Editing Strategies in Television News Documentaries

Bibliographic Data

ID7496545
AuthorsRichard J Schaefer (corresponding author)
Year1997
Volume47
Issue4
Pages69-88
Publication date1997-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9916 • E-ISSN: 1460-2466
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/j.1460-2466.1997.tb02726.x
OpenAlexW2050776917
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited9

This study describes the editing techniques used in four renowned television news documentaries that aired between 1954 and 1982. It is informed by Peirce's theories of signs, and realist and symbolic film theory, as well as some of the understandings common to broadcast journalists. The analysis attempts to bridge subdisciplinary boundaries to advance an accessible vocabulary for discussing journalistic representational strategies. The prevalence of continuity and thematic editing styles, special transitional effects, audio track synchronization, and differing cutting rates was quantitatively analyzed and linked to classic film realism and montage strategies. The quantitative findings and a comparative case study analysis of the structural nuances of each documentary illustrate the variety of representational strategies used by network journalists. These findings are discussed in light of analysts' assertions that televised reports have become increasingly journalist centered

Art · Bridge (graph theory · Linguistics · Media studies · Multimedia · Qualitative research · Realism · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Variety (cybernetics · Visual arts · Vocabulary · Cinema and Media Studies · Computer Science · Media Studies and Communication · Radio, Podcasts, and Digital Media

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