ENG Electronic News Gathering Electronic newsgathering ENG is

ENG Electronic News Gathering Electronic news-gathering (ENG) is when reporters and editors make use of electronic video and audio technologies in order to gather and present news. ENG can involve anything from a single reporter with a single professional video camera, to an entire television crew taking a truck on location.

ENG Electronic news gathering. Refers to the process of reporting events and activities that occur outside of the television studio. LEAD-IN The first few sentences of script that establish the setting and events of a news story. Introduces the ENG topic to the viewer. RULE of THREES During postproduction, the edited clips are grouped by audio and video into segments of three sentences per style or format.

SOUND BITE A videotaped segment in which the audio and video portions of the tape must remain in sync. Sound bites are usually three to five seconds in length. STAND UP Refers to an on-camera shot of a reporter as he or she presents information about the topic. TAG A standard format for the final sentence of script ending an ENG report. Identifies the reporter (by name) and station affiliation.

To avoid potential problems and catastrophes at the scene, a few minutes of consideration and preparation are needed. • • Check the equipment. • Use a tripod Use a microphone • Think about lighting – is there Use headphones enough/too much/backlight? ? ? Bring extra batteries for the cameras • Bring something to record and microphones. information with. Refer to your ENG checklist to ensure you have the necessary equipment AND that ALL of the equipment is returned AND in good working condition.

GETTING THE STORY

• ENG news events are generated by events and activities in which students, teachers, parents, and school athletes or artists are involved. • Information about these events can be obtained by: o referring to the calendar on the school website o talking to club and event sponsors o looking at the announcements o creatively examining national and world events and how they relate to the student population • Find out the who, what, where, when, how, and why of the event. This can be done face-to-face, via email or even a phone call. • Organizers can provide event background information (prior event history, attendance, purpose, schedule) and important info regarding the event itself (location, ticket prices, results).

EXAMPLES Below are some examples of stories found at the school itself or in the community. IN SCHOOL COMMUNITY ■ Sports teams – games or activities ■ Election ■ Clubs ■ Community groups ■ School events ■ Community events ■ Leadership events ■ Student extra curricular activities ■ New procedures or changes that are occurring at the school

RECORDING THE STORY (CINEMATOGRAPH ER)

• The story must be recorded visually rather than “told”. This is done by: • capturing several minutes B Roll of each activity • including a variety of camera shots and angles and think “the golden three second shot” • Capture mood with closeups of faces • Include inserts and cutaways to focus view on specific actions • Include POV and over the shoulder shots for interest • Include clean diegetic sound • Use interview sound bites vs WHOLE interview • Be aware of background noise that will be distracting

TELLING THE STORY (REPORTER)

• Introduce the ENG with a focused, informative lead-in statement. • Present the information in an unbiased manner. • Present both sides through the use interviews and “talking heads” of guests.

REPORTER LEAD-INS

The reporter’s lead-in is essential for informing the viewing audience about the topic. Lead-ins should be limited to two or three sentences that enable the viewer to quickly grasp the content of the report.

INCORRECT CT ■ “As you can see, everyone here is having a good time. We have students and teachers eating and socializing. ” (The reporter gives no information about the event. ) ■ “The staff and students at Timberline are enjoying the first day of flex where the leadership class hosted a school wide barbecue. This is the kick off for a full year of fun. (The reporter gives good information, including the what the activity is, why it’s being held and who are involved. )

INTERVIEWS AND COMMENTS

One of the best ways to get and convey information is from the actual people involved in the event. Viewers, especially in a school setting, also like to see and hear about events from the people involved because they know them. It creates more interest in your report and gives credible information as well. • Questions asked of guests should be open-ended (that is, questions that cannot be answered in just one or two words). • Limit yourself to two or three questions for each guest knowing that they probably will be different depending on the roll the guest plays

INCORRECT CT ■ “Did you help with the decorations? ” (Answer: Yes – only one word) ■ “What were some of the items you and other students had to prepare for the Dinner and Dance? ” (The answer will be much longer and depend on the person being interviewed)

• Be sure to go over the questions with your guests before recording them on camera. • Make sure you write down (and correctly spell!) everyone’s name and title for later use in postproduction (lower third titles) trick is to film the interviewee stating their name and spelling it

POSTPRODUCTION TIPS

• Think “the three second golden shot” rather than really long pans and static shots • Use lower third titles to identify the people that appear on camera for the first five to seven seconds of the shot. • Use as much as the live sound as possible for background narration and sound bites. • Keep completed videos to TWO minutes in length

ASSIGNMENT Check the Assignment Tab in the TSN DMB class site for the assignment.