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Book Review - Electronic News
Gathering
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Book Details Title: Electronic News Gathering - A guide to ENG (Broadcast Production Category) Author: Robert B. Musburger Publishers: Focal Press Boston, London Year of publication: 1991 Pages: 147 SYNOPSIS Robert B. Musburger is head of the Radio/TV Program at the School of Communication, University of Houston. Electronic News Gathering is the consequence of the author's more than forty years of experience in commercial broadcasting as a cinematographer, a news & documentary producer and director. As a concise and practical overview of this fundamental element of every broadcast news presentation, Electronic News Gathering serves as a beginner's guide to the concepts and techniques necessary to research, write, shoot, edit and deliver a news story. Musburger has neatly divided his book into four chapters. The opening chapter is an introduction to the history and background of television news. It explains the various advantages and limitations of the different equipments and processes of electronic news gathering. . This chapter also looks at the development of the all-electronic news gathering equipment now used worldwide. The following three chapters discuss in detail the standard three step production process that is a part of any media production: pre-production, production and post-production. In chapter two the author explains the groundwork that goes into the pre-production stage of a broadcast production. This chapter discusses primary aspects of a production like research work, writing, basic knowledge of the law and the crew relationships at a production unit. Chapter three is a description of the core production processes like setting up of equipment, lighting, audio, operations and finally the packing up of all the equipment. Musburger has also included topics like planning of shots and protection of equipment in this chapter. The final chapter describes in detail the equipments, the process and the procedure of editing a broadcast production. The author has provided separate assembly guidelines for different types of news broadcasts like interviews, features, etc. A short section also describes the video story delivery systems before winding up with a thought on the future of electronic news gathering. BOOK REVIEW Electronic News Gathering is a succinct and focused book on the essential aspects of the process of electronic news gathering for news broadcast. The book serves as a practical and process-oriented handbook for amateurs as well as professionals in the field. Electronic News Gathering has been cleverly divided into four pertinent chapters to give an organized and thorough understanding of this line of work. Each chapter is further separated into appropriate sections under various headings and wrapped up with a brief summary. Musburger has used a terse yet lucid style of writing in his book. Numerous algorithmic charts and tables of production procedures, which serve as ready reckoners, accompany the pithy copy. Besides providing up-to-date information, the book also lists sample checklists and diagrams for painless grasp of the text. As a documentary scriptwriter and director, Electronic News Gathering enhanced my awareness of the modern tools and techniques of the vocation. Electronic News Gathering is useful in assisting the understanding of the various functions, operations and responsibilities of a videographer. The book's direct and no nonsense approach towards the subject makes it a useful resource for busy professionals on the run. I hope this review will help you. Feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions that you may have. Gary, Editor, QuikContent Services. BACK TO HOME PAGE |
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