NYU--Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute

JOUR-UA 302-001 (6877) Production and Publication: FALL ‘17

Tuesday 2pm – 7pm 7th Floor 20 Cooper Square

Professor Joe Peyronnin

Office hours: Tuesdays at 11am – 2pm 7th floor (or by appointment)

Available always by email:

IN GENERAL:

Today more people get their news from a television newscast, network or local, than any other source. Newscasts come in many different forms, styles and lengths, and they can now be seen on the Internet and mobile devices. The goal of this class is to teach you how to produce a newscast, the editorial and operational processes that are followed, and how to shape a program that is relevant, engaging and distinctive.

In this class students will actually produce a LIVE newscast. The newscast will air Tuesdays at 6:00pm on NYU television as well as on the web. Each week students will rotate to a different newsroom role, i.e. director, producer, switcher, audio, anchor, camera, and so on. Special focus is given to writing, story selection and development, building a lineup, pacing, flow, anchoring techniques, special segments like sports, health or politics. Deadline pressures are emphasized because live broadcasts have to hit their scheduled time.

NEWSCAST CONTENT RESOURCES:

Original Content: Each of you will be required to provide a minimum of two field packages—one will be graded. Packages can be spot news stories, or a feature.

Reporter Set Piece: Commentary, political analysis, guest interviews, sports, entertainment.

Franchise Segments/Packages: Health, Consumer, Investigative, etc.

TV Beat Classes: Other class may have packages for our use.

CNN Newsource: NYU has access via the web to CNN Newsource—which includes the latest videos and packages from the US and overseas.

AP Wires: Through ENPS, the AP newsroom management system, you will be able to check all the wires.

Remotes: Skype, Face Time or phoners.

REQUIRED READING-posted on NYU Classes.

Breaking News-A brief history of television news (handout)

RTNDA Ethics (handout)

Characteristics of Broadcast Writing (handout)

NOTE: Students must read a newspaper before class-and be up to date on daily news. Current events questions may appear on a quiz.

NEWS TEAM: Students work together as a team, supporting each other, effectively communicating, providing story ideas for the broadcast, suggesting guests, performing live-shots via Skype. This class is highly collaborative. Students are also encouraged to utilize experimental approaches to story telling.

STAFFING: Given the size of the class, we will make specific essential assignments in advance and rotate then each week. In some cases will have to double up functions. However, everyone will have to write copy. We will make adjustments during the semester.

Executive Producer and Video Producer: As EP Creates the rundown, edits all copy, manages the staff. As VP gathers all of the video onto a drive, and uploads it into the central server according to the proper order, then plays it back on the director’s command.

Director: Runs the live production, executes the rundown.

Technical Director (TD) Sits next to the director and presses various input buttons according to the director’s instructions.

Audio: Coordinates all sound

Teleprompter: Runs the scripts that are read by talent.

Graphics Producer: Maps, pictures, supers

Anchor(s)

Cameras/Floor Director: We will have to preset all cameras.

Sports segments/commentaries/interviews are best if they are prerecorded, earlier, and rolled into the broadcast. We will need controlroom volunteers.

WEEK-TO-WEEK SCHEDULE

9/5: Class orientation--including terminology, organization, video news standards, review newscast forms, production staffing, production tools (i.e. ENPS), production strategies and creating a lineup, elements of a newscast, TV writing, video ingest and editing, control room functions (i.e. switching, audio, graphics), studio positions (i.e. camera, teleprompter). Beats discussed and week two positions assigned. The executive producer (EP) will be in charge of the broadcast; the senior producer will help and then move up to EP the following week.

9/12: QUIZ on Breaking News, RTNDA Ethics, and terminology. Class will work on the production and rehearse an actual newscast. Executive producer will create a “rundown” on ENPS while other students will produce, write, gather content primarily from CNN Feeds. Some will be assigned to work at studio functions. This will be followed by a feedback session. The class will then receive assigned positions for the following week.

9/19: PRODUCE FIRST LIVE BROADCAST: Team will attempt its first LIVE broadcast. Special attention will be given to constructing a rundown, writing anchor copy and teases, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers and graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. Beats will be discussed and assignments for the following week identified.

9/26: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST. Continue to perfect broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. Green light pitches as some students will create original packages/segments for the next week. Production team identified for next week.

10/3: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Continue to perfect broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. Green light pitches as some students will create original packages for the next week. More pitches will be solicited--attached to franchise segments. Identify production team for next week.

10/10: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Continue to perfect broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. More pitches will be solicited--attached to franchise segments. Identify production team for next week.

10/17: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Review TV writing skills, broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. Identify production team for next week.

10/24: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Review TV writing skills, broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. More pitches will be solicited--attached to franchise segments. Identify production team for next week.

10/31: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Review TV writing skills, broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. More pitches will be solicited--attached to franchise segments. Identify production team for next week.

11/7: INCLUDE COVERAGE OF ELECTIONS—is this a referendum on Trump’s presidency?: Review TV writing skills, broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. Identify next production team.

11/14: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Review TV writing skills, broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. Create pieces/segments that summarize election and what lies ahead.

11/21: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Review TV writing skills, broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. Identify production team for next week.

11/28: PRODUCE LIVE BROADCAST: Review TV writing skills, broadcast writing, preparing elements including copy, video clips, packages, teases, bumpers graphics. How to anchor, read teleprompter. Identify production team for next week.

12/5: FINAL LIVE NEWSCAST: Create something special!

GRADES:

Participation/productivity 35%,

Packages/segments 25%,

Broadcast writing skills 25%,

Quizzes 15%

Participation: Fully engaged in the process at all times, and active contributor, completing assigned tasks, putting forth a strong effort and showing continuous improvement. We recognize that many of the studio functions are new to you, so what we look for most is your best effort and general understanding of each function.

Productivity: The more produce you are, the more feedback you will receive, the more you will learn. Productivity will be a factor in your grade.

Packages: There will be a minimum requirement of 2 original pre-approved packages, either a spot news or feature story. Of course, the more you do, the more you will learn.

You will also be required to do a repurposed package using third party content, i.e. CNN. Each package will be graded using writing, structure, production quality and relevance as the key metrics.

A spot news story is either a day of story or a sidebar and runs about 1:45 in length. A feature story may run up to 3:00 in length, and will provide more depth, i.e. a franchise piece--health, consumer, entertainment--or a beat story.

Sports/Entertainment or other segments: These segments will be graded based on its content, writing and production qualities. A sports/entertainment package will be graded the same as a news package. And a sports feature will count as a feature package.

QUIZ A quiz on Breaking News and RTNDA Ethics. Remember to always be up to date on the day’s news.

Homework: Everyone will be expected to provide “original” content for the newscasts over the course of the semester, as noted earlier. However, you should also regularly watch newscasts throughout the term using your critical eye in order to better understand how they are produced. What is the lead? How is it presented? Does the news flow smoothly from topic to topic?

Local newscasts are targeted to local viewers, so they focus on news in the community, as well as weather and sports. Network newscasts are targeted to a national audience, and include stories from throughout the country and the world. The later seldom mention sports or weather news, unless there is major news.

BROADCAST WRITING: Writing for television news requires special skills. For a typical story, anchor copy typically runs about :20 to :30 seconds. The writer must condense an AP wire story, which may be several paragraphs long, down to a handful of sentences. They do so by concentrating on what is NEW and what is most relevant to the viewer. Packages require anchor lead-ins. These are short, and basically set up the package. Voice-overs (VO) can be tricky. They generally require the anchor appear on camera at the beginning, the when the video begins the copy should complement the video. Leading onto sound bites (SOT) meanings setting up the sound, not duplicating the soundbite. Often the best place to find a lead in is to listen to the whole sound clip, and then take an idea from that.

Particular attention will be placed on broadcast writing.

BROADCAST WRITING TIPS:

  • Story Structure: Broadcast writing does not use the inverted pyramid. Broadcast writing is more like a circle—the lead is the most important sentence, the last line is the second most important.
  • Begin with what’s new -- Don’t back into the story.
  • Be direct and to the point – Grab the audience right away.
  • Use short sentences – Break material into shorter bites.
  • Keep it simple – Subject, verb and object – understandable.
  • Active voice – “A winter storm devastates the region.”
  • Conversational – not formal or stilted.
  • Use strong nouns and verbs – “The crowd jeered the speaker.”
  • Keep phrasing positive – “The sheriff says they will be charged tomorrow” instead of “The sheriff says they will not be charged until tomorrow.”
  • Watch out for pronouns -- Minimize their use, it can be confusing for the viewer.
  • Acronyms: FBI, NCAA, NSA are all well known, but write out the words for acronyms the audience may not know.
  • Quotations: We rarely use long quotes; rather we paraphrase, or use a short version of a quote.
  • Foreign names: We try to avoid them. But at least type them out phonetically—Brazilian President Jilma Rousseff is Juma Ho-seff. Check name pronunciations on Google.
  • Titles: Put the title first—President Barack Obama, not Barack Obama, president of the United States.
  • Attribution before quotes or statement: Miami police chief John Doe said the suspect would be charged with murder.
  • Numbers: Make it easy for the anchor

1-9, spell out the word, 10-999 use numerals, higher numbers use 37-million, 915 thousand, and round numbers to the nearest whole, 55.5% is about 55%.

  • Make every sentence count – Every sentence should include critical information.
  • Avoid misspelling words: Don’t confuse the anchor!
  • In general – be CLEAN, CLEAR and CONCISE! Television is a “one-pass” medium, meaning the viewer has only one chance to get the story.

WRITING EXAMPLES

  • Keep it Simple (hearing not reading)

Print: The physician conducted an extensive autopsy on the decedent.

Broadcast: The doctor did an autopsy on the body.

  • Keep it Short (sentences more easily understood)

Print: President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats sought to ease Republican complaints about a massive economic stimulus plan Friday, meeting with GOP leaders in the White House and promising to consider some of their recommendations.

Broadcast: President Barack Obama met with Republican leaders in Congress today. The Republicans aren't happy with Obama's big economic stimulus plan. Obama says he'll consider their ideas.

  • Keep it Conversational (not stilted)

Print: Pope Benedict XVI joined U.S. President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II on Friday by launching his own YouTube channel, the latest Vatican effort to reach out to the digital generation.

Broadcast: President Obama has a You Tube channel. So does Queen Elizabeth. Now Pope Benedict has one too. The pope wants to use the new channel to reach out to young people.

  • One main Idea per Sentence (one main idea means shorter sentence)

Print: Gov. David Paterson appointed Democratic U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand on Friday to fill New York's vacant Senate seat, finally settling on a woman from a largely rural, eastern district of the state to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Broadcast: Gov. David Paterson has appointed Democratic Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to fill New York's vacant Senate seat. Gillibrand is from a rural part of the state. She will replace Hillary Rodham Clinton.

  • Active Voice (active voice is more direct, shorter)

Passive: The robbers were arrested by police.

Active: Police arrested the robbers.

  • Use a lead-in Sentence/Phrase (alert audience to a new story)

There's more bad news from Iraq. Four U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush outside Baghdad today. The Pentagon says the soldiers were hunting insurgents when their Humvee came under sniper fire. The Pentagon hasn't yet released the soldiers' names.

  • Put attribution at the start of the sentence

Print: Two men were arrested, police said.

Broadcast: Police say two men were arrested.

  • Leave out unnecessary details

Print: After robbing the bank, located at 237 Central Avenue, the man drove approximately 9.7 miles before being apprehended, police said.

Broadcast: Police say the man robbed the midtown bank then drove nearly 10 miles before he was caught.

Unless it is your town, the specific address is not relevant.

GENERAL CLASS NOTE ON ATTENDANCE: The class begins at 2pm. But you should be fully prepared to start work immediately, as there are only three hours to get the broadcast ready for air! Don’t be late—but if you have an issue, inform me in advance by email. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are going to be absent.

  • Politics

We should pay close attention to President Donald Trump and for impact stories and maybe more in-depth segments on issues, events, announcements and polls.

Possible news coverage for Tuesday, November 7, that includes the New Jersey Governor’s race. Note that political analysts will be watching to see if Trump actions/successes/mistakes have any impact on some of these races, many of which should be won by the Republican candidate.

United States elections, 2017

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2017 United States elections
Off-year elections
Election day / November 7
Congressional special elections
Seats contested / 6 House seats and 1 Senate seat
Net change / 0
Map of 2017 special congressional elections
Democratic hold Democratic gain
Republican hold Republican gain Not yet held
Gubernatorial elections
Seats contested / 2
Map of the 2017 gubernatorial races
Light blue: Term-limited Democrat
Light red: Term-limited Republican
Gray: No election

The 2017 United States elections will be held (for the most part) on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. This off-year election will feature gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as state legislative elections in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature and in the lower house of the Virginia legislature. Numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and a variety of other local elections will also occur. Special elections to the United States Congress may take place if vacancies arise.