Friday Assignment

Friday Assignment

pick the one you find more interesting. For it, you’re going to write a shot-by-shot account of it (pausing so you can describe each shot). It will take a little while. (You can look at my sample for the Boyd Huppert story we watched in class). On your blog post, give the following information:

Story title: Disapearring Jobs: Video Store Closes Shop
Total Run Time: 2:58

1. Close up of "All- Dvd Video Verite" Store name
2. Depth of inside of store
3. Medium shot of owner checking dvds

4. Medium shot of owner talking
5. Opposite/ depth shot of person walking into store  

6. Angled shot of Customers in the store
7.Close up of lady picking out dvds
8. Super Close up of a dvd
9.Super close up of another dvd
10.Close up of dvd rental sign
11.Close up of women examing dvd titles

12.Medium shot of owner of store talking
13. Close up of Open sign
14. Medium of owner checking out dvd's
15. Depth shot of several people looking at dvds

16.Wide shot of dvd selection choices
17. Close up "Suggestions, comments" box
18. Medium shot of owner talking 
19. Tracking shot of customers looking through selections 

20. Close up of little puppy in store

21. Medium shot of people picking up dvd
22. low shot of women examing dvd choices

23. Medium shot of womens interview 
24. Angled shot of women walking away 
25. Depth shot of women paying at cashier
26. Medium shot of women talking in interview 
27. Low, angled shot of women looking at dvds
28. Close up of exit of store
29. Close up of dvd price
30. Angled Close up of owner looking at computer screen 
31. Medium shot of owner talking 
32. Close up of advertising candy price in store 
33. Close up of Owner scanning dvds 
34. Medium shot of owner talking 
35. Medium shot of people stacking dvds 
36. Low shot of customer at counter 
37. Medium/ depth  shot of workers rearranging dvds 

38. Medium shot of owners talking
39. Medium/ opposite shot of store window
40. Medium shot of lights turning off, owner leaving

What you noticed overall: Finally, write a summary section of at least 100 words

All the varieties of shot included in the b-roll of the news story  make it interesting to watch. Otherwise it would be very not engaging to watch solely the person being interviews talking the whole time or just B-roll the whole time as well. I noticed that when the people are being interviewed in the video it is usually a Medium shot. The The Opening and end shots should be more engaging, especially the opening to draw the audience in. I learned that the main  subject (a person) or object of the story should appear in a close up shot somewhere in the video. In this case the object of the dvd and the owner both showed up in close ups a lot, throughout the video. 

Read in Dotson’s book pages 55 thru 71. Then:
1. What do you find most interesting about what he says on these pages? What stands out as particularly useful to you as a storyteller? (75 words)

I found it interesting when Bob Dotson states that one should find a strong visual to close the story whenever possible. something that the audience won't forget. But most of the newstories I've seen, have 90% of the time closed with a stand up from the reporter. Leaving the viewer with a very strong closing statement regarding their report. I liked the the statement he made about silence. That "For the writer, nothing is more difficult to write than silence. For the viewers, sometimes, nothing is more moving than that moment of silence". Which is so true because most very impacting stories have a moment of silent within them. Makes the message dawn upon the reader. I think Dotson statement he made regarding silence could also come in very useful to an individual as a storyteller. 
 
To answer the rest, you must visit the site for Boyd Huppert’s Land of 10,000 Stories(http://www.kare11.com/news/investigative/extras/stories.aspx). Pick two that look interesting. Watch them. Then, pick one of those and answer the following prompts about it, please: 2. What is the name of the story, and on what date did it first air?
        Pianist loses fingers in snow blower, lives to play

3. List and describe four instances of natural sound. 
         Sound of snow blower running when they brought how he got his finger cut off.
Sound of audience clapping after her was finished playing the piano
Sound of piano playing by the little boy at the beginning, and Jim playing
Sound of nature Backyard sign when Jim was standing where the incident happened telling his story

4. List and describe (including the type and what they are showing) four camera shots that you find interesting.
        They did a really tight shot of a kid playing the piano, in the beginning, showing just his fingers, This was intering t me because it looked like his fingers dancing on the keys, by the way they positioned it.
They did a wide shot when Jim was sharing his story and this was interesting to me, you would of imaged them doing a medium shot. But a wide shot really showed the setting of which the incident happened.
An opposite shot of when Jim was playing the piano the shot of the keys moving inside the piano.
A Depth shot of Jim performing in front of an audience showing the audience through showing him playing.
5. Write a possible focus statement for the story (strong verbs; no “-ing” words)
             Pianist looses fingers still plays

6. How does this story utilize Dotson’s “Building Blocks” (from Page 68)? Discuss a few of them, please. (100 words)
            Pictures: Towards the beginning it was compelling when they showed a shot of Bill's finger when he states "In case you didn't notice the pinky is supposed to be the shortest finger" when really it was the tallest. Also the shot of him at the piano telling the viewer the names of his fingers.
Natural Sounds: Like the ones I listed on question 3.
Soundbites: Jim says "There's no point, because it's a waste of energy, and I have a limited amount of that, and I try to use it to strengthen and improve what I can do," This soundbites shows the moral of the Jim's story. Why his story is so unique, taking such a time of adversity using it to succeed. The placement of this statement is also very profound. As for Graphics this particular story did not have any.

Run and Gun Interviews:

1. What is a "Run and Gun" interview? When can we use a "Run and Gun" interview?
Not planned, informal, one or two questions

2. What is the first thing you should do BEFORE starting off for the interview?
 always test the equipment

3. Why do you think we should ask for permission?
To be polite and respectful
4. Why should we always ask the interviewee to state and spell their names?
so we can aknowledge their name in the credits, and therefore we have the correct spelling of it on tape

5. Where should we place the microphone?
Hang loose

6. Should we hand the mic to the interviewee?
Never
7. The photographer is responsible for the sound levels. What are two things the photog should be aware of?

8. COMPOSITION: How we should frame our interview shot:
a. Eyes on _____third______
b. 2 Eyes One __________
c. Camera should be Higher, Even, or Lower than subject?
d. Talking space or ________ Room


BACKGROUNDS:
9. Avoid shooting in front of ______window______.

10. Why should we keep signs out of the background?
The viewer will focus on that more than the subject

11. If we were doing an interview about the high cost of parking at EVHS where would a good place to interview be?

12. What is a demonstration interview and what are the benefits?

The Components of a Broadcast Story
1st Topic: Cross country running football to homecoming
2nd  Focus Statement: Cross Country team runs ball far.
3rd:  Sound Bites to use in the interview: "Our cross country teams holds tradition very dear to us"
4th B-Roll to complement the sound bites: An overhead shot, of the team running with the ball
5th stand-up: The linking shot of the groups switching the football
6th: We Edit our story together adding Voice Overs as Seques between interviews: Adds more information with the voice overs.

Walldo Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSTwkdQqsE

Reading response Dotson pages 43 thru 55

Read, in Dotson’s book, pages 43 thru 55. Respond to what you read
In this section, I learned techniques of how to engage the reader. I found it interesting how Dotson states not to just collect information but to appeal to the audience. I found his coverage of the Pearl Harbor's Untold Story very interesting, I liked how it highlighted emotions throughout the telling of the story. I agreed with him when he says "don't overwhelm the viewers with information". Because I feel like that's why in this technology age a lot of people, especially young ones don't watch the news anymore, or read the newspaper, because it's so much information people get bored and don't want to watch it. A good advice, That you shouldn't just throw a bunch of information at your audience its overwhelming.
So, Dotson highlights the following:
- How to defeat the TV remote control -
- Be conversational
- Gobbledygook and clichés
- Active voice
- Write in threes
- Surprises
Read this story and watch this one (a bit of a sports theme this week). Write two paragraphs (one about each) that explains how the story uses/handles at least three of these aspects. Give specific examples (100 words in each paragraph, so at least 200 total words).

The story certainly has an active voice all the way through, up until the end when it ends with a question. The writer of this piece was also conversational and the tone was as if the writer was talking conversationally to the reader. Since he wrote like he would speak it made the piece interesting and appealing to the reader. This piece also included surprises within. The outcome was unpredictable and riveted the viewer's attention. It lured me somebody who is not interested in sports to feel something for the events occurred in the story. While reading I never would of guessed that the boys and family would of told the officials what really happened and was surprised by the great treatment and response they received from it afterwards. 

This news piece definitely defeated the TV remote control. There was a lot of emotions showcased in this piece. Since Dotson writes "People want something from your writing. Happiness.Understanding. Insight." This piece did exactly that. Parts in this piece created vivid images for the audience such as when the mother states that when they bought their house it had a green carpet a natural playing ground for their 12 boys.The narrator of this story had an active voice and it made the story more homie, and intimate.The writer also probably the narrator wrote in threes. example, "Twelve boys -- twelve football players -- spaced out just so that at least one of them has been on every team in Cokato -- every year -- since 1989." The dashes created a natural pause as he was narrating the story. It made the couples story more dramatic to hear about.

Watch: Break In Video

Answer the following questions on your blog:
1. What is the lead in this story? Does it intrigue you to keep watching?
Its hard to image something such as that could happen in a quiet neighboorhood. You keep wactching to find out what happenned and what could be so unusual to happen in their neighborhood.

2. What are the 5W's of this story: Who, What, Where, When, Why
Who: This woman and fellow surrountding neighbors
What: A person used the back doggie door to break in and steal things in the house
Where: 33rd and Julian, in Colorado
When: One Weekday afternoon
Why: The person wants to steal things, and its an unusual way to do go about it using the doogie door.

3. Give an example of the reporters Voice over or seque (Write it down word for word)
"Heather says she's going to keep a closer eye on her back doggie door and what crawls in"

4. When do we see the reporter's stand-up? Beginning, Middle, or End?
The Middle

5. What is the purpose of this reporter's stand-up?
Taking the viewer to another spot in the neighborhood when there was a break-in. It gives the audience a chance to see a face of the reporter.
Move the story forward
Reporter becomes B-Roll
Take me to the scene
Use Props
Be creative

Make it Memorable book Assignment

Handout Make It Memorable by Bob Dotson

ASSIGNMENT FOR FRIDAY: 
Regarding the book by Bob Dotson, Make It Memorable: Please read the introduction and Section One (pages 3-41). Then, answer the following questions and be sure to exceed the requested word counts:
o What do you notice about the way he writes? Use specific examples, please. (75 words)
  He uses a lot of example to back up his advice's helping the reader make connections. for example when he talks about the Non-Question/ Question he tells the reader who he learned it from, explaining what the technique consists of by bringing up the boy whose father was the leader of the Iranian government and how this technique of the Non-Question came into use. He really addresses the reader really well saying "You" a lot instead another pronoun, I found this more interesting to read.(78)


o What did you learn from reading pages 9 to 27? (75 words)
I learned different techniques of how to catch a good sound bites in an interview. One technique that really stood out to me was the Filling the silence. Let silence grow during interview and making people uncomfortable, making them broaden their answer. A technique to use when having trouble staring to write the piece is to start the middle of the story first. I learned that its also important to fill your story with details, not to waste time pointing out the obvious. (83)


o With the scripts: What do suppose is described in each column? Why would it be split like that? What else is interesting about the scripts? (50 words)
The left hand side is a description of the image of what the viewer should be seeing, while the right hand column is the dialogue to go this the image on the left hand side. This Kinda reminded me of a theater script there are stage directions and the dialogue and its split, to keep it separate and faster when reading or acting out the script. (59)


o On Page 34 (and to the end of the section), Dotson writes about a long-form feature. Find one of these (a story at least 4 minutes long) on a TV news magazine such as Rock Center, 20/20 or 60 Minutes. Then, give and explain examples of how the storyteller uses the five bulleted traits Dotson gives on Page 34. (200 words)

 I watched "Bringing Lincoln to life" by 60 minutes. They first set the scene by introducing late president Lincoln and showing a clip from the movie, and commenting on how accurately the scenes of movie depicted Lincoln's actual life. There was no foreshadowing in this long form feature. The Conflict was whether or not the movie truly depicted the real life of Lincoln. So in this news story, they interviewed historians to compare and contrast how accurately the movie corresponds with Lincoln's life. Character growth is shown through the feature. They show clips from the movie and Lincoln's character growth through his president is shown and talked about. For example they talked about how Lincoln aged by the end the presidency and how his walked changed and this was shown by a clip from the movie, instead of just having the Historian comment on it. The resolution was basically proving that the movie did do a very accurate job of depicting Lincoln's life to life through the movie. This was resolved through interviewing Lincoln historians and other personnel that were involved in making the movie. Showing that the people involved in the movie did extensive amounts of research to make the movie so accurate. (203)

Answer the following questions on a blog post about the story:

1. Identify and explain as many WALLDO shots as you can.
Angled shot of him playing the piano, Low shot of him coming down the stairs with his dog, when he was spreadign jam on his toast. Linking shot when they showed the windshime.  Depth shot when he is sitting on patio talking. Opposite shot when he was pulling out his toast from toaster showed both sides of it. Wide shot of their house/backyard.

2. What is Natural Sound?
Sound that makes the viewer feel as though they are at the scene. Example basketball game, sound of shoes squeaking, ball dribbling.

3. Identify several examples of Natural Sound in this story?
The dog barking. Toaster pops up when toast was ready. The Wind in the background.


4. How does Natural Sound enhance the story?
It makes the story feel more personal, and the interview feel more homie and not staged, makes the news story more intimate!

Walldo
 

wide shot: to set the scene of the story

angled shot: shoot subject not always straight adds 3D affect to video

low shot: gives audience a new perspective, get down low with camera

linking shot: can tell two stories with one shot

depth shot: Is important to show creativity

opposite: film apposite sides of subject, action/reaction



1. What is the focus statement of this story?
Green powered publisher

2. Give examples of W-M-T sequences
The tight when they show his solar meter and talk about him selling electricity back to xcel energy
They show a wide of his solar panels

3. Give examples of The Rule of Thirds
When they show the guy through the rearview mirror of his car.
When he is standing next to his solar screens

4. Give examples of Eyes on Third
When they show his walking into his publishing office and introduces some of his workers

5. Give examples of Talking Space
When he is driving his green car and talking about the perks of the car

6. What did you like about story?
I liked how it covered different aspects of John's eco-friendly life. From the solar ray roof, and eco lights in his business to his new eco-friendly cabin and the his electric car. So the viewer can all the things he has contributed to the eco environment and the passion that he has.

CAMERA NOTES

CAMERA NOTES

Today you will be taking notes on Focus Statements and Camera Techniques


1. What is a Focus Statement? Define

 Narrows down your topic, will guide every decision you make for producing your story, it will guide the way

2. Why do we need a Focus Statement?

It helps you guide the story and move it in a coherent direction

3. Give an example of a Focus Statement sentence.

"Some girls are making their own homecoming dress this year"

4. Give an example of a Focus Statement in 3 words: (Subject-Verb-Object)
"Girls make dresses"

5. What are the 6 Essential Equipment items you need with you when shooting an interview?
Camera

Tripod

Microphone

Headphones

Batteries

Media

6. Why is a tripod important?  

keeps shots perfectly still and clean, nicer viewing

7. The Tripod is my ___Friend__

8. Define: Pan moving tripod horizontally

9. Define: Tilt moving tripod vertically

10. Why are headphones important?  
You won't get good sound, can't fix the audio that's why you should use headphone

11. Why is it important to TEST YOUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE YOU GO ON SHOOT!

Bring extra tapes batteries for back up and in case a lot of things can go wrong with your equipement and you want to find out about it beforehand and not when your shooting.

12. Define Wide shot: Show setting and surrounding and establish where you story is taking place

13. Why do we need a wide shot? The

14. Define Medium shot: Give a little less setting and more detail focus on a specific area

15. Why do we need a medium shot?

16. Define a tight shot. Sometimes call a close up give lots of detail that you can't get from a wide or medium shot.

17. Why do we need a tight shot?

18. What is a sequence?

19. Why do we need a sequence?

The story of Marie Krengel

The Transparent Story of Marie Krengel

She would be described as fun, cheerful, friendly and athletic. Marie is a lover of cats. She enjoys playing volleyball, tennis, and softball. And so may know of her dream of one day becoming an athletic trainer. Marie had a pretty solid child, and has close relationship with her family. Some close to her may know her routine on a typical day, of waking up going to school, and after school as math tutoring and sometimes Volleyball practice. But something that most people don't know about my classmate Marie is that as a child Marie had speech problems. She was put in IEP known as Individualized Education Program. Since this occurred when she was little she doesn’t remember much about the program. Maries estimates that it was by 8^th grade when she left the program. Listening to Marie during her interview I determined that this was the most unique thing about her. When asked what is something most people don’t know about you Marie responded “Most people don’t know that I had speech problems when I was little” while interviewing her I found this fact fascinating because there is no trace of such. Not that I was excepting any trace of her childhood speech problems, of course not, but she was transparent and talked about it so openly.

Interview of Classmate Marie

Interview of a Classmate

What was your childhood like?

Had a solid childhood, except when little had speech problems until 8th grade, was put in IEP to correct her speech.

What are some words others would use to describe you?

Fun, Cheerful, friendly

What are your future hopes and dreams??

To Become an Athletic Trainer

 

Do you have hobbies or things that interested in your free time?

Playing Volleyball, Tennis and Softball. Enjoys Cats

 

What is a typical day like for you?

Goes to School, after school has math tutoring, sometimes has Volleyball practice, if has time works out.

If you could compare yourself to a celebrity, who would it be and why?

Misty Mae trainer, because she is well rounded, plays volleyball just like her.

What are some things that not a lot of people know about you?

She had speech problems suring her childhood, Favorite number became 4 due to a T.V Show.

What would your life look like in 10 years?

Have a long term realtionship, Have a good paying job/career. To have a nice house.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?

She was singing and dancing to Hips don't lie by Shakira, in front of an elevator. When the elevator opened her trainer stepped and ran into her shaking her hips and dancing to the song. It was embarrasing but also funny.

What are some of your greatest fears?

Scary movies, Going down her basement is scary for her.