12 Dec Critical Explication – Seyi Adejori
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6TNxgz8ipQ&t=775s
I will be deeply analysing the Journalism London live news show which was broadcasted on the 24th October 2019. On this day my role was assistant editor. I picked this programme because it was one of my first live news days, due to inexperience it raised many issues that are up for discussion. I am going to be considering the following topics, video production skills and presenting skills alongside my role.
My role was camerawoman in producing a television package that was eventually cut from the programme. The concept of our mobile manners package considered how using your mobile phone directly influences human behaviour and mannerisms. The mobile manners package was poorly produced, the subjects weren’t briefed correctly on the topic. The filming and research of the package were rushed and the right people were not asked to comment. However, the relatability of the package was reasonably high. Majority of students and young adults own a mobile phone.
There were several reasons for these errors such as lack of time management, flexibility and planning. As a group, we did not research the topic thoroughly and this was shown in the final piece.
Assistant Editor
I helped the editor choose packages that had the best news values, subedited the running order and kept updated with the reporters, presenters and production team. At the beginning of the news day, I realised that all the packages combined were going to be too long for our fifteen-minute show. We weighed all the packages and considered the significance, context and relatability with the audience.
During the live show, I decided on the running order with the news editor. I choose to put the Megan Markle package first because it included an interview with the royal correspondent of Harper’s Bazaar US, Good Morning America and ABC News, which was a credible source. The package also featured live footage of Megan at an event. Secondly, the prime minister was discussing a Brexit deal with the EU at the time, so we sent out a reporter to parliament to get live footage of the atmosphere leading to announcing the news. Then I choose the package, students interested in politics. According to a news peg, this was influenced by Brexit, this fitted well after a live from parliament.
Afterwards, I switched to a lighter note and broadcasted soft news with the social media bulletins then, the news bulletins. Upon reflection, I realise putting the hard news right after soft news was not the best choice because of the big contrast, however, it is important to show a variety of news stories to keep the audience interested. Then, came the package on air pollution in London and finally, students working while studying. The last package came with an added live interview, which gave an insight into a student balancing work and studies. I aimed to include all the student stories within the show as it was something the target audience will be interested in.
With the running order, my focus went to the filling out the schedule of the show, not necessarily checking the details of the timing. I understand that I need to improve my communication skills with the reporters better to have the exact timing, packages delivered significantly before the script is printed and to retrieve the lead-ins as early as possible.
Looking back, I would’ve cut the “Happy Halloween” segment at the end of the show, it was better in theory and was not practiced before the live broadcast. I would’ve cut the whole air pollution package due to filming children without consent. I would’ve shortened the news bulletin and cut the story about the Bangladesh sexual assault because the story is not UK based.
We did not adhere to the standards and regulations of the OFCOM, as children were featured without consent in the air pollution package. As a responsible journalist, I am aware of OFCOM which states that children under the age of sixteen should not be interviewed, filmed or photographed without the consent of a parent. This is important because it protects the welfare of the child and an error like this is can lead to serious consequences.
Video Production
Now, I am going to consider the video production skills displayed during the live show. Overall the show had some technical advantages. Within the packages, all opening piece to camera shots were clear and straight, the reporters were framed nicely in shot and the audio was clear through most of the show. Majority of the production issues stemmed from the vision mixer, many packages played before they were introduced by the presenters, some packages played simultaneously with other packages and the camera kept going back and forth between the package and the studio at the wrong times.
The sound levels within the studio were clear throughout the show however the sound within the packages was not consistent with the sound in the studio. There was no sound for the opening credits. The Megan Markle package and students interested in politics package sound was too quiet and at the beginning of the social media, segment had no sound at all.
The studio lighting was done well except for the news bulletins which was too dark and some of the screens did not work. A way to avoid this error was to have a dry run, this gives the production team time to go through the whole show and tackle errors that may come along the way.
Presenting
The sofa presenters spoke using clear short sentences which were easy for the audience to understand, however they did not paint a picture with their words. The sofa presenters were slightly robotic and did not appear natural. There was no emphasis on certain words and it was clear they were reading from a script. To help with the variety in tone of voice, I would’ve underlined certain phrases to emphasis on and I would practice out loud before going live. The bulletins presenter and social media presenters were perfect examples of adding colour to the story by emphasising certain phrases. They appeared natural as if they weren’t reading from a script.
In the future, I understand it is important to use time efficiently to ensure better planning. Managing my time, worked well with the running order but lacked with my tv package. I also realised the necessity of a dry run, this would’ve helped with video and presenting issues.
