• Multimedia Minutes: Tips from the “Front Lines” for Overcoming Challenges

    July 30th, 2010

    A frequent question from MMJs is:  “How do you overcome challenges to great visual storytelling?”

    We presented these key points during a recent AR&D webinar for multimedia journalists.

    If you plan ahead, you’re in a better position to anticipate challenges. 

    You can even come up with a Plan “B” — a backup plan if things don’t work out.

    Several MMJs say they try to have a “hip pocket” back-up story they can always turn.  Of course, that only works if you can wait a day or two to cover the original story.

    If you must go with the original story, you can cut it down to a voiceover.

    Jeff Westlake, KVOA-TV (Tucson) MMJ, says you need to be resourceful. 

    At the last minute, he was able to “save” a story about trees.  Jeff rushed to a Home Depot store to find a “real person” to add a human angle.  You can only shoot a tree from so many angles.

    Come to think of it, home improvement stores are a great place to find people angles on those stories.

    You can see the story here:

    Multimedia Minutes: Overcoming Challenges — Finding a “Real Person”

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Uncategorized | 9 Comments »