Cleanup in Arlington National Cemetery?s Section 60 upsets families of war dead
Story Proposal and Shooting Schedule

Before you submit your story proposal and shooting schedule, you must do a great deal of the REPORTING. Please lay out the specifics of your story – what you will be focusing on, who you will interview and why, and your shooting schedule.

1. My story slug is ____________________.

What is this story about? If you had to prove it in a courtroom, what’s your case?
2. The premise/focus of my story in one sentence is

_______________________________________________________________________.

Why do you think this is newsworthy and compelling? What’s the viewer going to LEARN from this? What’s the NEW news? Is there conflict, drama, emotional appeal?
3. Viewers will learn THAT: (list the specific facts we will learn – with numbers; do not ask questions, ANSWER them, do not copy and paste information from other sources – distill it)
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Who are the people who will tell your story? What is their STAKE in the outcome? Have you contacted them and set up your shoot? What do you expect them to say (based on pre-interviews)? How will they add emotional content to the story?
4. Who is the main character in this story? I have contacted and plan to interview:
1. a. Name
b. Title
c. What is his/her stake?
d. Contact info
e. Set-up shots

5. Who else has a stake in this story? A reaction? An expect opinion? I have contacted and plan to interview:
1. a. Name
b. Title
c. Will add what info/perspective:
d. Contact info
e. Set-up shots

Is there another side to this story, or a legitimate naysayer? Have you covered it? Is your reporting fair and equitable to all sides?
6. There is another side to my story. I have contacted and plan to interview:
3. a. Name
b. Title
c. Will add what info/perspective:
d. Contact info
e. Set-up shots

How will you tell this story visually? List the shoots (beyond interviews) you have set up, and what else you plan to shoot.
8. I will shoot visuals (b-roll) for my story (people doing things)
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How will you QUANTIFY your story? How can numbers help tell your story, support your premise? How many? How much? How long? How much does it cost? And perhaps most importantly – who’s paying for it (taxpayers?)?
9. What are the numbers behind the story? LIST THE SPECIFIC NUMBERS – that are pertinent to your story.
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10. A compelling opening shot might be______________________________________

with natural sound of __________________________________________________

11. I might make my stand-up visually interesting and interactive by_____________

________________________________________________________________________

12. Links to at least THREE (3) different sources for my research: (newspapers, TV websites, etc). You may include Facebook pages IN ADDITION TO the 3 links.
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SHOOTING SCHEDULE

List dates, times, locations for shoots and interviews. Indicate whether shoots will be indoors or outdoors.

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