How to Make a Spoof Newscast

Making spurious newscasts is an art as old as the videocamera. These days, professionals like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are raising the bar, and people are asking each other what really constitutes a "spoof" in news reporting. To make your own amateur spoof newscast, use these fun and easy tips to get a dramatic, interesting result.

Instructions

1. Do your own writing. Your writing is the backbone of your spoof newscast. You can get real news or make up your own, but putting your own touches on it makes it yours. For spoofs of real news, start with a commonly known headline and flesh it out using your own hyperbolic madness.

2. Get the right tone. You'll want to do clever imitations of "real" news people. Try to do it without cracking up on camera. Rehearse until you can deliver hilarious news in a serious voice.

3. Use hilarious props. Everything, from the desk to the drapes, can add chuckles to your spoof newscast. Get wild, elaborate wigs or suits to spice up your own image as "anchor."

4. Find your correspondents. A big part of popular fake news broadcasts is the work of roving field correspondents, and for really great spoofs, you won't want to go it alone. Get your correspondents on camera and provide the witty banter that will keep viewers engaged.

5. Locate other "staff" as necessary. For most projects, you'll need someone to hold the camera. You'll also want editors, runners and people to distribute the video when it's done. Having others to promote your newscast will help you get it to where it needs to go after the camera has stopped rolling.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch out for the beasts of libel and slander. For lots of projects, it's not a problem, but if you're looking for a wide audience, it helps to have a consultant on hand (hopefully with some legal savvy) who can tell you what is and is not safe to include in your video. Too many shots at a particular individual can get you in hot water if they decide to follow up on their rights.