By Marissa Pendergrass, cbs4qc

Reporting live as a rookie reporter is just about the most nerve-wracking part of the job.  You're never quite sure how everything will go and the chance of making a mistake is relatively high as a beginner.  Even though most of us get the opportunity to prepare for the task in college, speaking directly to a "real audience" for the first time is completely different. 

At my job, I got the chance to go live inside the station first, before ever going outside for a a hit out in the field.  But when I move on to my next job, I know that's not going to happen.  That's why I try to make everyday in front of the camera a new learning experience.  I try to think about my habits and think about the techniques used by more experienced reporters and what feels right to me. 

As a rookie reporter, I've learned to really relate myself to the words I say on-air.  Almost like putting myself in the shoes of the homeless woman, business owner or politician I'm sharing information about.  It helps my delivery and makes it easier for me to remember all the details as I speak into the lens.  Sometimes I barely get a chance to re-read or practice the script before my anchor tosses to me.  But I always try to read the words once to internalize it into my brain and focus on nothing but that subject until the story is told.  As a rookie,  I can't even begin to realize how hard unscripted live reporting will be.  

One aspect of live reporting I wasn't really taught anything about in TV broadcast school or in my job training is doing a live hit from a cell phone.  My 99th market station doesn't have enough live trucks for each reporter every night and the one we have is a microwave.  So when there's breaking news and more than one reporter is out or the story is too far to reach a signal, reporting live from a cell phone is always a possibility.  I've found a live phoner can feel even more unnatural that standing in front of a camera.  I usually try to think about the techniques I've heard cable news reporters use when they're live from some remote place but in the end I'm never quite sure how I sound.  I'm not sure if it's just me or if any other rookie reporters feel the same but I'd be interested to learn about some standards and practices used by more experienced reporters. 

 

POST A COMMENT

Live hit from a cell phone, unscripted

Rehearsing a written script sounds easier than reporting live on cell phone without a script.

I believe the phone reporting would be much easier. You don't have to worry how you look on video; the reporting is all audio, harkening backing in the days when radio was the only media.

As for story telling, keep it very simple-- who, what, where, when, why. You cover all five bases, and you can't make a mistake. You can always state that you'll "keep the audience posted as events develop. Reporting live from ..., I'm ..."

Just keep in mind, the audience cannot visualize what is happening so you are the eyes and ears on the ground. Simply describe in plain words as best you can.

I felt audio books were only for the visually impaired, but I find them to be a good research and practice aid for delivering information with audio only. Also, listening to sports on radio rather than watching on television will give you solid clues of describing events strictly through unscripted reporting.

The practice of brainstorming ideas and concepts also helps develop and prepare for unscripted conversation over cell phone. You will think on your feet with more confidence and enjoy a newly acquired skill.

Best of luck!

LIVE SHOTS

IF MEMORIZATION WORKS FOR YOU THEN SO BE IT. BUT ITS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE, PARTICULARLY IN BREAKING NEW SITUATIONS, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR SUBJECT MATTER.
WITH EXACT MEMORIZATION IF A REPORTER FORGETS A PARTICULAR WORD OR THE EXACT TURN OF A PHRASE THEY FEEL THEY\'VE \"MADE A MISTAKE\" AND CAN END UP LOOKING LIKE A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS OF A BUICK... ONE FINAL SUGGESTION, AVOID FOCUSING ON THE CAMERA LENSE. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. ONCE YOU ARE \"IN THE GROOVE\" YOU WON\'T EVEN NOTICE IT\'S THERE.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU MS PENDERGRASS.