I spent a full day as a reporter today, working for a full package on one story. From the morning phone meeting with the entire team, to pursuing the story, interviews, B-Roll, writing the script, editing, and sending it in.
The story today was about House Bill 1441 from Representative Justin Humphrey, of Lane, Oklahoma.
The bill had stirred up controversy due to the content of the bill itself, requiring a woman to have permission for an abortion from the father of the child, and due to Humphrey's use of the word "host" to describe the role of a surrogate mother. Many were confused about the terminology, thinking he was talking about all pregnant women due to misleading headlines.
Much like the package we pursued the week before about the decomposing body, this story was heavily dependent upon MOS interviews. The vast majority of the day outside the office was spent pursuing these interviews.
Many people were not willing to talk on camera about the controversial issue, some walking away from us without giving a response at all and others requesting to know our opinions on the issue. As a reporter, being as non-biased as possible and keeping your personal beliefs out of the story is of the utmost importance.
Because Senator Humphrey would be in Lane today we hoped to interview him and those from his hometown that he now represented. With that in mind, we sought out locals who wanted to give their opinions on the bill.
In Lane as well as Atoka those who would talk to us were very consistent in agreeing with the Representative and the bill he was proposing. We hoped to get interviews from people on both sides of the fence on the issue, but could not find anybody with a different opinion of the fifteen or more people we talked to.
We knew we needed an interview with Representative Humphrey for a good 2 o'clock story, but the entire day had proved unfruitful in contacting him We had been calling and e-mailing him as we were getting the MOS interviews.
At around 3 we finally heard back from him (he had been at a funeral in Texas) and scheduled a quick interview before he had his meeting. We waited for about 45 minutes, talking to more locals about the story for him to return, and then the interview took about an hour all together. After driving back to Ada, we had to write the script, get it checked and reviewed, then record the reporter's section. Once this is all done, we use Dropbox to send the edited video to the AP ENPS planning system to be aired.
This was the first day I spent with KXII that we only pursued one story the entire day. In the end, it was worth it as the package turned out great. It was also the longest day I've spent with them; reminding me of the rigorous work schedules of reporters, especially those who strive for quality, non-biased stories.
Cumulative Hours: 30 Hours
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Week 4: 5 Hours
Today began very exciting.
There was a decomposing body found on the corner of Turner and 18th street the day before. We quickly got on that story, hoping to get a package. We left the office before listening to the assignments for the other reporters in the station in order to focus on this hard news story.
Immediately, we went back to the crime scene for B-roll, and started asking neighbors in the area for interviews. Cases like these depend on Man in the Street interviews. We got turned down by a few people, but after a few hours or so were able to get a good interview from a woman who lived a few houses down. In the midsts of this, we scheduled an interview with Public Information Director, Lisa Bratcher.
After getting more B-Roll from the interviewee's home we spotted policemen taking the "Crime Scene Investigation" tape down and approached them to ask questions about the case. They did not tell us anything on the record.
With more information, we parked and began working on the look-live. We wrote the script for the look-live, and were preparing the camera to shoot when we got a call the Lisa Bratcher was ready to interview.
When we arrived at Lisa's office, she told us that the case was most likely a suicide. This meant that we could not cover it with a package, because in cases of suicide the news does not want to seem as if it is promoting the act. With that, we knew we could only do a VO for the story and would need to pursue something else for the day.
We changed gears and got the "go" from the News Director to instead do another VO for the annual Southeast District Invitational Beef Expo and Farm show. For this, we contacted one of the founders of the event, Ken Suess, for an interview and headed to the venue for an interview. While there, we got the necessary B-Roll and information for the story.
Ken and the others at the event were very happy for the publicity and to let the public know the heart behind the event. I was happy to see the news covering positive local events and providing a service to the founders of such great events, even though the story we were originally pursuing would have been hard news.
Throughout the day I was reminded of the fast-pace of the reporting lifestyle as well as the importance of the relationship between community members and reporters. For example, the Public Information Director was very friendly with Sydney and they seemed to have a very positive relationship.
I also learned some more technical parts of the job. Such as,
Our Market Size: 161
Look Live- A recording that "looks live." These must be shot at the same time of day that the story is airing for continuity. For the look live, do not repeat any information that will be in the story.
Reporters carry sandbags to keep the camera tripod steady while recording. This is especially helpful in southern Oklahoma.
20.5
There was a decomposing body found on the corner of Turner and 18th street the day before. We quickly got on that story, hoping to get a package. We left the office before listening to the assignments for the other reporters in the station in order to focus on this hard news story.
Immediately, we went back to the crime scene for B-roll, and started asking neighbors in the area for interviews. Cases like these depend on Man in the Street interviews. We got turned down by a few people, but after a few hours or so were able to get a good interview from a woman who lived a few houses down. In the midsts of this, we scheduled an interview with Public Information Director, Lisa Bratcher.
After getting more B-Roll from the interviewee's home we spotted policemen taking the "Crime Scene Investigation" tape down and approached them to ask questions about the case. They did not tell us anything on the record.
With more information, we parked and began working on the look-live. We wrote the script for the look-live, and were preparing the camera to shoot when we got a call the Lisa Bratcher was ready to interview.
When we arrived at Lisa's office, she told us that the case was most likely a suicide. This meant that we could not cover it with a package, because in cases of suicide the news does not want to seem as if it is promoting the act. With that, we knew we could only do a VO for the story and would need to pursue something else for the day.
We changed gears and got the "go" from the News Director to instead do another VO for the annual Southeast District Invitational Beef Expo and Farm show. For this, we contacted one of the founders of the event, Ken Suess, for an interview and headed to the venue for an interview. While there, we got the necessary B-Roll and information for the story.
Ken and the others at the event were very happy for the publicity and to let the public know the heart behind the event. I was happy to see the news covering positive local events and providing a service to the founders of such great events, even though the story we were originally pursuing would have been hard news.
Throughout the day I was reminded of the fast-pace of the reporting lifestyle as well as the importance of the relationship between community members and reporters. For example, the Public Information Director was very friendly with Sydney and they seemed to have a very positive relationship.
I also learned some more technical parts of the job. Such as,
Our Market Size: 161
Look Live- A recording that "looks live." These must be shot at the same time of day that the story is airing for continuity. For the look live, do not repeat any information that will be in the story.
Reporters carry sandbags to keep the camera tripod steady while recording. This is especially helpful in southern Oklahoma.
20.5
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Week 3: 4 Hours
Week 3: 4 hours
The third week has been the most eventful thus far.
From the beginning of the day we had plenty of stories to pursue. Among them were:
Updates for two murders cases.
MUGVO of a rape case
MUGVO and B-Roll of a child neglect case
Package from a recent stabbing incident.
The package was the biggest story, we contacted and set up an interview with the victim and with the receptionist of the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, Linda.
Conducting these interviews took about 2 hours all together. Beforehand we had to educate ourselves on the case and come up with the questions we would ask.
In the time spent between contacting the court house for affidavits, mugshots. and police reports, Sydney gave me some more information on reporting.
One thing is the distinction between A, B, and C block on the news. The A block is used for the top stories, B is for the less important, usually weather, and C is the least important news of the day. She hoped for to be put in the A block for the package we were doing.
She also gave me advice on making friends with the local D.A., court officials, and government staff. These are all people that reporters must come into frequent contact with, so it is in your best interest to have a good relationship with them.
While recording for B-Roll, she showed me the importance of shooting in sequence, a wide, medium, and then tight shot. Along with this it is always important to get street intersections, if not for B-Roll then for your own memory.
In just four hours we did most of the outside work, I had to leave before she began the editing process. I hope to be more involved in that area in the future.
Cumulative Hours 15.5
The third week has been the most eventful thus far.
From the beginning of the day we had plenty of stories to pursue. Among them were:
Updates for two murders cases.
MUGVO of a rape case
MUGVO and B-Roll of a child neglect case
Package from a recent stabbing incident.
The package was the biggest story, we contacted and set up an interview with the victim and with the receptionist of the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, Linda.
Conducting these interviews took about 2 hours all together. Beforehand we had to educate ourselves on the case and come up with the questions we would ask.
In the time spent between contacting the court house for affidavits, mugshots. and police reports, Sydney gave me some more information on reporting.
One thing is the distinction between A, B, and C block on the news. The A block is used for the top stories, B is for the less important, usually weather, and C is the least important news of the day. She hoped for to be put in the A block for the package we were doing.
She also gave me advice on making friends with the local D.A., court officials, and government staff. These are all people that reporters must come into frequent contact with, so it is in your best interest to have a good relationship with them.
While recording for B-Roll, she showed me the importance of shooting in sequence, a wide, medium, and then tight shot. Along with this it is always important to get street intersections, if not for B-Roll then for your own memory.
In just four hours we did most of the outside work, I had to leave before she began the editing process. I hope to be more involved in that area in the future.
Cumulative Hours 15.5
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