3. Lots of different kinds of multimedia
It's just anything that isn't boring old text:
● video
● audio
● audio slideshows
● maps
● interactive graphics
Don't forget...
● Character
● Setting
● Movement
4. Great examples of video
● Reuters TV - Felix Salmon - use of humour
● Reuters TV - Reuters Investigates - use of archive and stills
● More at http://www.youtube.com/user/ReutersTV
● Rod Liddle's Got Issues - topical but interesting
● New York Times - fantastic editing, great human stories
● John Harris's UK election tour - great characters, stories
And some not so good:
5. Audio
● I use Audioboo for 1-2-1 interviews a lot (it really works -
note the editing in the middle) -- also good for recording
events
● This American Life - Superb analysis and real people
stories, always kept very simple
● New York Times - 1 in 8 million slideshow
6. Interviewing with multimedia
● Make them feel comfortable - take them through the process
● Research is key - know what you want to know - it's ok to broadly
know the answers
● Ask an easy one first (difficult ones last!)
● Listen and look for a narrative in what someone's saying
● It's OK to interrupt, but don't talk over them (don't say "umm",
ever)
● Be firm - don't let someone a) avoid the question or b) ramble
● Silence is OK - wait for them to think and say something
7. General quickfire tips
● Think about light
● Think about sound (external mic is best)
● Think about setting - background, movement
● Think about editing - what pictures are you going to put
together? What story will you tell?
● Think about length - 5 minutes is a good time, anything
more has to justify the length by being very good.
● BATTERIES BATTERIES BATTERIES
Don't be like TV: Charlie Brooker on news grammar
8. Task 1 - think of stories to cover
Write down as many ideas as you can in the time you have - don’t
worry about quality, and don’t specify the medium, just get lots of
possible stories/issues/people down
● Are there conflicts between camps that could be explored and played
out in a podcast?
● Are there colourful characters who need bringing to life on video?
● Is there strong imagery that would suit a picture gallery...
● ...with a personal story that would suit an audio slideshow?
● Is there a geographically-spread issue that would suit a map?
● Or a key issue that could be explored through more than one of the
above?
Allocate each member of your group responsibility for a different
medium, in this order if there are only 3 or 4 of you
1. Video -- 2. Audio -- 3. Images -- 4. Audio slideshows -- 5. Maps
9. Task 2: Plan the story in depth
Pick a story, pick a medium and then start planning....
1. Identify the character(s) involved
a. names (if you don’t have them, start researching)
b. contact details (likewise)
c. access
2. Research their story (movement):
a. Speak to them and find out as much as possible
b. Listen and/or watch them to check it they will work on audio/video
c. Read up on context - the history and future, others involved
d. Map out how the story might play - beginning, middle, climax, resolution.
3. Scope out the setting(s):
a. Identify locations where you might film/record/photograph that will add an extra
dimension to the story.
b. Where will you start? Move to? Finish?
4. Identify the skills and tech: are you going to edit things or try to do things in one
take? Will you need to learn how to map, or compose images? Will you need a
microphone or other kit?
5. Finally, how much time will this all take? Does it justify that? Can you do it another
way? Be prepared to go through the process more than once.
10. Don't forget the assignment
Newsgathering (research):
● Originality of stories
● Spotting of leads both online and offline
● Breadth and depth of research, e.g. number of sources, use of documents, etc.
● Verification
● Creative use of networks for newsgathering
Production:
● Linking to sources
● Originality of production approach
● Brevity, Adaptability, Scannability and Interactivity (these will be covered in the
lecture);
● Use of HTML and content management system (CMS) where appropriate
● Optimisation of images and multimedia
● Use of online tools
● Creativity in experimentation
● Clarity of writing and/or editing
● Creativity and personality of writing style and/or production
● Spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure;
● Narrative structure
11. Cont...
Strategy: distribution, law, ethics, and market (group mark)
● Understanding of literature on community management
● Community management strategy
● Content strategy
● Use of Twitter, Facebook, comments and other platforms (credit will not be given for
only using these for one-way broadcasting)
● Consideration of copyright, libel, contempt, data protection and other laws where
appropriate
● Consideration of online ethics where appropriate
● Consideration of commercial and market context (what are the business opportunities
in this field?) where appropriate
