Analysing a News Package

A News Package

A news Package is a completely self contained, pre-recorded news story/report introduced by the lead anchor. These reports are usually 1:15 - 2:00 minutes long and contains footage of the news editor standing in front of the camera giving their report.

Conventions of a News Package:

Field Reporters: They have a specific contract with a channel or news programme
Correspondents: Usually work free-lance without a set contract and only report on the news events close to their location
News Editor's: More often the head of a department, e.g. political, and provide more of an overview
These are all generally well dressed in smart clothes although their costume does depend on their environment as well as their involvement in the story an example would be when there is a reporter or correspondant embedded in a military unit and in a Active military zone then they are very likely to wear personal protection such as body armour and a helmey. Their dress may also change depending on the weather an example would be a reporter wearing full waterproofs when on location covering a hurricane.

Mode of Address:
The mode of address is the way in which the reporter presents themselves to the audience through their tone of voice, any regional accents, the complexity of their language and whether they only present facts or provide an analysis of the news event.

Tone of Voice: Do they vary the pitch of their voice to add emphasis to some words and keep the audiences attention or do they keep a monotone voice throughout.

Accents: Does it impair the audiences ability to understand the reporter? Does it have any relevance to the news event?

Language: Does the terminology they use make it difficult for some members of the audience to understand?

Facts or Analysis: Do they simply provide the audience with the facts about the event or do they analyse the facts as they give them providing an opinion on  the story as well?



Links to Studio:
This is when a news reporter/correspondent appears live on a screen in the studio and the presenter then talks with them about the news event which they are reporting from on location. It s usually a Mid-shot of the reporter and is being filmed continuously and it would cut between that shot and the presenter responding to the information being patched through and asking the reporter questions.

Actuality Footage:
This is when primary, usually ammeter footage, from mobile phones or hand held cameras, is used during a news report usually because it was shot as the event was occurring and before any news crews could get to the location. This is then used in conjuncture with a voice over from a reporter and is becoming more frequent in news programmes as so many of the general public have the capability to film events as they unfold in front of them. It also helps to convey the emotions of an individual who was present during the story and guides the audience as to what they should be feeling whilst watching.

Report Structure:
The report structure is how the report is set out, what order each of the conventions for a news report are placed in.
The first is the Sign In this is how the context of the report is put across to the audience and the story is introduced. There are also the Interviews and/or Vox Pops which provide the opinions of either the general public or and expert or witness. Another convention is Archive Footage this is footage that has been shot previous to the report being made and is usually used because it shows the news event from a different point of view or because its the only available footage. Cut Aways these are used to fill out the report and often have no relation to the story but are used in conjuncture with a voice over. Also whether the reporter is On Location and are they a safe distance from any dangers or are they reporting from a different location that may or may not have some relevance to the story. Also how they Communicate Facts is an integral part of any report, does the reporter or an expert give them or are they displayed as a graphic for the viewers to read themselves Finally the SIgn Off which is how they summarise the report thy have given and usually give their name and the broadcaster they are reporting for e.g. "Nick Robinson, BBC News".

Interviews with Witnesses/Experts:
By interviewing an expert the facts or opinions given have more of an effect as they are coming from someone who has qualifications or a large amount of knowledge in that specific area. Also a witness can give a very personal account of the event and help the audience to empathise with them and see it from their point of view. These interviews can be filmed in a location relevant to the story but with some witnesses the location is of a neutral setting so as not to distract from their account. During interviews there is often a camera shot showing the reporter nodding in response to the witness/experts statement these shots are called 'Noddies'.

Example:

Subgenres of Factual Programming

Docu Drama

A Docu Drama is a dramatised version of real events, in which some aspects have been overly dramatised in order to make it more appealing to a wider audience. Some examples of Docu Drama's are:

• A Special Relationship
• The Pacific
• Banged up Abroad

A Special Relationship:
This is a film adaptation depicting the relationship between Tony Blair and Bill Clinton during the time when they were both in office. It dramatises how Clintion supported and advised Blair when violence broke out in Northern Ireland and how Blair forced American intervention in the Kosovo crisis. This film is a good example of a Docu Drama as it is based on a real relationship that existed between the Prime Minister and the President of the U.S during a period when the bond between the U.K and America was strengthening. Also it uses events that were occurring at the time to display the relationship. 

Docu Soap

A Docu Soap is a series of Documentaries which are based on the style of a Soap Opera, in which we follow normal people and their actions in relation to the show presented as drama.

• Deadliest Catch
• Whale Wars
• Emergency Bikers

Emergency Bikers:

This is a series of programmes during which we follow paramedic and police bike units as they go to a variety of call outs. This is a good example of a Docu Soap because one of the main filming techniques is small cameras that are mounted to both the bike and rider. Also all of the video is real footage of the incident, with real people, no actors. Another reason would be that we see the same bike units each episode giving it the feel of a soap opera rather than a documentary series.

Infotainment

This is an information based programme which is presented in an entertaining way in order to achieve higher popularity and viewers.

• Gadget Show
• Horrible Histories
• An Idiot Abroad

An Idiot Abroad:

This show chooses to alter the accepted conventions of a travel show as it has at not very knowledgable presenter going to places and doing activities which he has no interest in doing this creates a far more humorous programme. This is a example of infotainment because it has a single presenter who is present every episode and the show is based around. Also it has a very biased point of view because he doesn't want to go to the places he travels to there is always a negative feel to his opinions.

Educational TV

This is a form of programme or even channel who's purpose is to educate the audience

• Deadly 60
• Bang Goes the Theory
• Dora the Explorer

Bang Goes the Theory:

This show is a science based programme where three presenters conduct different experiments each episode, these are sometimes based on events that have occurred during the week. This meets the conventions of a factual programme as it has three permanent presenters who are there every episode. It also uses experts when exploring events from the news e.g. when the icelandic volcano blocked air traffic for days they talked to experts about the likelihood of it happening again.

Wildlife

This style of documentary which is solely focused on elements of the natural world from plants/animals to the landscapes and natural wonders.

• March of the Penguins
• Blue Planet
• Yellowstone

Blue Planet:
This series of documentaries explores how life varies from one ocean to the other and the differences between freshwater and saline as well as rivers and lakes. This show is narrated by David Attenborough who provides a voice over throughout the the programme. Also all of the footage is real and shot on location, some of th footage is of slightly lower quality because of the type of camera they had to use in order to get the shot.

Reality TV

This type of programming is supposed to be unscripted and is always melodramatic in order to gain more interest from audiences.

• Teen Mom
• American Restoration
• Auction Hunters

Teen Mom:
This show follows the live of young girls in their teens who have gotten pregnant and wish to keep the child. There are usually conflicts between either the teen and her parents or the teen and the father of the baby which supposedly provides good T.V. This is based on real people and their lives as well as using real footage.

Special Interest Documentary

These documentaaries are about specialised subjects and are usually aimed at niche audiences instead of the mainstream.

• SENNA
• Scratch
• Daughter From Danang

SENA:
This is a movie about the life and tradgic death of Ayrton Senna a Brazilian Formula 1 driver during the 80's. This complies with many conventions f a factual programme such as interviews with actual witnesses and people who knew him. Also almost all of the footage used is archive footage filmed during his career.

Make Over Show

The concept of these programmes is to take a person or object and transform it/them to make them look better, traditionally aired during Daytime television.

• Extreme Makeover
• Overhaulin'
• 60 Minute Makeover

Overhaulin':
The premace of this show is to take a persons delapidated old car and transform it into a highly desirable car. They use a lot of hidden camerasin order to get some of the shots as well as hand helds. There is one main presenter with the addition of a second presenter ocasionally which has changed during the life of the show. Another convention they adhere to is the use of voice overs during sections of the show where they ar watching the 'target'.

Discussion Show

On these programmes there is uaually a different topic of conversation for every episode which the cast will debate, also there are sometimes guests, who are in the public view, to add to the conversation and a differeing point of view.

• Question Time
• The Wright Stuff
• Loose Women

Question Time:
This is a political discussion show where polititians from each of the major parties and other public figures who talk about issues from the day/week and has a live audience who also participate. One convention they adhere to is having a permenant presenter, in this instance David Dimbleby. Also the sound used in the intro has a very serious tone similar to the BBC new intro.

Review Show

This type of programme is based upon the presenters giving an opinion of a new product as well as testing them, usually incorperating an element of entertainment as well.

• Gadget Show
• Will it Blend
• Top Gear

Top Gear:
Although the basis of this show is to review new cars they aremore popular for the presentation style and entertainment factor. The standard test for any car they review is to perform a lap of the track and set a time which is then compared to all of the others they have tested, this is made objective by using the same driver e.g. The Stig. There are three presenters who give well educated opinions on each car, although another element would be how bias each of them is in their evaluation of cars. Another convention would be the intro montage they use at the begining of every show. 

Chat Show

These programmes are usually hosted by very opinonated and sometimes abrasive hosts who set out to resolve the issues presented by the people appearing on the show that episode.

• Trisha
• Jerry Springer
• Dr. Phil

Jerry Springer:
This show focuses on bringing in familes/couples with relationship problems and attempting to reslove them on air. The convention of a main presenter is present in this show with Jerry Springer, as well as almost every other Chat Show currently aired. There is supposed to be an element of truth in the show with the people being members of thev public although it has been made clear that on some occasions paid actors have been used. An aspect of drama is added with the introduction of somew form of test usually a lie detector.

Magazine Show

This type of show which presents a variety of topics usually concerning current events as well as interviewing guests and having presenters who made some of the VT's on as well. 

• Celebrity Juice
• The One Show
• T4

The One Show:
This show is on dailey at 7pm and deals with current events from that week or day, the show typically lasts 30minutes but has been extended if/when a major event occurs. There are always two presenters with at least one guest per episode, voice overs are also used during the VT's. Another convention they keep to are the pre-recorded footage used in the VT segments.