For each lesson, Read the Notes then click on the Assignment to complete the Assignment. The assignment will redirect you to a Google Form. This Unit contains 6 lessons.
Unit 1
Ethics and Professionalisim
Conducting Interviews
Verifying Sources
Script Writing
Teleprompter
Setting up a formal newscast
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Unit 1 Lesson 1: Ethics and Proffesionalisim
Unit 1 Lesson 1: Ethics and Professionalism Ethics
Ethics- the accepted moral standpoint of a society and people
Always be respectful to the subject you are interviewing
Listen to the story and get highlights from the story but make sure it doesn’t:
Take away from the overall meaning of the story
Doesn’t over dramatize the story
Remains true and honest
Reporters and Journalism staff are often considered untrustworthy because they can get selfish and attempt to twist or manipulate stories or use false or unwanted details. So, remember to keep your promises and if the subject says something along the lines of “Off the record” do not use it in your story
Be kind and respectful to your competition which can include
Journalism Staff from another company
Journalism staff in your company that is fighting for the same promotion or time spot as you
Professionalism
Any time you are approaching someone show respect by:
Using their title: Mr, Mrs., Dr, etc.
When they are
A person of interest
Superior/elder
Avoiding slang (unless scripted into interview, like in the event of informal newscast)
Appear organized
Stick to the procedure and explain the procedure to the interviewee
Dress Professionally
You are wearing some form of Press Identification
You are not wearing anything derogatory or with any profane language
Vocabulary Reporter- a person in a newsroom setting that conducts interviews and gives a video or written presentation to be presented to an open audience Interviewee- a person who is being questioned in a video presentation for journalism purposes Pre-Interview Research
Do research behind the topic you are about to talk to the interviewee about so you have some background knowledge on the topic and can ask relevant questions
Writing the Questions
Write up the research questions. Your questions should be relevant to the topic
Remember 5WH
Who*- Who the person is, who the person works for, who is running the program, etc.
What*- What the person is doing, What change are they making in the community/school
When*- When is the event, When is it happening
Where- Where is the event Where is it happening
Why- Why are you doing this, Why did you do this, What influenced you to do this
How- How are you planning on doing this, How will it be done, How did you get to this position
Don’t stick to the example questions, these are just for reference and do not apply to all interviews
The questions should be typed and copied 3 times: one for the reporter, one for the interviewee, and one for the director
*Who and What, and sometimes even When can sometimes be answered in the introduction Interview
DON’T BE NERVOUS!- most of the time the person you are interviewing is nervous and a nervous interviewee and a nervous reporter do not make a good mix
Be Curious- If you have a question on your mind that you want to ask the person, ask them during the interview, as long as they are not complicated
Identify Yourself- Identify yourself as part of the news team that you are with
Be professional- Don’t use slang, use good language!
Conducting Interview
Set up the Camera: Ensure the camera is ready to record
Identify: When you meet the person, say your name and what organization you work for. Make sure you wear your press ID!!
Ask: Ask your questions. It is helpful to type up the questions and give a copy to the person you are interviewing
Sign Off: Thank the interviewee and ID yourself for the camera again
Post- Interview
After the interview, the video will need edited. Any mess ups will need eliminated. See Video Editing for more information
Make sure the video is intriguing and interesting
Make sure BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE INTERVIEW that the checklist below is fulfilled
Checklist
The video is recorded
Audio is audible
The reporter and interviewee are visible fully in the video
Once this checklist is fulfilled, return to the studio and edit the video
The video is edited
The video contains loud enough audio
The video contains a title
The video contains credits
A name tag under the reporter and Interviewee
Credits at the end of the video including the
Camera Operator
Reporter(s)
Video Editors
Production Company (Highlands Golden RAMS Media Productions)
Purpose of a Teleprompter The teleprompter is just like a script except it is used for people who are speaking and does not inform the crew on what to do. Plus, with a teleprompter, you are reading, not acting so, you don’t have to memorize the lines
They make reading easier because it is on an auto scroll
They help the speakers maintain fluency and rhythm
Creating a teleprompter
Open the editor and type in what you want to say (the announcements,etc.) and make sure to add space between topics
Set the speed
Click Start or Present
Where to place the teleprompter
Behind the camera
Behind the audience
On the podium (for tablets)
Reading a teleprompter When the words scroll across a certain mark, read what it says, if it is to fast or if there is a long pause between what you say, adjust the speed accordingly. Also, if you fall behind, then pause the teleprompter then continue it on after the announcement is read ¾ of the way through and continue to play it
The reporters must follow all Professionalism Guidelines
Beginning
The reporters after seated must give the introduction
Daily: “Hello Highlands High School today is [date of news] and my name is [reporter name] and i am here with [other reporter’s name, continue this on with every reporter] And here is your RAMS News” Weekly: Hello Highlands High School this is your RAMS News for the week of [Monday’s date] through [friday’s date]. My name is [reporter’s name] and i am here with [other reporter’s name, continue this on with every reporter]. The announcements format:
Announcements
Club/ Organization Reports
Lunch Menu
Weather Menu
Special Projects
Closing
The reporters must sign off
“This is [reporter’s name] and [other reporter’s name(s)] and this was your RAMS News. Thank you for watching and have a nice day (for daily) a nice week (for weekly)