top of page

 

What is a stand-up?

 

A "stand-up" is when a reporter goes on camera and talks to the audience. 

 

Stand-ups in many instances add a sense of “authenticity” to a report; authoritative, credible, factual, legitimate, valid, trustworthy, real.

 

Many reporters love stand-ups because it gives them "face-time."  With face-time, they get to show the audience who they are and what they look like.  It increases their recognition in public and can lead to story tips, better sources, increased credibility and higher “Q” scores.  Q scores are a measurement of appeal and familiarity.  News reporters frequently hope a high “Q” score will lead to better employment contracts.

 

Placement of stand-ups

 

(End of report)

Stand-ups are most frequently used at the end of a reporter’s story or package as a way to wrap up, summarize, or to inform the viewer of the next steps in the story.

 

(Top of report)

Stand-ups are used at the top of a story as a way to set-up or explain the situation or establish a reporter’s  “location presence” for the viewers.  They are almost always used to set up live reporting in the field at a scene of a story.

 

(Inside report)

Stand-ups are used in the body of a report.  When used in this manner it is called a “bridge.”   It allows the reporter to segue or transition from one section of a report to another.

 

Best Practices for Utilizing Stand-ups  

  1. Know when NOT to use a stand-up.

 

Using a stand-up at the beginning of a report can slow down the pacing of your package.  Viewers can be impatient, bored and will be tempted to turn away from your report if you don’t grab them with interesting or compelling video or audio off the top of your report. If you must utilize a standup at the top, make sure it’s because you don’t have any other video that would engage the viewer.

 

  1. Refer to surroundings.

 

      When possible, refer to your surroundings to help define why you are at a particular

      location.  Sometimes, your reference may be subtle, other times it will be overt.

 

Subtle example: (With courthouse behind you.) “This is where the jury will hear testimony in the trial for at least three weeks.

 

Overt example:   (At the scene of a bad traffic accident.)  “The accident happened at this very spot.  One car was heading in that direction (pointing to the direction) when the bus ran that red light (panning to show the red light and then to another lane) and knocked the other car into another lane.”

 

  1. Be creative!  Experiment!

     

      *Use a stand-up to add visual clarity/vitality to a report.

        Format your stand-up as a “demonstration" of sorts.  For

        example, walk into the shot (or the camera will widen out, pan,

        Etc. for a reveal), as you point to something or pick-up/hold

        something on camera. It’s fine to talk off camera before

        showing the reporter.

 

      *Hold something in your hand to illustrate. (“This is the hottest

        toy for the holidays.”)

 

      *Walk and talk in your stand-up to add energy and pacing.

 

  1. Be honest.

 

If it looks clever to you it probably is clever.  If it looks hokey, it probably is hokey.  Ask your shooting partner to be honest with feedback.  No partner?  Be honest with yourself.

 

  1. Be conversational and develop your own style.

 

*Try not to sound like a stereotypical news anchor or reporter that you see in the movies and sometimes even at small and big market news stations.  Be yourself.

 

*Ask yourself, and others, if you look relaxed and natural.

 

  1. Other Stand-up tips

 

  • Don’t make the viewer/listener work to understand what you are saying.

  • Use simple words.

  • Use declarative sentences.

  • Focus on one thought per sentence.

  • Use active voice:  “The car hit the woman.”  Vs. “The woman was hit by the car.”  Active voice is less “wordy” and easier on the viewer’s/listener’s ears.

       It also saves time and space.

  • The way you look is also important.  Some of your viewers are “meeting” you for the first time.  Yes, you have to comb your hair and look professional or certainly appropriate for the type of story you are covering.  Even guys use make-up on TV; it’s professional and it is a great tool to use against unforgiving cameras. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standups

bottom of page