Staging Video

Tyson Sprick

I've wondered at times when watching TV whether the scenes I was seeing are truly candid. Well, after reading this article, I wonder how many really are. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised to read that some journalists in positions of power actually think it's okay to stage an event just to make for good TV.
Wertheimer mentioned that people involved in staged shots now assume that everything they see on television is staged, which is sad and unfair to journalists with any kind of morality.
"Our primary obligation is to seek truth and report it as fully as possible, not to manipulate or create news." When we stage scenes, we are getting as far away from this statement as possible. A good way to stay true to this is get the interviewees comfortable with the camera, microphone, etc. Wertheimer does this by setting everything up and then leaving for a few minutes. I've found in my little experience that people are wary of cameras and mics at first, but if you gain their trust and blend in with them and the surroundings people will open up.
There are other ways of getting good shots that don't involve compromising journalistic ethics. Perhaps the best way is to be prepared and don't miss the event in the first place. Regardless, it's important we understand that our job is to tell the truth, not make it.