• Shootback Concept for MMJs

    July 8th, 2011

    Galen Culver, a colleague for AR&D’s MMJ training sessions, has developed a mount for a second camera, showing the photographer.

    It’s a great way to include your questions or even narration.  Yes, you’ll need to edit in the second camera video (Kodak Playsport), but it can save you the time it takes to set-up the tripod for re-asks.

    The top image shows Galen’s concept and the image below how the final product looks on air.

     

     

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, TV news training, Web Video | No Comments »

  • Visual Reference Points Help You Connect

    July 8th, 2011

    Help viewers understand.  Give them visual reference points.

    For example, Medi-Weighloss clinics uses video to educate both clients and prospects.  The physician-supervised program wants viewers to quickly grasp information so they can put it to work to lose pounds.

    You can make it complicated or simple.  In this still frame from one of their educational videos, they make portion size simple — think of the size of a CD, and that’s your portion size.

    So look at ways you can communicate information, so it’s clear and memorable.  For example, if you’re reporting on the number of out of work people in your area, consider:

    “Picture (name) stadium with every seat filled.  That’s about the number of people looking for jobs…”

    Years ago I recall a reporter saying:  “This light rail is going to be very expensive.  It would be cheaper to hire a limo to drive every commuter to downtown Miami for the next ten years.”  That makes the point clearly.

    This same approach works for our “content marketing” clients who want to use the marriage of video and social media to build their businesses.  Whether you’re doing it for a TV station or weight loss clinic, it’s all about connecting with your audience.

     

    Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Social Media, Social Media Video | No Comments »

  • Eye Catching Video

    July 6th, 2011

    Viewers love weather video.  So look for opportunities not just to shoot it but also invite viewers to share their video.  This clip appearing in KRNV/Reno’s website makes you feel you’re right in the dust storm.

     

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 1 Comment »

  • A Loser’s Winning Moment

    July 5th, 2011

    Example of clever writing:  A loser’s winning moment. Don’t you love this headline?

    The article describes how gracefully a former Wimbledon chamnpion handed over the top honor to the new champ.

    What you might appreciate most is this poignant image of the ex-champ applauding the new one.   For many people who watched, it represent a defining moment.

    How can you get these shots and write so well — especially if you cover everyday stories?

    Keep an eye out for contrasts — like a winner and loser in the same shot.

    Consider how a person who lost rose to the occasion with many seeing that person as a winner in their own right.

     

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, TV news training | No Comments »

  • Viewers Crave this Type of Journalism

    July 1st, 2011

    The Washington Post’s Fact Checker does what the name implies.  It’s a great example of going the extra step to distinguish its content.

    The writer, Glenn Kessler, provides a reality check so a President or anyone doesn’t pull a fast one.  He also gives so-called Pinocchios.  Two means the presentation made serious mistakes.

    He writes:

    In a bit of class jujitsu, the president six times mentioned eliminating a tax loophole for corporate jets, frequently pitting it against student loans or food safety. It’s a potent image, but in the context of a $4 trillion goal, it is essentially meaningless.  The item is so small the White House could not even provide an estimate of the revenue that would be raised, but other estimates suggest it would amount to $3 billion over 10 years.

    Viewers value this type of reporting because you’re nailing down important facts, serving as viewer advocate.  So:

    • Look for opportunities to check facts on important pronouncements — especially political ones.
    • One way to make this relatively easy is to check with that person’s greatest critics.
    • After you nail down your facts, give the official or politician an opportunity to respond while asking them the tough questions.

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Social Media Video, Uncategorized | No Comments »

  • Learn from Extreme Makeover

    June 30th, 2011

    You’ll find great storytelling elements here.  See how many you can spot, then look at my takeaways. This moves fast, which is the point.

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

  • “No Pictures, Please”

    June 26th, 2011

    How do you shoot a person when you can’t show anybody else in the picture?  We often get this question when, for example, a multimedia journalist has permission to shoot one student in a classroom or gym but nobody else.

    First, prepare to pass up on some of your best shots.  It seems there’s always someone in the background.  So you have to consider your best options:

    • Shoot up, although sometimes these shots aren’t flattering.  Bottom left example below.
    • Shoot tight or tight enough so the people in the background are out of focus.  Bottom right example below.
    • Shoot down by holding the camera over your subject.  Bottom example.
    • Invite the subject of your shoot to move to an area where nobody is in the background.
    • Schedule the shoot when nobody else is around, but that didn’t work in this base because the idea was to capture the energy of the workout class.

    The client, The Four Seasons Resort, was happy with the results my colleague Regent Ducas and I produced and shot for this web video showing Sports Club member Meredith Johnston.  Nobody else working out was even remotely concerned about the video shoot, which was the goal.

    Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Uncategorized, Web Video | No Comments »

  • Hold This for When You’re Overloaded

    June 26th, 2011

    With furloughs and layoffs hitting every business, some are asking: “How do I get through this?  I’m already overloaded.”

    You don’t have many choices unless you’re independently wealthy.  Here’s what we recommend:

    Write down the big projects.

    Make a realistic estimate as to how much work and time they’ll require.

    Consider what you believe are the higher and lower priorities, even numbering them.

    Ask the person you report to — and everybody we know reports to somebody — whether these priorities are aligned with what they have in mind.

    If something has to give, make sure you both know what is it.  Same for what can’t give.

    You’ll still work hard, but your chances of avoiding what’s happening to this poor creature will be better.

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Social Media, Uncategorized, Web Video | No Comments »

  • How to Avoid Getting Stuck

    June 26th, 2011

    It’s good to succeed and become efficient, but only it it really matters to your customers.

    An MBA student in one of my international advertising classes at the University of Dallas Graduate School of Management said she was great at his daytime job, but she wasn’t promoted as she hoped.  She was in her 30s, had international marketing experience, but was going nowhere.

    We discussed what her company saw as most valuable, but her traditional advertising contributions weren’t as important as leveraging the power of social media — especially video.

    In short, rather than going right for the cheese, she got caught in a maze, doing today what she did yesterday.

    Are you stuck in the maze?  If you’re lucky enough to see a clear goal, what training do you need to get there?

    Remember that what go you here, won’t get you there.

    In working with students and executives, we help them clarify their goals based on the dynamics of the marketplace, then guide them to develop a social media marketing strategy playing to the power of video.  It doesn’t come across as advertising to consumers.  They see it as engaging storytelling.  For example, this short story promoting The Four Seasons Resort during a major golf event which my colleague Emmy award winning Regent Ducas and I produced and shot.

     

     

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, TV news training, Web Video | No Comments »

  • Planning Your Personal Brand

    June 26th, 2011

    With sweeping changes affecting virtually every business, what’s your lifeboat to the future?

    Yes, that’s a huge topic, so you need a tool to get started.  In our strategic planning with corporations and individuals, we recommend you include this simple tool called SWOT.

    It stands for your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  Since most of us our familiar with Nike, you can see how it frames their brand.

    Regarding your situation, fill in the sections.  For Threats, consider the fact if in you’re in broadcasting, the job you were hired to do may be eliminated in its original form.  That’s true for many reporter and photographer positions.

    If you’re in business, sweeping changes mean you need to get a grasp of social media and how companies are leveraging web video to dominate their category through search engines.  We’re working with several companies and individuals, so we like to begin our strategic walks with the SWOT analysis.

    One of their biggest mistake is to look at their direct competitors as threats.  It’s the same mistake a TV station can make thinking their competition is the other stations as opposed to something called digital media.

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

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »