News show script - Factual News Programme

INT. Vision mixing room - day

The first camera will start off in the entrance of the vision mixing room focusing on Lee opening the show in front of the screens. Lee will move towards the camera and out into the hallway to the studio where the camera will follow him.


LEE STARKE

The rise in train prices causes controversy, as prices to London increase. The opening of the Olympic park is imminent, what does this mean for us? Channel 4s Benefits Street receives a flurry of complaints as audiences loathe the resident’s lives.  And from the page to the screen, our guest presenter Dom looks at books which have inspired new film releases.

OPENING TITLES

INT. The live studio - day

Two of the cameras will be pointed towards a desk which Karla and Lee will sit at. The backdrop for them will be the vision mixing room. The third camera will be on Dom standing up against the wall, with a television screen behind him.

KARLA PEREZ

Good evening, you are watching the Channel 21 news, with me Karla Perez

LEE STARKE

and me Lee Starke.

KARLA

Today we will also be joined by our guest presenter Dom Kehoe.

LEE

Greater Anglia amongst many other train companies have put up their train prices as the New Year commenced. From the 2nd of January 2014, train prices rose by 2.8% and more. Our student correspondent Sam Goodfellow tells you more.

EXT - Video insert by train station and town centre - day

The vision mixing room will then cut to the pre-recorded video insert which will last for approximately four minutes.

(VIDEO INSERT)

SAM GOODFELLOW

Happy New Year?

Thursday the 2nd of January, was a day of misery, and expense. As train prices increased, so did the cost of commuters travel to more than £5,000 a year. The increase is the smallest rise in four years, only going up by 2.8%, however the highest rise was seen in Reading where prices have gone up by 3.32%.But why is there an increase in fare prices every year?

The government pays for 30% of the running costs of trains; however they want to reduce this to 25% meaning that commuters are going to be paying more and more as the fare increases.

Stephen Hammond transport minister said this "the governments investing 16 billion in the next five years to upgrade the railway network in terms of maintenance, new lines, new rolling stock and that's key. There is some movement in the basis of the balance between the fare payer and the tax payer."

Although the train prices have gone up different amounts in different towns, the one question that is arising is, can we really afford to pay this amount?

(Asking the question to the public, they answer)

We constantly think about the workers which have to pay the price to go up to London, but how about the students that attend college around the UK, students are made to stay in compulsory education until the age of 17 so why should we be made to pay an adult fare when we are still classed as children?

So where does all the money go too?

Well For every pound a commuter pays for their fare 26p gets invested back into the rail network, 22p of a pound keeps the track maintenance up. Industry staff costs/wages makes up 25p of the pound, with 4p being spent on fuel and the remaining 3p goes on train company profits.
We asked Greater Anglia a local train company with direct links to London Liverpool Street, questioning their train service. They unfortunately could not speak to us.

So whilst we all have to pay this ridiculous price to travel by track, can we continue to ask ourselves, why are the prices constantly rising yet the service is not improving?

Sam Goodfellow student correspondent, Channel 21 news.

INT. The live studio - day 

LEE

This is certainly an issue which the government and train companies alike need to address, and fully take into account the extent in which they are making people pay. It is understandable that they need to pay for everything and that a minimum fare is necessary, however surely a different means of making their profits is possible?

KARLA

Two years on from the fantastic summer we had, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is set to open to a whole new London. The 5th of April, save the date. The large southern section of the park will open its doors to London borough residents and tourists.

LEE

The park has been opening in stages since 2012; however this will be a considerable amount more which will be on display for all to see. With the Olympic and Paralympic Aquatics centre to open for the first time since the games.  

KARLA

The serene parklands in the south of the area will be inviting for all. There will be 25 public artworks across the park with cultural events taking place in exciting spots.

LEE

With the recent extension on the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, viewers can get a perspective view of the park in all its glory.

KARLA

The Orbit is the UK's largest sculpture coming in at 114.5 metres. The park also offers the opportunity for growth in the land with over 4000 new tress that have been planted.

Well what does this mean for London?

LEE

Over three thousand apartments will become available to rent and buy next to the East Village near Stratford City neighbourhood.

Children’s playgrounds have been put up, giving younger people the chance to enjoy the landscape and excitement of the park. Living up the Olympic legacy to inspire a generation.

KARLA

During 2010 the Olympic stadium itself was put into the bid for the 2015 World Athletics Championships.

This bid was later withdrawn as there wasn’t a decided future on what the stadium would be used for. A later bid was submitted for the 2017 Championships, with the announcement that they succeeded in winning the bid in 2011.

LEE

However the Olympic stadium will not be accessible full time to visitors until 2016 when it is handed over to West Ham United as their official stadium. Although it will host five matches during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which will be available to the general public.

KARLA

So with a whole new section about to open and the events which will be taking place, it’s fair to say that the Olympic legacy still lives on.

And with the Winter Olympics that have taken place it looks set to be a hopeful future for sport.

DOM
Music and Dance are one of the many things which are inspiring a younger generation. With more street acts over the last two years performing on our streets than we would have ever seen ten years ago.  Our student correspondent Karenza Wheatley tells you more as she speaks to an up and coming indie rock band.

EXT. Music studio and college atrium - day/night

The second video insert will be played, cutting to the pre-recorded news stories about music and dance.

(VIDEO INSERT)

Every parent would love their child to follow their dreams whether it be through a creative arts way or something else, enduring their hobby as a profession.

Britain's Got Talent, The X Factor and The Voice are platforms which young people use as a stepping stone to get into the industry. Every high street in the UK will see at least one musician busking their way hoping for their big break.

For Sam, Ben, Laura and James this is exactly what they are hoping for.

This indie band from Essex who formed in August 2013, are mixing strong harmonies from indie original songs to create a distinctive and intense sound, for their upcoming gigs in 2014. With hours of rehearsing a week this local band are aiming high.  This local band are grabbing every opportunity possible. Having a studio in Sam's house, and working with band members some of which have been playing their instruments for over 10 Years!

The MBG are influenced by artists such as Mumford And Sons, Jake Bugg and Fleet Foxes. We spoke to them.

 

INTERVIEW

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE MBG Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Is this something you would like to pursue as a career?

How did you form the band?

How did you get into playing the drums?

What venue would you most like to perform in?

Do you think talent shows are inspiring people to form bands?

Were you inspired by a talent show? Or someone who was once on a talent show?

How did you come up with your band name?

Ben, what got you into singing? And at what age did you start singing?

James how do you feel coming into an already formed band?

 

But with instruments for bands costing thousands of pounds.  How many other people will follow the steps of The MBG, and try and accomplish their childhood dreams?

Karenza Wheatley, Channel 21 news, Southend.

INT. The live studio - day

The cameras will then switch back to Karla and Lee at the desk presenting the next lot of stories.

KARLA

And if you want to see the rest of the MBG interview then pop over to their Facebook page. (STUDIO)

DOM

The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and the Twilight saga are all highly grossing films which were inspired from the original books. With more film adaptations expected in 2014, novels are taking over the screen.

Not only that, but women are taking more of a centre stage in action films. Swapping their quest for love to saving the world. With the likes of Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games, who is a popular heroine coming out as the big new thing in popular culture.

As well as Jennifer Lawrence, Alfonso Cuaron’s high budget space film Gravity focuses on the female protagonist who is on an adventure. Something which is one of the definitive parts of the film.

It would be honest to say that the film industry is ever expanding and moving in to new and exciting territory. With more novelizations taking over the screen.

As well as more and more real life account stories being told through film, like the recent 12 Years A Slave and soon to be released Dallas Buyers Club, both focusing on real life events.

With the barrier between the producer and consumer that has been broken, we are all prosumers who are capable of making our own films through minimal budget and equipment.

We spoke to the a list actor Tom Hardy, about the film industry. And this is what he said. 


LEE

“I just got lucky. I went to drama school. I touted for work. I badgered casting directors. I got a job I got an agent I got another I stuck to my strengths I kept belief in myself that I had something to bring to the table and begged people to trust me I auditioned and auditioned got rejected and re-auditioned more rejection. I practised at home. Made up stories created a theatre workshop and company to have something to belong to.

I worked the floor. I learned the floor. I got some work. I got a lot of small parts at first. I gave up. I got lucky. I kept going. I got lucky. I never stop working even though 90 % is unpaid. I have to do it. Can't sit still. Always into a creative idea.

KARLA

It is a commitment and a responsibility it taught me a discipline it gave me a voice and independence.

Fame isn't even on my personal radar. Being the human being I desire to be is by far harder than making movies."

DOM

Hardy also spoke about what he suggests to young people if they wish to get into the film industry.

LEE

"Talent and drive. Sacrifice and tenacity. Courage and determination a thick skin.

Believe in yourself. Know that it is going to take over your life, for a lifetime - there is no dipping in and out - unless you're a hobbiest or a fan. It’s not a joke, it’s not glamorous. Its hard work, fun, but hard work.

KARLA

Keeping hopeful in the face of rejection daily. Train, invest time and love and be realistic about your talent. What are you good at and start with that. You really have to love this. And be passionate.

LEE

Balance and health. Focus and attentiveness and belief. Team playing skills and individual leadership qualities. Much much more. Kindness. Humility, empathy, strength, ruthlessness. It’s all here. It’s a very rewarding and cutthroat place. A back up plan. As well. And hey! Enjoy! It’s fun. It’s a hard business to get into but worth it if it’s for you.

DOM

With acting talent like Tom Hardy an inspiration to both the filmmaking and acting world, young people are submitting themselves to more auditions and film festivals alike.

Popular author JK Rowling known for writing the Harry Potter franchise, is set to write the screenplay for Warner Brother’s latest Harry Potter film spin-off. Which is in production, titled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

With this sort of success it is no wonder that people are picking up their pens and cameras. Watch this space.

 

LEE

In other news, the controversial Channel 4 show Benefits Street has drawn in many complaints during its weekly episode on a Monday night. The residents of James Turner Street are also angry over the way their road has been represented in the show.

KARLA

People have taken to Twitter calling the street 'Hell' and 'Scum'. But the residents of the street have a different view saying the street really isn't that bad a place to live and that the show is not showing the full picture of what the street is really like.

LEE

The residents did say though that the second episode was better than the first as it focused more on the Romanians moving into the street. Mark Thomas, one of the shows regulars along with his partner Becky has received abuse on twitter about their life style after they talked about getting £1500 in benefits on episode one.

KARLA

He claimed that the second episode was better than the first and he told everyone it would get better, he also added after the abuse on Twitter he and Becky are just going to get on with their life now.

LEE

Channel 4 is not shy from exposing the lives of people on Benefits after their successfully controversial show Skint similar to Benefits Street was aired earlier in 2013.

KARLA

Is this saying something about our society and how we view people on benefits?

DOM

Channel 4 has been accused of showing the residents of James Turner Street in a negative light. It was believed they thought the program was going to be about the sense of community in the area and not making them look bad. One resident even said "the programme has now made my family’s life a misery."

KARLA
 
Birmingham City is the welfare capital of England, claiming a 2.7 billion job seekers allowance bill. Roughly working out at £157 a person.

LEE

It has been revealed that in Birmingham alone the authority have prosecuted 851 people for benefit fraud in the last five years. This makes an average of 0.5 per cent of all applicants.

KARLA

2013 was no different as just 178 of the city’s £152,000 housing applicants, who received a combined £537 million, were dragged through the courts for fraud or other cases.

LEE

The final episode was aired on Monday the 10^th of February which was then followed by a live debate. Many people took to Twitter, this time a lot more praise was said about their lives, rather than abuse.

KARLA

Some people Tweeted saying “The community spirit on James Turner Road is a lot, no one can take that away from them! #benefitsstreet”

“How many people can say they even know their neighbours, let alone support them when they are sick.”

LEE

With the positive responses, there was still some negative attention. With people Tweeting saying “I'd rather have all the money in the world and not know my neighbours, than be best mates with a bunch of no hopes”

“Maybe you know your neighbours better than I do because you're always at home... And not out working 12 hour days”

KARLA

With Channel 4 already penning a second series, it’s hard to deny that Benefits Street was a success. Fully exposing the lives of poverty ridden James Turner Street.

LEE

As well as creating a controversy amongst the press and government ministers Benefits Street was a must see and it really gave a look in to the benefits society we now live in.

KARLA
It’s that time of the year again when we are all anticipating the dreaded snow or for others the day off school they just wanted. But the past two months have been nothing but torrential downpour.

LEE

The rain has been destructive as it’s the most we have ever had in years. Towns and cities have been putting up sandbags in desperate hope to prevent the extent of the flooding.

KARLA

Wet weather is vastly affecting flood-stricken parts of the UK, with severe flood warnings in place along the Thames and Somerset.

LEE

Fourteen severe flood warnings have been put in place in Berkshire and Surrey, and two in Somerset.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said that the floods were a "huge challenge" and "we are in it for a long haul"

A total of 1,600 troops have been drafted in to help tackle the floods in southern England.

KARLA

It has been roughly estimated that 1,000 homes have been evacuated along the Thames after towns and villages, including Chertsey, Wraysbury and Datchet, were flooded.

Hundreds of thousands of people’s properties are at severe risk. Not everyone has chosen to evacuate their homes however, as some residents have chosen to stay.

LEE

In the Tewkesbury area, in Gloucestershire it has been said that water levels have been anticipated to rise by a further 30cm which equates to about 12 inches.

KARLA More than 5,000 properties have been flooded in the last two months after the "most exceptional period of rainfall". The wet weather which has hit the UK is thought to have hit parts of England and Wales the worst that it has for nearly 250 years.

LEE And since December 2013 130 wet weather warnings have been issued. This indicated that there is a possible risk to life.

In Wales the Coastal communities face abandonment as the rise in sea levels means that the high cost in maintaining the defences can no longer be met.

KARLA

The gale force winds and heavy rain pour has impacted the toll on the nation's rail network, with damaged tracks and collapsed embankments. This has caused continuing misery for train travellers and commuters alike.

LEE A number of train operators have reported major delays on routes from Hampshire and Berkshire, to North Wales, Somerset, and Devon.

KARLA

This has caused the government a lot of money as repairs on some lines could take weeks or even months according to Network Rail, who are responsible for the track.

LEE Scientists have warned that the flooding could last for months in the UK.

Andy McKenzie, a groundwater scientist at the British Geological Survey, said that that even if the rain stopped, so much water is soaking through the soil that levels are likely to keep rising for another two months.

KARLA

It has been said that the risk of flooding could remain high until May, he said.

LEE

With all this rain and flooding still to come, it is not looking good for the UK. With the Thames flood barriers up some of us are just hoping for the snow we usually get.