Media Codes and Conventions

Contributors
What kind of contributors would you expect too see on a news programme?
• Experts.
• Witnesses.
• Members of the public.
TYPICAL STRUCTURE OF A STORY.
C/A
I/V
C/A
I/V
PTC
C/A
PLANNING
• Planning
• As with any story, you must plan how you want to start your report and how you want to end it. This
will keep your story heading in the right direction, and you won't miss out any important information
in the middle.
• When planning your report, you will need to consider the five Ws. These are:
• What - What is the story? Get the facts right before starting your report.
• Why - Why is the story important to your audience? Which points do you need to focus on to get
their interest?
• Who - Who is involved? Think about who will be able to tell their sides of the story in an interesting
way. Make sure they're available to film when you need them. Remember, if you want to film
anyone under the age of 18, you must get permission from their parent or guardian. If you are
filming at school, in school time, this permission can be given by the head teacher.
• Where - Where is the story happening, and where is the best place to film? If you're shooting
outside of school, you may need to get permission first.
• When - Has the story already happened, or is it about to happen? If there's going to be a
significant event you want to report on, make sure you get there on time!
• By planning each of these points in detail, you'll know exactly what you need to film, where and
when. That way, you won't miss out on anything when you're on location, or waste tape by filming
things you don't need.
FILMING
• Once you have done all your planning, then you can start to film.
• A basic TV news report is made up of five parts:
• Introduction - This is where the reporter starts to explain the story. Don't make it too long, keep it short and snappy.
• First interview - The first person you talk to will give their opinion on what is happening, and how it affects them.
• Second interview - You need to talk to someone with a different opinion, to provide balance.
• Extra shots - These show the audience more about the place and the people in the story. They make the report
more interesting.
• Conclusion - This will be the reporter's sign-off, where they summarise the outcome, or possible outcomes, of the
story.
• Think carefully about where you want to set up each of the shots, using different backgrounds and angles to
keep it interesting for the audience.
• For example, reporters can look straight at the camera when they do their introductions and sign-offs. These are
called "pieces to camera". Interviewees usually stand on one side of the frame looking over to the other side of
the screen. This is because they are looking at the reporter, who stands on one side of the camera, so you can't
see them in the shot.
• Be very careful to check your audio levels too. Wear your headphones! Without good sound you won't be able
to use the video that goes with it.
EQUIPMENT
• Always bring plenty of pens and paper, spare camera batteries and tapes. If
you run out during an interview, you won't be able to finish your story. And if
you've got a tripod, take it with you to keep the shots steady.
CAMERAWORK
• Camerawork refers to how the camera is operated, positioned and moved

for specific effects. Aspects of camerawork include:
• Positioning
• Movement
• Framing
• Exposure
• Lens choice
EDITING
• Editing is the process of choosing, manipulating and arranging images and

sound. Editing is generally done for four different reasons:
• Graphic edits
• Rhythmic edits
• Spatial edits
• Temporal edits
AUDIO
• Audio is the expressive or naturalistic use of sound. Audio can be diegetic or
non diegetic. The three aspects of audio are:
• dialogue
• sound effects
• music
LIGHTING
• Lighting is the key in news reports, the news room is always bright and clear
so viewers can see the reporter . Elements of lighting include:
• Quality
• Direction
• Source
• Colour

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Contributors

• Camerawork refers to how the camera is operated, positioned and moved

• Editing is the process of choosing, manipulating and arranging images and

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