Marriage Licenses

Computer-Assisted Reporting
Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 11: Legal Considerations

The Consequences of Carelessness
Legal Versus Ethical
Libel

• Libel and Public Figures
• Libel and Private People
• Defenses Against Libel Lawsuits

Privacy

• Intrusion
• False Light
• Private Information
• Appropriation
• Defenses Against Invasion-of-Privacy Lawsuits

Copyright

• Licensing Fees and Permission
• Fair Use

Media Access Issues

• Courtrooms
• Public Meetings
• Prisons
• Schools
• Crime Scenes

Court Orders

• Confidentiality and Contempt
• Shield Laws
• Subpoenas
• Newsroom Searches

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 12: The Television Newsroom

Key Players in the Newsroom
The Daily Newsroom Schedule
Contemporary Newsroom Issues

• Economic Recession
• Media Ownership
• News as Entertainment
• Government by Fear and Name Calling
• Friendship and Conflict of Interest
• Diversity and “isms” in the Newsroom

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 13: Producing the News

The Producer’s Basic Responsibilities
Producers as Writers

• Transitions
• Organization
• Writing resources
• Newsroom style
• Race
• Suspects
• Rape victims
• Suicides
• Juveniles
• Jargon

Format and Mission

• Know the Audience
• Control Room Commands

Producers’ Resources

• Local News Reporters
• Live Shots
• Extended Live Coverage
• News Services
• Previous Newscasts
• Graphics
• Live Backpack Units
• Satellite Shots
• Microwave Shots
• Video Services

Shaping the Show

• Planning the Rundown
• Timing
• Specialized Rundown Software
• During the Newscast

Conclusion
Activities

Chapter 14: Careers in Television News

Getting In and Moving Up
Developing Application Materials

• The Cover Letter
• The Resume
• The Video Reel

Preparation Makes the Difference

• Internships
• Networking
• The Road Trip
• Defining Job Market Boundaries
• Identifying the Position to Apply For

The Interview

• What to Wear
• Accepting the Job

Success and Advancement

• Keep a Successful Attitude
• Make the Most of the Opportunity
• Set Goals for Improvement
• Set Goals for Advancement
• Climbing the Ladder

Conclusion
Activities