Drama Alert:
This is a daily news show on Youtube hosted by Keemstar. Each episode starts with the same title sequence and same generic news show sound effects.
This is then followed by the host introducing the show and himself. Each episode starts with the same introduction - "What is up Drama Alert Nation, I'm your host Killer Keemstar, let's get right into the news." This repetition every programme is the same as traditional news programmes such as BBC news - the introduction is always the same before getting stuck into the news. This helps to establish the brand and also lets the audience find a sense of familiarity in each programme.
The set is also the same in every video - this again helps to build up the sense of a brand and also that sense of familiarity - the audience know where they are and what's in store. The setting is very simple compared to traditional news backgrounds but it still looks formal and trustworthy. The laptop and microphone work well to give that newsroom feeling. We aren't planning to use a green screen for our production so it is interesting to see the different ways we could dress the set to still give that newsroom feeling.
All the titles of the videos are very enticing - much like the headlines in traditional news - it makes people want to click on the video and learn more about the story. He doesn't start off by listing the stories - this is different to traditional news - instead he jumps straight into the first (and most important / relevant story). We still aim to announce the headlines at the beginning of our production but it is interesting to see that this isn't actually a 'make or break' for a successful programme as this still runs through smoothly without introducing all of the headlines.
For the stories, he introduces the story and gives a bit of background information before showing a clip from the video he is talking about. All of the videos are about drama on youtube - so all of the clips are from the videos of the youtubers' he's talking about. These work in a similar way to pre recorded packages in traditional news - the anchor talks about the story before cutting to the package. On this channel, Keemstar talks about the story before cutting to a clip from that video (acting the same way a package does).
For each story, a picture of the individual he is talking about is placed in the top left of the screen. This is similar to traditional news channels as the topic of their news story is usually placed on screens behind them in the studio. This helps the audience to understand who / what is being discussed.
He also does telephone interviews with people who are being discussed in the programme. This is again similar to traditional news channels (however, interviews are usually done in person or through video chat.)
It is interesting to see all the similarities between online news channels and traditional news channels and how certain techniques are carried across (but slightly changed). This has definitely given me some ideas for our own news production.
Philip DeFranco:
This is another daily news channel on youtube - hosted by Philip DeFranco.
Like Keemstar, he has a signature introduction to his video. This is definitely something we need to work on so that we can come up with a catchy introduction.
Again, no green screen is used, instead a set is dressed to look like a bedroom / lounge. This gives it a much more relatable feel - the audience feel like they're getting the news from someone they can relate to but still trust (as the production values are very high).
As well as introducing himself verbally, a title comes up displaying his name and twitter. This is similar to traditional news channels as they often have the presenter's name appear as a title. The inclusion of a social media handle makes this much more of an online news channel. Although traditional news channels do promote their social media, it is much easier for an audience to go from watching a news show online to instantly tweeting the person - as they're on the same device.
Again, like Drama Alert, a catchy / enticing title is used to draw people to the video. Words such as 'disgusting' and 'huge' are in capitals to make the title more dramatic and therefore more enticing.
Things I have learnt:
- green screen is not needed if you have an effectively dressed set - we aim to do this in our production (maybe using conspiracy posters so dress our set).
- clips should be inserted of the topics you are talking about when they are introduced. This helps the audience understand what is being discussed.
- headlines need to be enticing and grabbing for an audience to tune in - there is a lot of competition with online news channels as virtually anyone can make one. Headlines for these news channels usually go in the title of the video (e.g. for this Drama Alert video the title was "Jake Paul EXPOSED by The Dolan Twins! #DramaAlert KSI leaked NetNobody's Diss Track!") Use grabbing language and name-drop people if you have a popular / exciting guest. Make the video sound as enticing as possible whilst keeping it short and sweet.
- a consistent introduction to every video / programme / show should be used to establish your brand - this is done in both online and traditional news channels and remains a very important technique.
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