Month: January 2019

I really liked the shots of the sunflower field and how there was not the same shot twice; therefore, it was not repetitive.  There was no natural sound; however, there was narration with some soft music.  The narration is about time and how it is a social institution, not a physical reality.  I liked how this video is composed of two different things but the editor made it cohesive.

Here’s a video from The New York Times that I found really interesting! I enjoyed the way that they chose to narrate this piece as it is a topic in which the audience would need some background on and I think that presenting this story through video is really important as it allows viewers to hear the language and see the setting, which are two vital components to empathizing with the story.

 

Whenever I want to read the news but I can’t stomach any more of our chaotic and Trump infected news environment, I usually got check out The Verge. They produce stories on a variety of subjects but most tend to focus on tech and science. I feel like they make really engaging videos that make the reporter’s experience part of the story like VICE.

Here is a really fascinating video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dwjS_eI-lQ

Introduction

Here’s me.

Now your turn: What are you hoping to get out of this class, and what sort of video storytelling interests you? Feature-length documentaries, dream job (VICE? BuzzFeed? NYT?), subject matter, style, breaking news, short docs… what would you like to do?

Discussion

Video journalism has changed a lot in recent years. The arrival of DSLR video cameras meant that ten years ago, it was suddenly affordable to shoot and edit a 1080p HD video as a “one-man-band” and the quality of the resulting product would blow editors away.

These days, with the sudden ubiquity of 4K UHD (Ultra HD) and other advances in technology, video has become a bit of an arms race—it’s become more expensive to stay competitive. There are still plenty of outlets that will hire you if you’re shooting on a Canon 5D (DSLR) or equivalent, but more and more are looking for a cinema camera (like a Sony FS7) that shoots in 4K. Many outlets are also looking for someone who can deliver extra bells and whistles like drone footage and gimbal footage. But there are rental options like KitSplit that have popped up to help you work at that high level without having to go deep into credit card debt. And video tends to pay better than print or still photography, so it has that going for it as well.

Syllabus

Advanced Multimedia Reporting 2019

Please note that this syllabus will be an ever-evolving document, so if you miss a class, please check this site. I will be posting class agendas each time we meet with updated and detailed info on assignments, due dates, etc.

Videojournalist/DP websites:

http://www.joevaneeckhout.com/

https://www.nyashakadandara.com/

https://www.leslyedavis.com/

For next class…

Set up a Vimeo account with photo and bio.

Search for a piece of video storytelling you find inspiring and post it on the class site. Come to class prepared to discuss the different elements you liked or didn’t like.

Start thinking about a topic for your first video assignment, which will be a visual poem, and start talking amongst yourselves about who you might like to partner up with for it, as you’ll have the option for this first project of working in pairs as you get the hang of using the equipment. If you choose to do so, you will share all gathered material but you will each submit your own individual edited videos. (No formal pitch necessary yet, I just want you to start the brainstorm process.)

Examples: here and here.