Creating a "Golden" Human Interest Package

Happy Saturday!

It feels strange to blog on a day other than Sunday or Monday but Meredith is off to Puerto Rico for some fun in the sun for her Thanksgiving break and a couple of days off from the bitter cold that is winter in Boston. And it's really, really cold. Words cannot describe what it's like to not be able to feel your face despite being bundled up so only your eyes are visible while almost being blown over by wind walking down Boylston St. Not a pleasant experience.

So, tonight we're going to keep it short and talk packages. I know we've discussed sports packages for news shows but we haven't talked about human interest or player profile pieces. What makes human interest sports packages different than normal packages are the following: 1. They tend to be longer 2. You have more freedom with your writing and showing off your personality. 3. They center on a specific player or a particularly life changing/dramatic event in sports, but it doesn't necessarily be timely. Think any package that you have ever seen on ESPN for a visual cue.

Now I'll tell you right off the bat, I really don't enjoy sports packages for news shows. You know the, "I'm at Fenway Park where fans are trying to get tickets for Game 1 of the World Series" kind of pieces that really don't teach you anything or have any impact on your day. As far as player profile packages go, I assumed that I wouldn't like them either because, well I'm apparently a Negative Nancy, and assume I hate things even before I try them.

But I gave the ol' player profile piece a try and took a chance on Meghan the former "Golden Girl of Purdue" turned Emerson College transfer student. And it turned out to be a chance worth taking.

For starters I was extremely lucky to find such a willing subject who had such an interesting story. Once again Meghan was the Golden Girl of Purdue (I know isn't that the sweetest title ever). And it wasn't just because of her blonde hair and sparkling personality, although I'm sure that helped, but it was her title as the top baton twirler at Purdue and arguably in the nation.

And when I say baton twirling I don't mean throwing one baton up and down. I'm talking extreme baton twirling, twirling three at one time, twirling on your nose, twirling around your neck, throwing them under your legs, somersaulting to catch your batons, things that you didn't even think possible Meghan could do with a baton.

And she gave it all up to come to Emerson to pursue broadcast journalism, a major not offered at Purdue.

And this is where I found my story, in the fact that she gave up her passion in life, the school she loved, her friends, everything to come to a small school in Boston. And also the fact that she was able to continue twirling, at a lower level, at Emerson so she was really able to find a way to focus on her future without giving up something she's spent almost her entire life doing.

And this is the most important part of a player profile piece; you have to know your angle. You have to know what makes this person important enough that they should have a package done about them. And everyone has a story, if you're willing to do some digging, I think you will find you can do a player profile piece on just about anyone.

Once you have your angle, holding an on camera interview with your subject is the next step. Plus it's a good idea to tape them in their environment and getting a lot of b-roll, which in the case of Meghan consisted of following her through most of her day as she prepared for her half time performance during an Emerson Women's Soccer match.

After that, a few short interviews with people that your subject is either close with or played a huge part in getting them to where they are now, is the next step. Record some voice overs and get one helluva good editor and you are on your way to package perfection. Another helpful hint is, if you can, be your own producer. You make a better reporter if you are also responsible for the content of your piece and it will make conducting the interviews a whole lot easier. Also, you have final say on how your package flows and also what the final product looks like, which can lead to a more satisfying package experience.

Unfortunately I don't have the entire finished package to show you but I do have a rough cut that my editor put on YouTube for me to look at a few weeks ago so enjoy! Just a quick disclaimer though, it's really rough, the music hasn't been synced and there is color correction to be done so don't judge too harshly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7aVlEVFJis

And remember with the right angle, an eager subject, and an excellent editor and shooter, I think you'll come to love the player profile packages just as much as I do.

Happy Thanksgiving!