How many newsrooms ran sound from David Letterman admitting he had sex with women on his staff? Letterman’s on-air admission provided a ton of great soundbites. Some really memorable sound! But most soundbites I see on local television newscasts are pretty standard fare.
When selecting soundbites, remember that the best sound expresses an emotion as compared to simply stating facts. Emotion is sadness, happiness, anger, frustration, embarrassment (Letterman!) etc. If the soundbite doesn’t add emotion, ask yourself if you really need it. Too many soundbites are with people simply reciting facts. When sifting through an interview, take notes when the interviewee offers up facts, then look for something dramatic he or she says that adds emotion to use as your soundbite.
Weak
Police Officer: “The driver of the SUV lost control of the car, crossed the center line and hit the minivan which was traveling southbound.”
Better
Police Officer: “It was one of the worst accidents I have ever seen. To see an entire family killed, a mother, father, and their two kids, well, it just took my breath away.”
Weak
School Principal: “The budget cuts will force us to cancel 6th grade band, limit the number of computers we can have in the library, and there will be no field trips this year.”
Better
School Principal: “It’s the kids for which I feel badly. To see their faces when I told them the field trips to the zoo had been cancelled was so sad. And when I told the 6th grade band that we were going to close the program, two of the kids started to cry.”
Weak
Mayor: “I’ve earmarked an extra $300,000 dollars to the Water Department budget to speed up the water line replacement program to help stem the tide of water main breaks.”
Better
Mayor: “Even I’ve been affected by the water main breaks! Two weekends ago, even I lost water at my house, and my wife was angry because she couldn’t do the laundry or take a hot shower. She really let me have it!”
Weak
Fire Chief: “We declared a two-alarm fire at 2pm, and at one point I had 35 firefighters on the scene. It took us about 45 minutes to get it under control.”
Better
Fire Chief: “I had 6 of my guys on roof. I wasn’t about to let them get hurt, which is why I pulled them off right away. It scared the heck out of me when we heard that explosion! I sure was relieved when I saw all six standing safely on the ground!”
Cold Open Sound
We all know that when you have great sound, using it in the open to the newscast can really grabs the viewers attention. Unfortunately, it’s is one of the most overused tools by producers. Too often soundbites are just slotted into the open, even if the soundbite isn’t that great. Too many newscasts start off with a boring or unemotional soundbite. Don’t use sound off the top unless it’s really dramatic.
Doug Drew is a morning news specialist with 602 Communications. You can reach him at ddrew@602communications.com.