Multimedia

Storytelling
JOUR 203
Video Week 1:
Intro to Video Journalism
Shooting Basics

Discussion
Would Would
Instagram
Think?

Todays Goal
Basics of framing
interview shots to
conduct man-onthe-street interviews.

Video Journalism
I think it's inevitable that people will come to find
the documentary a more compelling and more
important kind of film than fiction. In a way
you're on a serendipitous journey, a journey which
is much more akin to the life experience. When you
see somebody on the screen in a documentary,
you're really engaged with a person going through
real life experiences. So for that period of time, as
you watch the film, you are, in effect, in the shoes
of another individual. What a privilege to have that
experience.
-Albert Maysles, dir of Gimmie Shelter

Deconstructing a News Video

Video for Print Journalists

When to use video

When to use video

Does the subject involve unusually visual or action-based

material?

When to use video

When to use video

Does the subject involve unusually visual or action-based

material?

Does the story evoke emotion or involve people talking

about emotional issues?

When to use video

When to use video

Does the subject involve unusually visual or action-based

material?

Does the story evoke emotion or involve people talking

about emotional issues?

Does the story involve subject matter that is difficult to

explain unless shown?

When to use video

When to use video

Does the subject involve unusually visual or action-based

material?

Does the story evoke emotion or involve people talking

about emotional issues?

Does the story involve subject matter that is difficult to

explain unless shown?

Would a juxtaposition of images make a stronger

statement than words?

When to use video

Good Videos Have a Focus

No need to tell an entire print story in a video.

Short is best!

Preparing for a Shoot

Pre-report

Preparing for a Shoot

Pre-report
The interview is not the time to think up questions

(plan story points)

Preparing for a Shoot

Preparing for a Shoot

Adam Ellick: i did a 3 hour print interview the first

time i met the main guy. that gave me the wide

foundation to decide how to craft the vid
narrative. then we met up when things
happened to him- like the embassy funding
scene. it also took several days without the
camera with get permission to talk to the girls.
we had to go through their grandfather, who
was cool, but still lives according to local
customs. so it was basically a part time project
for a month. some weeks less than a hour. other
weeks, 3-5 days.

Preparing for a Shoot

Bring extra batteries and make sure you have

room on your data card!

Interview Basics
Dont let the equipment get in the way

Interview Basics
Dont let the equipment get in the way
Dont have the subject stare directly into the

camera

Shooting Basics
Dont have subject stare directly into the

camera.

Leave headroom, but not too much.

Dont zoom.

Shooting Basics
Dont have subject stare directly into the

camera.

Leave headroom, but not too much.

Dont zoom.
Avoid panning.

Shooting Basics
Dont have subject stare directly into the

camera.

Leave headroom, but not too much.

Dont zoom.
Avoid panning.
Use a tripod when possible.

Shooting Tips

Shooting Tips

Framing: Look Space

Framing Shots
We want to see 2 eyes.

Framing Shots
We want to see 2 eyes.

Shooting Tips
Leave headroom but not too much

Shooting Tips
Leave headroom but not too much
Think about the background

Need 2 Volunteers

Practice
Inclass group assignment:
Man-on-the-street interviews

Work in groups of two, and conduct one man-onthe-street interview about the presidential
election. Suggestion: Interview at least two
people but only upload the best one to the blog.
Title the blog post: Your Names In-Class Interview

Homework
Video Assignment #1: Shoot 3 man-on-the-street

interviews on a topic of news value. Must be a

social or policy issue where people have
different opinions (such as: Who are you voting
for for president and why?). Have each person
say and spell their name. No interview should be
more than 1 minute (aim for that at least), but
youll turn in the unedited interviews for grading.
Upload them to the blog, all in one post. Im
looking for how well the shot was framed and lit,
as well as whether the content is engaging.
Name the post: Your Name, Man on the Street