What's happened to the live shot?
There was a time when this basic TV news function was simple and carried out with very little drama.
Now it's become a Rorschach test.
Rita Williams at KTVU comes to mind. I also like steady Lloyd LaCuesta. Don Knapp over at PIX is terrific. He's not splashy and doesn't provide excitement. And that's just it--I don't need a reporter all amped up --just the basics: what's the latest info, how many are being held hostage, who's in charge, etc. The notebook is vital.
There's nothing wrong with the viewers seeing the notebook in the picture. Some reporters try to conceal notebooks, as if the notepad is going to cause mass angst. Truth is, these days, even the most average reporter at a live shot couldn't ad-lib their way out of a paper bag. So, do us all a favor and look at your notes--we won't prosecute you for getting the right info.
Thanks, and now back to the studio.
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live shots used to be real... organic... the point is getting the information out in a clear and concise manner so viewers know what is happening... yes, even back in the day, there were live shots that were cosmetic, but now it seems more like a rant, scream and yell at me... hey... ck your demos.. who watches tv news.. not the 20 or 30 somethings.. it is an older demo.. so.. try and speak clearly and not drool all over yourself ... notes are fine.. by the way..
ReplyDeleteWhat I REALLY hate is when a reporter is standing in front of an empty building--fronting a story THAT HAPPENED SIX HOURS AGO!!!
ReplyDeleteBack in the old days, live-shots meant a story was BIG...something major was happening...truly "Breaking News." Now, TV stations just do them gratuitously...almost as if TV stations are doing them simply because "THEY CAN"...or because they have all that expensive live gear/satellite gear that they feel they HAVE to put to use because they don't want it just sitting at the station.
I love to LOL at Karina Rusk, on 7, who punctuates her stand-ups with hand, head and eyebrow workouts.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, and not ALL critical, I think she's a pretty good reporter.
Who is this Don Ford guy on KPIX who wears jeans, polo and a hat for all of his reports ? Seems like he just rolled out of bed, put on his Asics and did a story before he goes hiking.
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