Tech for Web Reporting Kristen Landreville

Multimedia Storytelling The Standard and Dominant Medium: Text Multimedia Options: – Photography – Audio – Slideshows – Video – Interactive Stories and Graphics But…strong storytelling is still king

First, A Few Questions 1.Does your newspaper have a CMS? 2.To what extent does your newspaper have an online multimedia presence? – Website? – Blogs? – Audio/video stories? – Interactive stories or graphics, such as Flash projects? – Soundslides slideshows? 3.What would you like to change about your newspaper’s online presence? 4.What is the likelihood that changes will occur?

Why is an online presence important? Local newspapers (online and off) are top sources for news. Local newspapers 31% of adults get news and information about local businesses and restaurants from newspapers (online and off) 31% of adults

New Considerations 1.What medium is best to relay the story? Can I report the story best with text, photos, audio, or video? 2.Can I add new information (e.g., snippets of sound, video, photos, graphics) with different media? Or am I duplicating information? 3.Do I have permission to gather information in more than one way? Ask your sources! 4.Can I efficiently and effectively collect information in more than one way? Ask for help if needed! 5.If I collect more information than my editor needs, can I post some to my blog or on the Web site?

Plan of Action Digital Photography Digital Audio Slideshows using Soundslides Digital Video Resources

Photography Gear Large lens pulls in more light Best buy for digital SLR camera in $700 range – I recommend: Canon EOS Rebel T2i or Canon EOS Rebel XSiCanon EOS Rebel T2iCanon EOS Rebel XSi Decent tripods range from $45 to $100 Decent tripods Best to have large SD card – 32 GB is about $40about $40

Photography: Creative DevicesCreative Devices 1.Steady Does It 2.Move Around & Get Closer 3.Use Vertical Shots 4.Pick a Focal Point 5.Light 6.Rule of Thirds 7.Balancing Elements 8.Leading Lines 9.Symmetry & Patterns 10.Viewpoint 11.Background 12.Create Depth 13.Framing 14.Cropping 15.Experimentation 16.ColorColor 17.TextureTexture 18.ContrastContrast 19.FocusFocus Examples: Denver Post’s Photo Blog

Photoshop: Basic Editing Hands-On Acceptable Editing Techniques (Usually) Cropping Adjusting Brightness/Contrast Adjusting Color Levels Adjusting Levels Black & White Sharing & Promoting Photos  Next 1 p.m.

Audio Benefits of audio Examples Best buy: Audio recorders in $100 range – I use: TASCAM DR 07TASCAM DR 07 Practice with your recorder with simple exercises: – Record ambient noise – Record your own voice at different levels

The Art & Science of Gathering Audio Know your equipment Location No ambient noise during interview Always record ambient noise for editing purposes Get close Use headphones Speak up Don’t fidget Focus, but also engage

The Art & Science of Gathering Audio No uh-huhs or comments Don’t interrupt subjects unless necessary Request subject to reference the question in their answer Allow pauses and silence to occur between questions Ask explanation-needed questions Ask again Ask sensory questions Last question

Audio Editing Programs Many free programs available: AudacityAudacity Hands-On Open Audacity and some sample music Top editing tools – Selection tool – Envelope tool – Time shift tool – Zoom – Fade-in, fade-out Saving your project Exporting your project

SoundslidesSoundslides Slideshows Easily pairs edited audio with photos Free trial, $40 for basic, $70 for advanced Student Examples Newspaper Example Tips for reporting for Soundslides – Think about what to collect first – Gather more information than you think you need – Keep track of what you shoot and record – Match photos with audio – Plan for a new photo about every 8 seconds – 2 minutes = 15 photos; 3 minutes = 22 photos; 4 minutes = 30 photos

Soundslides Slideshows Hands-On Open Soundslides Import sample photos, sample audio Arrange photos in Soundslides Insert headline Insert captions Insert credits Export project Demo on YouTube

Video Many digital cameras have video options Otherwise, the best buy is in $ range – I recommend: Canon FS400Canon FS400 – Video mic about $150: Rode VideomicRode Videomic Examples Cameron Patey Anna Rader & Tiffany LeGal

Video Tips Go in without your camera and audio recorder Keep your head up for a hook Shoot first, interview later Learn the shots Use the 5-shot method Careful camera movement Minimize panning and tilting Do not zoom

Video Tips Stay still and be silent Stay ethical Natural sound and environment shots Rule of thirds and creative devices Get on-camera interviews Popular Video Editing Programs FinalCutPro Adobe Premiere iMovie Windows Movie Maker

Resources Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive – Free PDF book, 2007, by Mark Briggs Reporter’s Guide to Media Proficiency – Free PDF booklet, 2009, by Mindy McAdams Journalism Next – Paperback, 2009, by Mark Briggs MediaStorm – Register for workshops, view projects, read free tips Poynter Institute’s News UniversityNews University – Register for webinars or courses University of Wyoming’s New Media Blog

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