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To shoot or not to shoot?

So I'm interesting in learning what everyone thinks and does with videos.
At my newspaper, it used to be just multimedia people who shot, edited and posted videos. For the past year we've been transitioning to have reporters, photographers and editors involved in the process. Many reporters have taken it upon themselves to get cameras, learn how to shoot video, and edit video - leaving the multimedia guys to post the videos to the Web site. I'm one of those experimenting with videos, and I'm going out today. I'll post that video link this week. Please share your thoughts on if reporters should be doing videos - or if we should just report and write.
Published Monday, June 04, 2007 2:44 PM by SonyaSmith
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Comments

# re: To shoot or not to shoot?

Tuesday, June 05, 2007 5:12 PM by GenePark
I'm of the belief that reporters shouldn't need to shoot video unless circumstances (photography staff come down with the Black Plague for example) require it to do so.

That's not to say I am against newspapers shooting video. I wish my paper did! It's the zeitgeist, and it's undeniable.

But I think shooting video can distract from other details of the reporting you may not get. I know some photographers are upset about having to shoot video, while they're missing key shots. For me the issue is about focus, and budgeting of course. Some newspapers simply can't (or refuse to) hire new staff to do the job. Thus, it becomes incumbent on the current staff to shoot video, for the sake of the entire company's image of keeping with the times.

And do I think newspapers shooting videos is here to stay? Most definitely. Do I think it will change the face of journalism? Not so much.

# re: To shoot or not to shoot?

Tuesday, June 05, 2007 6:34 PM by ElysseJames
A few of our reporters are going to a multimedia class to learn to shoot video and record sound clips but so far none are doing it on their own.

I think it's a good idea for people to know how to do it, but I prefer having specific multimedia people in charge of that so the clips are done professionally.

Video can be difficult, getting the sound and lighting right so that it shows up well online ... a specialist would do a better job, I think. Also, having a specific media person would be advantageous if any tech problems occur.

# re: To shoot or not to shoot?

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 4:16 PM by Natalie
My paper didn't do multimedia anything - but we were so behind we didn't even have a Web site. Needless to say I'm not there anymore.
Unfortunately I think this is a skill we'll all need to pick up to remain competitive as journalists. As a freelancer, I'm seeing more and more online magazines and even print magazines asking for a multimedia angle to stories. So, does anyone know a good site that gives how-to's on video and audio editing and posting?

# re: To shoot or not to shoot?

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 2:59 AM by Brea Jones
As one of those people who stays behind to post the video/audio/slideshows, I think reporters should definitely be thinking multimedia, carrying a camera and using video for projects.

The idea that reporters should only use text on newsprint to tell a story is something I fight against regularly. While it isn't as fun to stay in the office and produce reporters' content, it is way more beneficial to Web users to have a variety of voices behind the cameras/recorders.

UC Berkeley's New Media center has a useful training site: http://journalism.berkeley.edu/multimedia/
I especially like the backpack journalism list, which is similar to something Gene posted about last month.
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