Story Visioning
PRODUCTION QUESTIONS
How long is the story?
You must define the story length to know there will be an appropriate place for it in your program (where do you put a 7 minute feature in Morning Edition?). Also, story length helps determine how many interviews the reporter must do, how many "scenes" he/she must record, etc.
Where should I interview my sources?
The reporter will ask/answer this question for each person he/she plans to interview. Does the location match the person (i.e. interview a scientist in his lab)? This also gives the reporter a chance to think about what equipment he/she might need (i.e. shotgun mic, longer mic cord).
What ambient sound is necessary to help set the scene?
Ask questions that will help the reporter brainstorm the nat sound opportunities and focus in on specifics. If a reporter is covering a story based at an elementary school, don't let him/her get away with saying they'll get "lots of sound of kids". Ask probing questions like;
- Where will you get that sound?
- What kinds of sounds are you specifically looking for?
- What kinds of problems will you have to be on the lookout for?
