Here are some things to look forward to the first year you try to do your own student TV show: The date will accidently be on the tape Somebody forgot to turn the mic on The photographer didn't white balance The wind noise kills the interview The reporter forgets to get the person's name and correct spelling No one noticed the idiot in the background The photog didn't pre-roll, so the bite isn't there The reporter is in every shot The photog didn't shoot any cutaways "We forgot to call ahead" You'll use music on everything, EVERYTHING The opening of the show will just be people waving The opening lasts four minutes The graphics will be really cool, but unreadable The graphics will be really cool, but incorrectly spelled Really original stuff at the end, like funny out-takes Interviews with everyone in front of the same wall Nobody labeled the tape, and the most important shot is now toast... These are the kinds of things you can expect to encounter. But they'll be great lessons to learn, and you'll get better with every show. Now here are the things you absolutely can't let happen. There are some funny things that can crop up from time to time, but some things MUST be on the "forbidden list" from day one, such as: A reporter telling a source what to say Staging shots for a news story Not checking correct spelling/pronunciation Making up facts Telling only one side of the story Using misleading video Identifying a minor in relation to a crime You'll think of others for your own list, and once you do e-mail them to me to add here. These are pretty universal, even for the number one newscasts and Pacemaker shows out there.