WHAT IS THE PACKAGE?

A three- to four- to five-minute (five at very most) recorded piece for broadcast. It consists of (1) clips of interviews, (2) linked by a commentary (voiced script), and nearly always includes (3) location-recorded actuality (wildtrack) and (4) music.

It might include a (5) vox pop and (6) montage.

There are about four different templates, and the creative styles differ, as also the differing protocols of news programmes, magazines, entertainment, etc.

 

package:

a longer and more detailed form of a wrap, in which a reporter packages together links, extracts from interview material, and possibly music and actuality, in a recorded form to tell a story. Successful packages are succinct, focused and creatively produced

wrap:

a scripted voice report which also includes one or two clips of illustrative audio

See Jim Beaman, Interviewing for Radio, 2000, London: Routledge

SPEED PACKAGE

Also called a wrap (see above).

 

Speed Packaging:

The concept is using short-cuts to make packages in situ, minimising editing and mixing.

Short-cuts include:

* plan in detail in advance what the package is going to consist of, how it will be scripted, the 'story' that you're telling, the clips you're going to use

* Record all the material in the order you want to use it
* record your links in situ rather than in studio
* keep interviews with contributors very brief and to the point, to minimise editing
* The package could be recorded 'as live', to give it the appearance of an illustrated two-way - ie presenter in studio handing over to a reporter at an outside location who interviews one or more guests, and hands back to the studio. If this is the case, it needs to include a Standard Out Cue (eg "this is Harry Palmer at London Zoo for BBC London 94.9")

Other package-making tips:

The ingredients:

Discs (& commercial sfx)
Interviews
Wildtrack
Reporter links
On the site links
Readings (poetry, plays, quotes)
Drama
Sound archive
Vox pop
Actuality
Commentary
Spot fx
Live music
Film soundtrack (beware of copyright)
Mood/library/production music
Discussion
Electronic sounds
Debate
Phone
Silence

Package Production Tips

Get all the sounds you need

Think - actuality; action; atmosphere

Use the mic as a zoom

Get stand alone answers

Ask contributors to self-introduce

Direct contributors

Re-ask questions or get repeat answers

Think about clips for wraps at the same time

Story Treatments

 

Who

The expert; the person affected; participants; academics; spokesperson; media journalist; manager; eyewitness; spokesperson; reporter

Where

Studio; OB; outside studio; down the line; phone; ISDN; radio car; SCOOB

How

Copy; interview; discussion; two-way; commentary; voice-piece; wrap; vox pop; packge; drama; phone in

Naming the parts

Copy
The Voice Piece
Reporter Two-way
The interview
The clip
The wrap
The package
The cue
The teaser
Actuality
Wild track
SOC (standard out cue)

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