ANCHORING ASSIGNMENT: You and a partner will write an anchor script and perform the script. Both will be graded. You will pick 3 stories from the class and write script using the following format:
I. Introduce yourself and the show
II. Conversation
A. Preview stories
B. Provide information or announcements
III. Intros and Outros to stories
A. Talk to reporters to keep consistency and avoid redundancy
B. Provide new information
C. Transitions between stories
IV. Conclude the show
****Avoid cliches, rhetorical questions, and cheesy anecdotes, NO "Went out", "Scoop", "We", No Sentence Start "With"*****
EXAMPLE FLASH SCRIPT:
Shannon: Good Morning Eastview and Welcome to the Flash Special Edition: Broadcasting in sunny California. I’m Shannon, and this is Blake.
Blake: So, ______ how is California treating you so far?
Shannon; It’s amazing, but it is a big adjustment from the below freezing temperatures back at home in Minnesota and the warm, sunny weather out here.
Blake: It is. I can’t even remember the last time I considered even putting on flip flops in the morning.
Shannon: Me neither, but we aren’t the only people who recently are being forced to adjust their lifestyles.
Shannon: While in California Matt caught up with a couple of Eastview Alumni, who followed their film production careers out here to L.A.
ALUMNI STORY
Shannon: Thank you Matt, it looks like both Mikey, and Josh have successfully adjusted to life away from Eastview.
Blake: Nearly six months ago, the Hausmann family was devastated by the Minneapolis Minnesota 35W Birdge Collapse. Karlee discovers how this family is adjusting to life after this horrific tragedy.
BRIDGE COLLAPSE STORY
Blake: Life after a tragic event can be difficult, but they have the right attitude. Thank you Karlee
Shannon: Recently a scandal at local school Eden Prairie High erupted following the discovery of students involved in illegal activities via pictures posted on facebook. Taylor offers others’ reactions and advice on how to keep your personal life private.
Facebook
Shannon: Thanks Taylor, I think everyone can appreciate the reminder to be careful while on the internet, and begin to adjust what they think is safe.
Shannon: You know _____ I think I’m adjusting to California pretty well; I don’t think I want to go home. (Put on snglasses).
Blake: Alright _______ Well, I don’t think you have a choice, our flight leaves Monday.
Shannon: Well Eastview, from EVTV broadcasting from California, stay bundled and avoid licking any metal poles.
Blake: Stay tuned for our weekly humorous credits.
Shannon: Bye Eastview
Blake: Have a good week.
Anchoring Tips:
Make sure the attitude/voice of the anchor matches the mood of the story. If it's a fun story, have fun. If it's very serious, tone it down.
You don't want a flat emotionless looking face. They really need to over-animate to a degree their facial expressions, especially their eyes and eyebrows. For example, we naturally raise our eyebrows when have a conversation.
Normal facial expressions tend to be barely noticeable on TV, so have them try overdoing it a little. Notice how overdoing it, actually looks normal on TV.
Anchors should sit with their hands apart. The body language of clasped hands says I'm closing myself off to you. People talk with their hands, so it's okay to talk with your hands at the desk or in interview.
Make sure the anchors don't sit too low behind the news desk. I usually raised my chair as high as I could and sat tall
On two shots, the anchor who is not reading should turn and listen to the anchor who is reading. Don't just stare into the camera, waiting your turn. Act interested. The non reading anchor can occassionally glance at the camera (viewers) and back to the reading anchor. Think about it this way. If someone next to you is talking, you are going to turn your head and listen.
The more an anchor prepares (pre-reads their scripts), the more comfortable and confidant they will appear on camera.
The more an anchor reads out loud reviewing their scripts, the more volumous and rich their voice will sound. They are actually voice exercises to warm up voices. Can probably Google that. Anchors should read at their lower octaves. A lower, fuller voice sounds much better than a high, thin voice on air. Each one of us has many octaves in which we can speak.
Anchors need to breathe from their diaphrams. When they breathe and speak from their chest, their voices are higher and less appealing. With practice, they should be able to take a deep breath, controlling their breathing while reading. Eventually they'll be able to read a lot more with fewer breathes. Chorus teachers can probably do a better job of explaining this..
Don't fidget with pens and paper.
Anchors should mark their scripts the way they want to read them, with pauses, emphasis, tone changes. For example, draw a smiley face or arrow pointing up at the top of a script that leads into a funny or feature story. Maybe a frown to remind you a sad story is next.
Ocassionally I would listen to my favorite upbeat music while I fixed my hair or makeup to go on air. That seemed to perk me up and re-energize me.
Speaking of makeup, male anchors do wear a foundation to even their skin tone.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Truman Show
Today we are going to start watching The Truman Show movie. We will write a paper applying some of the things we learned this quarter to the movie.
Here is the assignment:
“The Truman Show”
3 Academy Award Nominations:
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris (Christof)
Best Director: Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society)
Best Screenplay: Andrew Niccol
Winner of 3 Golden Globes:
Best Actor: Jim Carrey
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris
Best Original Score
Objective:
You will write a three to five page paper analyzing “The Truman Show” by writing on any of the following topics (Due Tueday, November 8; Outline is due on Monday, November 7):
1. How do camera angles and camera movements affect the movie? What unique shots are used in the film and how do they impact the audience? How is framing used to remind the viewer of the cameras themselves? What impact do cameras have on you as a viewer? Pick a particular scene when you think cameras play an important role in the mood of the film.
2. What impact does music have on the movie? Why is particular music used for certain scenes? Why does the music stop when Truman sails into the wall? How does Christof display the importance of music in his television show? How are other sound effects used to add to a particular feeling? Is this movie deserving of a golden globe award for best original score?
3. What does “The Truman Show” say about the impact of mass media on our society? How does the movie use product placement in a sarcastic way? Is this movie realistic when thinking of current trends in web broadcasting? Would you watch this show? Would you be an actor in the show? What is the irony of a movie about the making of a live television show? Compare this movie to “Bullworth”, “Wag the Dog” or another movie about mass media.
4. Does the movie have a deeper symbolic or philosophical meaning? Do the names of characters like Truman (true man) or Christof (Christ of) have deeper meaning? In what ways is Christof like a deity (“I’m the creator”)? What is the meaning of Sylvia’s (Lauren’s) picture that Truman carries? How is the symbol of water used? How is repetition used in this movie (much like “Groundhog’s Day”)? Why doesn’t Weir use the symbol of the Truman’s ring that Niccol wrote into the script?
5. How do additions or subtractions from the script affect the story? Do you agree with the changes Weir has made? Do you like the opening of the movie? How does the rolling of credits for the television show impact the audience? How are flashbacks and foreshadowing used? Is the dialogue and character interaction natural? Which characters are developed in the story? What is the climax? What conflicts are resolved? Does the story make sense to the viewer?
6. Do you agree or disagree with philosophical statements made in the movie? “We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented”-Christof. “Truman’s world is normal. The world where you live is the sick place. Seahaven is the way the world should be”-Christof. “There’s no more truth out there than there is in the world I created for you. The same lies, the same deceit. But in my world, you have nothing to fear”-Christof. “I know you better than you know yourself”-Christof to Truman. Truman replies, “You don’t have a camera in my head.” “There is nothing fake about Truman. It isn’t always Shakespeare but it’s genuine. It’s life”-Christof. “Nothing is fake. It’s merely controlled”-Marlon. “What right do you have?” Sylvia to Christof. “The whole world revolves around me”-Truman.
7. Is “The Truman Show” realistic? Are there any flaws in the story? How realistic is the set with its 5,000 cameras? Are the actors realistic? Is it possible for something like “The Truman Show” to occur in the future? What technology would be needed?
8. How does Weir juxtapose the two worlds happening simultaneously? What importance does the man in the tub, the mother and daugther in the restaurant, the two old ladies on the couch and the two men working the security lot have? How does Weir weave the two worlds (Christof’s studio and Truman’s world) together?
9. Do you like how the movie ends? What do you make of Truman’s last words: “In case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and good night”? What happens to Christof? What happens to Truman and Sylvia? What happens to the viewers of the Truman show? What do you think would happen in a sequel?
10. Did you like this movie? Why or why not? Comment on the cinematography, sound, lighting, special effects or any other technical aspects. Comment on the characters or the actors themselves. Comment on the script or the story used in the movie.
Here is the assignment:
“The Truman Show”
3 Academy Award Nominations:
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris (Christof)
Best Director: Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society)
Best Screenplay: Andrew Niccol
Winner of 3 Golden Globes:
Best Actor: Jim Carrey
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris
Best Original Score
Objective:
You will write a three to five page paper analyzing “The Truman Show” by writing on any of the following topics (Due Tueday, November 8; Outline is due on Monday, November 7):
1. How do camera angles and camera movements affect the movie? What unique shots are used in the film and how do they impact the audience? How is framing used to remind the viewer of the cameras themselves? What impact do cameras have on you as a viewer? Pick a particular scene when you think cameras play an important role in the mood of the film.
2. What impact does music have on the movie? Why is particular music used for certain scenes? Why does the music stop when Truman sails into the wall? How does Christof display the importance of music in his television show? How are other sound effects used to add to a particular feeling? Is this movie deserving of a golden globe award for best original score?
3. What does “The Truman Show” say about the impact of mass media on our society? How does the movie use product placement in a sarcastic way? Is this movie realistic when thinking of current trends in web broadcasting? Would you watch this show? Would you be an actor in the show? What is the irony of a movie about the making of a live television show? Compare this movie to “Bullworth”, “Wag the Dog” or another movie about mass media.
4. Does the movie have a deeper symbolic or philosophical meaning? Do the names of characters like Truman (true man) or Christof (Christ of) have deeper meaning? In what ways is Christof like a deity (“I’m the creator”)? What is the meaning of Sylvia’s (Lauren’s) picture that Truman carries? How is the symbol of water used? How is repetition used in this movie (much like “Groundhog’s Day”)? Why doesn’t Weir use the symbol of the Truman’s ring that Niccol wrote into the script?
5. How do additions or subtractions from the script affect the story? Do you agree with the changes Weir has made? Do you like the opening of the movie? How does the rolling of credits for the television show impact the audience? How are flashbacks and foreshadowing used? Is the dialogue and character interaction natural? Which characters are developed in the story? What is the climax? What conflicts are resolved? Does the story make sense to the viewer?
6. Do you agree or disagree with philosophical statements made in the movie? “We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented”-Christof. “Truman’s world is normal. The world where you live is the sick place. Seahaven is the way the world should be”-Christof. “There’s no more truth out there than there is in the world I created for you. The same lies, the same deceit. But in my world, you have nothing to fear”-Christof. “I know you better than you know yourself”-Christof to Truman. Truman replies, “You don’t have a camera in my head.” “There is nothing fake about Truman. It isn’t always Shakespeare but it’s genuine. It’s life”-Christof. “Nothing is fake. It’s merely controlled”-Marlon. “What right do you have?” Sylvia to Christof. “The whole world revolves around me”-Truman.
7. Is “The Truman Show” realistic? Are there any flaws in the story? How realistic is the set with its 5,000 cameras? Are the actors realistic? Is it possible for something like “The Truman Show” to occur in the future? What technology would be needed?
8. How does Weir juxtapose the two worlds happening simultaneously? What importance does the man in the tub, the mother and daugther in the restaurant, the two old ladies on the couch and the two men working the security lot have? How does Weir weave the two worlds (Christof’s studio and Truman’s world) together?
9. Do you like how the movie ends? What do you make of Truman’s last words: “In case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and good night”? What happens to Christof? What happens to Truman and Sylvia? What happens to the viewers of the Truman show? What do you think would happen in a sequel?
10. Did you like this movie? Why or why not? Comment on the cinematography, sound, lighting, special effects or any other technical aspects. Comment on the characters or the actors themselves. Comment on the script or the story used in the movie.
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