Working in small groups, students are to produce a 2-4 minute news package on a topic that is relevant to HTHMA students.  Each package will contain the following elements:

Reporter’s “stand-up” Intro (100 word Script)
Virtual Animated BG (Created in Live Type, min. 2 layers)
Lower Third IDs (Every person speaking on camera must be IDed)
Interviews with students
Narration
B-roll (Original Video, Still Images, Archival Footage)
Reporter’s “stand-up” Close
Credits

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM TV REPORTER PACKAGE EVALUATION

REPORTING

IDEAS: Most important element in a story–looks beyond
the obvious to get new angles, new approaches. _____

STORY DEVELOPMENT: Turns an idea into a story
and then advances the story and structures it logically
and totally understandable to anyone watching. _____

VISUALIZATION: Selects pictures well so to tell a story
visually as well as through words. _____

HUMANIZATION: Builds stories around a person. _____

INTERVIEWS: Selects bites that give a story perspective,
opinion and emotion, rather than dry recitation of facts
that could be told better by the reporter. _____

WRITING

REFERENCING: The words match the pictures, rather than
using video as wallpaper. _____

FOCUSED: The story is about one BIG IDEA _____

CONVERSATIONAL: Writing is free of cliches and jargon;
is lively. _____

SIGNIFICANCE: Passes “who cares” test. _____

CREATIVE: Presents more than the facts, gets viewers’
attention. _____

PHOTOGRAPHY

LIGHTING: Uses correct filter, lights subjects well;
has no shadows or hot spots. _____

STEADY SHOOTING: Uses tripod when needed, shoots
smoothly off the shoulder. _____

BASICS: Doesn’t make obvious mistakes: soft focus,
shots not level, camera not close enough. _____

INTERVIEWS: Frames them properly with good background;
does environmental soundbites. _____

EFFECTIVE SHOT SELECTION: Chooses good close-ups,
establishing and ending shots and memorable moments. _____

CREATIVITY: Has camera take viewers to unexpected places;
presents unusual images. _____

EDITING

NATURAL SOUND: Uses it extensively, on the open if
possible, and uses it as bridges. _____

BASICS: Doesn’t make obvious mistakes: jump cuts,
flash frames, crossing axis line. _____

CAMERA MOVEMENT: Uses motivated pans and zooms, and when
one is used it’s smooth, unnoticeable. _____

AUDIO: Blends audio effectively with correct levels;
has no bad audio edits. _____

SEQUENCING: Uses action sequence often and effectively. _____

CREATIVITY: Uses nat sound in unusual way; uses music,
quick cutting effectively. _____

PERFORMANCE

DICTION: Pronounces words clearly and understandably. _____

DELIVERY: Talks to the audience rather than reading
a script to them; speaks in a relaxed, pleasant tone,
at appropriate rate of speed. _____

VOICE: Low pitch, rich tone, variable rather than
monotonous, and proper breathing. _____

MOVEMENT: Non-jerky, appropriate movement of head and
body, voice and body language communicates energy. _____

APPEARANCE: Appearance does not distract audience from
the message; dress, hair, and make-up should be
pleasantly acceptable to the audience. _____

STANDUP CONTENT: Advances the story, adds understanding
and immediacy, and is not merely an excuse to do one. _____