How many reporters does it take to turn on a lightbulb?

Grape,

I'm a reporter 6 months into a 3 yr. contract and I've progressed tremendously since starting here out of school. I've got the fundamentals for a package down: show don't tell, nat breaks, rack focuses, etc. My stories get the job done... but aren't the best in the market. I feel like I've hit a plateau. I can shoot my own video, write and edit but I need to get better... I'm just not sure how to take my stories to that next level and give them the "it" quality.

Any pointers on how to make my packages "come to life"- polish them to the point of perfection? A list of 5 prescriptions for improvement maybe?

Thanks,

-Package Plateau

Dear Package,

Geez, five prescriptions? What do I look like, Walgreens? (Sorry, I'm having a New York meltdown after watching the Giants yesterday.)

You are going through what many reporters do. You seem to progress in steps. Once day you figure out how to write copy out of nat sound bites, and you say to yourself, "Cool. I'll master that for awhile." Then you'll figure out how to wrap up a package with a clever phrase instead of a sigout directly after a sound bite.

But as to what makes the light bulb go on all of a sudden, I have no clue. (For some people it never does. For others, the bulb is a five watter that belongs in a refrigerator.)

For those who are truly determined to hone their craft, it will happen. Sometimes you'll see or hear something while doing a package and all of a sudden what seemed like Japanese is suddenly perfect English. Sometimes a veteran will take you aside and point out something to help you. Or you read a blog and get an idea.

But like a good fluorescent (I'm really getting into this light bulb metaphor) sometimes you just need a little spark to turn on the light.

Since you asked for five ways to improve your work, here goes:

1. Watch big market and network reporters. Go online and watch resume tapes from people in large markets. Watch the network news every night, and don't just watch the same one. Watch newscasts from big market stations that put their newscasts online. If you're in an entry level market, you're never gonna get better watching the other rookies in the market.

2. Practice turning phrases. At the end of the day, pull a rundown out of the trash, take it home, and pick the two stories that have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Then write a line that links the two.

Example: The two stories are an angry council meeting and our old friend the water skiing squirrel.

"The fur was flying at the City Council tonight, but it was all wet at the beach."

While this is a great writing exercise for producers to improve tease writing, it can help you stretch your mind so that you can spot clever links within your packages.

3. You have to sound like you're interested in the story, and talk conversationally. Many times I see potentially great packages with deliveries that make Ben Stein look like Chris Tucker. Animate your voice... be up when you need to, somber when the story calls for it. Let your voice carry your emotion as much as words and pictures. Delivery is a major problem with many young people. Just remember three simple words. "Talk, don't read."

4. Don't just stand up during a standup. Do something. Make a stand up sequence... there's no rule that says a standup has to be just one piece of video. Try new things, walk around, show and tell while you're on camera.

5. Look for the third side of the story. Most times two are obvious, but really think out of the box... where is that unusual point of view?

Example: The Board of Education will require kids to wear uniforms next year and they'll be ordered through the school system. The teachers and parents love the idea; the kids, who want hundred dollar sneakers and designer outfits, hate it. Are you done? Nope. What about the town's only children's clothing store which now loses its best customers?

Finally, and this is after the fact in your case and has nothing to do with putting a story together, you kids coming out of college can all do yourselves a favor by not signing three year contracts for entry level jobs. That's just ridiculous. Two years, tops. Unless you're a dim bulb (one more incandescent reference) you sure don't need three years before you move on.