Dale Earnhardt Jr. News Package - ID# 366

Glenbrook South

Division: A

News Package

Entry Description

This package covers the retirement of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. I had the chance to interview both Dale Earnhardt Jr and his replacement, Alex Bowman, last November in Miami.

Recent Teacher Comments

• 4/25 9:57 am - Framing a little off in opening standup and I am confused on who this story is for – GBS or Nascar? No courtesy to your broll. Pretty amazing opportunity to land those interviews!!! This story screams for nat sound and there is none – maybe because none of the broll is yours? Again, who is this story for – sign off?
• 3/12 8:59 pm - I do not understand why there is a Nascar logo and the reporter is tagged like it is his own TV station. Plus there are distracting random people walking right in his shot. The story is video poor as you were relegated to using still images. You say his replacement was "none other than", am I missing something, why is it surprising that Alex Bowman was his replacement. Interview in a news package shouldn't be standing next to the interview subject. Make the reporter more of the story than he has to be. Narration was slightly clipped at a point. Cool you got interviews with these drivers and Jr's bite was good. Don't need open and close stand-ups, makes you too much of the story.
• 3/2 10:29 am - Good use of a variety of b-roll; reporter should not be in the shots when sound bites are played; steady shots; could use natural sound; two stand-ups are not necessary, but done well; reporter should sign off.

Judge 1

Positives: Great piece. Wonderful interview with Dale Earnhardt. Well produced and written.

Improvements: A few of the lighting issues during interviews could've been improved. I would've liked to seen a bit more background on the DL and the sport.

Judge 2

Positives: Great job scripting at the beginning of your piece-- very catchy writing to engage your audience immediately. excellent interview with the drivers-- way to book awesome interviews fantastic piece

Improvements: Music would have really amped up your piece to add to the excitement

Judge 3

Positives: Good enthusiasm -- good energy in the track. Great access to the major players, nice story telling, and good soundbites picked. Nice job with the script.

Improvements: Standup off the top – not a fan of the angle. I understand trying to get the poster but felt too much like camera was shooting upwards. Where are the nats?! Car racing with no nats -- this is a big oversight. Shot interview straight on 2 – would have been more over the reporter’s shoulder to get the head-on of interviewee, and a tighter shot -- don’t need to see the face of the reporter.

Judge 4

Positives:

Improvements: