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Why generic video is a killer for TV news.

Yes, the title of this article is a strong statement. TV news is up against some large hurdles, the largest being making sure your newscasts and stories actually have impact for the viewer. If they don’t, viewers leave. Generic video creates an instant disconnect. That’s why I defined it and talked about ways around in Show it, explain it, and that’s why I am dedicating a second article. It is important to understand that this common crutch really kills credibility.

If viewers watch a story, and the video doesn’t make sense with the words two things happen: The viewer gets confused and misses half of the story, and the viewer starts wondering if the person reading the story knows what he/she is even talking about. Think about it, would you do a presentation for a group of people and not use the correct power point diagrams? Would you notice if the graphics don’t make sense and become angry that the speaker keeps flashing them up anyway, just so there is something on a screen? This is how generic video comes off to TV news viewers. It is confusing, and frustrating.

Viewers want to grasp what you are saying and showing to them. Video and sound help imprint it in their busy minds, so they actually remember what was said, who said it and what it meant. That is too powerful a tool, to just write a story, and hope the video makes sense. You must know what your images are, and relate the facts to the video. Otherwise you are telling viewers to go elsewhere, because your station is clueless.

So if you want to stand out on the job, and as a journalist period, show video, use sound, and explain it. Vow to never put a piece of video into your package or your newscast that you don’t reference in some way. It’s time to say goodbye to generic video.

Writer’s Block. Ways to inspire at crunch time.

My brain’s favorite time to develop writers block was sweeps, when I was slamming copy before the newscast. (Sound familiar? Who’s with me?) It’s not an ideal time to stare at the screen and hope the words just come. So how do you get around that blank screen and blank mind? These techniques just might spark some inspiration.

Keep some of your favorite writing in a folder

Great writing, inspires great writing. Keep a folder with your favorite teases, vo’s and other nice writing handy. This can be stuff you wrote or something a mentor wrote. The point is, by pulling out the folder and reading some of these beauties, you might just get inspired. The techniques you notice in these scripts might trigger ideas.

Look at how other producers or reporters wrote the story, with goal of making yours different

Most of us thrive on the thrill of competition. Hopping into another rundown and looking at how a different reporter or producer wrote the story naturally sets off the “I can top that!” instinct that’s innate in most newsies. It often helps you quickly brainstorm a different approach or angle and, next thing you know, you bang out a bunch of good copy.

Get up and walk around

A change in scenery can really refresh your mind. Get up from your desk or the live truck and walk around. Get the blood rushing to your brain again. The longer you sit, the more comatose you feel and the less you think. You know the drill. A quick walk often gets everything moving again, including your news brain.

Eat a snack.

Keep a little something around to munch on. I know we are all calorie conscious. So, it doesn’t have to be chocolate. In fact, something crunchy, can be a good distraction as well. Often when you reach for the snack you realize you didn’t eat lunch. (Again, sound familiar?) You can’t write well when you are out of fuel.

The most important thing to do is not panic, especially if the writer’s block hits when you are really slamming on deadline. If none of these tricks work and you are down to one story, see if someone else can throw in a first line for you. That can be enough to get the ball rolling and finish the script. Bottom line, you will get the work done. You have to!

Own the night. Finding and executing stories night side.

This article idea came from a reporter on Facebook who recently moved to night side. If you have ever worked this shift, you already know what he asked. How do you find stories, much less break news, night side when everyone you’re calling wants to just go home for dinner and offices are closed?

No doubt generating solid content can be challenging on a night where there is not a big event planned, a huge story that easily carries through or breaking news. The biggest key to “owning the night” is recognizing you will need to give up a little of your off time to build sources and set up stories. When you first begin as a night sider this will be a little time consuming, unless you’ve already worked in the same city for a while and have sources. But, once you build up some sources (read “Cultivating Sources” if you need help building up sources), it will not take that much time to call and make your checks. In fact, in some ways, it can be easier to see if a story you are hearing about really is sound, than it is for dayside reporters. Remember, day siders have to try and figure out if a story is legit when people are eating breakfast, getting the kids to school and running late. You can make calls as they come back from lunch and are often tying up loose ends and actually have some time to talk. So, eventually, it will be easier to get the info verified quickly. You just need to figure out who to call on your beat.

Speaking of beats, act like you have one, even if there is no formal defined beat system in your shop. By that I mean, figure out what types of stories management bites on at night, and source build around those topics. (see “How to Pitch and Pull Off Stories in Producer Driven Shops” for more on how to do that) You just don’t have the time to source build in every section of the DMA on every subject. Pick a couple of subjects and areas of the DMA and stick to that at first. It will help you. Just make sure the veteran night sider hasn’t already built up a rapport with the same agencies and sources, so you are not double calling and confusing the agencies.

Try and work a day ahead if you can. Forward looking stories about an upcoming hot button issue in town, or a major event, you will probably cover in a day or two can be great “fall backs” on a slow news night. You can informally set those types of stories up ahead of time.

When I managed PM newscasts, my go to night side reporters, usually called the desk around lunchtime to see if an assignment editor had heard of anything that might pop that night. Then the reporter would make a few calls and come in with a solid story idea. I often got calls on my way into work from reporters who had checked with sources to feel out interest on potential stories they could pitch when we got to work. This was a great help as well. I could say, “Set it up.” or “Look for something else.” early in the process. It took all of us just a few minutes, and often paid off in the end.

This may sound obvious, but another station in town used to routinely “break” interesting crime stories a day ahead of us. We eventually figured out that one of their night side reporters would stop and pick up police reports (now you can usually just check them online) on their way into work. That person then knew anything that happened after a typical 9 a.m. check by a dayside reporter. The other stations didn’t check until the next morning either. So this station ended up with constant “exclusives,” “first on’s” etc. until we figured out the trick. It’s proof that simple moves can pay off big time for night side content.

My final suggestion is to buddy up with a dayside reporter. That person may know of three people you can begin to call in the early afternoon to build sources. Sometimes day siders get tips as they are coming off of their shift. If that reporter knows you are willing to get calls before you come into work, you might get the tip call instead of it just going to the assignment desk. But make sure you pay it forward. If you hear rumblings of something good that might pop in the morning, shoot off a text to that day sider. Having each other’s back only helps.

Those are some tricks to “own the night.” If you have more suggestions, please send ‘em so we can all learn.

Reporter Photographer Harmony

The reporter/photographer relationship is one of the most unique dynamics in the newsroom setting. Sometimes it’s the most joyous. Sometimes it’s the most volatile.

Sometimes being on assignment feels like being with a “working wife/husband” while other times the thought of spending an entire workday with that person is unfathomable. But, finding that happy medium and really jelling together as a team can help to produce some fantastic stories, the kind that make it fulfilling to be a journalist.

This is a little perspective from the photographer side, a look at how that guy/girl with the camera on their shoulder (and hopefully on a tripod) sees those daily assignments.

Every shop I worked in always claimed how much they valued the photo staff, but in the end, most of the higher ups see that value in a technical sense, not editorial, leading to a lower link In the newsroom food chain.

But, just like everyone else in the newsroom, photographers have egos too. Getting the most out of that photographer for the day may not be too complex and involves a few simple steps

Each day brings a new assignment. Once the crew leaves the newsroom, the first task the reporter faces is how to engage the photographer and get them onboard for the day. And it does not matter if it’s a double package/double live shot day or one of those rare times when you actually have a little time to craft a package.

Here are three simple tips to hopefully get things headed in the right direction so those “human mic stands” can get the most, visually, out of photographers. In return, the photogs can offer some simple things to shed the image of “camera guy.”

These may not be the most intricate points and can seem basic, but not starting off on the right foot can doom a story before that camera is ever fired up.

What the photog can/should expect from you?:

1. An introduction: Wow, this seems simple. Introducing the photographer to the people being interviewing. It’s a team effort, right? A simple, “I want you to meet ________”, seems pretty standard and just plain polite.

For me, no introduction meant game over, that easy. I checked out for the day. The job was still done to a solid standard, but nothing more. And the best part, the reporter would never even know. It was a simple matter of respect. If a simple courtesy couldn’t be extended, there was no extra effort from me.

Of course when it’s mass chaos or chasing down a hostile interview this won’t apply but, in general, the point is there.

2. Discuss the story on the way: Talking. Again, seems basic. But some reporters get busy on their phones and nothing assignment related is said on the drive.

There’s a chance the photog wasn’t in that assignment meeting and hasn’t been given much of a description about what it is you’re putting together. Well, what is the photog’s perspective on basic story structure, both visually and editorially?

Again, at the core, it comes down to a matter of respect for your co-worker. If my input isn’t in the end story, my effort probably won’t be there either.

3. Involvement/Reinforcement: Talk as the story evolves during the day. Not only does it keep the photographer engaged, it also gives you both an idea how the story is unfolding visually long before sitting down to log the video.

What is the opening shot? What is the closing shot? Any good nat breaks? These questions keep the photog involved and engaged, letting them know you’re depending on them to help mold the story.

Does the photographer have a wireless mic (belt pack kind)? How about offering to move it around for them from person to person. What a great way to send a signal those great pictures and sounds are being counted on to put the story together.

As a photographer, I fed off of enthusiasm, even on stories that were pretty dry. Seeing the reporter moving the mic around and getting involved in the technical end made me step up the effort, every time.

While simple, all this respect talk is a two-way street. Reporters aren’t baby sitters and have enough to handle for the day. The above are ways to get the photographer on-board, utilizing the “journalist” in photojournalist. So now that you the reporter is putting out the effort, the question is……

What to should expect from the photographer?:

1. Return Engagement: The job is done making sure the photographer knows the story is a team effort. Now it’s up to the phojo to get involved. In addition to all the technical aspects running smoothly, is the photog engaged in interviews? Asking questions (when appropriate)? Listening for sound bites and varying up the framing for different looks?

I have heard stories of fellow photogs being on their cells phones on personal calls, DURING AN INTERVIEW! For any photographers reading this: Not a good way to be taken seriously.

2. Professionalism in Dress and Attitude: No, photographers will not be wearing suits and ties to working on a daily basis. But for many GA stories, the people we talk to are in a business setting. Appropriate dress and attitude should be expected.

Yes, it is up to management to make/enforce dress codes, but perception in our business is reality. No t-shirts, no ratty jeans and good personal hygiene all go a long way. Society has changed and there are many new ways people express themselves. But, for photogs with excessive piercings and or tattoos, find a way to take them out/cover them up when in a business setting. It hurts the reporter’s credibility too.

3. Offering a visual blueprint: Photogs, feel free to speak up as well during the day. Let the reporter know what’s been going on behind that lens. Any good nat breaks or sound bites you heard during the interviews? Ideas how you can make it work visually with their words?

Most of the time the reporter doesn’t see/hear what’s been shot until it’s logging time. During a time crunch, the chance to log all the video is long gone. Help them out. Know what can be weaved into the story. Is a key shot missing? Fess up early so a script doesn’t show up that “writes you into a hole”. We’re in the communication business. That starts in the field, long before the story is sent out to a television or web audience.

So, none of the above is earth shattering and most seems pretty basic. Yet, day in and day out, these things are not done in newsrooms in all sized markets.

Of course there are variables. Some days, and things, don’t go as planned. But the above points are basic ones that are often missed. When missed, they not only affect the product, they affect attitudes. If these mistakes are made day in and day out, bad attitudes often take over.

After 20 years of doing this, I’m not naïve. One of the questions (from either side) is probably, “I’ve tried this every day for a long time and person X just won’t respond, what should I do now?”

Honest answer, we can’t all get along and sometimes we’re just on a different page from one another. Try to not take it personally. Try to get a good lunch in. Keep it simple and live to fight another day with another reporter or photog.

One thing I do know, is that when the opportunity to really produce that special story comes along, it takes a team effort. Teams aren’t built overnight. It takes time and effort. Yes, there’s a lot more that goes into to hitting home run-type stories. But one thing for sure is if there isn’t a mutual respect from the beginning, it will be a struggle just getting up to the batter’s box.

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Andy Benton is a 20 year veteran photojournalist who’s won 2 National Murrow Awards, 3 Gabriel Awards and 25 Regional Emmys.