Journalism Next:Chapter 8: Telling Stories with Video

Cindy Royal, Ph.D

Associate Professor

Texas State University

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

croyal@txstate.edu

www.cindyroyal.com

www.onthatnote.com

tech.cindyroyal.net

twitter.com/cindyroyal

facebook.com/cindyroyal

Digital Video

• Cheap cameras and editing software• One person can produce high quality• YouTube 1 hour of footage uploaded every second• The only way to learn video

journalism is by doing it - Angela Grant (a former student)

• Both broadcast and non-broadcast

Digital video

• Deliberate differences; but audience knows what to expect

• Good, entertaining video gets repurposed and rebroadcast

• No need for a debate about quality vs. quantity to strangle news organizations

• Quick and less polished video often draws more page views; more efficient

• The important factor is authenticity

Plan Video

• Different approaches for different projects• Storyboarding• Focus story• Choose interview and demonstration

sequences as well as b-roll• Mix your shots – wide angle, medium,

close-ups

Five shots

• Close-up on the hands• Close-up on the face• Wide shot• Over-the-shoulder shot• Creative shot• Then think of other

creative uses, graphsimages, animation

Interviews

• Select a location – think sound and lighting• Have several pre-written questions –

some can be discussed ahead of time• Remain silent• Use a stand-up,

just in case• Effective use of

voiceover

Gear

• Lots of camera choices• High Def?• File formats and editing software• Accessories – tapes, batteries, microphone,

tripod, headphones, lighting• Focus, zoom, exposure• Solid clips – avoid panning and zooming• Get good audio

Final word of advice

• Start small, but make sure you start.• Get inspiration from other storytellers.