Creating Stand-Ups that Force your News Director's Happiness

When I was a new student at Bellarmine University, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Eventually, I began to really enjoy my public speaking course and my television production course. That is why I ultimately decided to double major in communication and design, art, and technology. It wasn't until my internship with WHAS11-News that I decided I wanted to be a multi-media journalist, on-air reporter. However, I needed to learn the basics to creating an interesting package. This brings me to interactive stand-ups or look-lives...

WHAS11-News Stand-Up

Interactive Stand-Ups
In most packages, there is a stand-up, look-live, or live-shot before, after, or in the middle of the entire story. It makes the story interesting and credible. More traditional newsrooms like stand-ups somewhere in the package. However, now, most newsrooms like look-lives before and after the package to show that the reporter was physically there, attaining said information. Instead of throwing a reporter in the middle of a story where they don't belong, because sometimes if a reporter is thrown in, it can look like said reporter just wanted to be seen in their own story for no good reason. Thus, interactive stand-ups are necessary in today's broadcast journalism industry.

Joe Little

How to Create an Interactive Stand-Up

1. Storyboard the package
• What is the most active situation you can think of to convey a part of the facts?
• Will the stand-up bridge to the next part of the story, or will it start the story?
• How many seconds do you want it to take in your package?
• Research camera angles and ideas
2. Practice makes Permanent
• Write out three bullet points
• These bullets should summarize your points
• Do not memorize them
• Just know them well enough to talk on camera without thinking too hard
• Practice moving around and describing a space/situation
• Stick to the facts
• Be creative and be careful



Bobby Lewis

3. Do it
• Limit yourself to 5-10 minutes
• Do not do 100 takes of a 9 second stand-up/don't waste your time
• Breathe and start over
• Ask a best friend to help you film if you need the camera to move with you
• Move around and creatively use your surroundings

Some Inspiration

1. Joe Little: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuV5LrDn9YI
2. Bobby Lewis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j15z5lOJhjA

I know it's not realistic to do a creative, interactive stand-up every single day/story. There can be deadline issues and weather issues; or it can just be impossible with the story that you're on. 

WHAS11-News Interview

Although, Joe Little and Bobby Lewis do some good work and impact millions. Also, don't limit yourself to a traditional video-camera. Think outside of the box. A go-pro, self stick, and drone ca also be your "best friend" during these types of stand-ups.