Here are links to all our preview and recap posts, and tweet streams, on order in which they were turned in to me (the first one is first, and the last one is last).
Let's compare the work of each other and see what we did well, and what ideas we can get from others. Also, examine how the mediums complement each other: the preview does just that; the tweet stream allows you to follow what was previewed, as it actually happens; and the recap wraps it all up. Here we go:
Let's compare the work of each other and see what we did well, and what ideas we can get from others. Also, examine how the mediums complement each other: the preview does just that; the tweet stream allows you to follow what was previewed, as it actually happens; and the recap wraps it all up. Here we go:
*****
Dimitri B.: living off-campus video and blog posts and tweets #eastlansingleases
With the blog posts, why no quotes or attribution? We need those to build credibility with the audience by letting them know we've done our homework, just like we would with a print story. With the tweets, we shouldn't have thoughts and quotes dribbling between tweets; each tweet should be its own self-contained quote or thought.
With the video, we needed a greater variety of B-roll: for the resident, let's show her at her home, interacting with roommates, walking in and out, etc. For the office, let's show workers interacting with tenants and maintaining the complex and such.
*****
The video could have used a greater variety of B-roll, especially video. Ideally we would want to tape the protests, but I get that those probably already happened. But we can shoot students of color walking through campus and interacting with other students of color and/or white students, to show interaction and division and such. Any news item can be animated if we think about it hard enough.
*****
Great use of pictures as B-roll to see what we weren't around to shoot ourselves. It's always a good idea to ask a source for pics showing past events that are the focus of your story. Plus, note the tweets are supplemented not only with text but a quick-hit video interview of just 21 seconds.
*****
The video does a great job of using B-roll to create an opening sequence akin to an alternate lede in a written story. The collection of images is aimed at setting a mood and providing context through the feelings it tries to bring out.
*****
An otherwise-good video is marred by a confusing map. How are Germany and Brazil in California? That's not a small glitch; it can distract the viewer who, instead of paying attention to the next few seconds of video, may spend time trying to figure that out.
*****
This is a visual story, and it's told visually with many images of graffiti so we can see what it looks like. The spray paint can sound isn't just aesthetic; after all, it's what graffiti sounds like, right?
*****
We need to show what is being talked about. When one source is talking about headdresses and hennas, that means we need to show headdresses and hennas in B-roll while she is talking. Video is a visual medium; we need to show while we tell. We really needed more B-roll and topic-specific B-roll to break up that last, long interview segment.
*****
I probably would have left the music only in the transitional segments and cut them out entirely of the background of the interview segments. Even at a much lower volume the music risks being a distraction to viewers.
*****
Good range of hyperlinks on the blog. For the video, we had plenty of B-roll showing athletes as students, but not much at all showing students as athletes. This is where pictures as B-roll of them playing their sports may have come in handy.
*****
The execution will become more polished with time, but the fundamentals are here: interviews, B-roll, captions, hyperlinks, etc.
*****
The blog is broken up logically: the facts of so-called blind roommates, and then what students see. For the video, B-roll doesn't have to be flashy; jostling: if a story is about roommates, just show roommates being roommates, It can be that simple, really.
*****
Sound is important. The first interview is too echo-filled and distant. Plus, we needed a greater variety of more telling B-roll: students walking through campus; students holding hands or offering a quick smooth; students flirting at bars or parties.
*****
Another good break with the blog: the first post is what students say, and the next is what the experts say about what the students say.
*****
These posts start with what the experts say, and then goes to what students actually think. So, which one is right; this blog ordering or the one from the previous person who did the same topic? It's all a matter of preference; I think both work. Quite often there is more than one right answer on how to approach a story.
With the video, it's a reminder lighting is important. The first interview subject was pretty dimly-lit. Make sure there is light directly hitting their camera side when shooting.
*****
Jingwen Z.: grad school video and blog posts and tweets #graduationincome
Way too little B-roll, used way too late. Again, this is a visual medium; we need to show action and activity and animation. We could show B-roll subjects taking notes in class or studying or talking to friends; regardless of what we do, we need to think of ways to illustrate our stories in a visual medium. Leaving only a token visualization for the end isn't nearly enough.
*****
Adam T.: study habits video and blog posts and tweets #msustudyingjrn200
With the blog, we repeat some info in both posts. We want to build upon info; not repeat it. It's one thing to renew a first attribution; it's entirely another to put in the same quote as in a previous post.
*****
Kameron G.: students at break video and blog posts and tweets #msubreakissues
*****
Xin W.: making friends video and blog posts and tweets #makefriendsonmsu
Nice video overall, but two spots for improvement: first, watch out for our own voices. The "uh-huhs" and such in the first interview are distracting; let's make sure we stay quiet when the camera is rolling. Plus, the long second interview segment could have used more B-roll break-ups, showing international students socializing and such.
*****
Brittany F.: video and blog posts and tweets #antichirstmascups
We have to remember that each blog post is its own unique part of the story, and needs its own lede. The second blog posts just starts with a quite when it really needed to start with the point that's being made with just enough background where it makes sense if the person didn't read the preceding post. Here, if we start with the latter post we have no idea what the guy is ranting about. Plus, no hyperlinks at all. If it doesn't have hyperlinks, it's not online journalism.
The video has a similar flaw: it's about a controversy, but we never say what, exactly, the controversy is! Plus, having a second source for all of four seconds of air time is not really having a second source, and the B-roll was a bit too random, especially when it's easy to get shots of people holding cups, drinking out of cups, baristas pouring coffee into cups, etc.
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