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.