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 Guidelines

for Traditional Newspaper Writers

 

You are already an expert at storytelling. It is “how” you tell the story that changes

when you are using video and sound. For example, instead of having to write quotes

from your interviewee for the reader to read, you simply have to let the viewers hear

the quote for themselves.

 

Remember, these are “guidelines” which means there are extenuating circumstances   

that call for you to structure your story in a different manner.  Some of those instances are

noted in each section.

 

• TELL A STORY WITH A BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND END

 

- For traditional newspaper writers, think of it as a condensed version of

your story. You would rarely submit a story to the editor that didn’t have a

beginning, middle and end.

 

- Use brief interview clips; they improve pacing of your story.

 

- Try to keep your interview or soundbite clips at about 12

seconds or less. Keep in mind that as a newspaper writer, you would

not normally simply provide a transcript of your interview and turn that in

to the editor for your story. Pick out the most important or interesting parts of the

interview and use narrative or other bites to weave a complete story

together. Yes, it’s ok to use powerful very short bites; “It’s absurd and

I’m voting no!”

 

( Exceptions: If there is a compelling, powerful and engaging interview with, for example, a witness to

crime, accident , testimony, opinion etc. then use it and throw out the time consideration guidelines.)

 

 

• IMPROVE PACING OF YOUR STORY BY VARYING THE LENGTH OF YOUR STORY "SOUND SOURCES" SUCH AS NARRATIVES AND SOUNDBITES;  varying the length of your story narrative and soundbites help keep the viewer’s attention.

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-You are writing for the ear as well as the eye in video storytelling. A change in “sound

sources,” narrative, soundbites, natural sound of cars, screams, door closing etc.,

get your attention. (See “Using Natural Sound” in another training module coming to this site.)

 

( If your story is one-minute 10 seconds long, a beginner will usually structure it like the first chart below. It is simple and an acceptable way to put together your package in the early stages of your video storytelling development.   That said, you should quickly evolve to a more advanced method of storytelling as indicated in the second chart below.  Not only will you like your package better but so will the viewer.)