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TALK SHOWS, FORUMS AND DISCUSSION PROGRAMMES

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TV News Reporting and Production ­ MCM 516
VU
LESSON 39
TALK SHOWS, FORUMS AND DISCUSSION PROGRAMMES
There are many programmes being presented on television now a day which require the ability to
speak spontaneously. Such programmes as the round table, forum, talk shows, discussions, interviews,
man-on-the-street, early morning variety programmes, breakfast shows, with recording on-the-spot
telecast, and some of the news commentary programmes, require the telecaster and newsmen to be a
fluent and spontaneous speakers.
The art of announcing has become so standardized that at present one small bit of impromptu,
extempore or unrehearsed television programme can be detected and frequently is a welcome relief if
well done and properly executed.
For these types of programmes a good vocabulary of descriptive words, particularly action verbs,
adverbs and nouns is essential. The impromptu speaker must have a good cultural background. For he
or she is not forgiven for mistakes in grammar, pronunciation accent or diction.
The speaker in any instance is required to have excellent power of observation, to be able to see ahead
while he is talking about something that he or she has previously observed. In too many instance the
TV journalist is inclined to "hem or haw" while he or she is groping and searching for a word that he
or she feels will convey the correct impression to the listeners.
In such unprepared programmes there must be no dead air or silence, although brief pauses
undoubtedly will make the material sound more conversational. These pauses will be shorter than they
would be if the anchor or the host were conversing with a visible audience. Quickness in thought and
expression are equally vital.
Probably one of the best practices to use in the production for this type of television programmes, is
talking to oneself, particularly describing the things that are being seen.
Another requirement of such extempore programmes is an ability to time the material to be presented.
The programme will run for a definite period, and the TV journalist must time oneself so that he or she
will have rounded out ones material, summarized if necessary, and come to a satisfactory conclusion at
the second that one goes off the air.
One of the faults evident in the impromptu speech of the novice or a new comer is the repetition of
certain phrases and words that pierce the ears of listeners and bother the viewers. Some speaker,
master of the ceremonies, street interviewers are inclined to start their sentence with an interjection or
connective, in most instances "ah" because they have not definitely formulated the ideas about what
they intend to say.
It is much wiser to be silent for an instant while the sentences, expression or thought is developed.
Possibly good experience in smooth delivery can be obtained by practice. If the programme is
commercial one, the anchor or announcer is constantly aware of the fact that he or she must lead into
the commercial break from that running talk show appropriately and nicely.
The talk shows, discussion programmes and forums are never rehearsed in advance of he telecast. The
interviewee is asked to suggest certain questions that he would be willing to answer and discuss, but it
makes for greater interest and spontaneity if the questioner does not know the inquiries in the advance.
The interrogator however, must use good judgment and diplomacy in the selection of questions.
It is good practice to sit down with the person to be interviewed at the programme set with in advance
of the show, in order to get him into the conversational mood and to ascertain his attitude. This puts
the guest talker at ease and eliminates the probability of "camera shyness" or "mic. fright".
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TV News Reporting and Production ­ MCM 516
VU
Basic techniques to be followed in talk shows:-
·
Interviewer will introduce the guest and ask question which will also tend to introduce him.
·  It is not bad plan to ask some rather light, frivolous questions that may start the programme with a
spurt of humour, for this put the interviewee at ease and please the viewers.
·  It is essential that there be no pauses of any length, consequently the person who is doing the
interviewing must be alert to discover the leads in the answers he receives.
·  First few minutes will be devoted to less serious discussion in order to brighten the subject and to
encourage the interviewee to articulate comfortably.
·  There is a tendency to allow the interview to become argumentative but this should not be avoided
because it makes the interviewer express his ideas, which are not of importance.
·  The interviewer must remember that he is not interviewing himself. His job is to ask stimulating
questions, not to supply the answers; to bring out the interviewee's personality not of his own.
·  Do not try to influence the guest by leading questions. The person who is important enough to be
interviewed must have something interesting enough to appeal the viewers.
·  Try to dig down and disclose the person off guard; by that it is meant that there should be
revelation not the exposure.
·  The host should have the general knowledge so that he can ask good and intelligent questions
about the relevant field of the guest and his interest.
·  Most of the questions should be of such nature as to require more that "yes" or "no" answers,
however interviewee must not be forced to give too lengthy replies.
·  It is permissible for the anchor to raise his hand and interrupt the speaker if he gets started on an
oration or a long speech.
·  If some definite topic is to be discussed, the questioner must strive to keep the speaker talking
about the topic and lead him back to subject if necessary.
·  The talk must be natural and conversational. Mild laughter may be heard but it is not advisable for
the announcer to laugh too heartily at his own comments.
·  Repetition in style of questions should be avoided such as starting questions with the word "well"
or "I see" or "okay" and "fine" after each answer.
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Table of Contents:
  1. CREATIVITY AND IDEA GENERATION FOR TELEVISION:Video Procedures
  2. PRE-REQUISITES OF A CREATIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:SET-UP RESPONSIBILITIES
  3. REFINING AN IDEA FOR PRODUCTION:Drama, Magazine Shows, Documentary
  4. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:Variable. Pure and applied research
  5. RESEARCH AND REVIEWS:Research Procedure, Review of available literature
  6. SCRIPT WRITING:Elements of a successful story, Characters, Effects
  7. PRE-PRODUCTION PHASE:Indoor production, Outdoor production, Essentials of PBE
  8. SELECTION OF REQUIRED CONTENT AND TALENT:Camera rehearsal
  9. PROGRAMME PLANNING:Checklist, Electronic Field Production (EFP)
  10. PRODUCTION PHASE:Floor plan, Traditional set, Representational set, Design elements
  11. CAMERA WORK:Movement of lens of camera, Types of shots
  12. LIGHT AND AUDIO:Importance of sound in TV, Use of microphone, Loudness
  13. DAY OF RECORDING/PRODUCTION:Rehearsals,Point to ponder
  14. LINEAR EDITING AND NLE:Episode, Scene, Editing, Production Switcher
  15. MIXING AND USES OF EFFECTS:Live Sound Effects, ARROW STRIKING
  16. SELECTION OF THE NEWS:Elements of news, Timeliness, proximity
  17. WRITING OF THE NEWS:The inverted pyramid, Lead, Credit line
  18. EDITING OF THE NEWS:Characteristics of good news:Process of editing a news
  19. COMPILATION OF NEWS BULLETIN:Hard news, Soft news, Investigative report
  20. PRESENTATION OF NEWS BULLETIN
  21. MAKING SPECIAL BULLETINS:Agriculture, Show biz, Fashion, Drama
  22. TECHNICAL CODES, TERMINOLOGY, AND PRODUCTION GRAMMAR
  23. TYPES OF TV PRODUCTION:Magazine Shows, Specific audience programming
  24. DRAMA AND DOCUMENTARY:Documentary film, Defining documentary
  25. SOURCES OF TV NEWS:Reporters, Correspondents, Monitoring, News Agency
  26. FUNCTIONS OF A REPORTER
  27. BEATS OF REPORTING:City reporter, Social reporters, Show-biz reporter
  28. STRUCTURE OF NEWS DEPARTMENT:Beat Reporters, Online media
  29. ELECTRONIC FIELD PRODUCTION:Sports, Electronic news gathering
  30. LIVE TRANSMISSIONS:Studio floor, Switcher, Master control room, Camera control units
  31. QUALITIES OF A NEWS PRODUCER:Determination, Awareness, Sharp an active
  32. DUTIES OF A NEWS PRODUCER
  33. ASSIGNMENT/NEWS EDITOR:Accuracy, Fairness and Reliability, Conflict
  34. SHOOTING A NEWS FILM:The Influence of telecast News
  35. PREPARATION OF SPECIAL REPORTS:Uncovering Truth, Reportage
  36. INTERVIEWS, VOX POPS AND PUBLIC OPINIONS:INTERVIEW, Information
  37. BACK GROUND VOICE AND VOICE OVER:Natural or Raw Sound, Sound Effects
  38. SPOKEN WORDS AND RELEVANT VISUALS:Digital Audio, Quantizing Error
  39. TALK SHOWS, FORUMS AND DISCUSSION PROGRAMMES
  40. FUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF A TV SET UP
  41. PROGRAMMES DEPARTMENT:Program content, Television series by genre
  42. NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS THE PROGRAMMING & SCHEDULING
  43. COORDINATION AMONG DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF TELEVISION
  44. COORDINATION AMONG DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF TELEVISION - 2 SUB-DEPARTMENTS AND SMALL SECTIONS
  45. COORDINATION AMONG DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF TELEVISION 3