As the future of journalism is unpredictable, there are some trends people think journalism is going to follow. Three trends that I have come to think about and analyze are anyone can be journalist, niche journalism and the habits of people reflected on journalism.
People want to be part of the media, people want to contribute and with Internet anyone can get involved in different levels; people want to interact with media. So by saying anyone can be a journalist means that anyone can report and put information online in a blog or a website. But this concept is very contradictory because not everybody knows the values and ethics that journalism involves. Blogs give a chance to people to express their voice and opinion in any kind of matter. Blogs can be personal and informative with news content from someone that is not a journalist. On the other hand, some journalists are falling into a more opinion and activist/independent forms of journalism still reporting and informing.
Some people confuse independent journalism with niche journalism. Niche journalism is for a specific kind of audience covering just one type of content, one matter. It is very similar to the concept of niche magazines directed for a specific target of people. This trend is rising to fulfill and satisfy the needs of the audience by just addressing specific information. With this form of journalism a reader will go to a specific website to find out and read what he/she wants, instead of going to a general news site.
Needs of people are part of their habits and journalists depend on what people want at a certain time. Some experts say that news casts are just informing what people want to hear and not real news; that news are falling into a category of entertainment and that the end of this is to get profits.
No matter what form journalism is going to take in the future, what is guaranteed is that journalists should be aware and recognize the power of users and audiences. I really think that professional journalists outstand from the rest of amateurs and people that are involved with the media but did not study journalism. Professional journalists will always know how to deliver the message and inform more effectively because they know the news, they know the trends.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Chameleons of media
A “multiskilled journalist” is known as the one who posses the abilities to adapt stories into different media, using a variety of tools. Nowadays, convergence in journalism asks for journalists to be prepared in becoming chameleons of media.
Transforming a print story to online storytelling, or broadcast to print and vice versa are some of the roles of a “multiskilled journalist.” Along with this, the journalist should be always prepared for capturing news for all media meaning knowing how to take good photos (professionally), knowing how to upload information online effectively, knowing how to create websites, write headlines, and edit video and audio.
The “multiskilled journalist” should be ready to get the information in all the possible ways by having a professional camera, audio recorder and even sometimes a computer to publish information immediately. Once all the reporting is done the “multiskilled journalist” has the job of assimilating the material and knowing what goes for what medium within time limits. Basically, the “multiskilled journalist” acts very independently or better said, practices “backpack journalism.”
Transforming a print story to online storytelling, or broadcast to print and vice versa are some of the roles of a “multiskilled journalist.” Along with this, the journalist should be always prepared for capturing news for all media meaning knowing how to take good photos (professionally), knowing how to upload information online effectively, knowing how to create websites, write headlines, and edit video and audio.
The “multiskilled journalist” should be ready to get the information in all the possible ways by having a professional camera, audio recorder and even sometimes a computer to publish information immediately. Once all the reporting is done the “multiskilled journalist” has the job of assimilating the material and knowing what goes for what medium within time limits. Basically, the “multiskilled journalist” acts very independently or better said, practices “backpack journalism.”
Monday, October 6, 2008
The beginning
I am very excited about building this online portfolio. What I want to portray through it is a professional journalistic work about dance. I want to show through a clean, sharp, and beautiful layout all the multimedia work about dance. My vision of this online portfolio is an open door to what I can consider part of my future career. So far, I have being enjoying every aspect of this project and is giving me new perspectives of what I can dedicate in the future.
In this portfolio I will include the links to all my stories and different articles or blogs that are very interesting to me and related to the topic. Photos will enhance the material and dance is such a visually appealing topic. It is such a good opportunity to start putting back in practice my Photoshop skills. I will also include my current blog (from the class), and also a dance blog that I have been working on since last year (needs a little actualization, but will be great to have it part of the package).
Eventually, I want to incorporate my resume; I think it is a great idea and looks very professional to have the resume online. Along with that, I would add some information about myself, like a mini bio.
Overall, this project will be the start of new career aspirations and interests. You can now take a look to my current homepage, which will be updated with more work eventually.
In this portfolio I will include the links to all my stories and different articles or blogs that are very interesting to me and related to the topic. Photos will enhance the material and dance is such a visually appealing topic. It is such a good opportunity to start putting back in practice my Photoshop skills. I will also include my current blog (from the class), and also a dance blog that I have been working on since last year (needs a little actualization, but will be great to have it part of the package).
Eventually, I want to incorporate my resume; I think it is a great idea and looks very professional to have the resume online. Along with that, I would add some information about myself, like a mini bio.
Overall, this project will be the start of new career aspirations and interests. You can now take a look to my current homepage, which will be updated with more work eventually.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The base of the project
After this week of researching and doing some reporting, I automatically kept having new ideas for stories and just understanding better what I am looking for. By exploring my topic through websites, films, and talking to people during this week, it has helped me clarify and finalize my general topic for this project.
Starting from a broad topic which was types of dance, I came to narrow it down into a more specific research topic. I can now say that my storyline is to explore different dance communities and their audiences in Baltimore.
This storyline includes three specific stories. The main story that will capture the essence of the project will be about Baltimore’s most popular type of dance; what are people dancing; the difference between artistic and popular dance; influence of movies like ‘Step Up 1 and 2.’ For this story my sources will include owners of a ballroom studio, a couple of hip-hop dancers and choreographers, and university dance professors.
The second story will look at a more artistic point of view by examining how people in Baltimore appreciates dance; how many people gets into classes as a hobby or as a real passion, how often people go to recitals and performances in theatres. In this story I would like to include more of an expertise opinion from dance professors. I would also like to incorporate a point of view from students to capture a real and non-professional side. Also quotes from owners of dance studios to examine the number of people taking classes.
The third story will be more of a profile feature about someone interesting like a choreographer or a student (still have not decided) who has had a fascinating background in dance or an out of the ordinary dancing experience. For this story my sources will be either a dance student or someone with a strong passion about dance. Furthermore I will interview people acquainted to the main source to get as much feedback as possible.
Starting from a broad topic which was types of dance, I came to narrow it down into a more specific research topic. I can now say that my storyline is to explore different dance communities and their audiences in Baltimore.
This storyline includes three specific stories. The main story that will capture the essence of the project will be about Baltimore’s most popular type of dance; what are people dancing; the difference between artistic and popular dance; influence of movies like ‘Step Up 1 and 2.’ For this story my sources will include owners of a ballroom studio, a couple of hip-hop dancers and choreographers, and university dance professors.
The second story will look at a more artistic point of view by examining how people in Baltimore appreciates dance; how many people gets into classes as a hobby or as a real passion, how often people go to recitals and performances in theatres. In this story I would like to include more of an expertise opinion from dance professors. I would also like to incorporate a point of view from students to capture a real and non-professional side. Also quotes from owners of dance studios to examine the number of people taking classes.
The third story will be more of a profile feature about someone interesting like a choreographer or a student (still have not decided) who has had a fascinating background in dance or an out of the ordinary dancing experience. For this story my sources will be either a dance student or someone with a strong passion about dance. Furthermore I will interview people acquainted to the main source to get as much feedback as possible.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Project update
My project portrays different perspectives on a variety of types of dance. It will show different dance communities in Baltimore and Towson.
I will be researching dance clubs and studios of ballet, modern, tango, ethnic dance groups, ballroom, aerial dance, tap, urban, hip-hop, etc. I want to show a bit of each, explain its characteristics to show that there is a type of dance for everyone.
I went outside and observed urban/modern dance groups in the streets of New York this weekend. And last week attended an audition for a dance group of this university looking for unique people with a lot of personality interested in urban, hip-hop and modern dance; that was basically their dance orientation, as well.
I have also made some research online, about dance clubs, studios in Baltimore and Towson. I also have gained some contacts for key interviews for some stories.
Some of the story ideas I was thinking of was writing about the biggest dance movement here in Baltimore, and how movies like “Step Up” has influenced people in this industry. Other story or feature can be about an outstanding choreographer, professor, dancer or student that I want to search in these coming weeks.
I will be researching dance clubs and studios of ballet, modern, tango, ethnic dance groups, ballroom, aerial dance, tap, urban, hip-hop, etc. I want to show a bit of each, explain its characteristics to show that there is a type of dance for everyone.
I went outside and observed urban/modern dance groups in the streets of New York this weekend. And last week attended an audition for a dance group of this university looking for unique people with a lot of personality interested in urban, hip-hop and modern dance; that was basically their dance orientation, as well.
I have also made some research online, about dance clubs, studios in Baltimore and Towson. I also have gained some contacts for key interviews for some stories.
Some of the story ideas I was thinking of was writing about the biggest dance movement here in Baltimore, and how movies like “Step Up” has influenced people in this industry. Other story or feature can be about an outstanding choreographer, professor, dancer or student that I want to search in these coming weeks.
Writing as art, craft and magic
Writers: artists dedicated to creatively work with words and make a design from it. That is my definition of a writer. So if someone considers oneself a writer but not an artist that person is not totally aware of his or her capability as a writer. And as every artist does his or her work, like painters start from sketches and dancers start from movements, writers start with the conceptualization of an idea (imagination, dreaming) and the actual process of doing the work (techniques, organization).
Writing is craft, is work, and is a process. According to the book, craft is the technical part in writing. It includes several steps in the construction of a story. First the person starts by launching and thinking of the main idea for the story design. After having a starting point, it is necessary to start doing some research and reporting to get the most accurate and valid information. Once the necessary information is collected, it is time to look for a focus and organize the material. The next step after having an outline prepared is to concentrate for writing. And after writing for the first time, the writer should rewrite, double check, and copyedit the final work.
But none of these is worth if the writer does not manifest magic in its writing process. Writing as magic means all the inspiration and imagination a writer needs to have in order to achieve high quality in its work. Indeed, high quality writing is the perfect combination and effective use of craft and magic. Just as it is mentioned in the book: “The great secret of writing is to bring craft and magic into unison rather than opposition, into creative fusion rather than immobilizing tension.”
Writers know that to achieve magic in their writing they need to get inspiration. And that inspiration can come from talking to other people, walking, thinking, writing down everything on the head, and some might even get ideas from their dreams. At the end of this whole process, writing a story must concentrate on the three s’: storyline, surprise, and stylishness. A good story includes an interesting idea (storyline) that is unconventional and unusual enough for readers (surprise), with quality writing, making it a pleasure for the reader to enjoy (stylishness).
Another point to discuss is the future of written storytelling. Definitely audiences are going more towards online media; they are getting all kinds of information from the Internet like news, events, activities and many more. That said, it is worthless for writers and journalists to stick only to print in one medium. Nowadays, journalists have to position themselves online with blogs, for example.
Media convergence is making journalists broaden their fields of work because print newspaper or TV only is not enough for the demanding audiences. Overall, I don’t think online writing is killing print writing. Instead, I think it is developing and growing into another technological level that presents us news and stories with different and more compelling characteristics, like when using multimedia. I also think that print will still remain but writers and journalists must be aware of this drastic change. At least magazines will stay for a while, because there is always going to be audience demanding print somehow. That is the beauty of having varieties of media.
Writing is craft, is work, and is a process. According to the book, craft is the technical part in writing. It includes several steps in the construction of a story. First the person starts by launching and thinking of the main idea for the story design. After having a starting point, it is necessary to start doing some research and reporting to get the most accurate and valid information. Once the necessary information is collected, it is time to look for a focus and organize the material. The next step after having an outline prepared is to concentrate for writing. And after writing for the first time, the writer should rewrite, double check, and copyedit the final work.
But none of these is worth if the writer does not manifest magic in its writing process. Writing as magic means all the inspiration and imagination a writer needs to have in order to achieve high quality in its work. Indeed, high quality writing is the perfect combination and effective use of craft and magic. Just as it is mentioned in the book: “The great secret of writing is to bring craft and magic into unison rather than opposition, into creative fusion rather than immobilizing tension.”
Writers know that to achieve magic in their writing they need to get inspiration. And that inspiration can come from talking to other people, walking, thinking, writing down everything on the head, and some might even get ideas from their dreams. At the end of this whole process, writing a story must concentrate on the three s’: storyline, surprise, and stylishness. A good story includes an interesting idea (storyline) that is unconventional and unusual enough for readers (surprise), with quality writing, making it a pleasure for the reader to enjoy (stylishness).
Another point to discuss is the future of written storytelling. Definitely audiences are going more towards online media; they are getting all kinds of information from the Internet like news, events, activities and many more. That said, it is worthless for writers and journalists to stick only to print in one medium. Nowadays, journalists have to position themselves online with blogs, for example.
Media convergence is making journalists broaden their fields of work because print newspaper or TV only is not enough for the demanding audiences. Overall, I don’t think online writing is killing print writing. Instead, I think it is developing and growing into another technological level that presents us news and stories with different and more compelling characteristics, like when using multimedia. I also think that print will still remain but writers and journalists must be aware of this drastic change. At least magazines will stay for a while, because there is always going to be audience demanding print somehow. That is the beauty of having varieties of media.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Inspiration, ideas and writing
Sometimes I feel I have nothing to look on the Internet. I avoid falling into Facebook trap or chatting online, but sometimes my mind blanks and I don’t know what else to search for. So, after looking at the outstanding portfolios website, which I loved, I have found some new entertainment as well as inspiration for my future project.
Poh Si Teng, Rachel Youens, and Lam Thuy Vo were the portfolios that most caught my attention. Poh Si Teng especially inspired me because of her video stories, very human and personal. I really liked her design and layout. It is a very easy to navigate site. I really see myself doing some kind of reporting and interesting stories of people just like Teng did. She captured a very real and crude side of Miami and other cities of Florida. And also she presents a variety of stories, from humoristic ones to more sober stories, making me believe that one can transform a simple or silly story idea into fascinating work that people would enjoy.
I am sure Teng, Youens and other journalists and reporters around the world thought of their ideas outside their houses, away from their computers. As human beings we need to explore and put in practice that sense of curiosity we all have and that is how good ideas come from. According to the book, good ideas can come in the most unexpected ways like “answering questions people ask you at parties.” By knowing people a writer can encounter bunches of different story ideas with each different person the writer meets. That also implies going outside, taking trips, enrolling in different activities, etc, all the possible ways that a writer can be expose and think of something new to research about. Another key factor is not to settle with the first idea that comes to head, but to expand it and maybe a new idea can born.
The next step after having an idea for a story established, is researching. And that can be done through reporting, reading, interviewing people, looking into databases, making phone calls, doing online searching, and so more. After having a clear direction of where the story is going to be oriented, the writer should start by writing the couple first drafts of leads and finding a focus in it. Then, the writer must continue writing and revising the material following the structure of the story. And that is basically what I am going to be doing between this week and the next one for my project.
Poh Si Teng, Rachel Youens, and Lam Thuy Vo were the portfolios that most caught my attention. Poh Si Teng especially inspired me because of her video stories, very human and personal. I really liked her design and layout. It is a very easy to navigate site. I really see myself doing some kind of reporting and interesting stories of people just like Teng did. She captured a very real and crude side of Miami and other cities of Florida. And also she presents a variety of stories, from humoristic ones to more sober stories, making me believe that one can transform a simple or silly story idea into fascinating work that people would enjoy.
I am sure Teng, Youens and other journalists and reporters around the world thought of their ideas outside their houses, away from their computers. As human beings we need to explore and put in practice that sense of curiosity we all have and that is how good ideas come from. According to the book, good ideas can come in the most unexpected ways like “answering questions people ask you at parties.” By knowing people a writer can encounter bunches of different story ideas with each different person the writer meets. That also implies going outside, taking trips, enrolling in different activities, etc, all the possible ways that a writer can be expose and think of something new to research about. Another key factor is not to settle with the first idea that comes to head, but to expand it and maybe a new idea can born.
The next step after having an idea for a story established, is researching. And that can be done through reporting, reading, interviewing people, looking into databases, making phone calls, doing online searching, and so more. After having a clear direction of where the story is going to be oriented, the writer should start by writing the couple first drafts of leads and finding a focus in it. Then, the writer must continue writing and revising the material following the structure of the story. And that is basically what I am going to be doing between this week and the next one for my project.
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