Hannah Porter, Assignment #1

Eric Garland Assignment #1

It's no secret that the world of journalism is changing. Just about anyone can tell you that. We are now living in a world that is bearing witness to a transition into a more electronic form of journalism. At first, all of the technology that is being developed can seem to be a bit overwhelming . However, as is the case with most people, you get used to it over time. There are blogs, social media sites, pictures, and even video, like the one I am shooting now, that accompanies a story. As a journalism major myself, I find the process of video recording and uploading a new and fun challenge. Although I am pursuing print journalism, it never hurts to work on getting exposure in front of a camera considering the uncertainty in the future of journalism. Having a solid camera presence does not seem like a hard task on the surface, but once you are behind the camera it can seem a lot more challenging. There are also tactics that one can use to help them when in front of the camera, such as "ear-prompting," which is when the journalist can hear the words they are about to say like a teleprompter would show, but rather an audio version that feeds the sentences through an ear bud. I think that after a while, I will be much more comfortable in front of the camera as I get more practice. This goes to show you that even if you are studying print journalism, like myself, you have to be what I like to call "the jack of all trades." You should be able to shoot photos record audio, as well as record video. This will put you at a much higher advantage if you are trying to find a job in the ever-changing world of journalism. The slice class that I am in now, does just that: 4 weeks of photography, 4 weeks of audio, and 4 weeks of photography. After this class I hope to be one step closer to becoming a successful young journalist.

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.

Assignment #1 - Jonathan Elbaz

Jeremy Spiegel, Assignment #1, Self Report

As a print journalism major learning to produce video for the first time, I face many challenges I have not dealt with before. One example is learning the technology. It took me many tries to line up the camera perfectly for the most effective video. Video appears to be best when run by two people, not one. During the first assignment in class, one person filmed the other. This way, we had to either worry about what we were saying on camera or filming the interview, not both at the same time. In print, photography, and audio, one person can easily work alone, but in making a video there are two aspects that must be done at the same time.

Another challenge I faced is reciting my speech on film. In published articles, I only have to do the first step in the process, writing the article. Now, I have to write the assignment and present it, either memorized or very familiar with it. Becoming comfortable with what I am saying in front of the camera took some getting used to. In the beginning of the slice, I will try several different tactics, such as listening to recordings, reading notes, or memorizing short assignments, in an attempt to find the best way to present the information.

Going along with the first two, one last challenge is camera presence. When recording a video, I need to be charismatic and look presentable at all times. In contrast, I can write an article reclining in bed. In making this video, for example, I had to plan out what I was going to say, practice reading, get the timing down right, and then set up the technology. The process of making a good video recording did not come naturally, and I had to practice many times.

In conclusion, recording this video was a unique challenge for me because I had to manage the entire project by myself, become familiar with what I was saying, and practice my way through the process. Although this was a different experience for me, I hope to get better as the semester progresses.

Assignment 1, Karly Moll

Karly Moll, Assignment #1

Hi. I’m Karly Moll and I am currently a sophomore journalism major at the University of Maryland. After learning about photo and audio journalism in my Journalism 203 class, I am moving on to the video slice of this section. I had my first class for this slice on Friday, which was interesting but also intimidating. Our professor taught us how to use a method called the ear prompter. I also enjoyed watching different video pieces in class, which gave me a greater perspective on what I should use as models for my final project. In class, we watched Jamie teach us about how to use a tripod, a video camera, and we learned about the rule of thirds. After we were verbally taught what we should be doing, we were able to practice and get hands-on experience. I am a big fan of learning by doing, which is why I am so excited for next class. As a traditional journalist, I am now beginning to understand that I am expected to know how to do everything, from copy editing to using final-cut. Although I am on the print journalism track, I am still expected to learn skills that pertain to the web. This is a challenge for me because I have never worked professionally with the production of videos as a means of journalism; however, I am looking forward to learning how to craft a journalistic video in a professional fashion. After only spending 2 hours and 45 minutes in my first class learning about video journalism, I know that learning these skills are going to make me into the best journalist I can be.