Another Kind of Election-Related Analysis
The political satire site 23/6 has been watching the campaign carefully — so carefully they’ve discovered the presidential debates have a lot of repetition.
While you may have thought you recognized familiar phrases, you can’t beat the evidence shown in this side-by-side-by-side edit from the broadcasts.
The video seems to support the notion that the debates were stump speeches that revealed little original and on-the-spot thought from either candidate. It’s disturbing to think our election process amounts to an overly long opportunity to sling mud and drum slogans into our heads.
(Link crossposted on Twitter)
Breaking Conventions in Video Journalism
When it comes to video journalism, most news organizations have a rule: Do not use any sound or music that didn’t occur while you were filming the story. Audio holds powerful sway over our emotion and therefore, can distort our perception of facts and events. If you’re skeptical, check out the trailer for “Sleepless in Seattle” and this remix.
But what about when you’re not filming something on the scene? What about using video to tell a text and infographics story in a different way?
One of my favorite sources for this storytelling style is Good magazine, which I’ve subscribed to since its inception.
Have a look at the video below and see what you think. The camera motion and music draw you in, while the text and graphics give you a better grasp of how and why certain countries excel at certain Olympic sports.
R.I.P. Paul Newman
There are probably dozens of obituaries and rememberances of Paul Newman out today from news sources big and small all over the world.
The actor, race car driver and philanthropist died Friday at his home in Westport, Conn., at the age of 83 after battling lung cancer.
Perhaps the most touching tribute comes from Newman’s Own, the food company founded by the actor and his author friend, A.E. Hotchner. While a journalistic approach would forbid the use of music, there’s a lot to be learned from the structure, simplicity and craft in the four-minute video below.
Learning to Tell Better Video Stories, With Garrett Hubbard
Garrett Hubbard takes questions during a live Q&A online.
(Photograph by H. Darr Beiser/USA Today © 2008, used with permission)
Click below to read some of Garrett’s answers.
Got Video Journalism Questions? Stop by Thursday
Garrett Hubbard, video journalist for USA Today, has graciously agreed to a live chat about video journalism beginning 3:45 p.m. ET this Thursday on Ricochet. Click here to join in.
Staffers, freelancers and blogger alike can ask Garrett about how to creating arresting videos that tell engaging news stories.
Check out his work at his blog, Stories of Light and Color, and bring your questions. This will be a great opportunity to improve your technique and learn from someone in the field.
Here’s one example: “DNC Protest Turns Violent.” Garrett called it, “Definitely a day of adrenaline!”
