Convergence What does it really mean?

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702.tv Rob Curley: We often describe the 702.tv as a bowl-full of Skittles -- very colorful, sweet, fun to consume, etc. Except that we're going to sneak some vitamin-filled Skittles into the bowl. Our goal is to make you a little healthier (well, knowledgeable) while you think you're watching/eating candy.

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Questions? What is multimedia? What’s the best way to use it? How does it work in journalism?

Convergence? Ithiel de Sola Pool (1984) "The Technologies of Freedom" "The explanation for the current convergence between historically separated modes of communication lies in the hability of digital electronics. Conversation, theater, news and text are all increasingly delivered electronically ... [E]lectronic technology is bringing all modes of communications into one grand system.” But how do we do it?

Converge works if there’s … Context Continuity And it capitalizes on the advantages of each medium

Context Placing the topic within its real world framework Using different media to tell different parts Angles

Continuity Curating coverage as a topic evolves Different media demonstrate the changes over time

Media advantages Words (the bread and butter) Facts, Explanations, Indices Photos Moments in time Graphics Complex numbers or concepts Video Action Emotion

Another Example

Goal of any multimedia project Tell a story Use story conventions Lede Nut graph Sources Quotes

Audio / Video differences Greater emphasis on Individuals Action Background

Working with video Find people doing stuff Framing Sequencing B roll

Video Conventions AVOID Panning, zooming AVOID Jump cuts Action progression Audio and video work together. B-Roll Online video is small. Fill the frame.

Editing Add motion to nearly every edit

Web video conventions Short (between 90 seconds and 3 minutes) Participants allowed to tell their own story

Photo Slideshows Original images People featured prominently Use captions Identify all people that are obvious

Audio Slideshows Have clear relationships between what we hear and what we see. Write captions that provide additional information. ID everyone in the photos (first and last name!)

Audio Slideshows Don’t Begin with an ID Allow the background sound to drown out the interview. Use natural sound out of context Show objects, walls, signs — unless there is a person (or a person’s hand, etc.) in the photo too. Combine audio and photos in a way that misleads

Final notes Interactivity Complex Simple Separate or Together Hosting Embedding