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.

• 31% of adults get news and information about local businesses and restaurants from newspapers (online and off)

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 XSi

• Decent tripods range from $45 to $100• Best to have large SD card– 32 GB is about $40

Photography: Creative Devices

1. Steady Does It2. Move Around & Get

Closer3. Use Vertical Shots4. Pick a Focal Point5. Light6. Rule of Thirds7. Balancing Elements8. Leading Lines9. Symmetry & Patterns

10. Viewpoint11. Background12. Create Depth13. Framing14. Cropping15. Experimentation16. Color17. Texture18. Contrast19. Focus

Examples:Denver Post’s Photo Blog

Photoshop: Basic Editing

Hands-OnAcceptable Editing Techniques (Usually)• Cropping• Adjusting Brightness/Contrast• Adjusting Color Levels• Adjusting Levels• Black & White

Sharing & Promoting Photos Next Session @ 1 p.m.

Audio

• Benefits of audio• Examples• Best buy: Audio recorders in $100 range – I use: TASCAM 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: AudacityHands-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

Soundslides 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 $250-350 range– I recommend: Canon FS400– Video mic about $150: Rode 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

VideoTips • Stay still and be silent • Stay ethical • Natural sound and environment shots • Rule of thirds and creative devices • Get on-camera interviewsPopular 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 University– Register for webinars or courses

• University of Wyoming’s New Media Blog

Thank You!

Keep in Touch: Email: Klandrev@uwyo.edu

Twitter: @klandreville Blog: http://uwyojournalism.com