NewsVision Lab National/Local News Newscast Assignment

Name: Tia Humphries

NewsVision Lab National/Local News Newscast Assignment

Watch two 30-minute newscasts (you may watch an hour if you like) – a National newscast (preferable ABC, NBC, CBS for evening news or any network/cable during the morning) AND a local newscast.

1) NATIONAL

1. Title of Newscast: NBC Nightly News with Kate Snow

2. Time of Newscast: Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

3. Channel:(or provide Link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlZV4z2ONQs

4. Anchors (including weather and sports): Kate Snow

5. Anchors’ attire: Kate Snow is wearing a modest business dress. She is also wearing subtle accessories to compliment her look without creating a distraction to the viewers.

6. Where are microphones on anchors?Reporters? Kate Snow’s microphone is located on the collar of her dress. Stephanie Ruhle’s mic is located on the lapel of her blazer during her package and is on the edge of her coat in her stand-up. Erin McLaughlin’s microphone is centered in the middle of her coat, away from her hands. Janis Mackey Frayer’s mic Is also placed on the edge of her coat and out of reach of her hands. Hans Nichol’s microphone is located on his tie. The location of the microphone varies on the attire of the reporter and anchor.

7. Describe the flow of the newscast: (serious, straight forward, upbeat, etc)

The NBC Nightly News Broadcast is straightforward with the news. The newscast began with politics and shifted towards global and serious issues. Towards the end of the broadcast the flow changes to upbeat and leaves viewers on a positive note.

8. What are your thoughts overall after watching?

After watching the national broadcast, I appreciate the intimacy of local news. I believe Kate Snow was briefly on the screen between stories and rarely provided input. As a solo anchor the newscast also lacked dialogue. The flow was extremely serious and straight to the point. However, I like how each package had a live shot outside the studio and around the world.

2) Next, discuss the following:

What were the first 5 stories in the first “block” of the newscast (before the first commercial break)

Democrats Ramp Up Attacks With First Primary 2 Days Away

Gunman Ambushes Policemen in ‘Assassination’ Attempts

Coronavirus Now Deadlier Than SARS Outbreak

Passengers Aboard Quarantined Ship Released

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan Identified

What were the first 5 stories in the 2ndblock of the newscast

Police Criticized After Mall Massacre Kills 29

Hard Landing Of Boeing 737 In Russia

Place Breaks Record Flying From New York To London

Controversial New Crime-Fighting Surveillance Technology

Companies Offering Support After Pregnancy Loss

Where there reporter packages? Live shots? VOSOTS? What words were used on the “lower third” fonts for those being interviewed

There were ten reporter packages in the newscast. Each package ended with a live shot of the reporter who covered that particular package. The only VOSOT was the tease and towards the end when. Kate Snow began standing instead of sitting at the anchor desk. The lower thirds included the interviewee’s name and relation to the story. For exa,

What did reporters say in their outcues?

Most of the reporters ended their packages with developing information to influence viewers to check to see what happens next.

1) LOCAL

1. Title of Newscast: Fox 5 DC

2. Time of Newscast: Monday, February 10, 2020 at 11:00 p.m.

3. Channel: (or provide Link) Channel 5

4. Anchors (including weather and sports): The anchors for Fox 5 newscast are Sara Simmons and Shawn Yancy. Sue Palka served as the weatherwoman for this newscast.

5. Anchors’ attire: Sara Simmons is wearing a navy dress that is modest yet flattering. Her hair is straight and simple. Shawn Yancy has on a black turtleneck and black pants. I was surprised by how causal her appearance was.

6. Where are microphones on anchors? Reporters? Josh Rosen’s microphone is located on the edge of his jacket away from his hands. Evan Lamb’s microphone is placed on his collar.

7. Describe the flow of the newscast: (serious, straight forward, upbeat, etc.) The newscast begins with an ongoing murder investigation of a shooting. The anchors remain upbeat despite the sequence of stories.

8. What are your thoughts overall after watching?

Overall, I like the flow of local news more than national. News is more compelling and interesting when two anchors are present and can carry the flow of the newscast through bantering and dialogue. I don’t like how many VOSOTs there were because I grew tired of seeing the dame faces.

2) Next, discuss the following:

What were the first 5 stories in the first “block” of the newscast (before the first commercial break)

Shooting of young adult on 3rdSt in Washington, D.C.

Corona Virus- Mother mourns local teenager passes away from the flu

Five-year-old boy in Maryland dies from flu (VOSOT)

Corona Virus is spreading (VOSOT)

Baby murder under investigation (VOSOT)

Several school threats of 2020 found false

Nazi flag controversy reaction VOSOT

Marijuana decriminalization in Virginia VOSOT

What were the first 5 stories in the 2ndblock of the newscast

President unveils budget plan VOSOT

Memorial for helicopter crash victims

Colorful Cathedral VOSOT

Statues of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas VOSOT

Redskins hires first African American female assistant. VOSOT

Equifax breach VOSOT

Where there reporter packages? Live shots? VOSOTS? What words were used on the “lower third” fonts for those being interviewed

There were more VOSOTs than there were packages in this newscast. The anchors alternated between VOSOTs. The reporters concluded their packages in a live shot.

The lower thirds throughout the newscast included the name and background information of the interviewee. The lower thirds also flashed the title of the story and would change as the story developed.

What did reporters say in their outcues?

The reporters provide developing information and summarize the current state of the topics covered in their package.