Online Journalism

Video is “the most powerful type of visual journalism,” according to Mark Briggs. In Chapter 8 of “Journalism Next” Briggs describes how journalists can get on the video bandwagon. This might come as a shock to journalism students but apparently quality of the video does not matter. It can be amateur video or some professionally done […]

With information such as emails, status updates and blog posts, its sometimes hard to keep up with the never-ending avalanche of information that is the Internet. We are up to our eyeballs in social media, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because all you have to do it learn how to breathe through all it.  Briggs talks about how to take advantage of digital tools that help you manage your daily onslaught of digital information.

*Tips:

• Organize your email. This is the mecca where most of your information collides. Create separate folders and install filters to tidy up your inbox.
• Find a program that fits all your digital needs, for example, the system that Briggs recommends is Backpack, that lets you organize your to-do lists, meeting and creates a group calendar.

*This website lists some of the best freelance tools that someone with a chaotic digital life can use, items such as Conceptshare, that is great for group collaborations and lets you plan out ideas if your doing a creative, visual project.

• A concept Briggs describes is data-driven journalism: Countless stories involve spreadsheets, charts, and database information that can be overwhelming for readers and the reporters. Most newspapers have launched event calendar databases on their Websites, where visitors can access recent information anytime they want.
• Another great point Briggs made was interactive maps. It engages the reader and lets them guide through the data at their own pace, while also offering additional information without looking too overwhelming to the eyes. Creating icons on the map that you can click on and see extra video, pictures or information. Like when Steve Buttry came into class today, he showed us an article The Des-Moines Register story on the Tornado that his Parkersburg Iowa in 2008. The map shows the houses that were affected, all laid out on a street map and you can click on the icons to see further video and the story behind the building.

*Sorting data is the best way to wrap your head around all this digital information. Don’t drive yourself cross-eyed trying to sort out emails and such on your own, lean on those sorting database systems that are know better. Data-driven journalism can launch your reporting onto the next level and give you a more legitimate feel.

The video age is upon us. More and more people are editing their way into the world of video, a world where publishing and creating a video is becoming incredibly easier. An impact of a video can alter a story from having the reader just reading to having them feel like they were part of the story. Any kind of journalist can participate and produce their own videos, and the video craze has been caught on so fast that news stations and papers are now creating a new job position: a video journalist.

Briggs’ tips:

• Plan different approaches for different projects: analyze the story and think about what’s the best way to represent it, and if you’re a beginner and need a starting point, there are two types of videos–> Documentary style stories or breaking news with highlight clips videos.
• Try storyboarding you video out: It lets you visualize and plan out your video, so you can figure out the style of the video and know footage you need to go out and shoot.
• Mix your shots: Not all shots in a video are the same, well at least not the good videos anyway. Make sure you try to use different angles and shot concepts, like in an interview, shoot over the interviewers shoulder, but if there is another interview, try it from different spot.
• Build a five- shot sequence: 1) Close up on the hands 2) close up on the face 3) wide-shot 4) over-the-shoulder shot 5) another shot from a different angle. This sequence could be of someone doing a task that your story is describing.

*I reccomend starting out with the Flip video cameras, as they are super compact, easy to carry around and even easier to use and hook up to a computer.

• Another great tip Briggs states is that you should control your story with voice-overs.

* The Final Cut Pro editing program from Apple was the one I used throughout high school, and it was especially useful in my broadcast journalism class in my senior year. Super easy to use and it offers a ton of different editing and video techniques, a definite recommendation.

This video called Best Video Editing Blogs shows you what the best technology and what sites to get advice from if your a newbie videographer and also what to use if your a pro and want to step up your video skills.

The digital video revolution

• A versatile form of journalism

1. Two journalists, one goal
2. Perfection not necessary

Plan your video and go

• Use different approaches for different projects
• Try storyboarding
• Mix your shots
• Build five-shot sequences

1. Close-up on the hands
2. Close-up on the face
3. Wide shot
4. Over-the-shoulder shot
5. Creative shot

Voice in video:

• Learn effective video interviewing
• Use a stand-up, even if you don’t want to

1. Content
2. Write a script and warm up
3. Be stable, breathe easy
4. Don’t be afraid to talk with your hands
5. Control your story with voice-overs

Gear up and get out there:

• Array of camera choices
• Video camera shopping questions

1. What media type?
2. Do I need high def?
3. What software will I be using to edit this footage?
4. What accessories do I need? (Tapes and batteries, microphones, tripod, headphones, lighting)

Shooting good video:

• Focus
• Zoom
• Exposure

Aim for solid, not spectacular clips

• Be selective in shooting
• Avoid panning and zooming
• Hold your shots
• Be silent when you shoot
• Framing and composing

Get good audio:

• Built-in mic
• Wireless mic
• Shotgun mic

Working with digital  video files:

• Keep it short
• Choose your editing software
• Practice visual storytelling

Publishing video online:

• Do your own compression
• Seek viral video distribution

Audio journalism — a microphone, recorder and free software (plus a computer and internet, of course) are the only tools needed to create an audio form of journalism.

Why is audio journalism important?

It has characteristics that cannot be matched by other forms of media such as:

• Presence
• Emotions
• Atmosphere

How do news organizations use audio?

• Reporter overview
• Podcasts
• Audio slideshows
• Breaking news

The basics of audio journalism:

• Interviews and voice-overs
• Natural or environmental sound
• Imported sound clips, including music

Get started with audio:

• Recording interviews

1. Choose your location
2. Gather natural sound
3. Prepare your subject
4. Watch what you say
5. Try delayed recording
6. Mark the best spots

• Doing voice-overs

1. Write a script
2. Warm up
3. Find operative words
4. Keep it conversational

You can use a digital recorder, your computer or an external microphone to help.

Editing digital audio:

• Understand digital formats
• Get ready to edit
• Editing with audacity
• Try advanced editing techniques (fade, cross-fading, established music, segue, transition)