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Lee Hood, University of Colorado

Doing stand-ups in the field

      For most news stories, you will need to shoot your stand-up in the field, before you log the tape and write the story.  Learning what to say, and how it will fit into the story, can be a challenge to new reporters.  Here are some ideas:

1)  Try for an element in the story that won’t change, not a fact that may need updating.

2)  Look for a relevant fact in the story you can highlight with your stand-up, or an important element you don’t have video for.

3)  You may use the stand-up to set up (or come out of) a sound bite, if you’ve already done the interview.

4)  You may use the stand-up to show yourself at the scene of the action.

Other important ideas for successful stand-ups:

a)      The setting/background should be pertinent to the story and immediately recognizable, or referenced, as such.

b)      Try to do the stand-up without notes.

c)      If using a stick mic, hold the mic close to you and firmly, to display confidence.

d)      It’s usually best to limit your story to one stand-up.  Stand-ups work best in the middle of the story or at the end, not at the beginning.

Some Types of Stand-ups

1)  Demonstration (or interactive) stand-up -- demonstrates a point in the story, using props or the natural setting.

2)  Bridge stand-up -- bridges the gap or makes a transition between two different ideas in a story.

3)  Closing stand-up -- summarizes or wraps up the story.

4)  Information stand-up -- incorporates information you don’t have video to cover.

5)  Scene-setting stand-up -- establishes the reporter’s presence at the scene, to add credibility to the report.

Evaluating your stand-ups

1)  Does the stand-up tell or illustrate something better than video could alone?

2)  Is it interesting?

3)  Does it fit well in the context of the story?

4)  Does the reporter make the location clear?

5)  Does the reporter look relaxed/natural?