Riddle of the black panther: evidence in favour

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A black panther has been spotted near the town of Flotsam. You are a
reporter working for a TV station. You've been asked to investigate the
story.

Before you begin, try to get a photo of the panther. See how many times
you can photograph it before the time runs out.

Score: 0

Time left: 60

Time's up! You took 0 photographs.

Select Next to start work.

Meeting room

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We have reports that a black panther is on
the loose around Flotsam. I don't know if
there's any truth in it, but it will make a great
story.

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We need you to do a story on it for Steve's
show. The storyline is that the black panther
is terrifying the town of Flotsam.

The should scare viewers and
make them feel sorry for the people of
Flotsam.

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Here's what you need to do:

Select the items you want to use.

Edit and arrange the items to make them
fit your storyline.

Write the script.

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Go first to our video library. Look at the items
we have on the black panther story.

Find the five items that will work best to tell
your story.

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Each item has
questions to help
you decide whether
to use it. Good luck!

Video library

Select the computer screen to
choose items to use in your story.

Video library

Search:

Black panther

Video library computer

Panther information

Empty

Select each item about the black panther.

Choose the five items that work best with your
storyline: a black panther is terrifying the town of
Flotsam.

Select each item about the black panther.

Remember, you are choosing the five items that
work best with your storyline: a black panther is
terrifying the town of Flotsam.

Saved
This item has been saved for your
segment.

Not Saved
This item won't be saved for your
segment.

Good work. You now have five items.

You haven't looked through all of the items. Are you
sure these are your final selections?

To remove an item from your list, select the tick next
to it.

Select a new item from the list to continue.

Good work. You now have all of your items.

Select Next to start putting your story together.

Is there a panther out there? Who knows?

The shop owners love it because it brings
in tourists. I liked things better before. Now
it's all thrill-seekers and traffic jams here in
Flotsam.

Question

What is the police officer's attitude to the black
panther?

Would you like to have a police officer in
your segment?

How does this police officer sound?

So, are you going to use the police officer in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide.

The other night I was just going
to bed when I heard a rustle ...
a scuffling noise. I looked
outside and saw a pair of
hungry, glowing eyes just a few
centimetres away.

Then the creature growled at
me. I slammed the window and
screamed!

Question

Describe this resident's statement.

How does this resident look?

How does this resident's voice sound?

So, are you going to use this resident in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide.

Hi, I'm Joe. I'm a new
member of the Panther
Spotters' Club, and I really
enjoy it. I've made lots of
friends - it's not so lonely
around here anymore.

I've heard about sightings at
Wombat Flats. They say the
panther appears at dawn. I'd
love to see it one day soon.

Question

How is Joe feeling here?

Would Joe's appearance help you to tell
your story?

Does Joe's voice sound alarmed or cheerful?

So, are you going to include Joe in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide.

Question

Would a black panther roar be a good sound effect
to use in your segment?

Would you use all of this sound effect or
only part of it?

What do you want the panther roar to tell your viewers?

So, are you going to use the panther roar in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide.

Question

What happens in this video?

Does the black panther look big?

When do you think this video was made?

So, are you going to use the panther video in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide.

Question

Could an image of a paw print help you tell your story?

Is this a or a of the paw print?

Which part of this photo do you want your
viewers to look at?

So, are you going to use the paw print in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide.

Question

What is the black panther doing in this photo?

Does this photo suggest that the black panther is
near Flotsam or away from Flotsam?

Does this photo make the black panther look
threatening?

So, are you going to use this photo in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide.

Question

What tells you that this photo was probably taken at a zoo?

Which part of this photo demands our attention?

How could you make the black panther in this
photo look even bigger and more dangerous?

So, are you going to use this photo in your segment?

Use your checklist to help you decide. Remember that you
can crop this photo later if you want to.

Editing room

Welcome to the editing room. This is where you will
prepare your items and arrange them into a TV
segment.

Select the computer to start creating your segment.

Editing room

Content editor

Here are your five items.

Select one to start preparing your segment.

You have now prepared your five items.

Select Next to place them in order.

Here is the original and an version of the item.

Select the version that will work better to frightened your
viewers and make them feel sorry for the people of Flotsam.

Original version

Edited version

Original version

Edited version

Original version

Edited version

Original version

Edited version

Original version

Edited version

Original version

Edited version

Original version

Edited version

Original version

Edited version

Storyline editor

Place your items in the best order to tell your story.

Move each item to where you think it fits best. When you're
finished, select Done.

STORYLINE

Storyline editor

Play your TV segment to see
whether it gets your message
across.

If you want to change the
of an item, select Content editor.
To change the order, select
Storyline editor.
When you're happy with your
segment, select Next.

Create the script

Title

Opening
statement

Final
statement

You've put the items in order.

Now you need to select a title and prepare the script.

The title and script should scare viewers and make them
feel sorry for the people of Flotsam.

Title
First, choose a title for your segment.

Which of these titles best suggests that the black
panther is a big threat to the people of Flotsam?

Opening statement
What do you want Steve to say in his opening
sentence?

Steve's opening statement must grab viewers'
attention and immediately worry them.

Police officer
Select the best sentence to introduce the police
officer.

Flotsam resident
Select the best sentence to introduce the
Flotsam resident.

Panther spotter
Select the best sentence to introduce the
club member.

Panther roar
Select the best sentence to introduce the black panther's roar.

Panther video
Select the best sentence to introduce the black panther video.

Paw print
Select the best sentence to introduce the paw print.

Panther photo1
Select the best sentence to introduce this photo of the panther.

Panther photo2
Select the best sentence to introduce this photo of the panther photo.

Final statement
The final statement should drive home the storyline that a black
panther is terrifying the unfortunate people of Flotsam.

Your TV segment is finished!

Select Submit to present your story to the
Tonight with Steve team.

Select Play

You've done quite well for a first attempt.

Congratulations on a great story!

But we're not sure that you've used the
best items.

Your images and words really drive home
the storyline that the black panther is
terrifying Flotsam.

Or perhaps you need to check the script
again and see if you can improve it.

You knew what to use and what to leave
out. You're shown us that you know what
works on television current affairs.

Go back and try again

This time we'll give you some tips about the
best items and the best script.

Steve really loves your show!

Thanks for all your help putting together
the evidence!

Welcome to the Channel 6 meeting room

The products of Tonight with Steve want you to do a story
on the black panther for this very popular current affairs
show.

The story is so big that even Steve is at the meeting.

Your checklist
Use this checklist to help you find the items with the
best words, images and sounds for your segment.
You can edit the items later to make them even better.

What sorts of words do I need ?

frightening reports
scary descriptions of the black panther
words that express fear or nervousness, eg, 'screamed'

What sorts of images do I need ?

a large and dangerous black panther
frightened people
a witness
a credible evidence
dark, spooky

What sorts of sounds do I need ?

alarmed, scared voices; clear, voices
with a clear meaning

TV segment: a story in a television current
affairs program. Most current affairs
programs have four or five segments, each
on a different topic.

witness: someone who sees or hears
something happen.

credible: something you can believe;
reliable.

setting: the place where something
happens.

audible: something loud enough to be
heard.

sound effect: a natural or created sound
used in film, radio and television.

dramatic: exciting, startling

body language: showing your feelings or
attitudes through the look on your face or
by how you stand, walk or use your hands.

foreground: the part of a picture or video
that is closest to viewers.

background: the part of a picture or video
that is farthest away from viewers.

close-up: a photo that shows something
very near the camera, usually making it
look larger than in real life.

medium shot: a photo that shows
something at a normal distance from the
camera, including the thing being
photographed in part of the setting.

long shot: a photo that shows something
from a long way away. A long shot also
shows a lot of the setting.

crop: to cut off or hide an unwanted part of
a photo.

Acknowledgements

Please refer to Conditions of use.

The audio files of a leopard growling and outdoor crowd sounds
have been reproduced by kind permission of Sonomic,
http://www.sonomic.com.

version: a copy or form of something.

edited: changed in some way.

perspective: the impression that viewers
get of how far apart or close together things
are in a photo or video.

If you're correct, the police officer uses words
that show she admires the black panther.

You could be right. Most viewers would listen to
what police officers say.

If you're correct, her voice sounds shaky.

If you're correct, the police officer uses words
that show she is annoyed by the black panther.

Are you sure about this? Police officers are
usually reliable and credible witnesses.

If you're right, her voice should sound clear and
strong

Incorrect.

The police officer doesn't say anything to
suggest she admires the black panther.

Incorrect.

A Police officer could be a credible witness.

Incorrect.

Her voice is clear and strong; she sounds sure
of herself.

Incorrect.

What the police officer says won't scare viewers
or make them feel sorry for the people of
Flotsam.

Correct.

The police officer is annoyed by the crowds and
traffic problems in Flotsam.

Correct.

But also check that this officer's statement fits
your storyline.

Correct.

She speaks clearly and confidently.

Correct.

This police officer speaks clearly and a police
officer would be a credible witness. However,
what she says won't frighten the viewers or make
them feel sorry for the people of Flotsam.

If you're correct, the resident's statement
contains words and images

If you're correct, her shows that
she's frightened.

If you're correct, she is hesitating and speaking
slowly.

If you're correct, the resident's statement
contains unexciting words and images.

If you're correct, she has a smile on her face.

If you're correct, she is speaking in a clear,
excited voice.

Incorrect.

The resident describes a horrible experience in
an exciting way.

Incorrect.

She has a frightened look on her face and she
won't even come outside to talk to the reporter.

Incorrect.

She is audible and sounds sure about what
happened.

Incorrect.

This resident matches your checklist - she looks
and sounds frightened, and she describes her
experience vividly.

Correct.

The resident's statement is full of vivid,
frightening details.

Correct.

Her body language tells you that she's very
frightened.

Correct.

She is speaking clearly and we can hear how
upset she is.

Correct.

This resident will make great television and will
surely make viewers feel sorry for her.

If you're right, Joe's words show that he's feeling
cheerful and is enjoying himself.

If you're correct, he looks frightened but is also
believable.

Are you sure? Alarmed voices are usually tense
and either very soft or very loud.

If you're correct, Joe is hesitating and repeating
words.

Perhaps you're right. Joe looks a lot of fun, but
you probably don't need fun-looking people in
your segment.

If you're right, Joe's voice sounds relaxed and
happy.

Incorrect.

Joe is happy and relaxed in Flotsam with his
new friends.

Incorrect.

Joe looks like fun, but you need credible and
frightened faces on screen.

Incorrect.

Alarmed voices sound much more tense than
Joe's voice sounds here.

Incorrect.

Joe doesn't fit your segment at all. He won't
frighten the viewers or make them feel sorry for
him.

Correct.

Joe is very happy to be in the Panther's Spotter'
Club with his friends.

Correct.

Joe doesn't look scared, and viewers might think
he's just a bit weird.

Correct.

The bright, happy tone of Joe's voice tells us that
he is feeling cheerful.

Correct.

Joe is happy Flotsam resident, not someone to
feel sorry or someone who seems frightened.

You could be right. If the roar sounds loud and
realistic, it should scare your viewers.

That could be a good idea if any of the sounds
make the panther seem less scary.

Are you sure? Read the checklist and think about
what you want your viewers to feel towards the
panther.

Are you sure? A good sound effect could help
you create a scary feeling in you segment.

Make sure that all the noises you hear are scary.

If this is what you want, the roar needs to be
strong and scary.

Incorrect.

A realistic black panther roar would surely scare
your viewers.

Incorrect.

You don't want crowd noises in a scary panther
sound effect.

Incorrect.

You want your viewers to be frightened of the
black panther, not admiring it.

Incorrect.

You should use this sound effect to frighten your
viewers.

Correct.

Your segment is all about a scary black panther, and a roar could work really well.

Correct.

You need to get rid of those crowd noises.

Correct.

Making the panther sound wild and dangerous
will support your storyline well.

Correct.

The loud black panther roar will certainly frighten
your viewers.

If you're correct, there are at least two cats on
screen.

You can tell if you're correct by comparing the
size of the black panther in the with
the size of the buildings in the .

If you are right, the sun is shining brightly on the
buildings and casting the panther's shadow on
the footpath.

The panther's body language shows you whether
something has scared it.

You can tell if you're correct by comparing the
size of the black panther in the with
the size of the buildings in the .

If you are right, the moonlight is softly lighting up
the dark street.

Incorrect.

There is no small cat on screen.

Incorrect.

By comparing the size of the black panther and
the size of the buildings you can see that the
black panther is a large animal.

Incorrect.

It's night-time: the street is shadowy, and the
lights from the buildings are shining through the
darkness.

Incorrect.

This video will scare your viewers and make
them feel sorry for the people of Flotsam.

Correct.

The black panther suddenly stops, looks around
and leaps away.

Correct.

The buildings give you a that shows
that the black panther is seriously big.

Correct.

The moonlight cuts through the darkness and
lets us see the black panther.

Correct.

This image of the black panther moving silently
through the streets should frighten your viewers.

That could be right, as long as the paw print
looks big and scary. You could edit the paw print
later to make it look bigger and scarier if you
wanted to.

If you're correct, the camera was very close to
the paw print when this photo was taken.

Are you sure? Is your segment about flowers?

Are you sure? A paw print might be good
evidence that the black panther is in Flotsam.

If you're correct, the photo shows part of the
setting as well as the paw print.

That could be it, even though the paw print isn't
as pretty or colourful as the flowers

Incorrect.

A paw print shows your viewers that the black
panther is around Flotsam.

Incorrect.

A close-up usually shows only one object, but
this shot shows some flowers near the paw print.

Incorrect.

Your segment is not about flowers.

Incorrect.

Your viewers would be interested in evidence
that the black panther is around Flotsam.

Correct.

A big paw print is credible evidence that the
black panther is around Flotsam.

Correct.

A medium shot usually shows something or
someone in a setting; this shot shows a paw print
in a garden.

Correct.

You want your viewers to look at the paw print.

Correct.

This is scary evidence that the black panther is
around Flotsam.

If you're correct, the panther is standing or
crouching.

If you are correct, you should be able to see
some signs of town life.

Are you sure? Think about whether this
makes you feel close to the panther or a safe
distance away.

If you're correct, the panther is lying down.

If you're correct, you should be looking at
dense, undisturbed bushland.

If you are correct, the used here makes
you feel a safe distance away from the panther.

Incorrect.

The black panther's body is stretched out and
relaxed as it rests under the trees.

Incorrect.

Nothing in this photo suggests that it is anywhere
near a township.

Incorrect.

This shows the panther to be a long
way away and not on the prowl.

Incorrect.

This photo does not make the black panther look
scary and threatening.

Correct.

The black panther's body language tells you that
it is relaxed and is resting under the trees.

Correct.

All we can see is bushland, and the black
panther looks relaxed. This suggests that it is
away from the town.

Correct.

The panther looks quite small and defenceless in
this photo.

Correct.

This photo does not make the black panther look
scary and threatening.

Are you sure? Are family groups found mainly in
zoos?

Are you sure? Is the child looking directly into the
camera?

You could be right. Imagine what the photo
would look like without the family and the bars.

That could be right. Bars and a dangerous
animal together seem to suggest a zoo.

Are you sure? Is the black panther glaring
towards the camera?

Make sure that this will make the black panther
look big and dangerous.

Incorrect.

It isn't the family group that shows the setting for
this photo.

Incorrect.

The small child is looking away from the camera
and is not seeking our attention at all.

Incorrect.

As long as the bars are still there, most viewers
would feel safe.

Incorrect.

If you crop the photo so that it only shows the
black panther, this will scare most of the viewers.

Correct.

A dangerous animal behind bars suggests a zoo.

Correct.

The fierce-looking black panther is looking
towards the camera.

Correct.

This photo of the panther without the bars would
be much scarier.

Correct.

If you show only the panther, it will look big and
dangerous and that will work well in your
segment.

Select Check to look again.
Select Next if you're happy with your answer.

This tells us why the police officer
doesn't like what has happened to Flotsam.

This version is short, but does it tell
viewers enough?

You want this frightened face to take up most of
the screen.

This close-up does show the frightened
resident's face very clearly.

Correct.

This close-up is the most image.

Incorrect.

The close-up works better to show viewers how
frightened this resident is.

This mentions a possible sighting of the
black panther.

In this , Joe does not mention any
sightings of the black panther.

Your sound effect should suggest that the black
panther is on the loose.

Correct.

This sounds much more
frightening than the original version.

Incorrect.

You need a strong, loud panther roar; you don't
need the crowd sounds.

Every second counts in television. Do you need
all of this video?

You want a clear image of the black panther
slinking through Flotsam.

Correct.

This has cropped out the
unnecessary footage and is much smoother to
watch.

Incorrect.

There are empty moments here when the black
panther isn't on screen. Also, the whole video
looks very jerky.

Are you sure? You want to make the paw print
look as big as you can.

This cropped of the paw print looks really
big.

Correct.

The paw print in this looks really big and
should scare the viewers.

Incorrect.

To make the paw print look as big as you can,
you should crop the photo and show the paw
print in close-up.

This long shot shows the black panther at rest
under the trees.

The black panther looks smaller here than in the
original version.

You want viewers to believe that there's a black
panther on the loose. Does this photo suggest
this?

Correct.

This looks like a wild black panther on the loose
and will surely frighten your viewers.

Incorrect.

Viewers would feel happy that the black panther
is safely behind bars.

Select Check to look again.
Select Next if you're happy with your answer.

If you're correct, this title contains a scary
image.

That could be right. Think about what
'shadow' suggests to you here.

If you're correct, this title contains a scary
image.

Incorrect.

This title says what the segment is about
but does not suggest danger.

Correct.

'Shadow' suggests something creepy and
scary.

Incorrect.

This sentence doesn't even say that there
is definitely a black panther in Flotsam.

'Stalks' means to follow someone quietly
and secretly. Would that scare viewers?

'Flocking' suggests a happy, excited crowd.
Would that scare viewers?

'Quite nervous' suggests that the people of
Flotsam are not seriously concerned.
Would that scare viewers?

Correct.

'Fear' and 'stalks' are scary words that will
grab viewers' attention and worry them.

Incorrect.

This is not the best sentence for worrying
the viewers.

Incorrect.

This sentence will not grab the viewers'
attention.

This statement will make your viewers feel
calm and relaxed. Is this what you want?

Verbs like 'protect' suggest danger, and
adjectives like 'brave' and 'poor' make
viewers feel sorry for the people of
Flotsam. Does this fit your storyline?

This statement gives the police officer's
opinion before she speaks. Is this a good
idea?

This is a good statement if you want to give
your viewers facts and not make them feel
scared.

This is a good statement if you want your
viewers to make up their own minds about
whether there's a black panther in Flotsam.

Think about whether the adjectives 'poor'
and 'terrorised' will support your storyline.

Incorrect.

Steve needs to persuade viewers to feel
sorry for this resident. This sentence won't
do it.

Incorrect.

Steve has to persuade viewers to feel sorry
for this resident. Don't give him that
sentence to read!

Correct.

The adjectives 'poor' and 'terrorised' should
make viewers feel sorry for this resident
and all the people of Flotsam.

Think about whether 'happy' creates the
feeling you want in the segment.

'Terrible' creates a scary feeling, but is
Joe's statement about 'terrible' things?

This statement will make your viewers feel
calm and relaxed. Do you want to do this?

This factual statement contains no scary
elements. Think about whether that fits
your storyline.

If you're correct, this statement contains
strong, exciting words that will scare
viewers.

Incorrect.

Everything Steve says should help to scare
your viewers and this sentence does not
do that.

Incorrect.

Telling viewers that something is scary
doesn't make it scary.

Correct.

The adjective 'spine-chilling' is scary and
viewers will feel sorry for the frightened,
sleepless people of Flotsam.

These two short sentences sound very
emotional. Is this what you want?

If you're correct, this statement contains
strong, exciting words that will scare
viewers.

Think about whether you want viewers to
make up their own minds about the black
panther.

Correct.

The verb 'believe' insists that this is a
genuine video and 'black menace' is a
scary description of the panther.

Incorrect.

This calm statement doesn't persuade
viewers that they are watching a
dangerous black panther.

Incorrect.

You want Steve to tell your viewers that
this is a frightening black panther.

This would probably make the viewers
laugh. Think about whether this is what you
want to do.

Think about whether this persuades
viewers that this is a genuine black panther
paw print.

This could work if you want to tell viewers
how you make your program.

Incorrect.

This sentence would probably make the
viewers laugh. you want them to be
scared.

Correct.

The words 'definitely' and 'very' should
persuade viewers that this is a genuine
panther paw print.

Incorrect.

Viewers don't want to look at pictures from
a library book. This sentence won't help to
excite and scare viewers.

Steve is describing a peaceful scene. Does
this fit your storyline?

This statement predicts that the panther
will attack soon. Will that make viewers feel
scared?

This statement makes the panther seem
quiet and not dangerous. Does this fit your
storyline?

If you're correct, Steve is using a horrible
image that will scare viewers.

This sounds quite cheerful. Is this how you
want Steve to sound?

You could be correct, if you want Steve to
make a factual statement.

Correct.

Steve could say 'monster' with a lot of
feeling. the idea of a 'puppy dog' being
attacked would horrify all animal lovers.

Incorrect.

This cheerful comment is out of place in a
segment that aims to scare viewers.

Incorrect.

This calm, informative statement does not
help to scare viewers.

Think about whether the words 'interesting'
and 'remarkable' would leave viewers
feeling scared.

Think about what the words 'probably' and
'quite' tell the viewers, and decide if this is
what you want.

Remember that you want to leave your
viewers feeling scared and worried about
the people of Flotsam. Is this the best
statement to do this?

Incorrect.

The adjectives 'interesting' and
'remarkable' will not stir up viewers'
feelings.

Incorrect.

'Probably' and 'quite nervous' would make
the presenter sound unsure about the
black panther and not very sorry for the
people of Flotsam.

Correct.

The exclamation 'what haunting images!' and the adjectives 'haunting' and
'fearsome' make this a strong final
statement for your TV segment.

Select Check to look again.
Select Next if you're happy with your answer.

unless otherwise indicated