Q VIDEO PACKAGE ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS OVERVIEW Multimedia is essential for good reporting—video being the most common tool. Having a video element can enhance your reporting and help your audience understand the impact of your story even more. INSTRUCTIONS First, you will write a broadcast script about a news story of your choosing. You can choose any topic for your news story and video but the topic must be newsworthy. Next, using the broadcast script, you will create a 30–45 second video package that includes a lead-in, sound bite, and voice over. The script and the video should be identical. For example, the script that is provided for the ‘anchor on camera reading lead in’ should be exactly what you (the reporter/journalist) are saying on camera in the video. Finally, you will upload the video package to a hosting site such as YouTube or Vimeo and provide the link to the video at the bottom of the document containing your script. Script: Follow the tips in the Rich text for how to write for Broadcast news (Chapter 11). Write the script using a two-column format. The left column will describe the video visuals; the right hand column will be the actual script, written in all capital letters. EXAMPLE FORMAT (slightly different from the text) Visuals Script Anchor on Camera reading lead in. LOCAL OFFICIALS GAVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AN UP-CLOSE AND PERSONAL LOOK AT HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT RUNS TODAY, AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE WEEK. Video footage of students at City Hall, interacting with members with Voice Over. 25 STUDENTS FROM THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OF LYNNBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL SPENT THE DAY WITH CITY COUNCIL, SHADOWING MEMBERS AND ASKING QUESTIONS. Sound bite from Mayor Jane Williams “OUR GOAL WITH THIS INITIATIVE IS TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IT’S THE FIRST YEAR WE’VE DONE THIS, AND I THINK IT WAS A HUGE HIT.” Out take of Anchor on camera wrapping up story BOTH THE STUDENTS AND THE MEMBERS SAY THEY WANT THIS TO BE AN ANNUAL EVENT. REPORTING FROM CITY CENTER, THIS IS JOHN BOWMAN, GTUX NEWS. Create the Video Package This can be created using a smart phone with a free editing app such as KineMaster or using a digital camera and computer editing software such as Final Cut Pro, iMovie, or Adobe Premiere Pro. If this is new to you, you are recommended to search YouTube videos for how to record and edit on your smart phone using KineMaster, or whatever other application you choose to use. Upload your video to a hosting site such as YouTube or Vimeo. Helpful Information: Lead-In The lead-in should introduce the story and give context for how it occurred. This should be short and to the point. Sound Bite Sound bites are used as quotations or interviews in video packages. Avoid sound bites that repeat what the reporter has just said. These should add context and “color” to your package. Make sure to identify the speaker/source in each sound bite. You’ll need to recruit a role player to record a sound bite for the package. Voice-Over Voice-overs are stories read over pictures or video clips. These act as the body of the story and can contain the bulk of information for news packages. Balance, Objectivity, and Fairness Make sure your reporting is fair and balanced. Suspend your judgment and do not draw conclusions from the facts provided. You must speak to the facts. Format Script will be two-column, with visual descriptions on the left, and the script on the right. The script should be in all capital letters and free of spelling and grammar errors. Use a video editing app or software to create a 30–45 second news package. You must upload the video to a hosting site such as YouTube or Vimeo and provide a link to the video package. The link to the uploaded video should be at the bottom of the script. Before submitting, double-check your video link to make sure the correct link is provided (ensure it is not private) and the video is viewable to the instructor. Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.