Learn about the building blocks of strong storytelling — including sequencing and wide/medium/tight shots — in this video.
Learn more by looking at videos you’ll find under Recent Posts to the right They include “How to Shoot a Story that’s Hard to Shoot” and “Shooting Your Own Standups.”
Here’s an example of engaging storytelling through sparse writing and effective use of cutaways.
Whether you’re shooting for the first time as a multimedia journalist or simply appreciate the value of continuing education, check out the Learning Videos on the right under “Recent Posts.” For example, “Shooting Your Own Standups” provides practical tips for MMJs who can put themselves in their stories in meaningful ways.
Here’s how to shoot your own standups along with two examples. This takes only a minute to watch.
You can benefit from other Learning Videos like this one. Go to Recent Posts on the right, and click the links. For example, for shooting a story that’s hard to shoot: http://www.kaplitzblog.com/2009/09/28/how-to-shoot-a-story-thats-tough-to-shoot/
Send us your questions and examples.
Here are tips for photojournalists and multimedia journalists on how to shoot a story that’s hard to shoot.
You may also learn from a series of recent videos you can access by clicking on the column to the right. For example, “How to Lure Viewers and Hold Them” and the “Action-Reaction Approach to Storytelling.” They contain information you can use whether you’re an experienced multimedia journalist or just learning.
Multimedia journalists score points with viewers when their questions are based on important facts. That’s not a surprise. The hard part is getting the facts. Here’s one valuable source when it comes to big issues affecting viewers — like health insurance reform.
In this case, you’re able to ask your representatives tougher questions, serving as the voice of the viewer. As you know, many seniors, for example, don’t believe Medicare benefits will be protected under the president’s proposal.
So you can ask your Senator: “How can you say seniors won’t lose out if the Congressional Budget Office says almost three million people will lose their so-called “Medicare Advantage” coverage?”
Learn how to engage viewers through pictures, sound, and writing. Apply what you learn to stories you’re covering today by watching this short Learning Video.
Look at “Recent Posts” in the column to the right for several other Learning Videos for multimedia journalists, including “From Ho Hum to Engaging Storytelling” and “Action-Reaction Approach to Strong Storytelling.”
And send us your questions and examples.
Add these tips to your storytelling toolbox. They work in just about every story, and you can start using them today to land a knockout punch to your stories. This Learning Video runs just a minute.
You might also want to see how to add spice to avoid bland storytelling by clicking here: http://www.kaplitzblog.com/2009/09/21/tips-for-videojournalists-from-ho-hum-to-engaging-storytelling/
Here’s how to add an element of surprise to what could have been a routine story.
Plunge yourself into the story, making viewers feel like they’re at the center of the action.
Here’s more insight about what works in this story from award-winning multimedia journalist Galen Culver:
The story makes great use of natural sound first of all. The mariachi music carries under for several shots. Some of the rally cries are used to carry sequences. There are also several fantastic close-ups of flags and emotional faces. Every interview is conducted in the moment as the rally progresses.
The writing is crisp and spare allowing for plenty of breaks for sound. I couldn’t find a single shot that didn’t add to the story in some way. In other words, there was no wallpaper in this story. Photographer moved around a lot but still shot for small sequences.
Another reporter/photographer might have shot the rally from one spot and then waited for some official to come over to a quiet place for a quick interview. This story conveyed the emotion of the event. The crew and the viewer too are right in the middle of it.
————————————————
Let us know your comments.
A seventh grader provides a unique perspective as she helps launch a network of community correspondents for our Reno client KRNV-TV.
General Manager Mary Beth Farrell wrote in a memo to the staff:
“This is really a pioneering effort, and I think it’s a great way for us to move into the Social Media realm, by creating relationships with those in the community who already use it.
‘Tara’s Tips’ followed a story that one of our reporters did yesterday on the dangers of Social Media. We’ve had several people here at the station who have had problems including porn being sent to all their Facebook friends (from their account) to people making indecent, fake twitter sites about one of our anchors.
We know if this can happen to us, it can easily happen to our viewers… so we took the viewer advocate approach.
We followed that story with ‘Tara’s Tips.’ She’s 12-years-old, and her mom uploads her video their home in Texas. Even at 12, Tara understands the value of communication and viewer advocacy.”