One story Doth Not a Block Make

I was watching a noon newscast today. I flipped to the channel-- the show came out of commercial-- and, what ? One vo, a tease and then back to break. For a minute (which was less than that whole block lasted) I thought I had missed something. And it wasn't even the last block! Bad producer. One story doesn't make a block. I'm sure you've got a lot stuffed into the first half of that show, but a one story block is cheap and cheats your viewers. At the very end of the show-- ok-- I get it-- but the second to last block? Remember: If you think the second half of the show is a throwaway, so will your viewers.

Because We Can

I have been noticing a lot of "Because We Can" lately. That is, shows doing stuff-- graphics, effects or whatever-- that don't necessarily enhance the story. For example, the other day, I was watching a show where there was a box graphic floating around in the middle of the story. It didn't add to the story and actually was distracting. Why do it? Because we can.

That's not to put cold water on taking risks. By all means, knock yourself out. But review- at the end of the day, (try to) watch your show like a viewer and ask-- did this bring something to the party? Is it worth doing again? Is there a different way to accomplish the same task? Are some stories/video good enough just to run full and leave well enough alone? Judgement call. Sometimes you'll want to try it one way, sometimes another. Use your best judgement and don't get locked into any hard rules.

I know some of you are stuck with stuff that has been mandated for your show. I feel for you. But where you have flexibility, use it-- and common sense-- to make your show stand out. In a good way.