123s of Field Reporting
PREPRODUCTION PROCESS
1)
Background – Research and outline your
story. Know the basics about:
a.
Who
1.
Are you going to interview
2.
Is involved in the event
3.
Does the event help or hurt
b.
What
1.
2.
c.
Is happening
Is it trying to accomplish
When
1.
2.
3.
Is it happening
Did if first happen
Will is stop happening
d.
Where
1.
Is it happening
2.
Will it begin and/or end
e.
Why
1.
2.
f.
How
1.
2)
Is it happening
Does it matter
Will it help or hurt
Develop the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How questions you need to
ask your interviewees
PRODUCTION PROCESS
3)
BEFORE hitting the road, check your equipment
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
4)
Do you have a tripod?
Are your batteries fully charged?
Can you use AC power? If so, do you have an AC cord?
Do you have a microphone?
Do you have a blank tape or two? Are they labeled?
Will you need artificial lighting?
Do you a notepad and pencil/pen?
Do you any props you plan to use?
Is the reporter wearing the clothing that “works”?
ON LOCATION pay attention to the following:
LIGHTING
a. What is your lighting source? Sun, lamps, overhead lights, etc.
Keep all lighting sources BEHIND the camera.
Keep as much light as possible on the subject you are shooting
During interviews, if possible, move your subject into a well lit area
SOUND
b. What natural sounds are present?
Are their natural sounds you can use to help tell the story?
People speaking, Crowds cheering, Music playing, machines, etc.
Are those sounds too loud to record an interview or stand-up?
VIDEO
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Don’t PAN or ZOOM when you shoot…unless absolutely needed.
Locate the best backgrounds for interviews and stand-ups?
How many different scenes do you need to shoot to tell the story?
Do you have a variety of Wide Shots, Medium Shots, Close-Ups?
Do you have several CLOSE UPS? Viewers love close-ups.
What are the best camera angles for shooting those scenes?
Can you jazz up a shoot with a unique camera angle?
DID YOU LABEL YOUR TAPES?