Colleen Wilson

Telling Story with Video

Impact of Video:

Video is a versatile form of journalism. Any kind of journalist, no matter the level of experience can get started immediately shooting video. Depending on the time and energy put into the project, the quality can vary.

Perfection is not necessary. In fact, quick and less polished video content usually generates bigger audiences. This has led to one man “digital journalists” shooting, editing and producing their own footage.

Plan Your Video and Go:

Use different approaches for different projects. You can take one of two approaches, documentary style or breaking news style with highlight clips. Both forms require some planning. Breaking news videos need to have a comprehensive view of the scene, including interviews. Shooting a documentary gives you more freedom and control to plan and research.

Try storyboarding. Storyboarding is making a visual sketch of your plan for the video, separated into parts for organization.

Mix your shots. Notice how different shots are used in your favorite video story. Become familiar with the different styles of shooting and videographer terminology.

Build a five shot sequence. Using these five elements in this order is recommended by the BBC for a perfect video every time.

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. Make sure you have the right location to complement the story. Check your lighting and sound to make sure your video will look professional. Come prepared with questions, and respond with non-verbal clues so that your “uh-huh” and “wow, really” doesn’t ruin the interview.

Content. Keep it short.

Write a script and warm up. If you don’t have time for a full script, jot down an outline.

Be stable, breathe easy. Make sure you look relaxed and at ease while on camera.

Don’t be afraid to talk with your hands. The best people on screen are the ones who can capture viewers with their personality.

Gear Up and Get Out There:

Choose the right camera for you. The Flip camera, which is now out of business, has been replaced by the Bloggie. Both options are small, cheap and portable.

Accessories. Tapes and batteries are essential. Make sure to have backups. Sound is imperative to the quality of a video, so an external microphone may be a good idea. Keep your videos from looking amateur by using a tripod.

Working with Digital Video Files:

Keep it short. The web audience does not have the patience to watch long videos. Four to five minutes is a safe bet.

Choose your editing software. There are several programs available for beginners from $60-$200.

 

Data-Driven Journalism and Digitizing Your Life

Your Digital Life:

Organize your email to keep yourself on top of all the information  you receive every day. For further organization, use tools to manage your contacts, to-do lists, calendars and notes. Project management programs allow you to assign tasks, share files,establish deadlines and share notes, which is especially helpful with big project stories or ongoing coverage.

Data Driven Journalism:

Using data to write stories about taxes or the census is obvious, but nearly any story can be supplemented with data. Databases can be particularly useful to readers. Building an API, application program interface, allows one web service to feed another, connecting data and technology between different websites. This has changed interaction on the internet and can be useful to readers and journalists alike.

Building Spreadsheets, Databases

Spreadsheets are easy to create with programs like Excel. The information can then be easily sorted into groups based on their fields.

Map Mashups

Map mashups refers to the idea of taking physical location data and organizing it based on category or information type. This was made much easier with the advent of Google’s API mapping program. Map applications can be used to record data, such as crimes, or for breaking news to display the affected area.

Build an Interactive Map with Data

Build your own map using HTML or a host site and embed it onto your own website with data. Location aware devices make it possible for readers to interact with maps, offering new possibilities to custom deliver news, information and even advertising.