Tech for Web Reporting

1. Tech for Web Reporting Kristen Landreville

2. Multimedia Storytelling • The Standard and Dominant Medium: Text • Multimedia Options: • Photography • Audio • Slideshows • Video • Interactive Stories and Graphics • But…strong storytelling is still king

3. First, A Few Questions • Does your newspaper have a CMS? • To what extent does your newspaper have an online multimedia presence? • Website? • Blogs? • Audio/video stories? • Interactive stories or graphics, such as Flash projects? • Soundslides slideshows? • What would you like to change about your newspaper’s online presence? • What is the likelihood that changes will occur?

4. Why is an online presence important? • Local newspapers (online and off) are top sources for news. • 31% of adults get news and information about local businesses and restaurants from newspapers (online and off)

5. New Considerations • What medium is best to relay the story? Can I report the story best with text, photos, audio, or video? • Can I add new information (e.g., snippets of sound, video, photos, graphics) with different media? Or am I duplicating information? • Do I have permission to gather information in more than one way? Ask your sources! • Can I efficiently and effectively collect information in more than one way? Ask for help if needed! • If I collect more information than my editor needs, can I post some to my blog or on the Web site?

6. Plan of Action • Digital Photography • Digital Audio • Slideshows using Soundslides • Digital Video • Resources

7. Photography Gear • Large lens pulls in more light • Best buy for digital SLR camera in $700 range • I recommend: Canon EOS Rebel T2i or Canon EOS Rebel XSi • Decent tripods range from $45 to $100 • Best to have large SD card • 32 GB is about $40

8. Photography: Creative Devices • Steady Does It • Move Around & Get Closer • Use Vertical Shots • Pick a Focal Point • Light • Rule of Thirds • Balancing Elements • Leading Lines • Symmetry & Patterns • Viewpoint • Background • Create Depth • Framing • Cropping • Experimentation • Color • Texture • Contrast • Focus Examples: Denver Post’s Photo Blog

9. Photoshop: Basic Editing Hands-On Acceptable Editing Techniques (Usually) • Cropping • Adjusting Brightness/Contrast • Adjusting Color Levels • Adjusting Levels • Black & White Sharing & Promoting Photos  Next Session @ 1 p.m.

10. Audio • Benefits of audio • Examples • Best buy: Audio recorders in $100 range • I use: TASCAM DR 07 • Practice with your recorder with simple exercises: • Record ambient noise • Record your own voice at different levels

11. The Art & Science of Gathering Audio • Know your equipment • Location • No ambient noise during interview • Always record ambient noise for editing purposes • Get close • Use headphones • Speak up • Don’t fidget • Focus, but also engage

12. The Art & Science of Gathering Audio • No uh-huhs or comments • Don’t interrupt subjects unless necessary • Request subject to reference the question in their answer • Allow pauses and silence to occur between questions • Ask explanation-needed questions • Ask again • Ask sensory questions • Last question

13. Audio Editing Programs • Many free programs available: Audacity Hands-On • Open Audacity and some sample music • Top editing tools • Selection tool • Envelope tool • Time shift tool • Zoom • Fade-in, fade-out • Saving your project • Exporting your project

14. Soundslides Slideshows • Easily pairs edited audio with photos • Free trial, $40 for basic, $70 for advanced • Student Examples • Newspaper Example • Tips for reporting for Soundslides • Think about what to collect first • Gather more information than you think you need • Keep track of what you shoot and record • Match photos with audio • Plan for a new photo about every 8 seconds • 2 minutes = 15 photos; 3 minutes = 22 photos; 4 minutes = 30 photos

15. Soundslides Slideshows Hands-On • Open Soundslides • Import sample photos, sample audio • Arrange photos in Soundslides • Insert headline • Insert captions • Insert credits • Export project • Demo on YouTube

16. Video • Many digital cameras have video options • Otherwise, the best buy is in $250-350 range • I recommend: Canon FS400 • Video mic about $150: Rode Videomic Examples • Cameron Patey • Anna Rader & Tiffany LeGal

17. Video Tips • Go in without your camera and audio recorder • Keep your head up for a hook • Shoot first, interview later • Learn the shots • Use the 5-shot method • Careful camera movement • Minimize panning and tilting • Do not zoom

18. Video Tips • Stay still and be silent • Stay ethical • Natural sound and environment shots • Rule of thirds and creative devices • Get on-camera interviews Popular Video Editing Programs • FinalCutPro • Adobe Premiere • iMovie • Windows Movie Maker

19. Resources • Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive • Free PDF book, 2007, by Mark Briggs • Reporter’s Guide to Media Proficiency • Free PDF booklet, 2009, by Mindy McAdams • Journalism Next • Paperback, 2009, by Mark Briggs • MediaStorm • Register for workshops, view projects, read free tips • Poynter Institute’s News University • Register for webinars or courses • University of Wyoming’s New Media Blog

20. Thank You! Keep in Touch: Email: Klandrev@uwyo.edu Twitter: @klandreville Blog: http://uwyojournalism.com