Piece-to-Camera: Some Techniques, Some Tips

Piece-to-Camera: Some Techniques, Some Tips
Piece-to-Camera (PTC)- Some Tech- Tips
Piece-to-Camera, as popularly known as PTC, has not only become a popular means of involving the reporter directly with the story, but also become an effective tool in the art of television story-telling, observes Mr. Nilambar Rath
-Think in advance about ‘the need’ (why and where), ‘the production formats’, ‘the location’ and ‘the background’ etc. -Focus on the content (subject) and take care (and control) of communication, voice modulation, body language, dressing sense (you can plan right dressing matching the occasion, if required), time duration, deadline etc. Types of PTC: ‘Opener’, ‘Bridge’ and ‘End’ PTC and their need. Framing: Left, Right and Centre framing. Presentation aspects: Dressing sense, body language, eye contact, simple and direct communicative langauge, ‘not presenting’ but ‘directly talking to the viewers’, style, mood, pitch and modulation matching the storyline/content etc. Walking PTC, PTC is sitting position, narrative PTC, cord-less audio equipment gives more freedom to production and presentation style etc. Try to be a part of the subject (mix with the crowd, sit with the people, be a part of the activity to add live to your content and look). Purpose of the PTC:
 Establishing the team in the action front.
 Direct communication with the viewers.
 Not just to show the face of the reporter or establish him on the location but to tell or show something extra, something important or interesting.
 An extra feature in the line of the presentation and style of the story. (It’s Television.)
 An essential part of the story.
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 Adding new information/angle/perspective to the story.
 Taking the story forward.
 An effective way to explain complicated issues or unknown concepts/facts in an easy or simple manner.
 ’Show-and-Explain’ PTCs are not meant for every story, every day. Used them judiciously. They can help viewers make sense of difficult subjects.
 Live PTC brings advantage to the producer to take fresh inputs/updates and interact directly with the reporter on location. It’s the most convincing/genuine/credible way of presenting news (in Television).
SOME TIPS:
 Before you shoot any PTC have the complete idea on the story/subject/issue, especially on the angle or aspect you want to focus upon (right at that moment). Once you have the structure, it will be easier for you to concentrate on the delivery. You don’t need a complete script but a ‘mental outline’.
 Good PTCs need close collaboration between the reporter and the cameraperson. Brief the cameraperson on the content and the production requirement before rolling the camera.
 Focus on the background and the frame, as they are the integral parts of your PTC-content. Guide the cameraperson, where required.
 Follow the Production command, if you have got a field producer. The producer is the ‘final say’.
 And, follow the simple communication theory- i.e. ‘keep it simple and short’ (‘KISS’).
Ask yourself before going for a PTC:
 Why do I want to have a PTC in this story?
 What information would I convey in the PTC?
 Do I have something special to show or demonstrate in this PTC and I can not really communicate without the same?
 Where (location) and when (time) should I do this PTC?
 How will the PTC fit in the finished story?
(Contributed by: Mr. Nilambar Rath. www.nilambarrath.com)