Oct. 31Audio vs Visual notes . . .

Feedback I've gotten on radio pieces: "I loved the catch in the woman's voice when she talked about losing her farm, and the way the cup rattled when she put it back in the saucer."

Feedback from when I was a television correspondent: "I saw your piece from Chechnya. Did you get a haircut?"

Hmmmm . . .what do you think? Where is the emotion?

Ms. Greer

Silver Spring, Md.

October 29 -- Listen to this podcast about how to tell a story/write (15 pts. formative)

Here is the link; What is more powerful -- audio or television? Write up what is the difference in radio and television in terms of telling a story. What is the strength of radio (or audio only)? What does the word epic" mean? (Note: The John Biewen piece, Scared, is done by Ms. Greer's teacher at Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies.)

This podcast goes on . . . tell me about it in an essay that is at least three good paragraphs long with enough interesting insights that I know you really paid attention.

Formative 15 pts

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

October 28 - Winding up the week/quarter

So, now that Homecoming is over, it is time to get the business of grades completed. I will be grading and grading and grading.

Make sure that you have your news packages completed. This is very late in the game. Those of you who did the pep rally, you need to upload your footage today and turn that around for a grade.

Current Events Quiz on Wednesday this week to make up for last Friday and no Friday school this week.

October 23 -- Warm-up

Click here. Watch. We should be getting great shots all the time. We have no barriers like this lady does.

Get out there and look. Document.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

October 14, 2013 - How do I start a news package? Due: Oct. 28 (Worth 25 pts. summative)

ASSIGNMENT:

You have two weeks to start and finish a news package that should air on the show or be added to the newspaper online. 2 min. maximum amount of time. You are working solo. This can be a sound slide or a video news package. You must clear the subject with Ms. Greer so that multiple people are not doing the same thing AND to see if it is worth our time.

HINT:

*Start with compelling nat. (natural)sound and strong visuals

OR

*Start with a soundbite that draws the viewer in and leads into the story

OR

*Start with a well-written voiceover that sets the stage

In other words, it's up to you, the student reporter, to figure it out. How will you piece the story puzzle together? Since your are the closest person to it, you must decide. However, you can ask other people to listen and watch and give you feed-back, including Ms. Greer.

In the middle, you pretty much include the things you need to report, those facts that add to the emotions or strong reactions in the piece, which come from sound bites.

The last phase of the story is where you try to tie a bow on it with a strong bite, or a well-written voiceover that is fair, and often is open-ended. Or provides a twist that leaves the viewer thinking.

To sum up:

Beginning: Get my attention (sound helps)

Middle: Tell me some things I don't know

End: Leave me with a strong visual and/or soundbite or VO (voiceover)that will stay with me.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

October 7 - News packages (Due Oct. 18)

We are now moving into a new phase of news packages (they are due at the end of next week).

Make sure that I have uploaded your stuff today for viewing tomorrow.

Today, write up a pitch for some sports team or club you are going to follow. You can have one partner.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.