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Episode notes

2022.05.13 – 0498 – TV Two-ways

 

VOICE BOX

TV Two-ways


A two-way is when a studio presenter on radio or t,v interviews a reporter colleague (usually one who is on location, but maybe in the studio) about a story. The reporter:

·        Is not working to a script

·        Has to sound fluent and confident

·        Must get over the main points in a succinct and accurate way

·        Should be able to cope with any question asked of them from the host

·        Can react to anything that happens while they are on air.

·        Must be prepared to go ‘open ended’ – that is to talk to a certain duration (say 30 seconds or a minute) with the possibility that they are cut short (a minutes’ worth of material now has to be cut down to 15 seconds), or go long (stretching that 30 seconds prepped work to 90 seconds), or ‘go open ended’ when the anchor and reporter will talk to fill the available time until, say the start of a live news conference or the President arrives, or the verdict is announced.


Much of this is easier for radio reporters as they are not on screen and so can refer to notes rather than having to reply on their wits and their memory, but it can be quite daunting.


Very often the questions and answers can be scripted – and sound as though they are: stilted, awkward and obviously written and read to a format.


And yet they should be:

·        Conversational

·        Have a clear structure and ‘journey’ – perhaps with background, what the latest is, what it means to people with examples or case studies, reaction, what happens next



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