News Show Script

INT. Vision mixing room - day

The first camera will start off in the entrance of the vision mixing room focusing on Lee opening the show in front of the screens. Lee will move towards the camera and out into the hallway to the studio where the camera will follow him.


LEE STARKE

The rise in train prices causes controversy, as prices to London increase. The opening of the Olympic park is imminent, what does this mean for us? Channel 4s Benefits Street receives a flurry of complaints as audiences loathe the resident’s lives.  And from the page to the screen, our guest presenter Dom looks at books which have inspired new film releases.

 

OPENING TITLES

INT. The live studio - day

Two of the cameras will be pointed towards a desk which Karla and Lee will sit at. The backdrop for them will be the vision mixing room. The third camera will be on Dom standing up against the wall, with a television screen behind him.

 

KARLA PEREZ

Good evening, you are watching the Channel 21 news, with me Karla Perez and me Lee Starke. Today we will also be joined by our guest presenter Dom Kehoe. 

DOM KEHOE

Greater Anglia amongst many other train companies have put up their train prices as the New Year commenced. From the 2nd of January 2014, train prices rose by 2.8% and more. Our student correspondent Sam Goodfellow tells you more. 

EXT - Video insert by train station and town centre - day

The vision mixing room will then cut to the pre-recorded video insert which will last for approximately four minutes.

(VIDEO INSERT)

 

SAM GOODFELLOW

Happy New Year?

Thursday the 2nd of January, was a day of misery, and expense. As train prices increased, so did the cost of commuters travel to more than £5,000 a year. The increase is the smallest rise in four years, only going up by 2.8%, however the highest rise was seen in Reading where prices have gone up by 3.32%.But why is there an increase in fare prices every year?

 

The government pays for 30% of the running costs of trains; however they want to reduce this to 25% meaning that commuters are going to be paying more and more as the fare increases.

 

Stephen Hammond transport minister said this "the governments investing 16 billion in the next five years to upgrade the railway network in terms of maintenance, new lines, new rolling stock and that's key. There is some movement in the basis of the balance between the fare payer and the tax payer."

 

Although the train prices have gone up different amounts in different towns, the one question that is arising is, can we really afford to pay this amount?

 

(Asking the question to the public, they answer)

 

We constantly think about the workers which have to pay the price to go up to London, but how about the students that attend college around the UK, students are made to stay in compulsory education until the age of 17 so why should we be made to pay an adult fare when we are still classed as children?

So where does all the money go too?

Well For every pound a commuter pays for their fare 26p gets invested back into the rail network, 22p of a pound keeps the track maintenance up. Industry staff costs/wages makes up 25p of the pound, with 4p being spent on fuel and the remaining 3p goes on train company profits.
We asked Greater Anglia a local train company with direct links to London Liverpool Street, questioning their train service. They unfortunately could not speak to us. 

So whilst we all have to pay this ridiculous price to travel by track, can we continue to ask ourselves, why are the prices constantly rising yet the service is not improving?

 

Sam Goodfellow student correspondent, Channel 21 news.

INT. The live studio - day 

 

LEE

This is certainly an issue which the government and train companies alike need to address, and fully take into account the extent in which they are making people pay. It is understandable that they need to pay for everything and that a minimum fare is necessary, however surely a different means of making their profits is possible? 

KARLA

Two years on from the fantastic summer we had, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is set to open to a whole new London. The 5th of April, save the date. The large southern section of the park will open its doors to London borough residents and tourists. 

LEE

The park has been opening in stages since 2012; however this will be a considerable amount more which will be on display for all to see. With the Olympic and Paralympic Aquatics centre to open for the first time since the games.  

KARLA

The serene parklands in the south of the area will be inviting for all. There will be 25 public artworks across the park with cultural events taking place in exciting spots.

LEE

With the recent extension on the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, viewers can get a perspective view of the park in all its glory. 

KARLA

The Orbit is the UK's largest sculpture coming in at 114.5 metres. The park also offers the opportunity for growth in the land with over 4000 new tress that have been planted. 

LEE

Well what does this mean for London?

Over three thousand apartments will become available to rent and buy next to the East Village near Stratford City neighbourhood.

Children’s playgrounds have been put up, giving younger people the chance to enjoy the landscape and excitement of the park. Living up the Olympic legacy to inspire a generation.

KARLA

During 2010 the Olympic stadium itself was put into the bid for the 2015 World Athletics Championships. 

This bid was later withdrawn as there wasn’t a decided future on what the stadium would be used for. A later bid was submitted for the 2017 Championships, with the announcement that they succeeded in winning the bid in 2011.

 

LEE

However the Olympic stadium will not be accessible to visitors until 2016 when it is handed over to West Ham United as their official stadium. Although it will host five matches during the 2015 Rugby World Cup. 

DOM

Music and Dance are one of the many things which are inspiring a younger generation. With more street acts over the last two years performing on our streets than we would have ever seen ten years ago. Our student correspondent Karenza Wheatley tells you more as she speaks to an up and coming indie rock band.

EXT. Music studio and college atrium - day/night

The second video insert will be played, cutting to the pre-recorded news stories about music and dance.

(VIDEO INSERT)

 

Every parent would love their child to follow their dreams whether it be through a creative arts way or something else, enduring their hobby as a profession.

 

Britain's Got Talent, The X Factor and The Voice are platforms which young people use as a stepping stone to get into the industry. Every high street in the UK will see at least one musician busking their way hoping for their big break.

For Sam, Ben, Laura and James this is exactly what they are hoping for.

This indie band from Essex who formed in August 2013, are mixing strong harmonies from indie original songs to create a distinctive and intense sound, for their upcoming gigs in 2014. With hours of rehearsing a week this local band are aiming high. 

This local band are grabbing every opportunity possible. Having a studio in Sam's house, and working with band members some of which have been playing their instruments for over 10 Years!

The MBG are influenced by artists such as Mumford And Sons, Jake Bugg and Fleet Foxes. We spoke to them.

 

 

INTERVIEW

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE MBG

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Is this something you would like to pursue as a career?

How did you form the band?

How did you get into playing the drums? 

What venue would you most like to perform in?

Do you think talent shows are inspiring people to form bands?

Were you inspired by a talent show? Or someone who was once on a talent show?

How did you come up with your band name?

Ben, what got you into singing? And at what age did you start singing?

James how do you feel coming into an already formed band?

 

 

But with instruments for bands costing thousands of pounds.  How many other people will follow the steps of The MBG, and try and accomplish their childhood dreams?

Karenza Wheatley, Channel 21 news, Southend.

INT. The live studio - day

The cameras will then switch back to Karla and Lee at the desk presenting the next lot of stories.

 

KARLA

And if you want to see the rest of the MBG interview then pop over to their Facebook page. (STUDIO)

DOM

The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and the Twilight saga are all highly grossing films which were inspired from the original books. With more film adaptations expected in 2014, novels are taking over the screen.

Not only that, but women are taking more of a centre stage in action films. Swapping their quest for love to saving the world. With the likes of Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games, who is a popular heroine coming out as the big new thing in popular culture.

As well as Jennifer Lawrence, Alfonso Cuaron’s high budget space film Gravity focuses on the female protagonist who is on an adventure. Something which is one of the definitive parts of the film. 
We spoke to the a list actor Tom Hardy, this is what he had to say.
 
(TOM HARDY ANSWER)

LEE

In other news, the controversial Channel 4 show Benefits Street has drawn in many complaints during its weekly episode on a Monday night. The residents of James Turner Street are also angry over the way their road has been represented in the show. 

KARLA

People have taken to Twitter calling the street 'Hell' and 'Scum'. But the residents of the street have a different view saying the street really isn't that bad a place to live and that the show is not showing the full picture of what the street is really like.

LEE

The residents did say though that the second episode was better than the first as it focused more on the Romanians moving into the street. Mark Thomas, one of the shows regulars along with his partner Becky has received abuse on twitter about their life style after they talked about getting £1500 in benefits on episode one.

KARLA

He claimed that the second episode was better than the first and he told everyone it would get better, he also added after the abuse on Twitter he and Becky are just going to get on with their life now.

LEE

Channel 4 is not shy from exposing the lives of people on Benefits after their successfully controversial show Skint similar to Benefits Street was aired earlier in 2013. 

KARLA

Is this saying something about our society and how we view people on benefits?

DOM

Channel 4 has been accused of showing the residents of James Turner Street in a negative light. It was believed they thought the program was going to be about the sense of community in the area and not making them look bad. One resident even said "the programme has now made my family’s life a misery."

KARLA
 
Birmingham City is the welfare capital of England, claiming a 2.7 billion job seekers allowance bill. Roughly working out at £157 a person.



  

Video Insert Script

Video inserts

Music and Dance are one the many things which are inspiring a younger generation. With more street acts over the last two years performing on our streets than we would have ever seen ten years ago.  Our student correspondent Karenza Wheatley tells you more as she speaks to an up and coming indie rock band.

Every parent would love there child to follow there dreams whether it be through a creative arts way or something else, enduring their hobby as a profession.

Britain's Got Talent, The X Factor and The Voice are platforms which young peolple use as a stepping stone to get into the industry. Every high street in the UK will see at least one musician busking their way hoping for their big break.

For Sam, Ben, Laura and James this is exactly what they are hoping for.

This indie band from Essex who formed in August 2013, are mixing strong harmonies from indie original songs to create a distinctive and intense sound, for their upcoming gigs in 2014. With hours of rehearsing a week this local band are aiming high.  The MBG have worked there way through many gigs but is it what they want?

This local band are grabbing every opportunity possible. Having a studio in Sam's house, and working with band members some of which have been playing their instruments for over 10 Years!

The MBG are influenced by artists such as Mumford and sons, Jake Bugg and Fleet Foxes have been performing together for five months.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Is this something you would like to pursue as a career?

How did you form the band?

How did you get into playing the drums? 

What venue would you most like to perform in?

Do you think talent shows are inspiring people to form bands?

Were you inspired by a talent show? Or someone who was once on a talent show? 

How did you come up with your band name?

Ben, what got you into singing? And at what age did you start singing?

James how do you feel coming into an already formed band?

Research types

Criteria 1 - Understand the nature and purpose of Research Techniques

Types of research;

• Books - secondary
• Internet - secondary
• Surveys - primary
• Interviews - primary
• Professional talks - primary
• Films/TV Shows - secondary
• Statistics - secondary (sometimes primary)
• Questionnaires - primary 
• Newspapers - secondary
• Focus groups - primary
• Journals - secondary
• Undercover/Covert observations primary/secondary 

Quantitive research

Quantitive research is mainly statistics for example program ratings, hits on a website and box office figures ect..

Qualitative research

Qualitative research is stuff like game reviews, movie reviews, response to news coverage. So it is stuff thats for article based.  

What information might a researcher need?

A researcher will need primary and secondary research so they can conduct their news report in a way wherein they take in both sides of an opinion and so that the story is unbiased. They will need facts and figures so that the argument/story has enough substance to it so it seems believable and so you invest in it. For our video inserts we need evidence to show that the train prices have gone up, we will do this by charts and statistics. To get qualitative research we will interview the general public so we can get their opinions on the view. 

Why might they conduct research?

Researchers conduct research so they get all the information possible to make the news story interesting, they also need to do research to make sure they get correct information and not false information

What would a research need to consider?

Because this news story is about the train prices that have risen it is probably going to be quite biased because no one is going to be happy about the increase so therefore we will try and talk to a Greater Anglia representative so that we can keep the story unbiased  or we will get a statement. If not possible we will mention that they refused to talk.

The Rise in Train Prices - Video Insert

Primary research

Primary research is research you go out and do yourself, so stuff like interviews and questions you ask people. For out VT we will hopefully get permission to film inside the train station so we can ask regular commutes on the train what they feel about the prices going up, we will also hopefully interview students to see how it affects them. If we don't get permission to film inside the station then we will film people coming out the station and hopefully conduct interviews outside the station


Secondary research

Secondary research is research that someone else has already done, this could be stuff like newspapers, Books and the internet. For our VT we will be reaserching on the internet to see how much the trains have gone up by and see if there is a reason that the prices are rising.

An average 2.8% increase in rail fares comes into effect on Thursday the 2nd of January, pushing the cost of some commuter travel to more than £5,000 a year. The increase is the smallest rise in four years, according to the pan-industry Rail Delivery Group. Many questions are raised about the constant rise.

The purpose of research is to give the audience real and reliable information, there are percific people who are dedicated to do the research for a news show, they work around the clock to get information, they also work with other channels such as BBC and ITV and share information on news stories with each other 

Audience research

audience research is research that is aimed at your target audience, our news show is aimed at 16 - 20 years olds so many will be students, so we have chosen to do a story about the train fairs going up as this affects many students as for many of them the train is a daily travel to get to college, school ect.. 

Market research

The rise in commuters train fares has heavily impacted news corporations such as the BBC. Although the rise in train fare is a yearly thing, it still makes the front head line. The train prices always cause controversy towards the end and the start of the new year. However not many news companies have revisited the rise in train fares, asking the members of the public how the rise in train fare has effected them a month later. 

Although many news articles have touched on where the money goes , and how it is spent.
We similarly will be trying to work out, where all the money goes, and how there using the fare increase to make the train service better. Although we will not be looking at all the different train companies, but will be focusing on one train line, near to the London area. 

On the other hand BBC news worked out the price of different train companies to and from London, Working out how much it will cost a year for the average working class to travel. Sadly we have not worked out the prince in which it takes to travel to London from other train companies, even though our News show is for the whole of the UK. This would have been a good idea to put into our VT and to show, as it allows our audience to compeer there train company pre ices with other train company prices. 

Production research

Below is the floor plan for a news studio where the programming will take place. The show will begin with the presenter in the vision mixing room where he will introduce the show and tell the audience the headlines, while he is talking he will slowly walk out while the camera moves back and follows him, then it will cut to the title intro which will last about 15 seconds to give the presenter time to get to the desk,. Then we will have 2 cameras facing the desk on the reporter. We then will have another presenter next to a tv screen where we will show different VT's and pictures on a tv screen,we will have one camera on him. -
Our production won't cost us to make as all the equipment is being supplied to us by the college. 
We are sticking white paper to the wall to give it more colour so we don't just use the black curtain. 

25 tips on writing a script

1. Clear Setting - That should be locked in the first slug line

2. Describe that setting

3. Introducing Characters - Throw in a couple of vivid details to make the reader picture the character in their head

4. Naming your characters - Make sure each character's name is different, and looks different when writhed down. Give characters a surname. If they've only got a first name, this comes across as an incomplete identity

5. Conflict, Conflict, Conflict - Not only should your screen play be based on a wider conflict of some kind, but each character should also have internal conflicts that they are dealing with.

6. She's Filled With Secrets - Giving your character secrets, whether big or small, enable you to pick away layer and keep your viewer interested along the way

7. Keep it Consistent - Make sure that you keep your characters consistent in both background and behaviour

8. Dialogue stuff : Sentences - People don't speak in complete sentences, nor do all people speak alike.

9. Stay away from the nose - The phrase 'on the nose' refers to dialogue that states too clearly what a character is thinking without filtering it through their personality and agenda.

10. Keep it unpredictable - When Princess Leia tells Han Solo 'i love you' in The Empire Strikes Back, the scene is most memorable for his response ' I know '

11. Keep it varied - Does a character even need to respond verbally to a statement ?

12. First line- The first line your character speaks should sum up an aspect of their personality

13. Language = Life - Make sure your characters dialogue reflects their life experiences

14. Double Hyphen - Has one character stepped on another's line? Cutting them off before they finish speaking ?

15. Fresh Slang - Why not make up your own slang? Using the latest words, phrases and cultural reference will date your script extremely quickly

16.  Mix Dialogue and action  - In life, stuff happens all at once. People don't stop talking because a bus is about to explode the bus explodes whilst they're in mind sentence.

17. Don't tell me what i've seen! - If Debbies' head just exploded, the viewer doesn't need James to tell them

18.  No Place for Closed questions - If you've got a question which leads to a 'yes or no' response  in your dialogue get rid of it.

19. Misunderstandings - Characters should misunderstand and misinterpret each other just as people do in real life. It give you opportunities for conflict and comedy

20. Style stuff: Present tense - Always keep your action descriptions in the present tense.

21. What not include - THe action descriptions in your screenplay should not include - thoughts - hopes - back story - Anything that can't be shown visually. You need to show them through events or dialogue

22. Keep it clear

23. OH MY GOD - Using ALL CAPITALS in your action descriptions signifies something important. It's a way of making the important elements pop when someone read the script

24. Keep it punchy - Break long sentences and keep your descriptions as vivid as you can

25. Write it first, then edit - This script won't be as punchy, exciting and engaging as possible on the first draft - Your mission on the first draft is just to get the thing written - Second, third, fourth and fifth drafts are the opportunity to make your screen everything it can be.


Partially adapted from the material in "500 ways to beat the hollywood script reader" by Jennifer Lerch

The Lead
As the new year comes in once again greater anglia train prices have risen, between London Liverpool street and Southend Victoria have gone up by 3%, this is due to the train fuel prices rising and staff costs rising.

The Body
This is not unfamiliar for regular commuters as they seen this happen every year but it has got to the point where people are starting to get very annoyed and some people even refused to pay and still get on the train. It causes a bigger problem for students who barley find the money to pay for their train tickets but have to because its their only way to get to college/university 

script for a story on my news show

The controversial Channel 4 show Benefits Street has once again drawn in complaints when its second episode was aired on Monday night. Once again the residents of James Turner Street (Benefits Street) are angry over the way their road is represented in the show. People have took to twitter calling the street 'Hell' and 'Scum'. But the residents of the street have a different view saying the street really isn't that bad place to live and that the show is not showing the full picture of what the street is really like. They did say though that the 2nd episode was better than the first as it focused more on the Romanians moving into the street. Mark Thomas, one of the shows regulars along with his partner Becky has received abuse on twitter about their life style after they talked about getting £1,500 in benefits on episode one. He claimed that the 2nd episode was better than the first and he told everyone it would get better, he also added after the abuse on twitter he and Becky are just going to get on with their life now.
Now channel 4 are waiting until next week for episode 3 to be aired and see what reception they get 

Inverted Pyramid - News report