TV-journalism, function of building blocks, angle and focus

International TV-class

2. Today’s lecture

Role of the narrative elementsContent of the narrative elementsAngle and focus

Ordinary news story

Narrative role of the TV-elements

Intro/lead: Gives the angleGives perspective (why)Geographical orientation Actuality (today) - or tomorrow, - last yearPresentation of conflictCan also be ”secret”

Narrative role of the TV-elements

Video:Scenes and sequencesVisual proofsIllustrationsPresentations (establishing shoots)Piece to camera (stand up)Cutaways and noddies.Actions and re-actionsSyncs/grabs (interview bites)

Dramatized scenes, Reconstructions Archive

Narrative role of the TV-elements

Voice over: (didactic)perspectiveback groundfactsexplanationsanalysis

Voice over: (epic)gives the story chronology (time and place)describes actions and feelings

Narrative role of the TV-elements

Syncs: OpinionsEvaluationsExplanationsExperiencesFeelingsReactionsConsequencesetc.

Narrative role of the TV-elements

Soundbites: FascinationIdentificationFeelingsReactionsCo-operationCollaborationetc.

Real sound: 3rd dimension of picture, authenticity

Analytical tool

Simplified “Actantial Model”

Goal/Object/Desire

Helper/

tools/

skills

Challenges/hindrances/obstacles

The profile

person

Example: Skilled migrants seek work in Germany

Goal:

Job, money, good life

Helper:

Germany

need workers

Obstacles:

Leave family

Learn German

subject: Migrants

Example: Skilled migrants seek work in Germany

Goal:

IT Job

Helper:

Germany

Bakery job

Obstacles:

spanish crisis

no IT job

subject: Samuel

Angle

The angle is the sum of 3 factors: 1. Extract of subject/theme FOCUS

Which part of the reality 2. Focus: Sharp, tuned, 3. Place of view (fixed place) To be able to find an angle: Research To be able to do the story: Oral sources

What is the story?

NOT something about………. Before shooting you must know: the 5 Ws What is happening? Where? When? Who is participating? Why?

- What is the problem- Who has a problem? How big is it? (facts)

- What oral sources? Where? - Who made a decision? What consequences? - Why? HOW?

Focus

On what am I going to concentrate Keep focus - it helps to eliminate distracts Keep focus - it helps to develop the story and find

the right sources Keep focus - it helps you plan/search for visuals.

Make a “shopping list”:- Syncs (who says what) - your key-syncs - Establishing shoots and illustrative shoots- Action and reaction, where do I get soundbites?- Possible “fly on the wall”-sequences- Visual evidence for your claim(s)- Stand up/piece to camera- Visuals for opening and ending

Structure/narration

Treatment

TREATMENT 1st TV- assignment Target group (who will be interested in seeing your

story and why?): Story topic/person, idea and angle (FOCUS)

Result of research – facts and analysis (who, what, where and why and how)

Visual toolbox and shopping list

Story structure (how will you tell the story - ideas)

Script for 2nd - 5th. assignment