What is a News Package?

A news package is usually the longest type of storytelling found on television newscasts. They are also found in long-form news programming, such as the CBS News program 60 Minutes or CBS Sunday Morning.

A package is a self-contained taped news report. Usually, the news anchor will read an introduction live, then the pre-recorded story will be shown.

Here are some award winning examples from the Student Television Network competition:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K85ng_q0VNw&list=PL8CX1boR5K3eIsQh98c8CP_y9lII2pTOY

A common part of a news package is the appearance of a reporter talking into the camera. This is called a "standup" because the reporter is often seen standing in front of the camera on the scene of the story.

News packages combine short sound bites taken from interviews with b-roll and voice overs to allow viewers to feel like they deeply understand the subject.

News packages usually run for 1:15 to 2:00 in length. In the case of magazine-style news programming, packages can be 20 minutes or longer. This type of news presentation is best for complicated stories or ones that have multiple interviews.

Steps for Creating a Student News Package

Video Checklist for Student News Shows

1. Pre-planning

• Most news packages use NAT SOUND (natural sound, sometimes called "NAT-SOT") and B-ROLL. Therefore, look for great NAT Sound and B-ROLL opportunities on the shoot.

  • • B-roll is supplemental footage inserted in the edit as a cutaway.  B-roll includes the shots that are shown to introduce a segment and/or in between the live or taped interviews.

• • • • NAT-SOT is short for "NATural Sound On Tape."  It is the sounds of the places where the news is happening.  Perhaps there is construction, so we'll hear (and see in the b-roll) the machines working.  Or, if you're covering a sports event, your NAT-SOT might be the cheers of the spectators.  In this fantastic example created by Lebo Alum Kathryn Mellett, you'll see the use of the NAT-SOT from recording the musicians at the festival: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15tcSMOP8LVVpG-14keYEmRzuiylTbRyB/view?usp=share_link 

• Plan for good b-roll: Get wide, medium and tight of every single shot, at least 10 seconds from each distance.  

  • • Watch this video to learn more about b-roll: https://player.vimeo.com/video/73824449

    • Here's a helpful Prezi that has an example about how to shoot b-roll: https://prezi.com/zujohj7iyxa7/5-shot-10-seconds-method/ 

• Set up your interview(s).  You can call a person, but an email might be an easier and more convenient way to contact a person within the school district.  If you email, use the cc: function to copy Ms. Kramer on your email.  Your email will have the following content:

• • • • Salutation ("Dear Dr. Thompson,")

      • Briefly introduce yourself ("I'm Joe Smith, a student in the Advanced Media Production class this semester.")

      • Explain your wishes ("As a class project, I'm creating a short news package about the school board's upcoming budget debate.  Is it possible to schedule a 15 minute on-camera interview so I could ask you a few questions about your experience with previous budgets?")

      • Give possible meet-up times ("I am available every school day during period 4, or after school on Monday, September 12.  Would either of these times work for you?")

      • Be appreciative.  ("Thank you for considering this request.")

      • Sign-off.  ("Sincerely,")

      • "Sign" your name ("Joe Smith")

  • Make a list of questions for your interviewee(s).

    • • Use both experiential and informational questions.

        • • Informational questions will help you understand the subject of the story.  How many people are involved?  What was the planning process like?  How many hours did it take to _______?  How much money was raised?  Where did the idea for _____  come from?  Etc.

          • Experiential questions will get at the interviewee's feelings and experiences.  How did you feel when _______?  What do you remember seeing at _________?  What made you feel proudest of ________?  What concerns did you have about ______?

• Check AND test your equipment BEFORE you leave for the shoot.

  • • Camera

    • Camera Battery (bring 2)

    • Tripod

    • SD card

    • Microphone

    • Headphones

2. Interview & Filming B-roll / NAT-SOT

• Monitor your audio when you film your interview.  Be sure that you play back a clip to verify that the camera is capturing good audio.

  • • And remember, if there is a technical problem, it is probably user error! It's unlikely that the camera is broken. The microphone and tripod DO work. 97% of all technical problems are user related. Know how to troubleshoot your equipment!

• When setting up your interview, be sure to:

  • • Keep subjects at least one foot from the backdrop. It looks way more interesting. 

    • Begin recording any interview with, “Say your name and spell it.” This is a great way to test your audio levels, while recording the correct spelling of their name. And then you will have a way to spell their name correctly on the lower thirds in post-production.

    • Be sure to film an establishing shot. Get one. Don’t assume viewers know where you are or what you’re talking about.

• Make sure that ANY person you interview is also included in at least a few shots of your B-ROLL footage.  In fact, shooting some b-roll of them working and walking around the event/activity is a great way to warm-up before the interview.

• Light goes behind the camera; don’t leave your subjects in the dark. Check out these tips on 3-point lighting techniques:

  • • Film your stand-up last.  Look nice on camera. Dress professionally. 

3. Edit 

• Edit at LEAST 3 different shots of BRoll together in a series

  • • Don’t put 2 of the same camera angles back to back (MS-MS or WS-WS or CU-CU)

      • • 3-5 seconds long for each shot.

        • Show a sequence – LS-MS-CU, or MS-CU-LS, or CU-LS-MS