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16. The running-order sheet

This is the last step before going on air. You need to think about everything. If you're close to airtime, get some help. You need to structure the different components (reports, recorded voicers) and put them in the right order in a same folder (if you haven't done so yet). And more importantly, you have to write a summary of your bulletin for the engineer, so that he can know with just a glance what you want. This is the running-order sheet. 

Definition

The running-order sheet is the document redacted by the anchor that allows the engineer to conduct a proper broadcast. It’s the user manual of the newscast.

When to write the running-order sheet ?

The running-order sheet must be written up once all scripts have been written and the news items have been structured and once all audio elements have been properly identified and the newscast has been packaged. The running-order sheet is the very last document written before going on air.

How to write a running-order sheet ?

The engineer in charge of the bulletin is going to be the one to use the running-order sheet. Therefore it must indicate very simply and precisely what the different elements in the newscast are, in the precise order in which they will go on air. It’s short and sweet: words, timings, numbers.

Voicer/Anchor intro/Actuality/Copy

The running-order sheet must also point out which sources the engineer is going to have to use : mic/MD/phone/CD/audio file/ etc.

Example of a running-order sheet for a 10 minutes broadcast :

Source

Content

Running time

MD 1 track 3

Jingle bulletin opener

10 seconds

Mic 1

Headlines (4)

40 seconds

MD 1 track 4

stab end headlines

2 seconds

Mic 1

anchor intro Mbandaka trial

15 seconds

Phone (02 36 54 28)

Paul K. live from tribunal

1 minute

Mic 1

BA trial

10 seconds

Mic 1

copy Bukavu accident

20 seconds

MD 1 track 5

stab

2 seconds

Mic 1

anchor intro Goma elections

20 seconds

MD 2 track 1

Elections actuality

56 seconds

Mic 1

copy MLC Gbadolite

15 seconds

Mic 1

anchor intro Kalémie cholera

20 seconds

MD 2 track 2

Nicole L. Voicer cholera

1 minute

MD 1 track 5

stab

2 seconds

Mic 1

anchor intro Kabila

15 seconds

Mic 2

Paul L. Voicer Kabila.

1 minute

Mic 1

copy hospital

20 seconds

Mic 1

anchor intro Kananga school

20 seconds

MD 2 track 3

Package Kananga school

2 minute

Mic 1

Goodbye

30 seconds

MD 1 track 6

Jingle bulletin ending

6 seconds

 

 

Total running time: 10’03”

You can also ask your superior to give you a prototype grid you can fill up. It’s very useful when you’re in a hurry.