Katie Coen

Sharing an intriguing and educational visual story take a lot of steps. One must find an idea, plan, set up interviews, film, write a script, and edit. This week, I began the process of producing a news package about antisemitic graffiti found on Quinnipiac University’s campus.

Reading & Writing

Chapter 7 of “The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video” by Tom Schroeppel is all about lighting. Schroeppel starts by explaining exterior lighting, or lighting while filming outside. The sun is not always a reliant option for light because it is always moving. Lights can be used to combat this but reflectors or fill lights are generally used to get rid of any shadows.

When filming inside, there are three different types of lights that can be used. Focus quartz lights are the most common. A lever controls the intensity and pattern it presents, but that pattern is not always smooth. Diffusing material or reflectors help make the light look more realistic. Broads are lights that cover a wide range of space. They just turn on and off and can be placed without being directed at a specific subject. Soft lights are portable lights that have a curved scoop where the light bounces off and towards the subject. They are sometimes the most convenient and you can control exactly where the light is going.

To set up lighting, one main light is placed on the side of the camera. A fill light is on the opposite side of the subject and a backlight falls on the subject’s head and shoulders from behind.

Chapter 9 is about shooting a sequence. It’s the part where you take your ideas out of your head and watch them play out. Before shooting, Schroeppel says it is important to decide what you want and make a shooting plan. When it’s time to film, a slate, or something that labels the shots, can be used to help organize and will eventually help when editing. A shooting script lists out exactly what you are going to shoot and how you are going to do it. Storyboards can help visualize this. When shooting, it can sometimes be faster to go out of order. It is important to communicate and understand that things may have to change in uncontrolled situations. 

Research to Inform

For inspiration before starting my news package, I found some others that do a good job of telling a story.

Hartford Development Package

This package about business development in Hartford, CT is very well produced. The reporter takes the audience through a story, giving news about businesses coming to a city through real people. This makes a viewer feel connected to the story. The visuals are also intriguing and there are a variety of unique camera shots used.

Charity Work Package

This is a heartfelt package about a Harvard student who started her own organization that donates to cancer. It tells her incredible story of how she started then features a high school community who had jumped in to help. The way the reporter ties the emotional interviews into her script makes the audience feel connected and like they want to help. In addition, it is clear multiple cameras were used to get the best angles and shots for interviews, which makes this look like a highly produced, professional piece.

Antisemitism at Quinnipiac University Package

Since I have a lot of experience working in journalism, I decided to make a news package for this project. There have been two incidents of antisemitism at QU in the past month and this package will explain what has been happening and the impact it has on the community.