The Future of Publishing - created by DK (UK)

Basic Shots assignment

Shoot and edit the following shots into one continuous, and labeled, video package:
1. Wide
2. Medium
3. Tight
4. Extremely tight
5. Tilt
6. Pan
7. Zoom

• Start the package with a title slide. Give your little package a title.
• Label each shot. Also very briefly describe the purpose for each shot.
• End the package with a credential naming the shooter and producer of the package (this would be you).

Below is the example that I showed in class before break. Its OK to imitate, but don't copy.

Blog Assignment for 2/28- 3/3

A new blog assignment will have each of you completing the following three things by Thursday, March 3, 2011.

1. Find and link your blog to a current news story from a news site or a news aggregator.
2. Find and link your blog to a continuing news story from the same type of source.
3. Find and link your blog to an audio slideshow from a major daily newspaper's website.

For each of the following items you must:

• embed a link to the news story
• include an analysis of the coverage: Is this an example of good journalism? Why, or why not?
• comment on two other people's blogs from this week. I will not be giving credit for comments to blog posts from before this week.

Photojournalism

Taking pictures for a news publication or for journalistic purposes is an exercise in story-telling in and of itself. Take some time today to reflect on some of the basic elements of photo composition.

• Journalism I students- review the elements of photo composition: what they are (the handout on the journalism drive-->photo composition folder will be a helpful reminder) and what they look like in print (pictures). Select examples of each photo composition technique from your work to show to the class. Also check out this guy's blog, and be prepared to highlight some of his photos that YOU FEEL illustrate these same techniques.I'll want you to be able to present one of each in class on Monday.
• Journalism II students- review the PowerPoint show in the journalism drive--> photo composition folder entitled "Photo composition--revised with notes" and then consider the document in the same folder entitled "Photo assignment-beginning" as an assignment for tomorrow. You'll need to be ready to download your photos at the beginning of class Monday (2/7) to complete this (first part) of the assignment.

Revolution spreads in North Africa

A swath of revolutionary activity has swept North Africa this month. Protests resulting in the ouster of the Tunisian president have rocked that country's capital city, Tunis. Now Egypt is reeling from massive protests by an ever widening sector of its populace. News today includes signs that the long loyal military might be joining the ranks of those calling for President Hosni Mubarek's ouster.

Poverty is the biggest/best reason for public service

courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

When I see stories like this, I want to thank those who have devoted their lives to public service in general and helping the poor in particular. I am not a great believer in the power of the private sector to solve problems as diverse and complex in their roots and effects as poverty, unemployment, teen pregnancy, public health, and public education. The state (the government) has a unique ability to reach across sectors of society to address these ills. I don't see private sector solutions to the problem of poverty. But I do see an increase in reliance on private-sector-modeled approaches to the problem of poverty in our state because of the results of last month's elections in Wisconsin. The private sector can definitely be (and often is) a force for good in the fight against poverty. I am willing to grant that to my political opponents. But it seems limited in its ultimate effectiveness. How will the private sector support the structural change (a structure that has allowed the private sector to flourish) that will enable a large scale reduction in the poverty numbers across the state?

These people are crazy!

My bike (not in winter)

I think I would regularly ride my bike through the streets of Milwaukee's winter before I would find myself dropping the kind of cash these folks do to saddle up inside a line of riders and sweat among total strangers. I am not the type to hit the gym, although I do work pretty hard keeping my aging body from going completely soft. I would much rather be out on the streets. Long rides in the summer short, intense rides in the winter. It can be done, and is ultimately more rewarding. The view has got to be better than spandex and sweat, that's for sure.

I had a bad year of bike riding this year. I hope to get back in the saddle, so to speak in  very early spring!