REPORTER BLOG: The Art of a Stand-Up

Brianna Savoca
bs201506@ohio.edu

While viewers are familiar with the way a typical television newscast works, many viewers may not realize the agony and angst behind a reporter's stand-up.

WHAT IS A STAND-UP?
The simplest definition for a stand-up is: The part of a reporter's story where the reporter is on-camera. Often, the stand-up is used as a bridge between two parts of the story to connect and link information together.

Stand-ups are the part of a news package where a great reporter will shine, and a bad reporter will look like they are just standing up and talking.

THE BEST STAND-UPS
Outstanding reporters get in on the action for their stand-ups--a reporter will be involved in whatever news they are reporting on. For example, a reporter doing a story on road salt in the winter could do a stand up riding in a salt truck.

For complicated stories, great reporters use a stand-up to explain details in a clear way to the audience. Most importantly, great stand-ups take creativity.

TAKE TWO...OR MORE...
Some reporters can feel a lot of pressure when it comes time to shoot a stand-up. Being in front of a large crowd can be a little nerve wracking.

Sometimes it can be difficult to just get the words out. Click here for an example.

REPORTER BEWARE
Even the best reporters can't always escape from their surrounding. Click here for a reporter who gets attacked by kids with snowballs.

This reporter tried to be creative by holding a cat, but she must have been holding it for a little too long. Click here to see the clip.

Hopefully the next time you watch the news and a reporter's package, you'll understand the time and effort, and sometimes pain, that goes into a stand-up.