I had just been in the business a year when my station (KXTV-Sacramento) went from film to tape overnight (March of 1976). We joked about how long would it take before newsrooms were doing live shots just for the sake of live shots. Live shots no longer have meaning – reporters attempt to give a sense of urgency but no one is buying that anymore. Randy is right – it’s all old news by the time it goes live. The live truck is just another production tool – another set, another camera.

Part of the reason is technology – get enough cameras into the hands of enough staff members and you can get more coverage…and if it is kept simple, then minimal editing is required.

Wayne – you are so right that people appreciate a good package. I went online to my local newspaper video site and remembered why I never watch their videos. Beautifully shot stagnant and boring. Even when they add in interviews the goal seems to be to run just video and interviews and no explanation.

Package – a narrative form of visual storytelling which includes use of reporter voice, interviews, natural sound to create a final product that is more than the individual parts – a gestalt. A good package is poetry, weaving words and sound and images into a tightly woven fabric that draws the audience in and leaves them with a sense of completion.

The news business is, and always will be, about personalities and the stories they tell. Viewers enjoy getting to know the reporters, and, over time, know which ones will deliver the best stories. News is about reputation, and that’s built over time with quality storytelling, not 20 second flashes of meaningless filler.

In 20 years on the street I never heard a viewer say, “Hey, I like your news. You have a high story count.” I’ve never heard a News Director say, “Hey, let’s hire her. She can’t write or knock out a package but she’s hell on wheels if we put her on v/o patrol.”

But yes, let’s keep feeding viewers the endless video wallpaper of car wrecks, fires, convenience store tapes and other stories that don’t affect the viewer. Let’s keep doing live shots at eleven o’clock in front of municipal buildings that have been closed for six hours. Let’s keep recapping the same story at 4, 5, 6, and 11 and basically tell the viewer we can’t dig up anything else. Let’s tie up our reporters with this stuff so they can’t actually work a story.

Is it any reason local news is no longer appointment television for viewers?

Sorry for the rant. I feel better now.

is there much difference between that and a VOSOT?

But at its best, a package is a Story with a capital S. It stands out from the spot-news headlines, distinguishes your station from your competitors and makes you stop, look and listen.

A finely-honed package on a resume DVD can reveal writing skill, the ability to handle complex information, observational skills, raw curiosity and even a sense of humor.

Strong package-writing relies more on natural gifts. I see tapes where candidates impress in the live shot but not in their packages. It makes me wonder about their ability to organize information.

Does anyone give out awards for “Best Live Shot With VO”?

It’s another twist on the franchising of America. Years ago, a person could drive from coast to coast, stop in restaurants, and taste the regions. Now, it’s one Burger King or Big Mac or Denny’s Grand Slam after another. Same with television news.

Fifteen years ago, I remember looking at the :25 second reports in radio news, and predicting a similar form molting into television as resources and audiences dwindle. We’re getting there. It’s about money, and serving perceived short public attention spans with story counts.

Not that the package is dead. Nor should it be. Television news does a fine job with immediacy, but I honestly believe the public will rally to well-told, thoughtful pieces, as well. For proof, look to NPR radio any morning or evening.

There is a market. Always has been. No form tells television news better than the traditional package. Fight for it.