Now I know the last time I posted, I was probably talking about a sports team, specifically Atlanta sports teams, and sporting news from around the United States and internationally. However, I’m changing the script this time; I’m going to talk about the RCA Sports Broadcasting Institute. It’s a program based in Conyers, Georgia where students are actually producing sports footage for the school in Rockdale County, promoting games through social media, and shooting live news shows. This program allows for students to gain experience and knowledge in a field that is in need of experienced workers, whether in college or in an actual production house; to be a part of something exciting and fulfilling; and to even make money, as the program also offers video recording jobs.
In my group specifically, we have to put on a newscast that includes weather, events in the area, news at the different schools, community service, and sports coverage. There can also be features if there are any interesting stories coming about. For instance, a couple weeks ago we did a feature on Candace Hill, a track star at Rockdale County High School who recently won the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year for her sport. Before we can start shooting any footage or conduct any interviews we might need, we first must write scripts, which is basically an outline of how we will shoot and record each part of the newscast. The scripts include the location of the footage, who’s being recorded, how they’re being recorded, and what each person is going to say. We also have to include any other pieces we plan to add later, like any fancy graphics or voiceovers that will be put in later. After each script is written, we show to our teacher for approval, and he either gives us approval, or he points out things we can make better and sends us back.
Once our script is approved, a team of 2-4 people from the group will receive a camera and a tripod, as well as bring their own headphones, and go out to the location and begin shooting. Even though the topics vary in time consumption, it’s important that time is not wasted, because if everyone is focused on the task at hand, the faster the task can get done. Also, if there is an interview or feature being conducted during this time, it is imperative that we are prompt ad courteous for the interviewees. Make sure to say please and thank you to the people that you’re interviewing, because their time is valuable just as yours is.
Once the piece has been shot, we go back to the classroom/ production house to begin the editing process. That can be anything from cutting out unnecessary footage, to making the sound as good as possible, to adding things like graphics and voiceovers. Editing can be short and swift, or it can take a day or two; it changes from footage to footage. The goal is to make the best video possible.
This process takes place for all videos that are shot. Once all the sports coverage, weather, community news, and features are shot, we now put them together to make the newscast. Since most of the footage is already prepared, the newscast is a piece of cake; just be sure to be focused, and everything will go smooth.
And that, my friends, is the preparation and process of our newscast.
In my group specifically, we have to put on a newscast that includes weather, events in the area, news at the different schools, community service, and sports coverage. There can also be features if there are any interesting stories coming about. For instance, a couple weeks ago we did a feature on Candace Hill, a track star at Rockdale County High School who recently won the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year for her sport. Before we can start shooting any footage or conduct any interviews we might need, we first must write scripts, which is basically an outline of how we will shoot and record each part of the newscast. The scripts include the location of the footage, who’s being recorded, how they’re being recorded, and what each person is going to say. We also have to include any other pieces we plan to add later, like any fancy graphics or voiceovers that will be put in later. After each script is written, we show to our teacher for approval, and he either gives us approval, or he points out things we can make better and sends us back.
Once our script is approved, a team of 2-4 people from the group will receive a camera and a tripod, as well as bring their own headphones, and go out to the location and begin shooting. Even though the topics vary in time consumption, it’s important that time is not wasted, because if everyone is focused on the task at hand, the faster the task can get done. Also, if there is an interview or feature being conducted during this time, it is imperative that we are prompt ad courteous for the interviewees. Make sure to say please and thank you to the people that you’re interviewing, because their time is valuable just as yours is.
Once the piece has been shot, we go back to the classroom/ production house to begin the editing process. That can be anything from cutting out unnecessary footage, to making the sound as good as possible, to adding things like graphics and voiceovers. Editing can be short and swift, or it can take a day or two; it changes from footage to footage. The goal is to make the best video possible.
This process takes place for all videos that are shot. Once all the sports coverage, weather, community news, and features are shot, we now put them together to make the newscast. Since most of the footage is already prepared, the newscast is a piece of cake; just be sure to be focused, and everything will go smooth.
And that, my friends, is the preparation and process of our newscast.