Quite frankly, I don't have a firm idea of what I want to do for my final project. I know I want to do something entertainment based because that is my concentration and the area I am most interested in. But beyond that I don't really know. Most likely I would like to do something related to film or television.
Some elements I would like to produce on my project website to support my reporting are pictures, video and a really great web design. Basically anything that you would typically find on an entertainment focused website.
In terms of other skills, we've been learning a lot of things in this class that I had no idea we would cover and it has been really helpful. I don't really know what all the different types of online production skills are, but I basically just want to learn a little bit of everything that would allow me to comfortably put together a website. It seems like we are going to do most of that with the final project though. Maybe we could learn a little about uploading music on to sites. Right now I only know how to do that through myspace.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
The Times They Are A-Changin'
One thing newspapers could do is try to localize their papers by covering smaller communities within each city. We touched on this in class one week, but it could be handled by allowing readers to contribute coverage of their own neighborhoods so that everyone could have their own little personal news source. Readers would be more inclined to check the website more often to keep up to date with what's going on in their area instead of just occasionally coming to look at the day's top headlines. It could be almost like a 24-hour news site because readers could post any time of the day. I know I would visit the sites more often if I had the opportunity, especially to be able to keep up with what's going on in my hometown.
Newspapers could also try to connect with local or national news stations to have attached video to their stories so readers can navigate around the site and look into extra information if they are interested. While sites usually already have some sort of video content it doesn't feel that substantial and if there is something a reader is really interested in, they want to know everything about it. And sometimes pictures just aren't enough for people. So papers could either form relationships with broadcast news sites or simply improve their own video access. They could get readers involved through this avenue as well, allowing the public to contribute videos but this might take longer to screen before posting.
Third, newspaper websites could really benefit by improving their template and overall website design. Many of the sites are really plain and boring and on top of that are somewhat confusing to navigate through. They are usually so busy that sometimes you can get lost in the jumbled text and miss out on really great stories. As well, sites like the LA Times have a completely different site for their calendar section but most probably assume those articles would be in the entertainment portion of the website. Little things like this could be easily fixed and it would make readers more inclined to visit the website because they know they are going to be able to find everything they are interested in reading.
Newspapers could also try to connect with local or national news stations to have attached video to their stories so readers can navigate around the site and look into extra information if they are interested. While sites usually already have some sort of video content it doesn't feel that substantial and if there is something a reader is really interested in, they want to know everything about it. And sometimes pictures just aren't enough for people. So papers could either form relationships with broadcast news sites or simply improve their own video access. They could get readers involved through this avenue as well, allowing the public to contribute videos but this might take longer to screen before posting.
Third, newspaper websites could really benefit by improving their template and overall website design. Many of the sites are really plain and boring and on top of that are somewhat confusing to navigate through. They are usually so busy that sometimes you can get lost in the jumbled text and miss out on really great stories. As well, sites like the LA Times have a completely different site for their calendar section but most probably assume those articles would be in the entertainment portion of the website. Little things like this could be easily fixed and it would make readers more inclined to visit the website because they know they are going to be able to find everything they are interested in reading.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Gomez Groupie
Okay, at first I was completely overwhelmed with trying to decide what topic I might possibly know more about than the average internet fanatic who posts tons of information on a regular basis. But then I calmed down once I realized that everyone doesn’t obsess over the same things. I began to think about some of my favorite things: movies, books, music…MUSIC! Aha!
My favorite band is a group called Gomez. Heard of them? If you haven’t that’s alright because pretty much every single person that I’ve talked to about music has no idea what I’m talking about. (Just in case you’re wondering, they’re a British rock/alternative band) So naturally I figured I could refresh the information posted on their Wikipedia page. And I felt a duty to spread the Gomez love to other music lovers out there. So if you haven’t checked them out, you should.
Once I decided what I was going to add to the page, the editing process was pretty easy. The template is very user friendly and you simply type in the new text. Then by following the example of the rest of the text, you learn the symbols needed to make certain words italics or links. And the fact that you don’t have to type in any html language or web addresses as long as the entry already exists within the system is great.
I can see why the wiki format is becoming so popular. It’s extremely easy to participate and is very useful. Here is the previous article, my edited version and the live page.
My favorite band is a group called Gomez. Heard of them? If you haven’t that’s alright because pretty much every single person that I’ve talked to about music has no idea what I’m talking about. (Just in case you’re wondering, they’re a British rock/alternative band) So naturally I figured I could refresh the information posted on their Wikipedia page. And I felt a duty to spread the Gomez love to other music lovers out there. So if you haven’t checked them out, you should.
Once I decided what I was going to add to the page, the editing process was pretty easy. The template is very user friendly and you simply type in the new text. Then by following the example of the rest of the text, you learn the symbols needed to make certain words italics or links. And the fact that you don’t have to type in any html language or web addresses as long as the entry already exists within the system is great.
I can see why the wiki format is becoming so popular. It’s extremely easy to participate and is very useful. Here is the previous article, my edited version and the live page.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
UrBEN Legend
Okay, so I went into this assignment trying to find interesting facts about campaign contributions that somehow related to my hometown (Orlando, FL) or my last name (Kaiser). But as it turns out, the information I found was pretty obvious. Using the campaign search engine Political Money Line I learned that Orlando is pretty split on their political views (shock me, shock me...if you’re thinking about the 2000 recount, please don’t get me started) and that quite a few people make campaign contributions with the last name Kaiser (242 to be exact). So for fun I started to randomly look up famous actors and once I reached Ben Affleck I learned something really surprising. Affleck never donated money towards electing John Kerry as president.
Now think back to the 2004 election (I know this is hard, but bear with me). Affleck was basically attached to Kerry’s side. He campaigned for him, talked him up in interviews, and even wore Kerry t-shirts almost every day. So naturally, I expected to find numerous contributions for Kerry from the politically active actor. Instead I saw that Affleck contributed to the presidential campaigns of Dennis Kucinich ($1,000) and General Wesley Clark ($2,000), but not Kerry.
This got me thinking about how some critics claimed Kerry lost the election because of all the publicity he got from big Hollywood players. Whether or not you agree this had a negative impact on his campaign, I’m sure you remember all of the celebrity endorsements. But the truth is a lot of celebrities that supported the presidential candidate didn’t actually donate money to his campaign. Some actually gave money to Kerry’s competition.
This included celebrities such as Matt Damon, Paul Newman, Jane Fonda, Aaron Sorkin, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen.
So while a great deal of Hollywood probably voted for the Massachusetts senator, they didn’t contribute money to his campaign. Those millions came from the general public...and the billion-dollar food company Heinz.
Now think back to the 2004 election (I know this is hard, but bear with me). Affleck was basically attached to Kerry’s side. He campaigned for him, talked him up in interviews, and even wore Kerry t-shirts almost every day. So naturally, I expected to find numerous contributions for Kerry from the politically active actor. Instead I saw that Affleck contributed to the presidential campaigns of Dennis Kucinich ($1,000) and General Wesley Clark ($2,000), but not Kerry.
This got me thinking about how some critics claimed Kerry lost the election because of all the publicity he got from big Hollywood players. Whether or not you agree this had a negative impact on his campaign, I’m sure you remember all of the celebrity endorsements. But the truth is a lot of celebrities that supported the presidential candidate didn’t actually donate money to his campaign. Some actually gave money to Kerry’s competition.
This included celebrities such as Matt Damon, Paul Newman, Jane Fonda, Aaron Sorkin, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen.
So while a great deal of Hollywood probably voted for the Massachusetts senator, they didn’t contribute money to his campaign. Those millions came from the general public...and the billion-dollar food company Heinz.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
More Real News
I’ve never really compared video stories from the nightly news and sources online, but once I started to really look at both of them I realized how different they were and that I found the online videos much more interesting.
In terms of the television nightly news, the stories I liked the most were simply because of the subject matter. One package on elephants during the NBC broadcast had some great footage of the cute animals but that was pretty much the only thing that was appealing about it.
Of course the piece was well edited with a variety of different shots and had nice voice over, but those qualities are expected in broadcast news. They’re professional but at the same time pretty boring. There is nothing that grabs the attention of the viewer. And of course the whole piece is through a third-person narrative where the reporter remains objective. While news should remain objective, it can still be done in a way where it doesn’t feel impersonal and stiff.
A great example of this is the stories featured on Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone. The “Occupation: Dreamland” series is fantastic. In Part II we get to follow the camera through a raid in Iraq. Just this fact alone makes the video completely different than anything we might see on the news. But what makes this video great is that it is raw and real.
The camera really gets in the action which makes you feel like you are in there with them. This really took me off guard because stories that I am used to on TV mostly feature action that looks planned and directed. The package isn’t full of stale shots just edited together either. There are longer shots that simply show the audience what is going on. This is what makes the news video great. It’s showing real life as it’s happening.
Another extremely interesting video that shows it like it is on the site is a video about recruitment. You should check it out as well.
Other online videos that are less successful are those on You Witness News and an informational video on You Tube about seahorses. These videos are more amateur with their poor video and sound quality. As well, while they have long sequences like Kevin Sites, they don’t use it in the positive way like the Dreamland sequence does.
Ultimately, I think stories told using online video should be professional like those on TV news, but more raw and realistic. Because sites can be more open without the strict FCC rules in television, they have the opportunity to really capture real life. This can really attract the audience’s attention and make them invest in the stories they are telling.
In terms of the television nightly news, the stories I liked the most were simply because of the subject matter. One package on elephants during the NBC broadcast had some great footage of the cute animals but that was pretty much the only thing that was appealing about it.
Of course the piece was well edited with a variety of different shots and had nice voice over, but those qualities are expected in broadcast news. They’re professional but at the same time pretty boring. There is nothing that grabs the attention of the viewer. And of course the whole piece is through a third-person narrative where the reporter remains objective. While news should remain objective, it can still be done in a way where it doesn’t feel impersonal and stiff.
A great example of this is the stories featured on Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone. The “Occupation: Dreamland” series is fantastic. In Part II we get to follow the camera through a raid in Iraq. Just this fact alone makes the video completely different than anything we might see on the news. But what makes this video great is that it is raw and real.
The camera really gets in the action which makes you feel like you are in there with them. This really took me off guard because stories that I am used to on TV mostly feature action that looks planned and directed. The package isn’t full of stale shots just edited together either. There are longer shots that simply show the audience what is going on. This is what makes the news video great. It’s showing real life as it’s happening.
Another extremely interesting video that shows it like it is on the site is a video about recruitment. You should check it out as well.
Other online videos that are less successful are those on You Witness News and an informational video on You Tube about seahorses. These videos are more amateur with their poor video and sound quality. As well, while they have long sequences like Kevin Sites, they don’t use it in the positive way like the Dreamland sequence does.
Ultimately, I think stories told using online video should be professional like those on TV news, but more raw and realistic. Because sites can be more open without the strict FCC rules in television, they have the opportunity to really capture real life. This can really attract the audience’s attention and make them invest in the stories they are telling.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Beach Day
maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach(to play one day)
and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and
milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;
and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and
may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.
For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea
~ e.e. cummings
went down to the beach(to play one day)
and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and
milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;
and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and
may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.
For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea
~ e.e. cummings
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