Things You'll Need:
- Video Camera
- Tripod
- Tapes
- Batteries
- Microphone
-
Step 1
Plan it out: What kind of news package do you want create? Some event like a fundraiser or can drive? Unexpected news stories like fires or robberies? Whatever it is, there are different steps to take for each one. For an event, find out all the information you can before actually going. Contact the person that is running the event and inform them that you are interested in covering the event. The key to covering fires and other crime events is to have a police scanner. That way you will hear the dispatch to other officers at the same they do and can be one of the first people on the scene.
-
Step 2
Equipment: There are many essential things to making a news package. The first is the camera. Make sure your battery is fully charged and if you can, have an extra battery. Use a fresh tape and always have back-ups because you never know how much you will want to record and having extra is always better than not having any. A tripod is important, especially if you are alone, and crucial for a professional news show. Lastly, interviews require a microphone so the interviewee will be the only thing heard and background noise will be minimized.
-
Step 3
Location: When arriving to your location, introduce yourself to anyone who looks like they are in charge and then you can began taping. Start getting shots of as many things as possible and if even if you feel like you have enough, shoot a little more.
-
Step 4
Interviews: Talk to people a little bit before interviewing them to make them comfortable and then begin the questions for the news package. Make sure to ask questions that cannot be easily answered with a yes or no and keep them open ended. Let the people talk for as long they want, because it can always be edited later. To frame the interview, make sure that there is a little space above the head and place them a little to the right or left. Fill the other part with an interesting background to make the shot unique. Watch news programs for tips on how to do this.
-
Step 5
Editing: Typical news packages are between a minute and 90 seconds long, so keep editing as tight as possible. Try not to keep shots longer than 5 seconds and go to as many shots as you can. Interview clips should not be for more than 10 seconds and overlapping the audio onto clips makes the package look more professional.
