What's your rule? Do you use generic b-roll in news topicals? What about sweeps promos -- are they different?
Here's the convo from the TVSpy Watercooler:
| EDitor in NJ I hate this new convention of using stock/stagged b-roll footage for insertion into NEWS promos. Examples: You'll see it all the time=----When the dramatic voice-over promos...talk about ,say, a drug bust and you see a montage of piles of coke or pot (not the actual stuff confiscated)....or stuff like..."There have been more arrests tonight in blah, blah blah' and you see quick shots of handcuffs or a jail cell door slam shut-----this is cheap, dramatization---===not ===NEWS FOOTAGE. This is dishonest and unethical. Only actual news footage should be used in promos IMO....actors portraying criminals or prostitutes or stock footage of jail cell doors slamming shut--- we gotta outlaw it. |
Examples: You'll see it all the time=----When the dramatic voice-over promos...talk about ,say, a drug bust and you see a montage of piles of coke or pot (not the actual stuff confiscated)....or stuff like..."There have been more arrests tonight in blah, blah blah' and you see quick shots of handcuffs or a jail cell door slam shut-----this is cheap, dramatization---===not ===NEWS FOOTAGE.
This is dishonest and unethical.
Only actual news footage should be used in promos IMO....actors portraying criminals or prostitutes or stock footage of jail cell doors slamming shut--- we gotta outlaw it.
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orthicon not sure we can OUTLAW anything that way..
how do you propose to tell all the cost-cutting news directors and station managers that they can no longer use stock video?
what penalties do you envision for breaking that prohibition?
mostly, how do you plan to enforce it in the first place?
curious minds want to know...
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justaskin'
| Ed is correct. It is not news. So, a different question: Are "promos" news or are they "commercials"? Next subject: is it okay to use ANY stock video EVER? Classic use of stock video: money being printed to talk about federal budget deficit. Is this OK? We're all going to say, yes it is. Next question: shots of police cars at a crime scene from a YEAR AGO used to discuss this week's murder stats. Is this OK? | ||
5 comments:
Promos are commercials. Ask viewers what a promo is. Most of them don't pay enough attention to even consider that there's a difference.
We rarely use stock or staged footage, but I'm not opposed to it. To me, it's the concept and execution.
And does that poster recognize that news producers use stock/file footage almost daily? Enjoy the view up on that high horse.
I always find it hilarious when the cop-chasing, death-pouncing, over-hyping tv news departments turn all "capital J" on promo producers as if we're the reason TV news is where it is. Personally, I'd much rather position us as like an NPR / journalistic integrity product, but that's just an outright lie. :-)
Yes, promos are commercials but they should reflect the news product and its values (for consistency).
Anyway, here's my rule:
I never re-use crime / negative situations as b-roll for different stories. My view is that the families and people involved will recognize it and don't need to relive it.
We do stage stuff, but mostly as elements for certain franchises or video we can put text on. It's usually generic, but looks better than nothing. I like anchor on camera, but not for the entire 15-30 seconds. If news doesn't have video, then I need to make it.
In regards to actors, I usually avoid that because of budget constraints or the fact that we're in the midwest where acting isn't as big a strength (or maybe my directing, haha).
To 'justaskin' in that original thread, I would say show the stats in a graphic when discussing murder stats, not a year old crime scene. If you have to have video, show a close up of police tape and lights with nothing else recognizable.
My take...
(1) concept comes first, then execution
if the stock footage helps support the concept, furthers the story and maintains the identity of the product/show/channel that it's promoting then it works. So many times you see designers, producers create a spot starting with the image/footage then building the concept around it. That's when it isn't as successful.
(2) Nature of the tv news business is what it is. Budgets and staff are low. Sometimes it's one guy/gal in a edit suite with 30 minutes and that's it. Even ad agencies will utilize stock imagery where it suits the creative and budget restrictions. It's just what it is.
(3) If someone is building a promo about a drug bust and using stock footage of drugs, then it's just not a good promo or a good story for that matter. You can't force people to get it. It's like saying you should outlaw spandex pants because people don't know that they shouldn't be wearing them... you've got to know when it looks good and is appropriate. Obviously some people don't.
It's your job as the creative to get them to see the value in doing something different. Ok off the soapbox...
The one point that's been undersold is if your news department doesn't have ANY footage or they don't have the resources to have the report shot/done in any timely manner, then aren't you pretty much limiting the chances of success in truly making a viewer/story connection? Does promoting sweeps stories done last second or very quickly create 'anti-promotion' regardless if it is a polished spot or basic execution?
First, every sweeps story is going to be done last second and quickly. It doesn't matter what market you work in. Some shops have Special projects pros on it a month out, but at the end of the day... plan and assume the video is unavailable or unusable. Second, these should be the spots you get to flex your creative. It could be all type with just sound and some killer music... or you could take this opportunity to pick up one of the many tv cameras lying around your station and do something off the cuff and memorable. But for your own self respect... and for the love of pete... please do not use stock footage!
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