Going Live in 3...2... Crafting the Perfect TV Live Shot By Marti Leitch, Media Relations Coordinator Whether it’s a segment for a local station or a satellite interview for a nationally-televised morning show, to the viewers, live TV is a cake walk. For the TV crew and those who work in media relations, however, there is much more going on behind-the-scenes than you would ever notice from the comfort of your couch. Recently, I had the opportunity to arrange several live shots with a popular Columbus morning reporter, FOX-28‘s Johnny DiLoretto. The focus -- how to make your holiday light display better than your neighbor’s. It sounds pretty simple, but a lot of homework went into this segment well before the 5:30 a.m. crew call. Yes, it’s early, but I know how to keep everyone running on coffee and bagels! Getting great coverage for our clients is something we do every day here at MediaSource. Read on to find out what went into crafting this and the many other live segments we frequently put together: VISUAL ELEMENTS It sounds obvious, but TV reporters want to show or demonstrate something. How many times have you seen a reporter just standing in front of a building. Boring! We do all that we can to present a fun, informative segment to the news media to ensure their viewers won’t click away. TIME AND INFORMATION What’s the most important information that your spokesperson needs to relay and how will they do it? Sometimes this can be harder than you might think. Depending on your topic, the two minutes or so you have on camera can either fly... or crawl. We help clients craft their message to keep it interesting and on time. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION This is key. It’s not just about a good looking backdrop on camera. There are a number of logistical needs that have to be met. As former TV newsies ourselves, we know what the crews need and we deliver. MEDIA TRAIN It can be pretty painful to have a spokesperson appear uncomfortable and unprepared on live television. We media train our clients so they know how a live shot works and what to expect. BE PREPARED Hey, it’s live TV! If there is one thing that my 10 years in TV news taught me, it’s how to roll with the punches. From dead batteries in a microphone to bad weather to viewer feedback -- anything can and will happen. That’s why it helps to have someone who has “been there and done that” on your side. Have you ever been a part of a TV live shot? How did it go? Our most recent live shot - a piece with Fox-28's Johnny DiLoretto about holiday decorating!
Going Live in 3...2... Crafting the Perfect TV Live Shot By Marti Leitch, Media Relations Coordinator Whether it’s a segment for a local station or a satellite interview for a nationally-televised morning show, to the viewers, live TV is a cake walk. For the TV crew and those who work in media relations, however, there is much more going on behind-the-scenes than you would ever notice from the comfort of your couch. Recently, I had the opportunity to arrange several live shots with a popular Columbus morning reporter, FOX-28‘s Johnny DiLoretto. The focus -- how to make your holiday light display better than your neighbor’s. It sounds pretty simple, but a lot of homework went into this segment well before the 5:30 a.m. crew call. Yes, it’s early, but I know how to keep everyone running on coffee and bagels! Getting great coverage for our clients is something we do every day here at MediaSource. Read on to find out what went into crafting this and the many other live segments we frequently put together: VISUAL ELEMENTS It sounds obvious, but TV reporters want to show or demonstrate something. How many times have you seen a reporter just standing in front of a building. Boring! We do all that we can to present a fun, informative segment to the news media to ensure their viewers won’t click away. TIME AND INFORMATION What’s the most important information that your spokesperson needs to relay and how will they do it? Sometimes this can be harder than you might think. Depending on your topic, the two minutes or so you have on camera can either fly... or crawl. We help clients craft their message to keep it interesting and on time. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION This is key. It’s not just about a good looking backdrop on camera. There are a number of logistical needs that have to be met. As former TV newsies ourselves, we know what the crews need and we deliver. MEDIA TRAIN It can be pretty painful to have a spokesperson appear uncomfortable and unprepared on live television. We media train our clients so they know how a live shot works and what to expect. BE PREPARED Hey, it’s live TV! If there is one thing that my 10 years in TV news taught me, it’s how to roll with the punches. From dead batteries in a microphone to bad weather to viewer feedback -- anything can and will happen. That’s why it helps to have someone who has “been there and done that” on your side. Have you ever been a part of a TV live shot? How did it go?
Our most recent live shot - a piece with Fox-28's Johnny DiLoretto about holiday decorating!