Multimedia Journalism Narrative Mindy McAdams / University of Florida

Multimedia Experiences that are: Interactive Personal Computer-based Those three factors (should) drive design Presentations that are rich in: Images (photos, graphics, maps, video) Sound Text

Designing media Linear media (text OR video) -- Lead the user by the nose Grab them with the lede or the opening shot Build the narrative Maintain control at all times Multimedia -- Provide real choices Let the users decide and explore Give up control

Toxic Legacy (Bergen Record, 2005)

Lots of data, but few graphics

Nice map, but straight from print

Photos could have driven this story

Lots and lots of text

Interactive engages the user Provide multiple “hooks” up front People (so many stories!) Places (maps, scenes) Problem (everyone’s water) Villain: Ford Motor Co. and “the Mob” Use motion to propel the hooks Should NOT be a monolithic narrative “Small pieces, loosely joined” Little stories

Immersion and experience Multimedia allows us to simulate an experience Less so than a video game, but … More so than a printed story with photos The screen is intimate Very close, seemingly private Touching the mouse, moving the cursor (This is also true for online video) Detachment is NOT what user should feel

Touching Hearts, Herald-Sun, 2001

Animated explanatory graphics

Animated maps

Photo stories with audio

Visual organization of info

Choices and control It’s NOT about giving the user random or meaningless choices … It’s about allowing the user to be in control of the experience The experience = the story

Experiencing the story Watching is passive Passive elements must be short Video is passive : Make it short Text is passive : Make it short What can the user do? Interactivity means having control If I’m in control, I am not held captive by a big block of text, a 5-minute video, etc. I can choose, move on, go someplace else

Mindy McAdams / University of Florida Examples linked at