The TV News Story: Story Formats

A TV news story is referred to as a packaged in the industry. 

• A TV packages generally runs between 75 and 120 seconds long. 
• Pictures are referred to as B-Roll and are used as overlaw throughout the story. 
• The reporter voiceovers the the footage or pictures later (usually back in the studio). 
• Grabs and interviews are commonly referred to as vox pops e.g. witnesses, politicians. 

Natural sound can be used throughout to add effect and to enhance your images.

In TV packages Piece to Camera generaly comes in midway through or at the end. The reporter sign off is at the end (Nicholas O'Sullivan, My Suburban News). There's also live crosses which is usually to the reporter first and then to their package or photos.

Terms: RVO (Reader voice over) or RVO+SOT, reader voice over with sound on tape.

Images or B-roll can follow the formula of anticipation, action and reaction.

Storyboards are helpful for making sure you get all the shots you need for your story, a good camera guy often has suggestions on improving those shots. It also helps with communicating ideas to a production team.