Newscast Breakdown
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A-BlockThis 6 p.m. newscast fell on a day we had a flood watch in Mid-Missouri. I started the show with a live reporter at the Missouri River in Jefferson City to show the water levels along the river and to explain which areas fall under the flood watch. I used a live transition to give off urgency, and I worked with the live reporter to give her time to show-and-tell in the report. As the flood watch loomed in Jefferson City, I followed the live report with First Weather. The second live reporter in this block came back very late from his story. I quickly cut his red-light camera video for him, while he drove out to the live shot. I balance my time throughout the day to make sure I have the time in the last half-hour before the show to troubleshoot any problems with reporters or last-minute breaking news. Also, I put a reporter onset in this block to explain her story. It gave the reporter more time to explain what the council will vote on that evening and who she had talked to during the day. Sometimes, I like to put the reporters onset or move the anchors around, because it makes the show more compelling and changes the pace.
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B-BLOCKThe B-Block is always reserved for weather in the six. We also have a Weather IQ question. I always reserve a little time for the anchors to try to answer the question and chat a little with Doppler Dave.
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C-BlockI devoted this entire block to a long-form story about how technology can affect young children if exposed to it too often. The package ran about three minutes, so I made sure to pace my A block and B block with enough time to run the package. Also, I like to move the anchors around the set, because it's an effective way to showcase a long-form story. It separates the story from the day-turn news. I also added rolling video behind the anchors to make the story more compelling. (Note: Package content has been removed from this video.)
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D-BlockThis block is reserved completely for sports news and events. A sports producer is in charge of producing this segment. However, I do work with the sports producer to keep the show on time. (Note: Package content has been removed from this video.)
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E-BlockThe last block of the show is reserved for a weather update, a "Photo Finish" segment and a look at what the station is following for the 9pm and 10pm newscasts. I try to time out the show, so I can include all these segments.
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