Frequently Asked Questions
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Are you ever worried you'll run out
of story ideas?
How do you get your story ideas?
How do you decide which story ideas to use?
What are some helpful hints to get my story idea chosen?
What are the steps in producing a story?
How far in advance are the stories produced?
How many people work on the show?
How do I get a copy of a show?
How can I get a transcript?
Where is Iowa Public Television?
How can I contact you?
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| Are you
ever worried you'll run out of story ideas? |
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Not in this lifetime. Our cubicles and idea files are
overflowing with great Iowa stories just waiting to be told. |
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| How do
you get your story ideas? |
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Producers are idea magnets. We read newspapers, search
the internet, pick the brains of contacts around the state, and get
letters, phone calls, and emails from our viewers. |
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How do you decide which story ideas to use? |
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First of all, the stories have to grab our attention.
We look for uniqueness with universal appeal. The stories should be
visual, meaningful, and have a strong Iowa angle. We’re happiest
when the story offers a new way of approaching classic issues and
problems. The litmus test is if the story gets unanimous approval
at one of our lengthy “Idea Meetings.” |
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What are some helpful hints to get my story idea chosen? |
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Present your idea to us with the goals of the show in
mind. We want stories about people who are making (or have made) Iowa
a better place. And the stories need to be of interest to the entire
state (not just your family or neighborhood.) Stories should be unusual,
visual and inspiring in some way. Submit your proposals to us by calling,
writing, or emailing. Be sure to include a contact name and phone
number. |
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What are the steps in producing a story? |
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- Find a good idea.
- Contact interested parties, set up interviews and shoots.
- Schedule crew and equipment.
- Prepare interview questions and start thinking of visuals needed
to tell the story.
- On the shoot, record all necessary information, visuals, and
audio elements.
- Log tapes (selecting and describing the best shots) and make
transcriptions of interviews.
- Write the script, and submit for approval. Rewrite.
- Double check facts and spellings, prep graphics.
- Record the narration.
- Post-produce in an edit suite. This can take several days. It
can include “sweetening” the audio and video.
- Final approval of the feature by the program’s senior
producer.
- Finish the feature in an edit suite. This generally takes only
a few hours, and can include adding special effects and graphics.
- Communicate all the specifics to those who assemble the finished
show. This includes lots of paperwork.
- Produce promotional information for video, web, and press releases.
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How far in advance are the stories produced? |
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The timeline for our stories varies widely. We might
videotape an event as part of a story that develops over a year’s
time, or we could tape an interview the day the program airs. |
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How many people work on the show? |
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As you can tell from the show’s credits, many
people with differing areas of expertise work on this weekly program.
Some will work on it for just a few hours per week, others make it
their full-time job. Generally, there are about 6 producers who have
their hands in each week’s show, some producing, editing, and
writing features, others organizing the promotional efforts, and still
others assembling the pieces into the on-air presentation. |
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How do I get a copy of a show? |
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Call (800) 532-1290 and ask for a Living in Iowa Producer.
One of us will take your name, address, and phone number. You can
also email this information to us. We need the air date or name of
the story you’re requesting. VHS copies cost $25 (including
shipping), and take about 2 weeks to arrive. The bill and the tape
will come in separate mailings. You’ll need to mail us a check
for the amount and, once your check arrives, we’ll begin the
duplication process. It will take about 2 weeks for you to receive
your tape. We can’t process credit cards. Checks should be made
out to Iowa Public Television and mailed to:
Living In Iowa
Iowa Public Television
6450 Corporate Drive
P.O. Box 6450
Johnston, IA 50131
Include your name, phone, mailing address and the LII program you’re
interested in.
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How can I get a transcript? |
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Up to now we haven't been able to offer transcripts
of our programs, but soon that information will be available on the
Living in Iowa website. Stay tuned. |
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Where is Iowa Public Television? |
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Our home base is in Johnston, Iowa, on the north side
of Des Moines. Our street address is 6450 Corporate Drive, Johnston,
IA 50131. |
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| How
can I contact you? |
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- By phone at: (800) 532-1290
- Through the Contact form above
- By mail at:
Living In Iowa
Iowa Public Television
6450 Corporate Drive
P.O. Box 6450
Johnston, IA 50131
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