Join the fight against lip-flap!

Nothing says lazy like lip-flap. It's using a soundbite for b-roll. How does this happen?

That's all we got.
You're doing a story on a politician for example. You make a file request. Maybe you don't look at the file (you should always look at video before you write). Or maybe this is the only video you have and you think this is better than nothing. It's not. Instead, use the video to make a still of the person. On cam for the first graph, in still for next one or two, back on cam for a tag. Is there anything else you can use in addition to the still? File from the incident involved? File of the Capitol in our politician example? Can someone feed you 30 seconds of this person? Is there something online you can utilize? Get creative.

I see lip-flap in packages a lot too. Mostly, it looks back someone back-timed to the bite. It is o.k. when it's a second or two prior to the bite. Any more than that and it feels like a lifetime. If you see it in your show, follow up with the reporter and photographer. Did they shoot enoguh? If they are interviewing someone for a pkg, they should always get set up shots of that person. It can also enhance story telling. For example, in a story interviewing a student about graduation, if you're interviewing them at home, you might get video of them studying or even kicking back. "Bob has time for video games now that he's graduated..." Whatever. You can always find SOMETHING to shoot for an interview. Without it, you have lip-flap and a lame pkg.