There are 4 basic forms of stories
that we do on the DTV News. You need to know the difference and you need to know
how produce each of them.
1) A package. This abbreviated Pkg. This television news story is on which
the anchor introduces a reporter’s story (the package) and then the reporter is seen and heard telling the story on
the screen. For much of a package story the reporter is not seen. His or her voice is heard with scenes from the event, or video that illustrates what the reporter is saying,
or words are printed on the screen to illustrate what the reporter is saying (a graphic). This seen but not heard part of
a package is called the voice over (or VO). The video that is seen when
the reporter is talking is called the “B-roll.” A package also usually
includes a small part of an interview with someone who is a part of the story or someone who is an expert who can shed light
on the story being reported. These small parts of interviews are called “sound bites” or simply “bites.” A package also includes a small part of the story (usually at the end) where the reporter
is seen on the screen. This last part is called the “stand-up.”
2) A VO/bite. VO/bite is an abbreviation for “voice over and sound bite.”
The voice over is the part of the story where the anchor’s voice is heard, but the viewer sees scenes from the
event being reported, or video that illustrates what the anchor is saying, or words are printed on the screen to illustrate
what the anchor is saying (a graphic). The video that is seen when the anchor is talking is called the “B-roll.” The “sound bite” or simply “bite” is a small part of an interview
with someone who is a part of the story or someone who is an expert who can shed light on the story being reported.
3) A voice over or VO. A voice over or VO is a story where the anchor’s voice is heard, but the viewer sees scenes from
the event being reported, or video that illustrates what the anchor is saying, or words are printed on the screen to illustrate
what the anchor is saying (a graphic). The video that is seen when the anchor is talking is called the “B-roll.”
A reader. A story in which the anchor or anchors is/are seen on the television screen for the entire is called a
reader.
