ABSTRACT
When you return from your shoot, the first thing you will need to do is transcribe your tapes. You need to write down every word exactly as it is said and list every piece of video. Most reporters and producers will tell you this is a horrendous job. I can attest. But, as a producer, you need to know exactly what is on every tape. You need to look closely at the video and listen carefully to the audio. There are times when you will find, usually due to technical reasons, that one or the other will not be usable. For example, if an interview was shot outside and a plane went buzzing by overhead, then the audio for those few seconds might be compromised. At the network level you will often have interns and production assistants whose job it is to transcribe the tapes for you. This is a huge help, because you can read the transcriptions and narrow in on what you are going to use. Even then, it is advisable to put the tape in a deck and check it to make sure that what you plan to put on the air looks good and is technically acceptable. You can’t count on an inexperienced intern to catch everything.
