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Multimedia Minutes: Dealing with “That’s a Silly Question”
April 30th, 2010
Savvy officials and politicians know how to manage the media — especially multimedia journalists new to their craft. One of the ways they can cut you down is by responding “That’s a silly question.”
It can make you feel incompetent. But you can rise to the occasion, as the reporter in this promo did.
You also saw in this spot how asking the tough questions to get answers for your viewers represents a powerful brand of journalism. It takes preparation and courage on your part, but it’s way to thrive in an Extinct or Distinct environment.
Same for anchors. In this case, Greg Floyd at WRGB-TV get out from the anchor test to ask the tough questions. A great example of anchor as Chief Journalist and Viewer Advocate.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 2 Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: On Camera Storytelling + Graphics
April 29th, 2010
Stories about numbers — like budgets — suffer from weak visuals. You need to show how the story affects viewers, of course. Also, you can enhance your on camera storytelling with effects like these.
This works best if you plan your story to allow for it, so you can pre-produce it. But with effects this basic, that should only take a few minutes.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Valuable Learning Tool
April 28th, 2010
Here’s a valuable way to celebrate progress, keep momentum going, and raise the bar: Viewing examples of memorable moments every week. A news director or news manager ensures the best examples are dubbed off, viewed, and discussed. In the case of this viewer advocacy station, the examples show the tough questions for the week:
Yes, proof of branding will be much easier if you take this weekly approach.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Sweeps Story Idea
April 28th, 2010
Just about everyone who drives is affected by this issue: Where the roughest roads are, potholes and all. Some roads have reputations for being tough on cars, but just compiling this list provides helpful information for viewers. And you can’t find an “official” list, invite your viewers to submit their suggestions. Here’s how WRAL-TV/Raleigh, NC visualized the information (no audio) on its Web site as I clicked through.
A story like this opens the door to asking the people in charge: “When are you going to do something about this?”
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Setting Your Weekend Newscast Apart from the Pack
April 28th, 2010
Weekend newscasts are a low priority at most stations. Just “filling the time” is the goal given the higher priorities for other shows. And seeing evidence of a brand of journalism — like viewer advocacy — is rare. But you’ll see that’s not the case when you watch the first segment of KEPR-TV’s (Pasco, WA) newscast.
KEPR-TV’s news director is Robin Wojtanik says she spends time with producers reviewing and reinforcing priorities for shows, sometimes even working the overnight shift.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Short Can Sell
April 27th, 2010
Cut the fat in your writing — especially for teases. Here’s an example from our files of a very short “sell” we tested with our Real Time Response methodology. You can see second-by-second interest by viewers and news people rise during the promo.
Here’s the short video. Watch carefully. It goes by fast but engages viewers. The first few seconds shows the above graphic, then the spot.
TAKEAWAYS
Use your best video, but on-camera “sell” can be effective.
Focus on the viewer benefit.
Get to the point fast when possible.
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Increase your value as a multimedia journalist by learning from the videos to your right — fast-becoming the largest library of MMJ learning videos on the planet.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Quick Tip on Differentiating Newscasts
April 26th, 2010
You’ve heard the viewer complaint: “Your newscasts are alike, so I just watch one now.” Here’s a simple, practical, and proven approach you can do today.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Writing Tip — Surprise and Delight
April 26th, 2010
Writing can engage and delight. But because of the new realities of multi-tasking, you likely have little time to think much about your writing for on air or Web. But just a few minutes might turn an average reader into a clever one because, for example, you plan a surprise. This is a classic from my files.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 1 Comment »
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Multimedia Minutes: Quick Writing Tip
April 26th, 2010
One of your top goals after mastering the fundamentals should be this, whether you’re an anchor or reporter. Notice how effectively the writing example addresses a common multimedia journalist question: “What do I do when they don’t want to give me information?”
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Multimedia Minutes: Quick Tip for Sweeps
April 26th, 2010
This simple chart will help you choose among sweeps ideas. As simple as it looks, it’s a map that separates the winners from the losers, so you can focus on what offers the most potential.
“Identify moments” refers to the defining moments in the story — what will stick in viewers’ minds and provide promotion with compelling material. For example, a tough question holding a person in power accountable or a memorable soundbite of a parent who’s scared to send her child back to school because of bullying.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 1 Comment »
