Bob Kaplitz Blog

Multimedia Minutes: Engaging Storytelling

February 8th, 2010

You can learn a lot from one of the nation’s most respected storytellers, Bob Dotson. He’s been recognized multiple times for his work, which appears on the Today Show as “American Story.” This is one of my favorite stories.

Although Bob works with a photojournalist, the tips you learn here can improve your storytelling — from the angles you shoot to edits you make. You can find more of Bob’s work at: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/19333758/ns/today-today_people/

Increase your value as an MMJ by watching the videos you’ll find under Recent Posts.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: Writing Tips to Separate to from the Competition

February 8th, 2010

A frequent request: “Writing tips to give us credit for the work we do, looking out for our viewers.” In this quick read, you’ll find several examples you can learn from:

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: Lessons from the Hottest Viral Video

February 6th, 2010

You can learn a lot from the hottest viral video around. And it’s from a surprisingly traditional brand.

You won’t likely find unicorns or tell stories that are excruciating and hilarious. But you should strive to engage viewers as Publicis & Hal Riney/San Francisco did in the spot.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: How to Get Ahead When You’re Behind

February 5th, 2010

When you’re running a day behind, how do you get a day ahead?

Multimedia Journalist Marc Schollett anchors three newscasts a day and sets up, shoots, reports, and edits several stories a week for a Traverse City, Michigan TV station. He’s figured out a way to do it.

To learn more to make yourself more valuable, choose from a variety of learning videos under Recent Posts. Look for videos about more time management tips and those answering questions MMJs ask most frequently during our AR&D workshops for MMJs across the country.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: Lighting Tips

February 3rd, 2010

Lighting can make a story look great. What do you need to know? MMJ Galen Culver shares his practical experience and examples during AR&D’s three-day training sessions for MMJs. Here’s a brief excerpt.

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Multimedia Minutes: An Almost Impossible Challenge for an MMJ

February 2nd, 2010

Here’s a huge challenge: How do you cover a spot news story when you can’t get to the scene of the explosion? We were impressed by this approach submitted by Adam Knapik of KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs.

Here are two reviews. The first with comments at the bottom of the screen, the second with MMJ Galen Culver.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: Time Management Tips from a Successful MMJ

January 29th, 2010

When you enterprise your own stories, you’ll find they’re much more engaging than the stories you’re handed. One of the nation’s most successful and prolific multimedia journalists, Marc Schollett, anchors three newscasts a day and enterprises several stories a week. How does he do it?

Marc Schollett took our recommendation to work on multiple stories simultaneously to heart. The idea was that if you’re making calls on only one story, you likely won’t get all the elements you want to turn it “day of.” But if you enterprise several stories — like crime trends in the schools or which companies are hiring again — you put the odds in your favor.

The messages and emails you send out today start yielding results tomorrow and the rest of the week. As one MMJ told us, “It’s much better than the usual approach which doesn’t allow you enough time to get the strong elements you want.”

WANT A LAUGH?

You might enjoy some fun at the expense of TV news courtesy of Charlie Brooker and the BBC, which my colleagues Terry Heaton and Galen Culver wanted me to share.

Ouch!

Learn alot by watching the videos listed on the top right under Recent Posts.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: How to Shoot Your Own Stand-ups

January 27th, 2010

Award-winning MMJ Galen Culver and a trainer for AR&D’s MMJ workshops, offers tips on how to shoot your own stand-ups. The first step, Galen says, is to put a light stand where you plan to stand.

Learn more by clicking on the video links on the right.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: Tips for Covering Spot News

January 26th, 2010

Learn tips about shooting spot news from a new MMJ who quickly mastered the fundamentals following AR&D training.

Here’s the story reported and shot by Ariel Wesler of KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo/Santa Maria, CA. You’ll find our candid comments about what worked and what didn’t at the bottom of the screen, which are aimed at raising the bar.

You’ll find many tips for MMJs by watching the videos to your right under Recent Posts.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »
Multimedia Minutes: Creating Great Sequences and Other Tips

January 23rd, 2010

Improve your sequences, avoid editing problems, and learn how to shoot under tight deadlines with tips from award-winning MMJ Galen Culver.

Sharpen your storytelling skills by watching other Learning Videos. Click on the links to the right.

Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, broadcast journalism | No Comments »

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About Bob

Bob Kaplitz is a principal and Senior Station Strategist for AR&D, which he joined in 1980 after a distinguished career in broadcast journalism, which included reports on the CBS Evening News and recognition by RTNDA as Best TV Investigative Reporter in the U.S. and Canada. He's consulted TV stations and media groups in markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Cleveland and has spoken abroad in cities as far flung as Sydney, Australia and Hong Kong.

Bob also lectures on international advertising and new media to MBA students at the University of Dallas Graduate School of Management. The Dean of the business school recognized him multiple times for excellence in teaching.

He’s also spoken on viewer behavior to the National Press Photographers Association, the National Association of Broadcasters, and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

He’s also served as vice president of new media for the DFW American Marketing Association where he pioneered the creation of video interviews with some of the country’s leading marketers.

He’s author of Creating Execution Superstars with Budgets Cut to the Bone — a 160 page handbook for thriving in the downsized economy. Bob Dotson, national correspondent for NBC News' Today Show calls the book "a roadmap to better times."

Bob has been nominated several years in a row by the DFW Interactive Marketing Association to judge some of the country’s most innovative marketing campaigns.

Bob shot and produced a short movie, Save a Treasured Home, to help preserve a Dallas landmark designed and built by a disciple of the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Bob studied journalism and marketing at the acclaimed Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications where he received a Masters degree which followed a degree in psychology. One of his mentors was Dan Rather.

He’s also studied innovation at the Center for Creative Leadership and was certified as an Innovation Leader at Synectics, a global consulting business that helps businesses create breakthrough ideas.

He’s written articles on news management for Electronic Media and media reviews for the Dallas Morning News.

He’s conducted global webinars for a London-based firm specializing in international marketing solutions. At their Los Angeles conference for marketing executives, Bob was rated as one of their top speakers.

Bob has advised a remarkable range of people on building personal brands, which is important to everyone’s success. They range from network correspondents to the Tony Award winning star of the Broadway hit Jersey Boys to a notorious girlfriend of President Clinton to Princess Diana’s former chef at the Royal Palace.
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