Video Journalism Is a Big Story for Reporters
Television journalists used to report the news with a crew of support
people, including camera operators and sound technicians. Now technology has
made it possible for television reporters to film their own stories. That
technology can mean more opportunities for those interested in becoming reporters.
Video journalism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the journalism
world.
But this same technology also means that anyone who witnesses a newsworthy
event -- and is carrying a cellphone with a camera -- can create their own
news story. Some wonder if the rise of this "citizen journalism" means the
end of reporting careers.
If you're interested in a reporting career, you'll want to know about video
journalism. Whether or not it's your field of interest, everyone agrees that
it's a powerful trend in the media. A good starting point is finding out how
to break into this field. What does it take to become a videojournalist?
Danny Globerman has witnessed a lot of changes in his reporting career.
He is a video journalist. He has been a reporter for nearly 30 years. Globerman
started his video journalism career with a large, heavy Betacam.
Globerman says that having the right equipment isn't all you'll need if
you want to work in videojournalism.
"There are two types of journalists at our station: cameramen who learned
to report, and reporters who learned how to shoot," he says. "Being a reporter
learning to shoot is easier than being a cameraman learning to report.
"Reporting skills are subtle and complex -- not that shooting isn't an
art and a tremendous skill, but there's subtlety to the editorial side that
is really difficult."
"I always compare video journalism to radio or print reporting," says Mara
Schiavocampo. Formerly, she was a digital correspondent for NBC Nightly News
with Brian Williams, but now she a correspondent for ABC News.
"A print reporter can go out with a notebook and a pen and get the story
done. They don't need somebody to take notes. A radio reporter goes out with
a mic and a recorder and does the story that way. Video journalism is allowing
TV to work at the same level."
She says most video journalists now prefer lightweight mini-DV video cameras.
"You could get a used camera, something really respectable that does quality
video, for about $1,000. Non-linear editing software like Avid or Final Cut
Pro is kind of expensive because you're paying for the licensing fee.
"But Mac computers come with iMovie installed. That's a really basic editing
system that you can probably teach yourself in an hour or two. People have
cut whole documentaries on iMovie. You're not going to do anything fancy on
it, but you can get the work done."
While Final Cut and Avid are expensive -- $1,000 to $1,200 -- she says
lower-end versions of Final Cut are available for about half the cost.
Once reporters have the equipment, they have to find a story. And the portability
of that equipment makes it easier than ever.
"It's made the news more mobile, spontaneous," says Scott Lambson. He's
an independent video journalist based in Salt Lake City.
Lambson remembers covering a local mall shooting. Without a crew slowing
him down, he was able to get into the mall, shoot footage and conduct interviews.
"I stayed up all night editing it and sent it to Current TV first thing in
the morning. Didn't have to rely on anyone."
That independence and mobility make traveling easier and create more opportunities.
"I've gotten into a lot of places that a crew would never get into, because
one woman with a camera is kind of low-key. People don't pay much attention.
But if you go in with a sound guy, a camera guy, a correspondent and a producer
it raises eyebrows," Schiavocampo says.
"You can be in the middle of an earthquake where no media can get because
of the disaster, but you have your cheap camera -- it's as good as the cameras
the major media have -- you now become the media. Technology has allowed citizen
journalists an opportunity to shoot great-looking stuff. It's allowing those
who have been the story (earthquake victims) in the past to actually tell
their own story today," Lambson says.
"[But] you still have to know how to tell a balanced story, how to frame
a shot, how to convey your message, how to edit and how to be fair."
Noting that CNN's Anderson Cooper got his start by lugging a camera to
war-torn countries and submitting freelance reports to Channel One, Globerman
says there can be virtue in citizen journalism. "But it's also difficult because
[viewers] don't know what's true."
Because of this uncertainty, while several news organizations encourage
citizen journalism, most separate it from hard news.
Schiavocampo doesn't think citizen journalists intentionally subvert journalism.
"A lot of people don't realize there are rules you have to operate by. There
are ethical rules. There are rules to maintain the integrity of your work,
to make sure your facts are right, to make sure your sources are credible.
"I would temper any enthusiasm with saying make sure you know what the
rules are. If you don't, you're not only hurting the field of journalism --
an influx of people getting the story wrong is going to hurt us all -- but
you're hurting yourself because you may never get hired again."
She advises checking out professional journalism organizations online to
learn about journalistic ethics and rules.
Globerman suggests volunteering with a local broadcaster. "Perhaps a university
radio station or local cable access. Work for free if you can, and learn all
about the technology and techniques because it will give you a leg up."
That's what he did. "I did a lot of work. Never got paid. But when it came
time to apply for jobs I had experience. It literally got me my first job."
"This is an amazing time for students who are interested in a career in
video journalism," Schiavocampo says. "While you're a student you don't need
a steady income and there's no pressure to turn in two pieces a month or a
week. If you do one or two pieces a semester and get them aired anywhere,
it puts you in such a strong position when you graduate."
She says the ever-expanding number of places needing video content gives
students opportunities past generations didn't have. Local and national news
outlets, even newspapers, have websites that need original video content.
"The web is another tier to try and sell your work. It's not like broadcast
where they have 30 minutes and that's it. On the web, there's endless time
and endless space," Schiavocampo says.
Finding the right market is important. "You never want the person you're
pitching to to have to think too hard about saying yes," Schiavocampo says.
Study the types of reports various news outlets air and focus on those
that suit your subject and style.
Whatever the medium, journalists must be inquisitive, knowledgeable, impartial
and good listeners. Lambson says history and geography are important. "To
understand what's happening today, you need to know the historical backdrop
and where it happens, because where it happens has a lot to do with why it
happens."
"Know as much about the world around you as you possibly can," Globerman
says. "If you're not an inherently curious person -- about politics, the environment,
business, sports, entertainment, everything -- then this is not the business
for you."
Links
International Journalists’ Network
Current information and trends from the world of video journalism
The Art of Storytelling
Articles and advice from video journalists
Media Smarts
An organization that promotes critical thinking about the media
Reporter.org
Links to a variety of journalism resources and related organizations
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