1. Briefly describe the following terms
Depth of field:
Depth of field is the range of distance within the subject that is acceptably sharp. The depth of field varies depending on camera type, aperture, and focusing distance.
The depth of field does not abruptly change from sharp to unsharp, but instead occurs as a gradual transition.
Eg- When in a movie an actor is shown standing on the stage with crowd in the
background and crowd is not clear. This is called as Depth of field when certain things in an
area are sharp and other things are not.
Aperture:
Aperture is referred to an opening of the camera lens. It controls the amount of light to be entered in the camera, resulting in the formation of image. The image formation can take place either on film, or Charge Couple Device (CCD).
It is controlled by a Diaphragm calibrated in f- numbers.
Colour Balance:
Colour balance relates to the lighting under which a colour film is designed to record subject colours accurately. Typically expressed as daylight balance (5500K) or tungsten light balance (3200K).
Filters:
Filter of a camera is an optical device to remove or absorb selected wavelengths or a proportion of all wavelengths.
Filters are responsible for contrast, sharpness, highlight flare, colour, and light intensity, either individually, or in various combinations.
Composition:
Composition is the arrangement of subject, object or the things in the frame. It is basically a visual process of organising the components of the scene in a pleasing arrangement.
The five elements of Composition are: - pattern, symmetry, texture, Depth of field and lines.
2. What is the difference between a cut, dissolve and fade?
Cut, dissolve and fade are different types of transition used for video editing. These different types of transition are also instrumental in setting up the moods of the audiences.
Cut:
It is the simplest kind of transition used in the editing. Here the second scene starts immediately after the end of the previous scene. It is very quick and sharp.
Dissolve:
Dissolve is a kind of transition where one scene overlaps another scene. And then slowly the first scene dissolves into the next scene. In the process of dissolving the first scene starts dying and the second scene grows slowly. It is soft in comparison to the cut.
Fade:
In fade to the image slowly vanishes to reveal the next shot. In FADE, one frame freezes while the next frame seems to grow out of the centre of the screen.
3. Describe the history of News Gathering on television with special Reference to India?
Television in India was introduced in 1959. Television broadcasts started from Delhi in September 1959 as part of All India Radio's services. Only an hour twice a week was allotted for the programmes to be broadcast.
At this point of time television and radio were considered as the boon in facilitating the developmental process. Later in 1982, TV began with national coverage and as a result, Doordarshan was started. With the emergence of Doordarshan the earlier aim of television which was social and economic development, got diluted.
As a result of privatisation and the liberalisation of the economy in 1991 the Indian broadcasting encountered a transformation. The first International satellite television was introduced in India by CNN through its coverage of the Gulf War in 1991.
This brought competition in news removing the monopoly of Doordarshan, however even till now the TV broadcasting was under Government’s monopoly. The government's monopoly was challenged in the Indian Supreme Court in 1995 after which the Government can now only regulate the Broadcasting.
4. If you were given an assignment to shoot a News story, what are the things and order you would follow till the story goes on air as a reporter?
Pre-production: -
Research:-
Research is an integral part of any news story. Research provides credibility and authenticity to the story. A well researched story speaks for itself. Research also helps in overcoming anticipated problems.
Fixing dates/appointments: -
Fixing dates and appointments beforehand helps in preparing the questions to be asked. But a backup is also a must in case the person with whom the appointment was fixed did not turn up.
Storyboard: -
A rough storyboard of the assignment should be decided in this stage itself.
Production/shooting: -
The reporter must reach the site before time to get the best place for the shooting. This also provides ample of time to the reporter for the camera/mic check, sound checks etc.
The reporter must ensure that the shot is taken in sequence in order to avoid the work at the editing table. The reporter must also ensure that he/she get the best possible shots for the story. The duration of shoot should not exceed thrice the duration of the package planned. And the reporter should immediately dump the recorded material.
Post-production:-
The reporter should sit on the editing table to keep a check on the editing process and make sure that nothing important or relevant is being discarded from the story. The reporter must see the final package himself/herself before it goes on air.
In case of breaking news apart from these the reporter should also concentrate on reaching the office soon.
5. Briefly describe the different departments in the news-room and their functioning?
There are primarily four departments in a newsroom-
a) Assignment desk:
Assignment desk is responsible for distributing the assignments to the reporters.
b) Programming department:
Programming department decides the program slots, features ides and assignments.
c) Input department/Production Control Room:
Here reporters submit their raw products after the shoot. And then the product gets edited in the PCR. The PCR produces the final version of the story which is also supposed to be seen by the reporter first.
d) Output department/ Master control room:
The MCR is responsible for putting the package on air. . The final cut which reaches the MCR has to be carefully checked before the broadcast, though some editing is possible in the MCR.
6)What are the things that should be kept in mind before writing a TV script?
1) Script must support the visual but should not repeat it.
2) Grammar must be checked.
3) Phrases like, “What you are seeing here...” should be avoided.
4) Every page of the script should have a slug for identification. The slugs should include a brief description of story along with title and date. This allows the anchor or the reporter to easily locate the story.
5) Attribution should be used to have credibility.
6) Active voice should be used
7) The script should have short and concise sentences for easy comprehension for the anchor.
8) Conversational style should be used for writing, it helps the audience in getting involved.
9) Difficult word must be avoided. If such words are necessary then proper
explanation of the word must be given.
10) Ideal bites of 10 to 20 seconds must be used.
11) It must be looked in that all the sides of the story are covered in the script. The story must not be biased.
7. Briefly describe the art of anchoring to be followed for any TV programme?
Anchoring requires skills and intelligence and not merely reading out the story. The following points should be kept in mind for an anchor to deliver a good TV programme:
To get as much variety as possible, one must listen to news anchors from different news
channel. Overall, balance in authority, personality, and warmth makes a good anchor.
1. The anchor should not be biased
2. They should follow the ethics of journalism.
3. They should not mingle their own opinion in the story.
4. They should try to provide complete and authentic information.
5. The anchor must have greatest sence of responsibilities.
6. They must exercise care.
7. They must try to find all sides to a story.
9. They must not influence by fear or favour.
10. An Anchor must be spontaneous.
11. They must have a clear knowledge of subject.
12. They must have a good presentation.
13. They must have good language proficiency.
