Teaching Audio, part 7 -- on the scene reporting

As opposed to scripted voicing, successful on the scene voicing involves more homework and less technique per say. What are some of the BREAKING NEWS type of events a reporter might report from on the scene? A major court decision, a big announcement at a news conference, the scene of a major crash ... or a festival, major community event. You might want someone next to you, a participant or newsmaker, to explain something complicated, or a passerby if it's what's called a fluff piece (but make sure to screen that person beforehand).

ON THE SCENE REPORTING GONE VERY WRONG

Here's two great examples of on the scene reporting gone wrong, involving boats and water.





WHEN YOU GO LIVE, STAY SIMPLE, CONCRETE, CLEAR and KNOW YOUR STUFF AND HAVE LOTS OF GOOD ENERGY. Here are tips on reporting live entirely with an iphone.

MORE EVENTS RADIO REPORTERS GO TO:

board meetings, elections ...

protests, (watch out for rocks ... bad place to be is between protesters and police) interview before it starts ... get major points, record couple speeches, protest sounds, wait to see if there are going to be arrests ... if not .... go file ...

Aftermath of conflict, destruction ... natural disasters, storms, be prepared with how you dress ...

Police operation (you shouldnt trespass private property even if you are with police), murder scene ... Be brave but don't be a "Nightcrawler" description of violence depends on time of day of broadcast ...accidents ... identifying a person who has died as a result of an accident or a crime ... until police releases it? immediate family notified? hijackings, hostage taking incidents ... disappearances (especially children)...

Approaching victims .... need to show compassion, don't exert undue pressure on distressed person

Here's a tip ... know your surroundings .... Below a murder scene fail ...



Watch out when reporting on Racist, Violent, Illegal Organizations, Terrorists ... You don't want to be a conduit for hateful, destructive spewing ... http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/reporting-to-canadians/acts-and-policies/programming/journalism/live-reporting/



WHAT NOT TO DO ... GO TOO FAST ... stay away from rumor or speculation ... rush to judgment ... say things you are not sure about ... dont trust people even (or especially) police, officials ... Be in a location that's too noisy or surrounded with people who will sabotage your live reporting. If it's a media scrum, get good position.

If you found this tutorial useful, check out other installments. Here's the full list of chapters from my audio tutorials:

Teaching Audio -- Instilling Passion

Teaching Audio part 1 -- Recording Audio

Teaching Audio part 2 -- Writing for the Ear

Teaching Audio part 3 -- Audio Editing

Teaching Audio part 4 -- Sound Effects, Using Music and Audio Libraries

Teaching Audio part 5 -- Anchor Leads, News Writing, Judgment and Features

Teaching Audio part 6 -- Voicing

Teaching Audio part 7 -- On the Scene Reporting

Teaching Audio part 8 -- Interviews

Teaching Audio part 9 -- Newscasts and Stacking the News

Teaching Audio part 10 -- Commercials

Teaching Audio part 11 -- Raising Your Game

Teaching Audio part 12 -- Podcasting Intro

Teaching Audio part 13 -- Window Dressing

Teaching Audio part 14 -- Podcast Lists

Teaching Audio part 15 -- Big Podcasts, Little City

Teaching Audio part 16 -- Listening to Podcasts and Publishing your Own

Teaching Audio, part 17 -- Joining Podcast Communities

Teaching Audio, part 18 -- Podcasting for PR

Teaching Audio, part 19 -- Promoting Your Podcast

Teaching Audio, part 20 -- Making Money in Podcasting

Teaching Audio, part 21 -- Building a Career in Audio