multimedia storytelling

Multimedia storytelling

Steve Buttry, Gazette CommunicationsAmerican Copy Editors Society

May 1, 2009steve.buttry@gazcomm.com

@stevebuttry on Twitter

Slides

This presentation (and others on ethics, Twitter, liveblogging): slideshare.net/stevebuttry

More training materials on my blog:stevebuttry.wordpress.comOr at notrain-nogain.org

What tools, techniques and elements would you useto tell this story (or any

disaster in your community)?

What tools, techniques and elements would you useto tell a story your staff is

working on?

Start using these storytelling tools• Interactive databases• Interactive maps• Breaking news alerts• Liveblogging • Video, including webcams• Slideshows, photo galleries• Flash multimedia stories• Crowdsourcing, user contributions• Social networks (Flickr, Twitter, Facebook …)

Questions to ask about a story

• Should you file immediately for digital audiences?

• What are the multimedia elements of your story?

• How can you make the story interactive?• What links will provide greater depth?• Should you tell this story in an alternate form?

Digital stories are visual

• Use photos and photo galleries• Use audio slideshows• Use video • Use Flash multimedia stories

Digital news is immediate

• Liveblog as the story happens• Report live with webcasts and webcams• Report immediately with Twitter• Update developments• Text alerts

Digital stories are personal

• Use interactive maps• Use interactive databases• Ask users to tell their stories• Use social networks

Digital stories are visual

• Use photos and photo galleries

Digital stories are visual

• Use photos and photo galleries• Use audio slideshows

Digital stories are visual

• Use photos and photo galleries• Use audio slideshows• Use video

Use a variety of video• Quick news video

Use a variety of video• Quick news video• Polished feature video• Video in a story

Use a variety of video• Quick news video• Polished feature video• Video in a story• Webcams• Live webcast• Studio or newsroom webcast• Acquired videos (security or home video)

Use a variety of video• Quick news video• Polished feature video• Video in a story• Webcams• Live webcast• Studio or newsroom webcast• Acquired videos (security or home video)• User-submitted video• Link to video from other sources

Digital stories are visual

• Use photos and photo galleries• Use audio slideshows• Use video• Use Flash multimedia stories

Digital news is immediate

• Liveblog as the story happens• Report live with webcasts and webcams• Report immediately with Twitter• Update developments• Text alerts

Digital stories are personal

• Use interactive maps

Digital stories are personal

• Use interactive maps• Use interactive databases

Digital stories are personal

• Use interactive maps• Use interactive databases• Ask users to tell their stories

Ways to involve audience

• Involve participants in your reporting.• Involve participants in telling the story.• Help participants to personalize the story.• Engage participants in the continuation of the

story.

Digital stories are personal

• Use interactive databases• Use interactive maps• Ask users to tell their stories• Use social networks

Digital stories are personal

• Use interactive databases• Use interactive maps• Ask users to tell their stories• Use social networks• Move beyond linear story form controlled by

the writer

For more on Gazette innovation

• Blueprint for Complete Community Connection at stevebuttry.wordpress.com

• Twitter, liveblogging tips also on blog• API ethics seminar: Upholding &

Updating Ethical Standards; subsidized seminars for newsrooms, press associations, journalism orgs