Multimedia Minutes: A Major Snag on the Inside

June 15th, 2010

If you even wonder why moving a station ahead in the ratings is so challenging, watch this very short video.  Based on a study of employees at corporation, it’s revealing about the challenges multimedia journalists and news managers face.

If as multimedia journalist you’re unclear about your station’s goals, ask.  If you’re a news manager, check in with your staff to ensure your goals are clear.  Studies show you can’t possibly over communicate goals and pathways to achieve them.

Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 3 Comments »

Multimedia Minutes: Bullying Story with Strong Elements

May 6th, 2010

Many multimedia journalists have covered stories about bullying in the schools.  This one stands out for reasons you’ll see.

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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.

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Multimedia Minutes: Can’t Get the Answers to Your Questions?

April 25th, 2010

How do you deal with an interview subject who side steps answering your questions?  Here’s one proven way. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/Kaplitz#p/u/82/N5iDmNNiCf8

You don’t need to be on 60 Minutes to ask follow up questions like this.  As long as you do it in a respectful way, viewers will appreciate how you’re watching out for them.

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

Multimedia Minutes: Visual Storytelling with a Timeless Twist

April 22nd, 2010

Learn visual storytelling fundamentals from historical video, which includes some surprising shots.

If you enjoyed this older video, you might like to see what Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite looked like years ago.

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

Multimedia Minutes: Distinct or Extinct

April 20th, 2010

You need to be good at visual storytelling, but also you should deliver on a brand of journalism.  Valuable brands survive while commodity news — just covering the  news of the day — will become extinct.  It’s about being distinct in a valuable way.

Here’s an example of delivering on the viewer advocacy brand — like Taking Action for You or On Your Side — through various stages.

While it was originally based on viewer perceptions of anchors, it’ll work for multimedia journalists, too. 

Which stage are you in? 

What do you need to do to get to the next level? 

How will you eventually become a Brand Ambassador so you don’t disappear in a Sea of Sameness?

Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 2 Comments »

Multimedia Minutes: Unhappy with the Stories You Get?

April 17th, 2010

Several multimedia journalists complain their stories lack the key elements — like a human angle.  Under deadline pressure with stories handed to them, they don’t have the time to put a face on their stories.  Sound familiar?

Official soundbites don’t engage viewers unless they’re exceptional.  What interviews with officials do you remember unless you held them accountable with a tough question viewers wanted answered?

Several MMJs have gotten around this problem by developing their own sources — even if just at the rate of two new people a week.

Look at this basic model I created.  Over time, you can develop first time sources to eventually help you generate major stories with the human angles that other MMJs can’t find.

Developing sources as so-called “whistle blowers,” revealing big government waste, for example, comes with developing trust.  Most reporters never reach that level.  But you have to start somewhere.

To make this practical, plan to meet two new potential sources a week — even if it’s to briefly introduce yourself and your commitment to covering that person accurately and fairly.  The usual response is “I didn’t think reporters would take the time to do what you just did.”  

People aren’t shy about telling you what’s wrong with TV news, so when you ask them what stories you should cover, they often have ideas and people to contact.  And remember not to limit your contacts to the usual high profile officials or public information officers.  They won’t give you anything they don’t give your competitors.  For administrative assistants, for example, it’s another story.

It’s a great start to cultivating sources and enterprising stories — and it beats complaining you don’t have the time to find human angles.

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

Multimedia Minutes: Examples of Lighting Do’s and Don’ts

April 15th, 2010

When lighting your subject, here’s what to do and also avoid.

Also learn from:

Multimedia Minutes: “How Do I Tell This Story?”

April 15th, 2010

“How do I tell this story?” is the question.  During an AR&D training session for multimedia journalists, MMJ Galen Culver shares his insights.

Add more tools to your visual storytelling toolbox by watching the Recent Posts, fast becoming the largest library of 24/7 learning videos in the world.

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Multimedia Minutes: Strong Visual Storytelling

April 15th, 2010

Here’s an example of strong visual storytelling along with tips aimed at making this type of story even better.

Multimedia journalist Sarah Rasario of KATC-TV (Lafayette, LA) participated in AR&D’s training for MMJs.  Sarah told us the reason the story lacked a human angle was that the company didn’t want her to talk with any of the workers.  Despite that obstacle, her strong on-camera storytelling likely engaged viewers.

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