Video story forms

Michael Roberts

• How to frame video story forms

• How to them to improve your video

• Benefits to the newsroom

• Benefits to your readers

Topic / Main points

Problems

Bad video

Weak video skills

Poor use of video

Solution

Video story forms

Topic / Main points

Video comes to the newsroom…

Video trends 2011

Fewer videos: High-quality, extended video pieces

More videos: Quick, short video

More shooters: Reporters with simple cameras

Embed vs. free-standing: Video as part of package; link sets; repeat use from inventory

Video standards

• Gear

• Shooting techniques

• Editing techniques

Video standards

Video standards

• Gear

• Shooting techniques

• Editing techniques

• Story forms

Video standards

• Gear

• Story forms

- Shooting techniques

- Editing techniques

Video story forms

• Specify content focus

• Anticipate workflow

• Outline structure

• Identify opportunities

• Vary approaches & content

• Offer viewers consistency

• Improve communication

• Provide basis for coaching

• Enable content management

Video story forms

Video story forms

Event Guide Profile

Slice of life Man on the street

5 Video Story Forms

Event: Live news event.

Guide: Tour. Orientation. Consumer information. How-to.

Profile: Person. Place. Organization.

Slice of life: Sights and sounds of familiar event.

Man on the street: Q&A with series of people.

Event video

Preparation: Date, time, expected highlights, cast of characters. Consumer information for recurring event. Story structure: Chronological; beginning-middle-end. Content: Distinguishing visual and audio elements. Interviews with participants.

Guide video

Preparation: Tour guide. Consumer, participant information. Expected highlights.  Story structure: (a) Chronological. (b) Blocks or chapters. Example: Tour of candy factory that follows production line (chronology). Guide to restaurant by menu, setting, and chef (blocks).  Content: Consumer information from tour guide (interview), with related visual / audio elements.

Profile video

Preparation: History of subject. Identify defining characteristic; essence; central motivation. Story structure: Identifies subject, defining characteristic, and shows that characteristic in action. Content: Opens with subject or tour guide to identify subject, then shows defining characteristic in action or results. Note: Video is not devoted to history of subject, but rather the defining characteristic.

Slice of life video

Preparation: Identify familiar event, something viewers will immediately recognize. Select theme or slice to highlight. Structure: Introduce theme, follow with collage or variations on the theme. Content: Visual / audio expressions of selected theme.

Man-on-the-street video

Preparation: Identify (1) news topic, (2) single question for video, (3) relevant group of people.  Structure: Introduce topic and question, followed by concise answers.  Content: Multiple responses to single open-ended question. Limit sound bites to 7-10 seconds. Vary framing of each subject.

Other possible forms…

• Short interviews; “Three questions with…” “A minute with…”

• Fan talk (sports; entertainment)

• Settings (places in the news)

• Others?

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Story forms improve…

• Training: Across departments and roles; offers a common language

• Skills: Develop momentum; independence; consistency

• Content management: Shelf life and best use of resources

Video story forms

Michael Roberts