Assignment 1, Eytan Hirsch

While I initially entered the Philip Merrill College of Journalism undecided about the type of journalism I wanted to focus on, I eventually concluded that print would be my best option. However, with the field of journalism drastically changing with the constant development of new technology and the failure of many major newspapers, I have learned that only knowing how to write is not nearly enough to be an aspiring journalist in today’s society. Today, it is integral for journalists to be proficient in all aspects of the field, which includes having a strong understanding of how to use technology, such as video cameras, audio recorders, and digital cameras.

As someone who is pretty inexperienced in producing video for the web at this point, I will definitely face some challenges while learning how to shoot video in the most effective way possible. As I learned in the first class, it is not enough to just take out the camera, turn it on, and begin recording. There are many steps that I must take in order to produce a video that is professional, appealing, and easy on the eyes. For instance, I learned that when setting up the camera, it is important to use a tripod to prevent too much camera movement and to frame the shot so that the eyes are in the top third of the frame and some of the shoulders are showing in the bottom third. Also, while in this video I am in the middle of the frame because I am delivering a copy of what I wrote directly into the camera, if I were being interviewed, I would need to look to the right or left of the lens and consider the rule of thirds when setting up the shot.

Moreover, when I am in front of the camera, it is crucial that I make sure to come across as compelling and interesting to listen to. Even if the material that I am covering is fascinating, if I present it in a dull or boring manner, it will not have nearly as strong of an effect on the viewer. As someone who is not the most charismatic speaker in the world, this is something that I will definitely need to work on both in this class and in my future as a journalist. Overall, while producing first-rate video for the web is definitely a challenge that will take me some time to master, I hope that I will ultimately become more confident in my ability to be a journalist who can do far more than just write.