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Unleashing Depth of Field to Your Advantage
May 24th, 2011
Think more about depth of field.If you want to focus on your interview subject, zoom in to when the background goes out of focus. Portrait photographers use this technique, and you should, too.
Sometimes it’s necessary to shoot at your widest angle when you want to showcase the background. This is an example from a video my colleague Regent Ducas and I created for the Four Seasons Resort and Club in the Dallas area. You can easily see the pool in the background, which is important for the promotional video:
TAKEAWAY
Use depth of field to make your point visually.
Decide if you want to emphasize the person or the total scene.
Each shot should advance your visual storytelling.
Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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Tight Editing Makes for Great Visual Storytelling
May 21st, 2011
You can squeeze alot of engaging video and sound into a story — as long as you don’t overwhelm viewers. Here’s a great example of editing by Michael DelGiudice WNBC/New York, NY.
NPPA 2010 TV BOP Editing: Photo Essay (Photog)
Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training | No Comments »
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Clever Way to Squeeze More Soundbites into a Story
May 21st, 2011
How do you produce a fast-paced video with multiple soundbites?
It’s not always easy even if you use the shortest possible clips. Consider this approach my colleague Regent Ducas and I utilized for a promotional video for golf memberships at the Four Seasons Resort Dallas. Look for the series of quick dissolves in the beginning.
Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training | No Comments »
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Who’s the Best Interviewer at Your Station?
May 21st, 2011
Who’s the best interviewer at your station?
This Wall Street Journal ad quotes the New York Times’ choice of Chris Wallace. Who stands out at your station? Who in your market? How do you score? (The full ad was cut off in scanning, but you get the point.)
Reporters usually offer these reasons for cutting out their questions:
“My questions are too long, so I don’t have time for them.”
“My questions won’t make me look good.”
“I don’t know what to ask.”One news director, in fact, demanded that reporters cut out their questions because they were so weak, bogging stories down. That may be a short term solution, but doesn’t serve anyone well in the long run.
TAKEAWAYS
Remember the value of short, relevant questions that viewers want answered.
Don’t feel obligated to use every question, but look for opportunities to include your best questions.
Contact a manager for guidance if they know their questions are going to be weak.Learn more. Click:
This Takes Nerve — and Viewers Love It
Asking Tough Questions: Tips from a News Director
Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training | No Comments »
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Learn from Some of the World’s Best Photo Journalists
May 4th, 2011
You can learn a lot from still images. They’re a good starting point before you capture motion.
You might learn from this presentation produced by Leica camera, showing the work of some of most respected photo journalists. Even if your daily opportunities aren’t this dramatic, look for memorable moments.
Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training, Twitter | No Comments »
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Making Sequences Easy to Shoot and Edit
May 2nd, 2011
Here’s an excellent example of sequencing. And it comes in a promo for a morning newscast.
Notice how shooting people coming into or out of the frame makes editing quick and easy.
Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training, Twitter | No Comments »
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Capturing Big News in a Colorful Way
May 1st, 2011
You can learn a lot from this news source, www.nypost.com.
Whether it’s an everyday story or a huge one — like this — the website and newspaper communicate information in a colorful and engaging way. It’s their brand of journalism. It’s what separates them from most other news sources. Some critics complain it’s sensational. Yet many find it engaging — even as they complain.
Headlines are to-the-point, words like “payback” and “monster” capture the emotion of the story, and the graphics connect the new development with the bombing of the World Trade Center.Takeaways for multimedia journalists include:
Write to the point.
Try to capture the emotion.
Find or create graphics that paint a vivid picture.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training, Twitter | No Comments »
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A Checklist for Great Visual Storytelling
April 25th, 2011
“Quick, can you send me a checklist to improve storytelling?” That was the client request.
Here’s one that includes several fundamentals. You might want to tighten up or even build on it.
- Am I asking the questions most viewers would want answered?
- Am I leaving in the question because questions are an important part of storytelling according to viewers?
- Does my narration match my video, so there’s no “generic” or “wallpaper” video?
- Am I paraphrasing officials and spokespersons, focusing on the people angle of the story (unless they say something you got to hear to believe)?
- Am I going the extra step to nail down facts, letting viewers know so I get credit?
Yes, this is quite basic. But if you can answer “Yes” to these questions, you’re ahead of many multimedia journalists. And if you can answer “yes,” you might begin to develop your style as the best MMJs convey a style.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training | No Comments »
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Engaging Approach to Fun Storytelling
April 25th, 2011
This visual essay posted on Vimeo’s HD channel caught my eye.
Not only is it enjoyable to watch, but also you will likely appreciate the artistry by this Los Angeles videographer. Watch for the clever use of silhouettes in opening and closing shots.
Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training | 1 Comment »
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Finding an Ex-Gang Member
April 24th, 2011
Finding and interviewing a former gang member is a good start.
Here are suggestions to take the story to the next level.
The story appeared on KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, Washington. News director Robin Wojtanik ensures the station aggressively covers topics of high interest to viewers.Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
