How to Submit Stories and Scripts
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Story Submission Form Spring 2018.docx Size : 84.582 Kb Type : docx |
NewsTeam packages must be original and the story ideas must be approved before you start production. We will not accept work if your package falls under the following conditions:
- Finished packages must be work solely produced for NewsTeam, not produced originally as assignments in other classes, extracurricular and/or other media outlets (such as CU Buff Sports Live, CU Independent, internships, etc.);
- Finished packages that didn't come with a story submission or a script first;
- Packages that do not meet professional broadcast standards, such as poor photography, bad audio or bad editing.
- Packages that tell the story poorly, don't engage the audience, neglect using a character to illustrate the topic, list facts only without weaving them into a narrative, or if the story becomes a video brochure that promotes a company rather than explains an issue.
The story submission process gives your instructors the chance to review your ideas and to know that you've already done your research and have a firm understanding of the story. We can then provide you with recommendations that we believe will improve upon your idea. We're also willing to discuss your ideas well ahead of your submission deadline, but you're still required to fill out the story submission form.
Also, don't ask us for story ideas. On occasion, we'll send the class press releases that might lead to stories, but you need to come up with your own ideas and develop them into stories. We can, at least, help you develop your ideas.
Click to learn more about Generating Story Ideas.
Take Criticism Without Taking it Personally
We endeavour to provide you with constructive criticism. But if we don't like your idea or the direction you're taking it, we won't hold back. Just because we might react critically doesn't mean we think you're a bad person. In this profession, it helps to have a thick skin, but try not to let yourself get discouraged. No matter what you do there's always room to improve. Although criticism can be difficult to take, you will definitely want to look at how our opinions (or even those from your classmates) can lead to success and personal growth.
Story Submission Form - News and Sports stories
Use the Story Submission form to submit your Feature (Beat Reporting) and News/Sports Package story ideas (you don't need to use the form for Same-Day, VOSOT or other stories).
Deadlines
- Feature Story submissions are due two weeks before broadcast
- News Package story submissions are due one-week before broadcast. Mark your calendars
(Story ideas will not be accepted if they are submitted without using the story submission form)
(A completed package will automatically be rejected for air, even if the story is good, if it was done without submitting a story submission or script)
Story ideas must be developed into a viable story, complete with a focus (based on research) and some sense of narrative structure or story map. We strongly encourage you to phone possible sources or experts to discuss your ideas and possible angles to determine the focus before you fill out the story submission form. Do your research and know your subject.
Click to learn more about the Focus.
Fill out the story submission form only after you've done your research and contacted sources. Then submit it, making sure to email it to both your instructors as an attachment with the following file name: [Your Last Name_Slug_StorySubmission].
You cannot edit your package without script approval.
By 'approval' we mean once we've had a chance to look over the script and give you feedback. It makes no sense to edit your package and then re-edit if we need you to make dramatic and vital changes. We want to help you produce stories that will ultimately impress a prospective employer, but the stories must also represent the standards of NewsTeam.
Deadlines:
- Feature Story script submissions are due one-week before air. Mark your calendars.
- News/Sports Package script submissions are due 2-days before the newscast. Mark your calendars.
- Use standard 2-column script format (you can create a 2-column, 1 row table in a Word document)
- Your name and slug at the top
- Anchor intro and tag (may be optional) included with the script
- Fully transcribed SOTS (partial transcriptions will not be accepted)
- SOT name and title (so we know who's talking)
- Include brief descriptions of the video in the video column (we need to know if you're writing to the visuals - and it helps us come up with other ideas that could then match your video)