2. Script Writing…
Before we went into the studio we needed to write our script in order to
have something to film.
We followed the simple structure we deciphered from looking at news
programmes.
Introduction, title sequence, hard story, soft story, weather report and
signing off.
We undertook research of real events that are going on in our local area in
order to write our stories.
We aimed our research to look at stories that would be relevant to our
target audience.
3. Hard News and Soft News…
News stories are usually divided into two types: hard news and soft
news.
Hard news generally refers to up-to-the-minute news and events that
are reported immediately, something that is particularly relevant to the
target audience.
While soft news is background information or human-interest stories.
Politics, war, economics and crime used to be considered hard news,
while arts, entertainment and lifestyles were considered soft news.
Soft news stories tend to balance out the reports with it being a ‘lighter,
some what feel good’ story.
4. Hard News Story
Student Accommodation
Our hard news story is about new student accommodation being built in a
local village, Moseley.
The story is causing much dispute with local residents and the local council
due to the hundreds of students it could potentially bring into the local
area. They are worried about what it could do to the village and how it
could affect them.
We also looked at the local businesses views of the student
accommodation and their views are of the opposite stance, looking at how
it could potentially boost the economy for the local area.
This would be particularly relevant to the target audience of ‘Midlands
Tonight’ because the news programme is aimed at students of this age
and they would be interested in what is happening for the student lifestyle
in their local area.
5. Introduction…
Jack – Hello and welcome to Midlands Tonight. I’m Jack Hanley and
(excitedly) I’m Jack Howell. Top stories tonight…
Jack Hanley– The new student accommodation currently undergoing
construction In Moseley is under much controversy from local residents who
worry for the peaceful village, which is soon set to be full of students from
local universities.
GOTO OUTSIDE BROADCAST OF REPORTER WITH PREVIEW OF STORY -
DURATION – 10 SECS
Jack Howell - In other news, the Midlands entertainment industry is on the
rise with Birmingham’s mini ‘West End’ bringing in thousands of visitors from
around the UK and Europe.
TITLE SEQUENCE – 21 SECONDS
6. Hard News Story…
Jack Hanley – Good evening. The new building development in Moseley, Birmingham is set to be the latest addition in student
accommodation for Birmingham University students. (Insert stat/graphic) With the Midlands student population at more than 198,000
last year and still growing this new move into Mosley is causing much debate and dispute between local residents and the worries they
have for what the potential build will bring for Moseley.
Jack Howell – It is evidently clear that the build under construction on an unused patch of land in Alcester Road, Moseley is an
unpopular move by Birmingham’s city council. Over 19,000 people of Birmingham have signed a petition against the build and worry
about the potential impact of Moseley being swamped by a vast number of university students.
Jack Hanley – We spoke to some local residents about what they thought about the build.
VOX POPS OF LOCALS – 15 SECONDS
Jack Howell – However, this is not everyone’s opinion and many local business people are in favour of these new plans…
Jack Hanley – The amount of students the accommodation is set to hold could bring in a lot of business for the area, particularly local
restaurants and coffee shops. We spoke to local Costa Coffee shop owner, Tim.
VOX POPS – 10 SECONDS
We also grasped the excitement of some of the potential students who could be the first to take up the accommodation.
VOX POPS OF STUDENTS – 10 SECONDS
Birmingham City Council issued us with this statement ‘ We feel after extensive research that the building and accommodation plans
proposed for Mosley Village will for most residents be a positive thing for both industry and community within the area and hope to
have new residents moving in by as early as Spring 2018’
Lets hope this is so and residents like Mrs May are not pushed out by this younger generation.
7. Soft News Story
Entertainment
Our soft news story focusses on the entertainment sector within the
midlands, particularly with the theatre front.
We focussed on the Birmingham Hippodrome and what that does for the
entertainment industry within the midlands.
This would be relevant to our target audience, as during the earlier stages
of our research it was clear that as part of the news for young people, they
wanted to see items that were relevant to them and entertainment is
clearly something that would be evident to them.
8. Soft News Story…
Jack Howell –Moving onto changes in another area of the Midland now… The entertainment industry in Birmingham,
particularly within theatre has grown in recent years.
Pantomimes for everyone, endless employment opportunities, economical boosts for the local community and much more. An
insight into the Birmingham Hippodrome’s impact on its local area. (voice over on montage of images)
Jack Hanley - The Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the UK’s most popular single auditorium theatres welcoming, on
average, over 500,000 visitors every year. Furthermore, countless amounts of pantomimes which are featured annually offer a
variety of shows for their audiences to watch. An example of this is with the production Wicked which has won over 100
international awards will feature at the Hippodrome in April and is expected to attract thousands of people.
Jack Howell - While the Hippodrome does bring successful productions to their audiences, the impact on the wider area of
the Midlands is undeniable. With each new production there is the creation of employment opportunities both in the theatre
industry and in local businesses. We’ve seen the Birmingham Theatre district grow over the last 5 years and some are even
calling it ‘Birmingham’s Mini West-End’
Jack Hanley - As a result of this, the prosperity of the entertainment business within the area of Birmingham is at an all-time
high. Ryan Brooks who works at the Birmingham Hippodrome commented that ‘the growing success of the West Midland’s
theatre district seems to be evident with more and more visitors attending the theatre each year’.
Jack Howell - We then caught up with a local business owner near the Theatre District commenting on the growth they’ve
experienced as a result of the popularity of the Hippodrome.
VOX POPS OF BUSINESS OWNER – 10 SECONDS
9. The Weather Report
To conclude our news programme we decided to include as
this is something that normally concludes most news
programmes.
The Weather is an important part of the news programme in
my opinion as it helps people to plan their days etc by
knowing exactly what the weather would be like.
10. The Weather/Sign off…
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Shona: First let’s take look at images you have been sending in over the past few days.
Image – Aneta
Shona: Here we have a picture sent in by Aneta from Stetchford, showing a warm start to the day. And next we
have Lauren from Acocks Green…
Image – Lauren (needs to be a slightly frosty images to back up your next line)
Shona: This evening, weather is set to remain dry but frosty which will follow on into the early hours of
tomorrow morning across the West Midlands.
At around eight o’clock tomorrow, we will see a slight rise in temperature to around 10 degrees, bringing with it
a few scattered showers and clearing away the remaining frost, but you don’t want to forget your umbrella.
Towards the end of the week we see the skies clearing up but I still recommend you bring your coats as there
may be strong winds which could cause some disruption. No weather warning has been issued as of yet.
Shona: That’s all from me, have a lovely day. Back to Jack and Jack in the studio
Jack Hanley: Thanks Shona. That’s it from us this evening and we’re back tomorrow evening at the same time
to provide you with the latest news.
Both – Good night!
