4. RECAP
FIND YOUR FOCUS
TELL IT TO YOURSELF IN SIX WORDS
OPTIONS TO ORGANIZE YOUR STORY:
SUMMARY, HOURGLASS, DIAMOND OR
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
APPLY EXPLANATORY JOURNALISM: MORE
CONTEXT, WHAT LED TO THIS NEWS, LOOK
BACK AND AHEAD – SUPPLY LOTS OF
FACTS AND DATA
5. FEATURE STORIES
PKGs are NOT focused on a specific
breaking news event. But SHOULD be
timely and PEGGED to something that is
current in the news.
NOT styled like breaking news: summary
lede, typically serious straightforward
reporting. CAN be more narrative styled,
building drama through foreshadowing
and often covering “lighter” subject matter
6. NOT constrained to the typical 1:30-1:45
length of breaking news stories. CAN be
2:30-3:00 in length.
NOT basic production values like breaking
news: video, nat sound, SOTS, and stand-
ups with mostly straight cuts in editing.
CAN apply high production values like
more artistic editing, more dialogue
between reporter and interviewee and
possibly special elements like music.
7. ELEMENTS OF FEATURE STORIES
FIND SOMETHING UNIQUE AND
NEWSWORTHY. FOCUS ON A STORY THAT
CAN BE TOLD VISUALLY, ESPECIALLY WITH
GREAT INTERVIEWS. TRULY TELL AN
INTERESTING STORY NOT GIVE A REPORT
FEATURES SHOULD BE PEOPLE STORIES EVEN
IF THEY FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY OR
PLACES OR THINGS. TELL THE STORY ABOUT
THE PERSON(S) BEHIND THOSE THINGS
8. ROOT YOUR FEATURE IN FACTS. RESEARCH
THE DATA AND BACKGROUND RELATED
TO YOUR FOCUS. FIND OUT WHAT EXPERTS
SAY ABOUT YOUR FOCUS. INTERVIEW THEM
OR TELL THE INFORMATION THEY HAVE IN
YOUR OWN WORDS.
INCLUDE A BROADER VIEW WHEN
POSSIBLE. THIS IS LIKE A DIAMOND STYLE
STORY BUT NOT TO THE SAME DEGREE
AND IS NOT ORGANIZED THE SAME WAY.
9. This video is in BlackBoard under the Content Tab for our course.
10. PRODUCING YOUR FEATURE
WRITE IT IN A TRULY CONVERSATIONAL
STYLE
BE MORE CREATIVE IN YOUR WRITING –
NOT WITH THE FACTS BUT WITH THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
CAN YOU TURN A PHRASE, USE AN
APPROPRIATE PUN, APPLY ALLITERATION
TO MAKE YOUR SCRIPT AS ENGAGING AS
THE FOCUS OF YOUR STORY?
11. FIND REALLY ENGAGING VIDEO AND
VISUALS
APPLY DIFFERENT CAMERA ANGLES – EVEN
TO THE SAME VIDEO SHOT IF APPROPRIATE
TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THAT SCENE
USE GOOD CAMERA TECHNIQUES
TO ENHANCE THE STORY TELLING –
SLOW, GRACEFUL PANS OR ZOOMS
12. ALLOW FOR LIGHTLY LONGER SOTS
ALLOW FOR MORE NUANCED NAT SOUND
BE SHARP IN YOUR EDITING TO
MAKE YOUR PRODUCED PIECE TRULY
FLOW FROM START TO FINISH.
IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE A FAST FLOW
BUT A STORY STREAM THAT MOVES
ALONG AT THE RIGHT PACE LIKE A WELL
TOLD TALE.
13. This video is in BlackBoard under the Content Tab for our course.
14. ASSIGNMENT FOR APRIL 8, 2020
WRITE, PRODUCE AND TRACK A 2:30
FEATURE PKG ON THE SAINT JOHN’S
3-D PRINTING PROJECT FOR FACE SHIELDS
SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT AND COMPLETED
VIDEO
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS 11:59 PM
ON TUESDAY APRIL 7, 2020
