Dissecting Video

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — As you work on your video assignment, I thought I'd share a little bit about the ones I've been producing for Patch. Note, I've included one I haven't done, as well, for discussion purposes.

First, let me explain my philosophy on videos: Like articles, my style is to not insert myself overtly into the story. That means I want the subject to come through as much as possible, so I edit out my questions and banter in favor of black screens with the questions in text form. This way, I can edit down the footage more easily and provide transitions for the viewer.

I also want to say that video is not my greatest strength. While I've had visual experience in my journalism career (taking a video and photography classes in high school and shooting pictures on one of my internships) writing has always been my main focus. Yet, I welcome more video opportunities because it gives journalists, I believe, more options in telling the story.

So, I would encourage everyone to practice video and incorporate it whenever you can because there aren't as many people out there with these skills.


Now, let me break down the videos a little for you. This first one is my favorite because it adds so much to the story, which is a feature about a new restaurant. The video shows the signature dish and the unique way it's cooked. What you might not notice is an abrupt transition about midway through. This is because the speaker pauses and decides not to eat the food. Now, that's certainly understandable since I already tried some of the streak myself with those utensils, but how could you explain that context? So, that hit the cutting room floor.



This next video also has a story — you always need a Plan B. I showed up at the library intending to ask some basic questions of the speaker instead of writing a traditional story. So, when the moment came, my camera didn't work. I had left the battery at home in the charger. But I did have my iPhone 3GS, which works pretty well here. Unfortunately, without a tripod — the second lesson here — the footage is somewhat shaky. And this is important, shakiness distracts from your footage and you should work to avoid it at all costs.



This video shows how sometimes you have to make do. The lighting isn't great and the audio is spotty, but what's there is compelling — from the toe-tapping band to dancers young and old, it tells the story well, I think. In addition, I use editing to leverage the audio in the introduction and ending. Also note, I have only one black screen to allow for more flow from one dance scene to the next. One other issue here is the footage is not shown in chronological order. Is that a problem?



Last, but not least is this video from the Rochester-Rochester Hills Patch. I've included it because I think it conveys the emotion of this memorial well. Some in my class at Eastern Michigan University thought it was too long. Do you agree?