Telling Stories with Video JRNL 10 Hofstra University Prof. Vaccaro

Housekeeping Fan vs. Fan assignments due Assign new Fan vs. Fan students Update class on equipment rental procedures Poll: How many people have their own audio/video recorder? Review Assignment 3 Infographics/Date

In-Class Activity Please take 5-10 minutes to do this … Everyone find a 2-4 min video that you think best exemplifies what a news video should look like Prof. Vaccaro the link Prepare to discuss why you think this is a newsworthy video and what elements caught your attention

In-Class Videos Using JournoTech.com, let’s watch some instructional and informative clips

Things to Keep in Mind News videos must tell a story A news update or news desk broadcast is different from a news story/video In a couple of minutes your audience must learn the basics of the story and feel satisfied The opening and closing of a video are important, just like with writing

Advantages of Using Video Keeps it fresh, clean and adds depth Compliments text and photos Can tell the story by itself Adds multimedia element Can use content for future stories

The Debate: Quality v. Quanitity Quality –Time consuming –Thorough –Groundbreaking –Investigative –Perfection over time Quantity –Flush site with content –More news is better –24/7 - NOW! –Perfection on its own –Mix it up

Video Tip Sheet Use different methods for different stories Use voiceovers, on-camera techniques, different angles, etc. Vary and mix your shots Get more than enough material

Building a Five Shot Sequence Close up on the hands Close up on the face Wide shot Over the shoulder shot Creative shot Mix these up and you have a varied, constructive news piece

Adding Voice to Video Voiceovers –Control the piece with your tempo –Easy to make a piece with simple software Learn effective video interviewing –Make interviewee feel comfortable –Plan ahead and accordingly –Feel comfortable with your setting and equipment –Don’t ask longwinded questions

Get Creative with Video -Climb up on something: a chair, the hood of a car or the bleachers in the stadium. -Get down on your knees or even flat on your belly to give us another perspective. -Think about using the foreground as a frame for the action.

Shooting Good Video Focus, Zoom, Exposure Be selective in shooting, but get many clips Avoid panning and zooming Be silent when you shoot Framing/Composing: Follow rule of thirds Get good audio - use external mic if possible!

Lessons in Digital Story Telling Define story in first 20 seconds - hook ‘em! Make sure you have intro/middle/close Don’t let viewer have chance to be bored Focus on one central idea and stick to it Remember, characters make stories - the better they are, the better the story

Producing Video for Web Start small, aim high Remember the storage capacity for your sites CMS Don’t be afraid to shoot enough footage for multiple files Understand your platform and requirements for your editors … i.e. Patch intro/close/lower thirds, 200mb etc.

Thinking Hyper-local with Video Quick Q&As Short sit-down video sessions Daily updates on local stories Providing a full media package with small clips Everything on a local site can have a small video at the very least Problems: Man power, budget and time

The Editing Game I don’t have time to learn FinalCut Pro, what now? –Don’t worry - there are simple editing programs that exist. Audacity is free and available online. iMovie is for MAC and very simple. Microsoft has similar programs.

For Next Class Blog about this class lecture Prepare for in-class assignment with either audio or video reporting Note: Classes remaining: April 4, 11, May 2, 9 and 16 (final due) … discuss final next week Reading –Chapter 10: Managing News as Conversation –Two articles on live streaming