http://www.lisaparisot.com/Foodbank/foodbank.html

Hunger is a growing concern in North Texas, and we wanted to raise awareness to the issue but also show people the way in which it all works.
Our video was a learning experience for all of us. As journalists it was an opportunity to look past the simple news story on deadline and become acquinated with people and take a peak into people’s lives. That human aspect is the meat of these types of stories. In the beginning we struggled to identify that but towards the closing of our projects were able to come out of our shell as a team and really ask the ‘hard questions.’  For the most part I feel my entire group really tested their limits and put in their two cents. The best part of the  group was the versatility we had which was very helpful when it came to seeing it from all angles and perfecting our final cuts.  Out of the three videos I feel the last one was the strongest and if we could do it again we would have found inner stories in them two, but learning the pressures of deadlines you make do with what youi have and you remember it next time around.

The Syncopated ladies is a senior citizen tap dancing group that practices and performs at the Denton Senior Center. Shooting this video gave me a lesson in reading people. I generally work with young and medium age audiences so working with the senior citizens was a change in pace. Getting my interviewees to act like I wasn’t there was not easy. This may have come easier if I had more practice but I did try to get in their faces. Although it may seem like a bunch of feet, I did get a better feel for sequence and the shots I should be looking for.

Election Day Coverage in Denton County

http://www.ntnewsnet.net/

Photo Narration on Election Day

http://www.lisaparisot.com/dentonvote/

Audio collected by: Arlinda Arriaga

Photos by: Carter Rose

Stories by Arlinda Arriaga

Election day voters hit the polls early in Denton County

First-time voters rise early, cast ballots before class

County Democrats, Republicans drive voters to polls

What a long day, from dawn to dusk the work just kept coming. I learned an important lesson this day, ‘keep on truckin’. The day was hectic and unorganized but we made the best of what we had, and I feel like we documented a piece of history.

Going out to take photos of early voters gave me a crash course in photojournalism. As a news reporter I am used to asking the hard questions but asking to take photo of someone getting ready to vote had its challenges. I’m still getting used to the ‘in your face shots’ when it comes to people. While at the polls people were very private about voting. Everyone in line at the North Texas fairgrounds was quick to say don’t take my picture. The experience was good for me but apparently my presence at the polls made voters feel uncomfortable but I’m really harmless.

http://chicago.everyblock.com/

The EveryBlock Web site is an informational site that provides users with a database of statistics on public listings for nine cities throughout the country. From business permits, liquor license applications or news in the area, the site allows users to search through many public records. Upon logging on users are welcomed with a search box to type in addresses or partial addresses to search the ‘happenings’ in the area. Along the side of the front page there is an interactive map that can give key happenings depending on the location on the map. Initially the site is overloaded with information and without taking a closer read under each tab it is difficult to know the type of site being presented. Because the site is bland in design layout I was unsure if it was a legitimate site, but this is not to say the features on the site are bland. The site offers photographs, an interactive map, a discussion board, and a database that prove its intention to provide information. Luckily the site is not bogged down with ads that take from attention from the content.  Curiosity drove me to click the ‘About Me’ tab and I learned that the site is generated by journalists, and it really shows how as journalists we can start looking into putting our own touch on the 2.0 world.

http://english.ohmynews.com/

There certainly is a lot going on the OhmyNews International Web site. This site offers visitors headlines to the latest stories and what the latest news is coming through the feed. In addition there is a way to see interviews and podcasts for some stories. I noticed there are also statistics on the most read stories and links to the Herald Tribune. Visitors can also vote as part on polls and see how other people are voting. I wondered over into the talk back board while visitors are actually interacting in open forums on some of the high profile issues. Photos and graphics are used in some stories but in cases would it would not make a difference there is not one present. I believe the elements used add and don’t subtract from the news content. The site takes advantage of many multimedia features that allows visitors to interact with the stories and their writers whether it is via e-mail, in a comment through the open forums. I did take notice of the ads on this page, but they were not content distracting. Something else I noticed is the speed of loading for this page was not very slow as some pages are with high multimedia content.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oj-special,0,2974848.special

I began by surfing the web for the typical local child death in the community or the adversity an everyday citizen may face in a given town, but then I got sucked by the nosey in me into the OJ Simpson fiasco. The Los Angeles Times has so much about the trials and a couple of stories. There are audio tapes and videos that allow the nosey me to follow the latest in the trial, I can actually even watch live from the courtroom if I want to. Talk about drawing my attention. Now I don’t know that this story would die with multimedia content, but with the many other newspapers covering the Simpson trial, I imagine this will get its share of web traffic. The videos have movement and show the action to fulfill the curiosity of so many. Because Simpson was a public figure this type of trial will draw attention. I believe in things such as court cases video can help readers decide their thoughts on the happenings because the clips provide readers with informational to be educated on the case. The movement in the video takes readers where they can not be in order to follow the story.

http://www.lisaparisot.com/arlindafencing

Our assignment was to go out and collect photos and audio that included UNT student daily life, or alongside of the topic. I choose to profile a woman involved in the fencing club. Courtney Roberts is my interviewee. Collecting the audio for fencing was good time because there is so much sound going on, and as far as photos that is what was a bit difficult because of my limited experience with the still camera. Now doing both at the same time was a negative, I did take the time to do both after my first attempt. I noticed that I could hear the photo snap sounds in my audio clips. (That olympus recorder was picking up all the little sounds). As a reporter the audio collection was easy, its just knowing what to shoot. It didn’t take long to put the soundslides together (maybe 10 min max) because I had the photos and audio edited and ready to go. (this part was key). I would like to improve my soundslides because I feel with the right story they can be a good addition to the story.

Cardenas Interview

The audio gathering assignment was good practice for our soundslides, the only hard part is that when I felt my interviewee was saying something good there always seemed to be too much nat sound in the back. I know with practice I learn to edit and adjust that later. This clip is very raw, but I did do some editing/cutting/pasting in audacity. Audacity is fairly easy to use and reminds me alot of Adobe Audition. During the interview I noticed my questions were being answered with long answers and this was difficult because much of the content was helpful, but difficult to edit down. In all it was a start. Thank you Ms. Cardenas for allowing me to interview you.

Previous to our first class meeting I had a general idea as to what I wanted to gain from a multimedia journalism course, but after seeing some of the equipment and getting futher details on the tasks we will be completing I have redefined my goals.

I will put in my share of class effort this semester and ‘ve listed a few of the goals my goals below:

*Grasp the big picture for multimedia content

*Improve time management

*Be competitive in a news-sense but also embrace teamwork

*Don’t spread myself to thin, and focus on one step at a time

*Nail the basics of equipment and video/editing skills