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Multimedia Minutes: MMJ Station Manager
October 21st, 2010
Meet the first Multimedia Station Manager in the country, at least as far as we can tell. Mary Beth Farrell, station manager of Reno’s KRNV, uses her Flipcam when she spots the right opportunities. What made you think of shooting Flipcam video?
The President of our company, Ralph Toddre, suggested we get a couple of extra cameras for just this purpose so I bought flip cams for all of my Department Heads to expand our ability to gather video.
Being a news junkie, I’m always on the lookout for good video, and for something I think our viewers might be interested in seeing. That includes everything from breaking news to Fact Finders, to events coming up this weekend, and everything in between.
Did anybody at the station know you shot the videos?
Yes they always know when I’m sending video… I call right away. Or, they know in advance if I’m shooting a package.
Any reactions by them?
At first, people were surprised that the station manager was shooting stories but they’re getting used to it. I think it sets a good example and sends a strong message about my priorities and the station’s priorities. We work hard for our communities and news doesn’t take the day off.
One reporter/producer/photographer said “If she’ll do stories — and do them on her days off, I think we can all afford to go the extra step”.
When the stories air — like this one related to a major traffic tie-up — we tell viewers that the video was shot by a News 4 employee.
That’s because you can tell it’s not the same HD quality as our regular newsgathering cameras, and that gives us the opportunity to ask viewers to send us their video or photos.
News has always been my passion, and quite honestly, this has given me the chance to go back to my first love: telling stories. There’s something very meaningful about it and it’s fun.
Bob Note: Article appeared here last year, but it’s still timely and relevant.
WHY THIS BLOG IS VALUABLE: WHAT A GENERAL MANAGER SAYS
Regarding the blog videos, I’d say the most value is in their regularity and frequency. It’s good having something like that coming at the younger talent in the news room because it not only helps them in their growth, but makes them feel they’re on the “inside” and we’re engaged with them. — Greg Raschio, General Manager, KVAL-TV/Eugene, OR
Posted in Multimedia Journalism | 18 Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Tips for a Successful Franchise — Crimetracker
June 27th, 2010
One of the most powerful franchises we ever tested is based on a fundamental need: Keep me safe.
Learn more about Crimetracker, which cuts through to viewers in what many see as a Sea of Sameness.
Sharpen your storytelling skills. Take advantage of the largest library of on-demand learning videos in the world for multimedia journalists. Look at Recent Posts to the right. You’ll also learn alot from my AR&D colleagues by reading their blogs at www.ar-d.com.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Recognizing Progress
June 18th, 2010
Multimedia journalists love recognition and learning from examples, so it makes great sense why some news directors create videos like these to share.
Sharpen your storytelling skills. Take advantage of the largest library of learning videos in the world for multimedia journalists. Look at Recent Posts to the right. You’ll also learn alot from my AR&D colleagues by reading their blogs at www.ar-d.com.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 5 Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Reinforcing Your Identity
June 15th, 2010
Here’s an effective and efficient way to underscore what makes your news product unique. We call them “branders” because they reinforce your brand of journalism. They’re:
– Short
– Efficient
– Run inside and outside newscasts
– Work best when you run them adjacent to the franchise they take credit for.
The better you understand promotion, the more valuable you’ll be as a multimedia journalist.
Sharpen your skills by watching the learning videos and articles to your right under Recent Posts — the planet’s largest 24/7 on-demand video library for multimedia journalists.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 5 Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Separating Fact from Fiction
June 2nd, 2010
Separating fact from fiction is high on viewers’ priority list. This example from WCCO-TV/Minneapolis can serve as a model.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 24 Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: What Happens when Viewers Know You Can Make Things Happen
June 1st, 2010
You know you’re making great progress when viewers contact you because “I know you can make things happen.” KVAL-TV (Eugene) news director Jenny Kuglin says that’s how her reporter learned about the government sending a bill to a war vet. Watch this strong example of viewer advocacy along with my suggestions to raise the bar.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Viewer Advocacy Comes Alive — Just Watch Holly Zuluaga Take Action
May 31st, 2010
Viewers love reporters who watch out for them rather than simply react to the news of the day. In this example, see how KEPR-TV’s brand of journalism comes alive in the first few seconds of the lead-in, then watch Holly Zuluaga deliver on it through her tough questions, her follow-up questions, her fair treatment of the other side of the story, and her strong storytelling. Plus she’s covering one of the hottest topics around — bullying in the schools.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 6 Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Getting Strong Soundbites
May 16th, 2010
Capturing strong soundbites in an interview requires a reporter who can make the person open up. Here’s an example.
Comment from Naomi to the question: “How did you make the interview subject so comfortable to get these powerful soundbites?”
I think it really was a matter of a pre-interview, which we don’t always have the luxury of doing as an MMJ. I spent two days in Nogales for that story and I definitely understood what you meant by the lack of video. I tried to spice it up with the editing in the beginning, but stories like that can be very tough to recreate! I spent some time with one of our photographers afterward talking about how I could have shot better (getting even tighter shots in the classroom, like the zippers or even the eraser on the pencil, for example).
But when you have the time, a pre-interview can save a story that has no video. Also, I liked your suggestion of on camera story-telling.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Strong Investigative Reporting
May 15th, 2010
This strong example of investigative reporting includes a good story idea and ways to turn it.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »
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Multimedia Minutes: Selling a Visually Weak Story
May 10th, 2010
One of the most frequent complaints from multimedia journalists and promotion producers is “How do you engage viewers when your visuals are dull?” The solution comes in the planning and the role the reporter plays, as you see in this example.
Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 2 Comments »