Researching for TV

• • Taking and developing a brief
• • Gathering information from a wide range of sources
• • Corroborating stories and guests
• • Finding and assessing contributors for programmes
• • Accuracy, organisation and planning
• • Basic journalism skills in summarising and presenting information and treatments

• • How to be an effective researcher
• • The principles of research
• • Sources of information – how to access the right information quickly, a guide to the best sources of primary and secondary research, tips on internet research
• • Scrutinising research – ‘making sure people are who they say they are’
• • Interviewing techniques – examples and tips
• • Presenting research effectively

1. Story Hunt: Exercise
   What makes a good story? The essential elements of a strong story and telling it within the constraints of time and resources.


2. The Role of the Researcher
   What exactly does a researcher do? A look at the duties of a researcher in a television production team.


3. Corroborating stories, people and facts.
   Tips on how to ensure your research is accurate and that the people you find really are who the say they are. Plus a chance to brainstorm some short research projects.


4. Finding and Assessing Contributors
   Lateral thinking techniques for finding contributors plus how to judge whether they’ll come across well on the screen.


5. Interview techniques
   How to get the most out of interviewees, both on the telephone and face-to-face. A chance to role-play some tricky situations.


6. Writing a Brief
   You’ve collected all the information, but how do you present it? Nobody wants a thesis - a guide to writing up your notes including exercises in basic journalism skills. Includes writing a topline and how to pitch your ideas on paper to your producer.


7. Ideas Workshop
   How to refine and develop your ideas, including storytelling techniques..


8. Hot internet research tips
   A one-hour session that give you tips for refining searches and investigating websites for accuracy.


9. Sources of Information
   Many researchers rely too heavily on the internet for their research. A look at other sources of information, including secondary and primary sources.