Anchoring

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.