TV Documentary Writing / Structure and Execution continued
Lesson Outline
Our final project continues TV Documentary. Cam's weekend assignment was to do his on camera 'stand-up' to pull the audience in by announcing (after the background history of Amateurs in US Open Golf Championship play) he would be trying to become the first amateur in 93 years to Win the title. A long shot yes and a long journey. (Shoot @ T-shot)
Assignment
Show me his stand up work, and we'll pick the best one
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
As I head to the airport tor my trip back to San Diego I am awaiting response when Cameron is feeling better to show the stand up and read his complete scripting. Cameron is really quick at comprehension and not bashful about getting down to business when tasked with writing a news story, on the spot, under pressure. Impressive!
Nicky has a lot going on. We continue with TV Script Writing and his mythical Live Shot as a Reporter @ the Daytona 500 and interview using sound bites selected from my interview on my webpage of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nicky is working through the terminology and structure of scripts to execute a Live Shot. He did remember to bring his laptop today but it was too slow to open so we continued using the paper TV Script I wrote up to continue on terminology & "the Why" of each command scripted.
Assignment
Write the Live Shot TV Script as assigned into Teams
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Nicky is attentive and in the moment. Juggling a lot apparently in his active life but seems to comprehend at least the concept of why TV Scripts are laid out the way they are. I'm sure he will work on the terminology too.
I did talk to him about his potential.
TV Documentaries: Research, Writing & Keeping an Audience
Lesson Outline
The documentary assignments continue: "The History of Amateurs at the US Open Golf Tournament". Documentary continues w/injecting himself into story, attention 'hook' for audience with Cameron's stand up / surprise on the golf course with him hitting a tee-shot then looking at the camera saying "I'm Cameron Kuchar and I'm trying to be the first amateur in 93 years to win the US Open Golf Championship, held this year at Los Angeles Country Club. It's a long shot and a long journey". Cameron was in person today and he continues to impress with his ability to be coached & implement. He dives right into writing without hesitation and comprehends my instructions / guidance on topics and how to think about the information gathered and presenting it to the audience in a way in which their eyes won't glaze over from boredom of facts, history etc. Impressive.
Assignment
Shoot on camera Stand-Up for Documentary this weekend.
TV Documentary writing on the History of Amateurs in the US Open Golf Championship. Select factoids and prioritize in order of importance.
Assignment
Continue Research & priorities
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Delayed at length by one computer which previous teacher not only did not sign out but was unable then to access teams. The second computer was dead, so I reached Cameron on third computer and instructed him to continue writing in-depth documentary per above details
Nicky forgot his Computer!!! So...in his notebook I demonstrated the format, lingo and layout of a TV News (Sports) SCRIPT. Since we are still creating a mythical live shot from NASCAR's Daytona 500, scripting is essential to telling the story, writing to video and 'setting up' sound bites with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nicky selected. I instructed him to memorize the layout if he wants to be in broadcasting he will use it daily.
Assignment
Decide how to 'set up' other Dale Jr. SOT & what to write for voice overs in-between
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Nicky forgot his computer but was told to memorize the TV Script formatting
Since Cam made it through the local qualifying for the US Open his documentary assignment will be: "The History of Amateurs at the US Open Golf Tournament". Cam immediately embraced the concept, we walked through the basic research sources plus my general knowledge of Bobby Jones & others through the years. Add his curiosity and Cameron immediately knocked out 3 paragraphs to start the documentary. I also suggested choosing an Angle or theme such as "Stars are Born" since this year's US Open Golf Championship is in LA near Hollywood.
Assignment
Continue Research for content
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Cameron was remote via Teams today and was very impressive. Naturally, I picked a topic for the documentary which he gravitated to and I hoped he could better appreciate his journey with the working knowledge of past Amateur greats. Cam quickly search through wiki & google as guided and began writing without much prompting. We'll continue and this is likely the final assignment of the year. Documentary work is very time consuming. My plan is to have him complete to written portion by the end of semester. I always tell him to write with video in mind.
Finish the NEWS story which led the Newscast re: Top Golf Building next to exclusive Bears Club. Cameron was live with the lead story at the top of the newscast and the controversy was also the lead story in sportscast (can assume viewers saw top so recap and bring fresh angle in sports) Cam interviews Top Golf CEO then before he runs out of time within his 3:30 sportscast he mentions NHL's Florida Panthers historic upset over the Boston Bruins & next round playoffs beginning tonight in Toronto. And so he knows what real life sportscaster deal with, he planned on using a funny sound bite of the Panthers but the show producer cut his time / sportscast short so she a) mistimed the whole newscast and sports pays the price & b) she has time to air the "kicker" story at the end of the newscast about kittens. This is a regular and often infuriating occurrence.
Assignment
Look into the history of the US Open Golf Tournament
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Cameron is just outstanding in his grasp now of the nature, structure, the reasons and practices of a TV Sportscaster. We have covered and completed every major aspect / format of sportscasting, except documentaries which will be his final assignment. Since Cam made it through the local qualifying for the US Open his documentary assignment will be: "The History of Amateurs at the US Open Golf Tournament"
Completion of Lead-In to LIVE Shot @ Daytona 500, today (Nicky didn’t have computer so had to transcribe previous & add to it(Tell the Story with Dale Jr selected sound bites both in terms of Exclusive & uniquely Insightful (assignment to transfer all new script into TV script in Teams.
Sports lesson today: (Late Arrival )Top of NEWS Story complete, today Tease Sports Segment ANGLE to top story continues: What Content logically follows Lead NEWS story? 'Assume Nothing' so restate the Lead Story Facts for the Top of Sportscast then deliver on promise at end of top of News: Top Golfs angle/side of the story.
Assignment
Add a couple other stories to round out the 4:00 sportscast
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
30
Lesson Comments
Cameron continues to impress by immediately writing copy / stories in real time as we discuss. Naturally I point out perspectives to consider, angles for stories as well as keeping him on track on how stories are structured. For example he doesn't have say what the upset Mom of two toddlers has to say about Top Golf, she will say it in the sound bite (although you can set up her sot with ann audio trax which says the noise & lights will not help getting her kids to sleep) While you get footage of her in yard with kids. Same as not just getting Mayor sound bite but get footage of City Hall while there.
News Writing. Top Story Controversy=Top Golf @ Bear Club backyard!
Lesson Outline
Write News Assignment story for Lead of 5pm News on local West Palm Beach TV Station. Top Golf buys vacant lot next to Bears Club to build new commercial location next to ultra private community. The battle is on. Outline all sides of story participants: Outraged residents, Top Golf spokesperson, City of Jupiter. Mythical story for Cameron to be Live on scene and is top News Story of the day. Assigned at 8am must get all angles today, write & edit then report from the scene.
Assignment
Continue considering what's next in transition from News Lead to Sportscast follow up
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Delayed Opening / Unlocking of School reduced our actual in-class time to about 20 minutes but Cameron remained focused & picked up where we left off. Today getting the Political angle to this mythical controversy via getting Mayor of Jupiter comment. How & why he might say what he will as a politician trying to keep everyone happy. Mayor sound bite wraps up the Lead Story top of the newscast so Cam is to consider how he will keep the story fresh with what angle in Sportscast.
