ONW Now- Behind The Scenes

After scrambling and trying to come up with a story idea, my partner and I pulled this one out of our back pocket. Nothing too interesting is happening at our school right now, so producing a story this week was tough. Tyler and I like to create stories that make a difference; stories that catch peoples attention. By showing others how much preparation goes into our weekly shows, I've been told that this was a great story.

Even though we had two weeks to finish the product above, I feel like the quality of the package is high.We incorporated the 6 shot system, sequencing, and a storyline. All of which are good elements in creating a journalistic package. The camera we chose to use was a canon 60D, and it just so happens to be my personal favorite. The lens captures an HD view and can blur out the background like no other.

The biggest "law or rule" we broke was not having a sit down interview. Obviously we were aware of this, we just wanted to create something distinctive. In my opinion, the stand up interview actually added to the package. The title "behind the scenes" makes the package seem informal, and by not having a formal interview, the stand up made sense to consolidate.

In my works, I enjoy giving off morals. If the story doesn't give people a moral, then what's the point of creating it? Authors incorporate morals into their books and writings, so I feel the need to do the same. Out of everything I have in this life, serving others gives me the loudest sense of joy. The moral I tried to embed in this work was togetherness. I hope I made it somewhat clear.

The 6 Shot System

After critiquing news packages as a class, my teacher taught us the "6 shot system". With this new arrangement, I think that my packages will increase in quality. The system is known to capture a dominant visual story, and help identify the important subjects that are featured in your story. Professional news stations use this B-roll technique in their packages, and it's safe to say that I will incorporate this system into my works as well.

The biggest conclusion I gained from the 6 shot system was sequencing. I discovered how well I can tell a story just by using visual shots. If I were to take out all of the background noise from my packages, my viewers should still be able to tell what my story is about.

1. CU or close up of items- This rule is self explanatory but long story short, your camera angle should be close and in focus of a relevant item that's applicable to your story.
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2. CU or close up of subjects- This rule allows you to get up close and personal to your interviewee's face or hands. If you can, try and acquire some sort of movement from your subject.
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3. MS or medium shot- The medium shot angle demands a brief background view along with your subject in action.
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4. WS or wide shot- The wide shot perspective includes your subject in action as well, but includes more of a background view. This will let your viewer see the big picture.
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5. OTS or over the shoulder- The camera angle should be placed over your subjects shoulder and should provide a unique shot of your subjects behaviors.
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6. XWS or extra wide shot- The XWS is close to the medium and wide shot, but it is just bit more extensive than the two. This will capture the entire background and the panning technique is encouraged.
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Analyze Web vs. TV Stories

Check out these three videos about the same subject: a soccer freestylist. Two were produced for the web (ESPN), and one was produced for a local TV station.

Web


Web #2


TV

My favorite version of the story was definitely web #2. The main reason being was the overall quality and it really informs the viewer on the subjects’ storyline. For example, I really enjoyed how Cowies parents were in the picture during this version. Their interview makes it clear that they're on their daughters’ side and are really supportive of her goals. 

All 3 videos contain B-roll of the character juggling or "free styling", and of course Indie Cowie herself. Seems like she gives good answers to the camera on all three interviews, and all producers made her love for soccer clear. The only difference that's visible from my eyes is the shot variety. The ESPN version contains a GoPro camera angle and I believe that's what makes this version of the story unique. The New York Times version (Web #2), incorporates a longer storyline and what Indies free time entails. The TV form gives a summary of where soccer free styling has taken Indie Cowie. All of which have different angles while going on about the featured story. 


After watching the three versions of this story, I noticed the gap between TV and Web stories. It seems as if web stories contain a higher HD quality, better shots, and an overall better storyline. Most of the stories being shown on TV aren't as long and are expected to be aired in the next few hours. This leads to the creator rushing through the story not thinking about the quality of the all around product. I'm basically saying that Web versions of stories are a lot better than TV versions because of the amounts of time issued. 


I really enjoyed the 6 shot system that was integrated in these video stories. I saw both close up shots, two medium shots, and a great deal of wide shots. I think it'd be really cool to put all 6 shots into a video story of my own. I have only put an average of 4-5 of these shots in my work and that's just because of the time crunch I'm always under. If I could put all 6 of these shots in my next package, then my next story would be considered "textbook" quality. 

Q&A with Manny Psihountas

As a high school football player, Manny Psihountas is not only a captain, he's also a standout athlete in the Sunflower League. After being recognized for one of the best receivers in Olathe, Psihountas is determined to make his team better.

The Olathe Northwest Ravens are 2-2 as of right now. The goal is to make the playoffs, and maybe even the state tournament. Lets hope that the rest of the season goes as planned and Psihountas can lead the way to a victorious season.

How do you think the Olathe Northwest football team has been performing this year?

We are clearly better than we have been in the past, but we need to develop a consistency. Performance is all about the preparation. Our practices are pretty consistent I'd say, but we need to be more focused and more tuned in during pre-game.

How close are the seniors that are on the football team?

We're definitely brothers. We've been playing together since 3rd grade and I really feel like we take the team under our wings.

What do the seniors do outside of football as a team?

We have breakfast on game days, go out to dinner through the week, and this Friday we're going to see the movie "When The Game Stands Tall". Coach Sherman thinks it's a great movie for us to experience as a team, and I really feel like it'll make us that much closer.

How do you think you're doing as an individual?

I would like to say that I'm not perfect. I've dropped a few balls, but I'll always give maximum effort. I'll always do what I can to advance the play and lead the team.

What is your goal to finish out the season individually?

As of right now I don't have any personal goals. As an individual I want to do my part in helping the team advance, and I want to make my senior year count.

What is your goal to finish out the season as a team?

The main goal is to go as far as we can. If that means making it to the playoffs or leaving everything we've got on the field then so be it.

Do you have anything to say about Kansas journalist's calling the ravens the "olathe rag dolls"?

I obviously don't believe it now, but in the past he's not lying. We've only beat Olathe North twice in the history of this school and have yet to beat Olathe East and South. I believe in my heart that this year we will not be the Olathe ragdoll.

How are you guys different from other senior classes?

The biggest difference is that we are not worried about our individual stats. The last senior class focused on how many touchdowns, interceptions, and tackles they had. This year we are out on the field to play as a team and do the best we can.

Is there anything else you'd like to add about the team?

Yes, I would say we have a lot of interesting characters this year. I have good teammates not only on the field, but off the field too. We have great leadership and we push each other to get better everyday.

Jack Weafer and Colin Couch

After growing up with two of the best role models out there, I decided to show them my full appreciation. Most of my peers at school forget about these two and this is a video to bring them the attention they deserve. Sometimes those who are less fortunate have a heck of a story to tell.

The idea formed when my partner I took an interest in Jack and Colin's personal life. We knew these two went to every game and every sporting event possible, but we never knew how serious they took sports. After noticing Colin's hand movements and Jack's vocabulary, it's obvious that these two were dying to get out there and play. Both of them as happy as can be in the Friday night atmosphere, I knew this was a story to share with the world.

Jack's interview went very unexpected. Before any of this, my partner and I weren't going for the emotional appeal. We were going for the informational piece just trying to inform others on how dedicated these two are. It wasn't until Jack started to give us answers about being physically disabled that would make our story that much better.

It wasn't until mid story where we had an issue. Tyler and myself felt like the story was centered more on Jack than it was Colin. We decided to interview Colin's dad just to balance things out and it was by far the best interview I've ever conducted. Mr. Couch wasn't the slightest bit of shy on camera and his interview really added to our story.

To be completely honest, the best stories always have planning twists. The one above was never planned out before creating. The only advice I would have is to let things fall into place; let the story tell itself.

BYOD Deviceless- First News Package

My first news package was a little rocky. My partner and I had poor time management and we didn't receive enough qualifying b-roll. The final product didn't turn out bad, but it took a lot of hair pulling to get it as such. The first interview we had wasn't the greatest... mainly because the interviewee didn't give us the responses we were looking for. Trying to get something out of him was like trying to pull teeth. The next interview we had turned out exceptionally well. The teacher we interviewed was short and quick to the point, and that's exactly what a journalist looks for. One big change I'll incorporate into my works will be better time management and sequencing. This change will keep the stress levels down, the quality of the video will be better overall, and it will also teach me a life lesson... Procrastination is bad.

First Challenge

My e-communications teacher now assigns weekly challenges. The first challenge was assigned last Tuesday and I think it was a huge success. The process of video making brushed up my storytelling skills and refreshed my Final Cut Pro fundamentals. I choose to create a story over one of my classmates. His name is Connor Bickford and he likes to get involved with the school. It's not the most interesting of stories, but it was simplistic enough to give me a refresher.

I'm normally not the type to make videos because my passion is in writing, but this project made me realize I'm capable of both. There still needs to be creative thinking behind news packages and I could definitely get used to this. I learned that storytelling is the biggest component into video creating, and having a plan is imperative. There has to be thought put into interviews and there needs to be thought behind camera angles.

I didn't realize how many specific rules there are to storytelling. I never took into consideration that I could revolve my story around a dramatic arc. For those of you who don't know what that is: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. Ring a bell? Anyways... I really look forward to the rest of this year.