ADDING SUBSTANCE TO NAT SOUND STORIES

Sometimes stories are better told by letting them speak for themselves. A nat sound package can be a refreshing alternative to the traditional reporter-narrated package. But too often, nat sound pieces are virtually substance-free. How can you add substantive information to these types of stories so they're more valuable to viewers?

NewsLab has been experimenting with a technique that will be familiar to anyone who has ever watched music videos on VH-1: "pop-up" graphics.

Compare two versions of a story on the re-opening of the Washington Monument and let us know what you think. If you decide to try this approach in a newscast, we'd be delighted if you would send us a tape! One station did; take a look at "Pop-Up Idaho."

Why Use Pop-Ups?

• Pop-up graphics can add substantive information to a story without the need for an on-camera reporter.
  
  
• Pop-ups can be designed with desk-top software (we used Adobe PhotoShop and imported them into our Avid editor), so they don't have to tie up the graphics department.
  
  
• Viewers, especially younger viewers, are familiar with the technique from non-news programming and will be comfortable with it.

How to Use Pop-Ups

• Pop-ups must be clear and legible. Choose an appropriate font color, style and size, and keep them consistent in all pop-ups.
  
  
• Keep pop-ups on screen long enough so viewers can read every word, slowly.
  
  
• Maintain the same format for pop-ups throughout the piece. This could be a Q-and-A style, as in NewsLab's experimental piece, or any other approach that fits the information you are trying to convey.
  
  
• Avoid shot changes while pop-up graphics are on the screen, so viewers are not distracted by the background video and can absorb the graphic information.
  
• Do not use pop-up graphics over sound-on-tape, which would compete for the viewer's attention. Instead, keep the nat sound under pop-ups very low. This can have the same effect as silence: it draws the viewer's attention to the screen so he or she will be sure to see the pop-up information.
  
  
• Pre-research your story so you know what information you'll convey in pop-ups. That way, you can shoot video to match.
  
  
• Frame shots with pop-ups in mind. Leave enough room above, below, or beside the action to insert a graphic.
  
  
• Vary the positioning of pop-ups on screen to create some surprise and to engage the viewer.