A radio package combines the reporter’s voice with other audio elements, such as soundbites, actuality, natural sound, perhaps an audio piece to camera from you and sometimes even music.
They are an opportunity for reporters to be really creative in the way they tell a story.
They are also normally longer than other story treatments — two or even three minutes in duration, depending on the programme/station.
Listen to these packages. Notice how the reporters combine the various audio elements to tell a story.
This package was made by JOMEC MAJ Broadcast student @alicia_pocock – the script is below.
Another way to help yourself make your first package is to transcribe one that’s been made by somebody else.
Transcribe a radio package
Create a two column Word document. Call the left hand column “Sounds” and right hand column “Script.” Pick a package and transcribe it in full, making a note of all the different audio elements in the left hand column.
And finally… if you think things are tough, spare a thought for what it was like when I started in radio. You had to record everything using a UHER, which was big, bulky and heavy.
The audio was recorded onto quarter inch tape.
When you got back to the newsroom you had to edit the tape using white pencils or chalk (to put marks on the tape) and razor blades. When your hands got a bit shaky (e.g. five minutes before deadline) it was quite an operation. Life is easier now.
Intro to Broadcast News 