Multimedia and Interactivity

Interactivity Allows users to manipulate information and to contribute to the story Promotes user involvement and understanding Results in an online journalism story that is a collection of contributions from journalists, experts and individual readers Allows users to manipulate information and to contribute to the story Promotes user involvement and understanding Results in an online journalism story that is a collection of contributions from journalists, experts and individual readers

Types of Media Elements Graphics Sound Video Rich content Databases and interactive mashups Graphics Sound Video Rich content Databases and interactive mashups

Graphics Photographs— Help convey the emotion or essence of the story NYT Year in PicturesYear in Pictures Photographs— Help convey the emotion or essence of the story NYT Year in PicturesYear in Pictures

Techniques and Aesthetics for Gathering Images Picture composition (framing) Three basic shots: Long shot Medium shot Close-up Rule of thirds Eye space Depth of field Picture composition (framing) Three basic shots: Long shot Medium shot Close-up Rule of thirds Eye space Depth of field

Two Different Focus Settings

Graphics Maps—Specify geographical location of the news story NYT and Weekend ExplorerWeekend Explorer

Graphics Technical illustrations—Show how a system works the Met NYT Crane CollapseCrane Collapse Technical illustrations—Show how a system works the Met NYT Crane CollapseCrane Collapse

Graphics Information graphics—Show relationships between numbers or concepts (bar chart, line chart) NYT and The Ebb and Flow of MoviesThe Ebb and Flow of Movies

Sound When to use sound Does it help tell the story? Does it convey to users a sense of being there? How to integrate sound with the story With basic HTML, a plug-in plays the sound clip Supplement HTML with Java or Flash for a more immersive effect When to use sound Does it help tell the story? Does it convey to users a sense of being there? How to integrate sound with the story With basic HTML, a plug-in plays the sound clip Supplement HTML with Java or Flash for a more immersive effect

Digital Sound Formats Streaming (RealAudio) MP3 (best compromise for music) Combinations NYT and The Lourdes of TwangThe Lourdes of Twang NYT and Voices from the PollsVoices from the Polls Streaming (RealAudio) MP3 (best compromise for music) Combinations NYT and The Lourdes of TwangThe Lourdes of Twang NYT and Voices from the PollsVoices from the Polls

Microphones Three main types: Hand-held Lavaliere Shotgun Three main types: Hand-held Lavaliere Shotgun

Recording Devices Volume level and sound quality are important aspects May choose format and quality before recording Selection of digitizing quality includes additional parameters: Sampling rate Bit depth Channels Volume level and sound quality are important aspects May choose format and quality before recording Selection of digitizing quality includes additional parameters: Sampling rate Bit depth Channels

Video When to use video Does it help tell the story? Does it show something unique? How to combine video with the story With basic HTML, video clips disrupt flow of story Users should be allowed to choose whether they want to view video When to use video Does it help tell the story? Does it show something unique? How to combine video with the story With basic HTML, video clips disrupt flow of story Users should be allowed to choose whether they want to view video

Video Aesthetics Aspects of still photography apply to video Camera moves: Panning Tilting Zooming Additional video considerations: Compression, Sequencing, Sound bites Aspects of still photography apply to video Camera moves: Panning Tilting Zooming Additional video considerations: Compression, Sequencing, Sound bites

Gathering sound is more science and less art. Microphones easily pick up background noise Journalist should use headphones to monitor sounds as they are recorded Microphone placement most important determinant of sound quality Ambient nat sound establishes the setting Gathering sound is more science and less art. Microphones easily pick up background noise Journalist should use headphones to monitor sounds as they are recorded Microphone placement most important determinant of sound quality Ambient nat sound establishes the setting Gathering Sound

Digitizing and Editing Audio and Video Tradeoffs = higher quality but larger files require more bandwidth Requires a specialized video capture card Compression can make files smaller MPEG-1 or MPEG-4 Choose settings based on individual preferences, e.g., smooth motion or frame detail Tradeoffs = higher quality but larger files require more bandwidth Requires a specialized video capture card Compression can make files smaller MPEG-1 or MPEG-4 Choose settings based on individual preferences, e.g., smooth motion or frame detail

Rich Content Additions to HTML that allow greater interactivity and control of individual media elements Java Flash USAToday and Gasoline MSNBC “Battle of the Bags”Battle of the Bags Additions to HTML that allow greater interactivity and control of individual media elements Java Flash USAToday and Gasoline MSNBC “Battle of the Bags”Battle of the Bags

User-Generated Content Forums and blogs Databases Crowdsourcing Open-source journalism Forums and blogs Databases Crowdsourcing Open-source journalism

Making Media Decisions Nature of the story Target audience Available resources Nature of the story Target audience Available resources