Trends in Multimedia Journalism
Cindy Royal, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Texas State University
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
www.cindyroyal.com
www.onthatnote.com
cindytech.wordpress.com
New opportunities for storytelling
http://newspapervideo.ning.com/profile/JorgeSanhuezaLyon
Think story, not tools
• Writing is still key • Tell engaging stories• A People Torn, Minneapolis Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/11608761.html
Focus on visual, sound
• Maximize use of photos, audio, video where appropriate
• National Geographic - Ivory Warshttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/03/ivory-wars/fay-text
Make it interactive
• Involve the user• User as contributor• Use data• NY Times - Rent vs. Buy
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html
Integrate media
• Don’t fixate on one medium; seamlessly integrate text, audio, video, photos, interactivity, graphics
• Be comfortable working in teams• Washington Post - Being a Black Man• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/interactives/blackmen/blackmen.html
Have a broad base of skills
• Pick the right tool for the job• http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/30/business/economy/2009-economy-
words.html?ref=multimedia
Pool your resources
• Combine existing work on the same topic into a cohesive package
• Las Vegas Sun – History of Las Vegashttp://www.lasvegassun.com/history/
Be creative
• Get ideas from other industries: advertising, technology, social networking.
• Seek best practices• Washington Post - On Being
http://specials.washingtonpost.com/onbeing/
Provide resources
• Age of Uncertainty – Roanoke Timeshttp://blogs.roanoke.com/ageofuncertainty/
Student Projects
• Learn skills in XHTML, CSS, Flash, graphic design, photo, audio, & video editing
• Digital Storytelling via integration of tools• A Toast to the Hill Country -
mclabserv.oldmain.txstate.edu/wine_tour• San Marcos Online -
mclabserv.oldmain.txstate.edu/sanmarcos• Thread Austin -
mclabserv.oldmain.txstate.edu/threadaustin• Firestation Studios - http://www.jonzmikly.com/final/• Pop-up Music Buzz -
http://cncooper.com/popupmusic/index.html• South By Texas State – www.sxtxstate.com