This document provides instructions for writing and producing voice-overs (VOs) for broadcast journalism. It explains that a VO incorporates a narration that is read by an anchor along with accompanying video footage. When writing a VO script, the words should match and describe what is being shown in the visuals. Students will practice this by downloading video clips, writing scripts to go along with the footage, recording their narrations, and editing their VOs in video editing software. Their completed exercises will be submitted for review. Future lessons will cover incorporating soundbites into VO stories and practical studio work. Regular attendance is emphasized as in-class work cannot be made up.

1. BROADCAST
JOURNALISM
WRITING/DELIVERING/EDITING A “VO”

2. WRITING FOR A “VO”
•Today we’re going to look at the basicVO,
record scripted narrations, and write/edit/deliver
your ownVO scripts.

3. WRITING FOR A “VO”
•AVoice-Over (VO) is any story the anchor reads
that also incorporates video*
• *Your book says it can be over any visual (such as a graphic or map) but, in
my experience, those are more likely to be considered enhanced “Readers”.
Small distinctions like this will undoubtedly vary from place to place…
•The term “VOICE-OVER” simply indicates that
we hear the anchor’s voice “over” video of some
kind

4. WRITING FOR A “VO”
•When writing for aVO you want toWRITETO
WHATYOU’RE SEEING whenever possible (you
won’t always have the opportunity to do this)
•You write theWORDS to be read along with the
VISUALS
•If you’re talking about something specific and
you have video of that something specific, they
NEEDTO MATCH UP– don’t use video that may
be confusing

5. EXAMPLE OFWRITINGTOVIDEO

6. VO IN-CLASS EXERCISES
•We are going to download videos and
record the script to go along with them
•Follow along as we do this together in
class
•Ask any questions you have along the
way

7. BASIC EXERCISE #1 & #2 STEPS
•Download video from Blackboard
•Import into Windows Movie Maker
•Record script narration
• Focus on talking rather than “reading”!
• Add variety and inflection to avoid sounding
monotone!
• Imagine you’re talking to someone specific!
•Export ExerciseVideo and Submit on
Blackboard

8. Exercise #3: EDITYOUR OWNVO +
WRITE/RECORDYOUR OWN SCRIPT
• Download Raw HAZARDOUS WASTE video from
Blackboard
• Import into Windows Movie Maker
• Review Basic Info andVideo
• Write script narration and make edits to match
script (or vice versa)
• Record Narration
• YOURVO MUST BE 20 - 30 SECONDS LONG
• Export ExerciseVideo and Submit on Blackboard

9. LOOKING AHEAD
•VO/SOT stories: editing & writing to video +
sound bites
•Practical StudioWork
•ATTENDANCE ISVITAL –THERE SIMPLY
IS NO OPPORTUNITYTO MAKE UP IN-
CLASS WORK AND OUR SCHEDULE IS
SUBJECTTO CHANGE!