Camera operators film video for broadcast. They may write, follow and rehearse scripts. Camera operators collaborate with directors and talent to determine how to shoot scenes.
Production assistants work in studios and on sets to assist producers, directors and other film crew members. They help adjust lighting and set up equipment before filming. Production assistants may also attend to guests and on-air personalities. For some projects, this may include handling duties such as scheduling guest interviews, answering phone calls and coordinating transportation and catering services.
A music director oversees music programming and plans music for events. They may manage the music production and schedule both artists and musicians for recording sessions. Music directors can compose music and transpose work from other composers. In movies and television, a music director selects the songs for the film.
A news reporter researches current events and collects information to present accurate reports to the public. They may interview witnesses, track leads and write or edit news stories. News reporters may also appear on camera to present their news stories.
Sound engineers operate sound equipment. They can enhance audio, add sound effects and record audio. For live shows and performances, they help set up equipment including microphones, speakers and instruments. Sound engineers also edit audio and correct sound issues that may occur, such as feedback from microphones or faulty speakers.
A news producer collaborates with the news director to select broadcast content. They design news shows to include reports, graphics and video content. They also set filming schedules and tell the production crew and special guests when to arrive and how much time they will spend at the filming location.
Video editors assemble and edit raw video files and prepare the film for broadcast. They may perform sound editing such as adjusting volume, reducing background noise or adding special sound effects. Editors also add video transitions or color correct footage to ensure a clean and aesthetically pleasing final product. Video editors may collaborate with directors to make edits on the film.
Writing for radio and television is different from writing for print for several reasons:
First, you are writing for “the ear.” In print news stories, you are writing for “the eye”; the story must read well to your eye. The television or radio news story has the added complexity that it has to sound good; when a listener hears the story it has to read well to “the ear.”
Second, you have less space and time to present news information. Therefore, you must prioritize and summarize the information carefully. That means who, what, when takes precedent over why and how. Focus your story by summarizing in three words. Use one theme per story, one thought per sentence. Select, don’t compress, what goes in your stories.
And third, your listeners cannot reread sentences they did not understand the first time; they have to understand the information in a broadcast story as they hear it or see it. As a result, you have to keep your writing simple and clear.
Suggestions for writing Script
Introducing the Story
We begin tonight with news from …
Our top story tonight is…
Top of the news this evening is…
Handing over to a Correspondent
We go live now to our correspondent in…
On the scene is our correspondent…
Reporting from (the place) is our correspondent…
Introducing an Expert
I’m joined now by (person’s name)…
Here to explain further is (person’s name)…
To find out more, I have with me (person’s name)…
Introducing a Graphic or Statistic
As you can see from this graphic…
This is shown in these figures…
Here’s a little more detail about…
Finishing the Broadcast
That’s all we have time for tonight.
That just about wraps it up.
Thanks for watching, and have a good evening.