For our online video project, Louis and I plan to create a piece featuring different reactions to winter in Vermont. Our goal is to include several brief sound bites that represent various viewpoints, ranging from excited to disgusted.
In addition to the interview clips, we plan to use firsthand video of someone skiing, as well as other shots of the recent snow and cold weather.
We both think that this will make for an engaging segment because its relevant, applicable, and interesting to both locals and those who aren't familiar with the severity of a northern New England winter. The eclectic mix of responses will also add depth to the piece.
As far as roles are concerned, Louis will be shooting most of the video, while I plan to write the accompanying story. We will both be conducting interviews and compiling sound bites for this project.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Newspaper Video Assignment
After doing a bit of research focused on newspapers that have ventured into the realm of online video, I decided to check on the Chicago Tribune's photography and video platform. I immediately noticed that the video page, while very professional and eye-catching, was buried deep within the paper's website. I had to navigate to the bottom of the homepage sidebar and then scroll down the accompanying webpage before I reached the Tribune's video gallery.
Once there, I browsed the site and watched several clips, all of which included firsthand information and tried to tell a journalistic story. However, the Tribune's videos started and ended much more abruptly than typical news segments and often didn't follow the format of a TV news package. Instead, they featured collections of interviews, b-roll and natural sound, and even time lapses and other unique elements. The Tribune's videos also varied significantly in length, with some lasting only a few minutes and others running much longer.
Ultimately, I think the Chicago Tribune's video gallery is a neat feature that complimented some of the publication's "harder" written journalism pieces. However, it is quite difficult to navigate and many of the videos don't have enough context to an outsider like myself to have much journalistic relevance. I certainly wouldn't rely solely on this particular video gallery for my news of the day. It has a professional tone, but the content isn't substantial enough to hold my interest for a prolonged period of time. In my opinion, the Tribune's video gallery is a less engaging version of iReport. It's similar in style and approach, but lacks the content to pull a reader away from a written web story.
Once there, I browsed the site and watched several clips, all of which included firsthand information and tried to tell a journalistic story. However, the Tribune's videos started and ended much more abruptly than typical news segments and often didn't follow the format of a TV news package. Instead, they featured collections of interviews, b-roll and natural sound, and even time lapses and other unique elements. The Tribune's videos also varied significantly in length, with some lasting only a few minutes and others running much longer.
Ultimately, I think the Chicago Tribune's video gallery is a neat feature that complimented some of the publication's "harder" written journalism pieces. However, it is quite difficult to navigate and many of the videos don't have enough context to an outsider like myself to have much journalistic relevance. I certainly wouldn't rely solely on this particular video gallery for my news of the day. It has a professional tone, but the content isn't substantial enough to hold my interest for a prolonged period of time. In my opinion, the Tribune's video gallery is a less engaging version of iReport. It's similar in style and approach, but lacks the content to pull a reader away from a written web story.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
CNN iReport Review
Upon signing up for an account on CNN iReport, I decided to check out the website to see what it has to offer. For the most part, I was impressed by the format and structure of this rather unique multimedia storytelling platform.
I found it especially intriguing that all of the content, information, and stories featured on iReport are generated by citizen journalists from CNN's audience. In my opinion, the idea of encouraging everyday people to cover newsworthy events that were previously restricted to traditional media outlets is both organic and cutting edge. It allows viewers to feel as if they have a voice and makes them a part of a newsgathering process that has faced mounting criticism in recent years. And, most importantly, it epitomizes the cultural blending of traditional news and citizen journalism that continues to impact, change, and redirect the journalism industry as a whole.
I think that iReport is a brilliant idea in terms of increased viewership and a higher quality of journalism on the part of CNN. Many of the producer-approved clips that I watched while touring the site were both engaging and informative, such as the firsthand footage of last week's NASA rocket explosion. I also liked the fact that each story was distinctly different from a content and stylistic standpoint. From raw video to commentary to written articles, I came across a number of stories that covered everything from street harassment in New York City to the financial impact of lava flow in Hawaii.
My one criticism of iReport, and other similar websites, is the high volume of clutter that one has to sort through in order to find "the gold." Any media platform that caters to amateur input will undoubtedly yield its fair share of amateur results, which can make it difficult for users to distinguish between meaningful citizen journalism and fluff pieces that don't carry a lot of substance. Of course, this is nearly impossible to avoid in the realm of journalism through the eyes of the everyday person and is ultimately a part of the process. For what it's worth, CNN is diligent in managing the clutter through the efforts of producers who review the submissions and verify them for accuracy and clarity.
I found it especially intriguing that all of the content, information, and stories featured on iReport are generated by citizen journalists from CNN's audience. In my opinion, the idea of encouraging everyday people to cover newsworthy events that were previously restricted to traditional media outlets is both organic and cutting edge. It allows viewers to feel as if they have a voice and makes them a part of a newsgathering process that has faced mounting criticism in recent years. And, most importantly, it epitomizes the cultural blending of traditional news and citizen journalism that continues to impact, change, and redirect the journalism industry as a whole.
I think that iReport is a brilliant idea in terms of increased viewership and a higher quality of journalism on the part of CNN. Many of the producer-approved clips that I watched while touring the site were both engaging and informative, such as the firsthand footage of last week's NASA rocket explosion. I also liked the fact that each story was distinctly different from a content and stylistic standpoint. From raw video to commentary to written articles, I came across a number of stories that covered everything from street harassment in New York City to the financial impact of lava flow in Hawaii.
My one criticism of iReport, and other similar websites, is the high volume of clutter that one has to sort through in order to find "the gold." Any media platform that caters to amateur input will undoubtedly yield its fair share of amateur results, which can make it difficult for users to distinguish between meaningful citizen journalism and fluff pieces that don't carry a lot of substance. Of course, this is nearly impossible to avoid in the realm of journalism through the eyes of the everyday person and is ultimately a part of the process. For what it's worth, CNN is diligent in managing the clutter through the efforts of producers who review the submissions and verify them for accuracy and clarity.
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