Mass Communication and Journalism: Broadcast and Digital Media - Television News Production Package structure standup Broll Soundbites

What It Is

Television news production involves the creation of news stories for broadcast television, typically in the form of a package structure. A package consists of a stand-up, B-roll, and soundbites, which are carefully edited together to convey a clear and concise message. A classic example of a well-crafted television news package is the 1968 CBS News report "The Selling of the Pentagon," which exposed the military's propaganda efforts during the Vietnam War. This matters for media analysis because it highlights the importance of critical thinking in evaluating the credibility of news sources and the potential for manipulation through visual and audio storytelling.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Stand-up: A live shot where a reporter delivers a script to the camera, often used to provide context or summarize a story. Example: A reporter in a stand-up outside a courthouse, explaining the significance of a trial.
• B-roll: Footage used to illustrate a story, often shot in advance of the main event. Example: Aerial footage of a natural disaster, used to show the extent of the damage.
• Soundbite: A short clip of audio, often from an interview or a public figure, used to add depth to a story. Example: A politician's quote, used to illustrate their stance on a particular issue.
• Package structure: The organization of a news story into a clear and concise format, typically consisting of a stand-up, B-roll, and soundbites. Example: A news package on a local election, featuring a stand-up from the reporter, B-roll of the candidates, and soundbites from voters.
• Inverted pyramid structure: A writing style where the most important information is presented first, followed by less important details. Example: A news article on a natural disaster, where the most critical information is presented in the first paragraph.
• Hourglass structure: A writing style where the most important information is presented at the beginning and end of a story, with less important details in the middle. Example: A news article on a historical event, where the significance of the event is presented at the beginning and end.
• Libel: A false statement made about someone, which can damage their reputation. Example: A news article that falsely accuses a public figure of a crime.
• Slander: A false statement made about someone, which can damage their reputation, but is spoken rather than written. Example: A TV news anchor making a false statement about a politician on live air.
• Propaganda: Information or ideas spread to promote a particular point of view or agenda. Example: A government's use of media to promote a war effort.
• Persuasion: The use of information or ideas to influence someone's opinion or behavior. Example: A commercial advertising a product.
• Script: A written document outlining the content and structure of a news story. Example: A script for a news anchor to introduce a segment.
• Teleprompter: A device that displays a script for a news anchor or reporter to read from. Example: A news anchor using a teleprompter to deliver a live report.
• News package length: The typical length of a news package, which can vary depending on the network and the story. Example: A 2-minute news package on a local election.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: A stand-up is always a live shot. Correction: A stand-up can be a pre-recorded shot, often used to provide context or summarize a story.
• Misunderstanding: B-roll is only used to show a natural disaster. Correction: B-roll can be used to illustrate any story, not just natural disasters.
• Misunderstanding: Soundbites are always from politicians. Correction: Soundbites can be from anyone, including experts, witnesses, or ordinary people.

Quick Application / Identification

Scenario: A news anchor introduces a segment on a local election, using a teleprompter to deliver the script. What is the purpose of the teleprompter in this scenario?

Answer: The teleprompter is used to help the news anchor deliver the script smoothly and accurately.

Explanation: The teleprompter is a tool used in television news production to assist the anchor in delivering a scripted segment.

Last-Minute Revision

• A news package typically consists of a stand-up, B-roll, and soundbites.
• The inverted pyramid structure is often used in news writing.
• Libel is a false statement made about someone, which can damage their reputation.
• Slander is a false statement made about someone, which can damage their reputation, but is spoken rather than written.
• Propaganda is information or ideas spread to promote a particular point of view or agenda.
• Persuasion is the use of information or ideas to influence someone's opinion or behavior.
• A script is a written document outlining the content and structure of a news story.
• A teleprompter is a device that displays a script for a news anchor or reporter to read from.
• News packages can vary in length, but typically range from 1-3 minutes.
• The hourglass structure is a writing style where the most important information is presented at the beginning and end of a story.
• B-roll can be used to illustrate any story, not just natural disasters.
• Soundbites can be from anyone, including experts, witnesses, or ordinary people.
• A stand-up can be a pre-recorded shot, often used to provide context or summarize a story.
• The package structure is the organization of a news story into a clear and concise format.
• The most important information is typically presented first in an inverted pyramid structure.
• The significance of an event is often presented at the beginning and end of a story in an hourglass structure.
• A news anchor using a teleprompter is an example of a script being used in television news production.