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Writing a News StoryWriting a News Story

The 5 W’s & HowThe 5 W’s & How

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Who?Who?► Who are the parties, groups, Who are the parties, groups,

organizations, or individuals organizations, or individuals involved in the activity or event.involved in the activity or event.

► Get their names, (With correct Get their names, (With correct spelling) position titles, and spelling) position titles, and appropriate background information appropriate background information of people involved in activity. of people involved in activity.

► Take video of key people doing Take video of key people doing activities for “B” roll. Events that fit activities for “B” roll. Events that fit the focal point of the video. A Coach the focal point of the video. A Coach – interacting with the team or an – interacting with the team or an Administrator – with talking to Administrator – with talking to teachers, students, on the phone, teachers, students, on the phone, etc.etc.

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What’s it AboutWhat’s it About

► What has happened that is What has happened that is newsworthy. newsworthy.

► What is the history behind the event.

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Where ?Where ?

► Get an accurate description of the Get an accurate description of the location of the happening. location of the happening.

► ““B” roll video, when available, canB” roll video, when available, can

enhance the interview.enhance the interview.► Names of buildings, geographical Names of buildings, geographical

locations , description of the locations , description of the surroundings, weather if surroundings, weather if appropriate, should be noted.appropriate, should be noted.

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WhenWhen

►Dates and times of events. Dates and times of events. If multiple events occurred, If multiple events occurred, get an accurate chronology get an accurate chronology of those events. of those events.

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Why?Why?

►Try to ascertain why the Try to ascertain why the events occurred as they events occurred as they did. Do not speculate - get did. Do not speculate - get real facts from real people real facts from real people who witnessed the who witnessed the event(s).event(s).

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HowHow►How did this activity get started?How did this activity get started?►How did this happening come to How did this happening come to

be!be!►Get as much detail and Get as much detail and

information from a variety of information from a variety of sources as you can. The more the sources as you can. The more the better.better.

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Questions and…..Questions and…..

►Develop a basic list of questions Develop a basic list of questions ahead. This allows for direction.ahead. This allows for direction.

►Be ready to ask for more detail with Be ready to ask for more detail with additional “on the spot” questions. additional “on the spot” questions.

►Rehearse questions ahead for clarity.Rehearse questions ahead for clarity.►Have an opening ready to introduce Have an opening ready to introduce

your guest.your guest.

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VideoVideo►A Stand-UpA Stand-Up with a single camera with a single camera

Establishing shot of the interview and Establishing shot of the interview and guest.guest.

During introduction medium to bust During introduction medium to bust shot of interviewershot of interviewer

Over the shoulder of the interviewer Over the shoulder of the interviewer of the guest often used.of the guest often used.

““B” roll of the interviewer asking one B” roll of the interviewer asking one of of

the questions or of nodding in the questions or of nodding in agreement shot at the same location agreement shot at the same location after or before the interview.after or before the interview.

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AudioAudio►Use microphone(s) on the person or source not the area.Use microphone(s) on the person or source not the area.

The microphone on the camera will pick up more than the conversation.

The lavaliere microphone is often the best type for an interview if available.

Use wind screens on the microphone if outside and there is a breeze.

►Voice-over are use as a lead to an Voice-over are use as a lead to an answer but should not copy what is answer but should not copy what is said what is in the interview.said what is in the interview.

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Other things to include in the Other things to include in the interviewinterview

►Throw back or end Tag will be from the Throw back or end Tag will be from the reporter that will close the package and reporter that will close the package and possible send the viewer back to the possible send the viewer back to the studio. studio.

►““For Spartan News Network this is …… For Spartan News Network this is …… reporting”reporting”

►““I’m …… for Spartan Network News. I’m …… for Spartan Network News. Back to you Mike.”Back to you Mike.”

Equipment to BringEquipment to Bring► Camera – the recording device.Camera – the recording device.► Microphone – audio pick up Microphone – audio pick up (Mic the person not the area)(Mic the person not the area)

► Tripod w/plate – a must to be sure of a steady Tripod w/plate – a must to be sure of a steady video. video.

► Headphones – To be sure the audio is recorded as Headphones – To be sure the audio is recorded as desired.desired.

► Microphone cable – incase a greater distance from Microphone cable – incase a greater distance from the camera is needed.the camera is needed.

► Extra Charged Battery – should the primary be Extra Charged Battery – should the primary be exhausted. exhausted.

► Tape – or whatever the recording media is to be.Tape – or whatever the recording media is to be.► Notebook, Writing utensil, Questions. Notebook, Writing utensil, Questions. 04/13/23

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THE END