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Television Production & Broadcast Journalism
soft lead: The fi rst
line of a story that
communicates the
general idea of a story,
but does not offer any
facts.
action verb and is active, not passive. The most important information is
presented immediately. For example, “A bomb threat caused the evacu-
ation of City Hall today.” A soft lead communicates the general idea of
the story, but does not offer any facts. It often sets the scene or introduces
the characters. For example, “It’s noon. It’s quiet. That’s about to change.
In less than three hours, the Cowboys will take the fi eld in front of thou-
sands of fans and the quarterback decision will be history. The controversy
started last week when…”
The reporter scripts a package by writing the reporter track to con-
nect the “big A” comments. A good reporter does not write, “We asked Joe
about the new theater and this is what he said” as a lead in to Joe’s answer
(big A). A more eloquent and interesting lead in may be, “Visitors to the
new theater at Roane County High School fi nd several features especially
nice.” The script then cuts to the “big A” of Joe talking about the surround
Video Audio
Wide shot of reporter Stephanie
Carter standing on stage in new
auditorium
Stephanie Carter
Raider Television
Super
Stephanie Carter/Stand-up
The programs are printed. The tickets are on sale. Tonight is dress
rehearsal for the fi rst performance in the new Roane County High School
auditorium. This new facility is equipped with features that will enhance any
production. Senior Doug Miller is the sound engineer. While others have
studied their lines, Doug has been busy learning everything he will have at
his fi ngertips to make those lines sound perfect.
Doug Miller
Sound Engineer
B-roll of sound board
SOT Doug
Every cast member will have wireless microphones like these placed at
their temples, sort of like this. They will be almost invisible. I have a volume
control here on the sound board for every person, and I’ve had to learn the
settings for each to make them all even. Then, I also have to deal with the
music and sound effects. This new sound system has the potential to be
perfect, but only if I’m perfect at MY job. I’m pretty nervous.
B-roll of rehearsal Reporter VO
Doug has been at every rehearsal, fi ne-tuning those settings. He’s
not the only one who has to learn some new technology. When the
curtains open and the lights come up…
Su Kiki
Lighting Technician
SOT Su Kiki
That will be me, I’m running the lights. We’re using a total of 75
different lights for this production. This is my light board and I have
a play script with all my lighting cues marked. Some of them are
programmed in for different combinations for certain scenes, but I still
need to have my timing just right to make everything happen.
Stephanie Carter/Stand-up
Making everything happen—that’s what it’s all about. Tomorrow night,
we’ll meet the cast of “The Execs” as they get ready for opening night
on Saturday, right here at Roane County High School. This is Steph-
anie Carter for Raider Television.
Figure 10-3. The reporter track is presented in the audio column of a package script. In this package example,
the reporter track is highlighted in three cells of the audio column.