Standup Tips
- Look for a relevant fact you can highlight with your stand-up, or when you don't have video for an important element in your story.
- You can use the stand-up to set up a sound bite that comes immediately after (if you’ve already done the interview, then you might know what the sound bite is).
- Use the stand-up to show yourself at the scene of the action.
- Try to explain, rather than summarise or read a list of facts. Be open to using props or even visual metaphors to explain complicated concepts.
- Speak in phrases. Relay the information in natural, conversational language.
- Make maximum use of your surroundings. When appropriate, take advantage of movement, props, etc., without being contrived, cute or staged.
- The setting/background should be pertinent to the story and immediately recognizable.
- Memorise what you intend to say. It helps if you keep your phrases short – two or three sentences is all you need.
- When using a stick mic (hand microphone), hold the mic close to you and firmly,
to display confidence. But don't grip the microphone tightly or hold it directly in front of your mouth.
- In packages, it’s 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. In NewsTeam, we prefer that the stand-up is used in the middle as a means to 'bridge' one half of the story with the other.
- Keep your stand-ups to one thought/idea. Don’t combine two different ideas. Keep it simple.
How to use stand-ups
Types of Stand-ups
Stand-up Tips
Shooting the Same-Day (Look Live) Stand-up