This document provides guidance on writing and filming package scripts and standup bridges for news packages. It recommends keeping voiceovers under 10 seconds without a soundbite or natural sound. Standups should be planned to establish credibility, build relationships with viewers, and help explain complicated topics. When filming standups, reporters should interact naturally with the camera instead of just standing there, look into the camera without staring, and set up what comes next in the story.

1. Package Scripts
Rhythm/Pacing: Too much reporter voiceover can kill a package. Do not go
over 10 seconds of voiceover without a soundbite/nat sound pop.
Timing: Opening with natural sound pops or a soundbite is key to engaging your
audience right into the story.
Scripts can’t be written and voiced over until you’ve shot soundbites, b-roll, and
natural sound.
Package scripts are clearly noted with video, natural sound, and soundbites. “See it,
say it” principle is crucial because writing is more specific to what the viewer is seeing.
Package Script Template
Caitlin Chastain Package Script Example and Package Example

2. Basic Format of Final Package
 VO – Your voice recorded onto the finished package over B-roll
 SOT 1 – A sound bite from one of your two interviews
 Stand-up Bridge – You on Camera talking to the viewer
 SOT 2 – A second sound bite from a DIFFERENT person than SOT 1
 VO – Your voice recorded onto the finish package over B-roll
(No black between elements and no handles on SOTs)
(TRT – 1m 30s)

3. Standups
From Start to FINISH
JCM 331

4. Doing Standups
 Definition: Any on-camera presence by the reporter
 Challenge: Make an unnatural act (talking to a camera) look natural
 WHY DO THEM ?
1. Establish your credibility
2. Reporter builds relationship with viewer
3. Help Audience make sense out of something complicated
 KNOW THE FUNCTION OF THE STAND-UP in the package narrative
1. Demonstrate (SHOW), rather than just tell viewer something
2. Transition between locations, characters, time frames or topics (4 things)
3. Substitute for lack of visuals to illustrate a point

5. Doing Standups
 IT STARTS WITH WRITING AND PLANNING
 Know where the on-camera segment will fit in the story
 What will the audience already know before the standup?
 What soundbite will you use immediately before or after?
 Standup should be INTEGRAL TO THE STORY!
 TIP: Don’t memorize
 TIP: Focus on the points you’re saying
 TIP: Do as many takes as possible, have AT LEAST TWO that are good
(in case of technical difficulties)

6. Shooting your Stand-up Bridge
 Do NOT just stand there
without telling the viewer
why you are there.
 Do NOT stand there like a
statue. Be interactive.
 Make it clear WHY your are on camera.
 At the end, set up what is coming NEXT!

7. Shooting your Stand-up Bridge
 Look directly into the camera,
but do not stare at it.
 Do NOT read something off
to the side or below the
camera. You need to
memorize your stand-up bridge.
 Have fun with it! Stand somewhere that pertains to your story if
possible.