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1. Codes and Conventions of TV News Sets and Location
Analysis

2. Studio:

3. BBC Midlands Today Studio Setting:
Nick Owen, the BBC Midland’s main presenter, presents the news in smart attire, with good posture standing
up. The smart attire depicts Nick as a trustworthy person and makes him seem professional. A bug is also seen
during his presenting and the top left.
The background is made up of large monitors that are constantly playing an animation on loop of the news room
functioning with people working hard, many screens featuring different events around the country etc. This
portrays seriousness and therefore establishes the broadcast as a serious presentation of news. Also, a screen
may be used in order to show the logo/ident in order to reinforce the news broadcast identity.
The presenter is standing at the start giving a short intro of the upcoming headlines with clear sophisticated
diction. An aston is present during the presenters screen time which shows his name on the near bottom of the
screen. This is done so that he is able to almost “lure” the audience and set up a brief connection/relationship
with the audience. This is reinforced by using a mid-shot. Also a rule of thirds is used which shows the
presenter being on the 1st third. This is used in order to focus the audiences eyes on the presenter.
During the intro, the presenter in the studio will narrate over filler shots that will appear on the screen about
recent headlines with the background non-diegetic music rolling in sync with the unfolding images faintly until
the title sequence is played. During the title sequence the music increases in volume and is more upbeat.

4. On Location:

5. During most broadcasts, the presenter will pass the screen time to the on location
reporter, usually by announcing “now over to my colleague, [insert name]” after
the headline/story has been briefly introduced by the presenter in the studio.
When a reporter is giving the piece to the camera (PTC) he is outside the broadcast
(OB) and will be looking straight into the audiences eyes by looking directly into the
camera lens when reporting. By being formal and reporting what unfolded at the
location, the story is given importance and attention from the audience. Also, An
aston is carried forward with the reporters name.
The setting behind the reporter would usually have a link to the current story being
reported for example, if the story was about drag racing on the streets, the
reporter would be stood on the pavement with traffic behind him. There is a link to
the official website on the name super/aston which is convenient for people who
just turned on their TV’s skipping the headlines/stories as they can read up on
what they have missed on the go on their mobile device.
Reporting On Location;

6. Vox Pops

7. In Vox pops, the person being asked the question is the only on in the shots
usually, and the question asked is cut off, only the response if used in the end
product to prevent being repetitive.
An aston is not used all the time as the people being interviewed are not
significant enough to be named on TV News, there is no relevance. An aston is
usually used if an important/relevant person is present on screen in order to
give them identity, if it’s just some local on the street then their identity is kept
secret for protection.
The bug is still carried forward, the Vox pops are mainly 7-12 seconds long in
some cases shorter and most are used in between graphics on the screen and
narration. In some cases, a Breaking News banner may be put over the person
being interviewed.

8. Statistics/Facts/Quotes
Statistics are usually laid out In front of the viewer, whilst the story is being narrated, and with a
moving or still image background. In some cases, the text appears as the narrator dictates the report
and is usually animated to make the news understandable and to present the news smoothly.
Statistics, facts and quotes are mainly used to begin and explain a topic or further support a
statement made by the news on a certain event. They also usually appear after a couple of filler
shots to ease the transition from presenting to narration.

9. Interviews
Interviews include the aston carried on along with the ticker, banner and bug. The
interview lasts around 15-20 secs, in some cases more depending on the case/story
that is being reported. It is possible for the interview to be paused with filler shots
and narration to follow in order to explain certain bits of information. The interview
is then reinstated by cutting back to the interview from the filler shots. In an
interview as opposed to a Vox pop, a two-shot is usually used rather than an over the
shoulder mid-shot. In some cases, a two-way conference call is presented with both
the presenter and interviewee being in two different locations. This shown by a split
screen. The rule of thirds is used as the presenter is on the left, and the interviewee
in on the right rather than in the middle. This helps the audience focus on both
points of interest and catches their attention.