Trends in Multimedia Journalism

Cindy Royal, Ph.D

Assistant Professor

Texas State University

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

croyal@txstate.edu

www.cindyroyal.com

www.onthatnote.com

cindytech.wordpress.com

New opportunities for storytelling

http://newspapervideo.ning.com/profile/JorgeSanhuezaLyon

Think story, not tools

• Writing is still key • Tell engaging stories• A People Torn, Minneapolis Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/local/11608761.html

Focus on visual, sound

• Maximize use of photos, audio, video where appropriate

• National Geographic - Ivory Warshttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/03/ivory-wars/fay-text

Make it interactive

• Involve the user• User as contributor• Use data• NY Times - Rent vs. Buy

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html

Integrate media

• Don’t fixate on one medium; seamlessly integrate text, audio, video, photos, interactivity, graphics

• Be comfortable working in teams• Washington Post - Being a Black Man• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/interactives/blackmen/blackmen.html

Have a broad base of skills

• Pick the right tool for the job• http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/30/business/economy/2009-economy-

words.html?ref=multimedia

Pool your resources

• Combine existing work on the same topic into a cohesive package

• Las Vegas Sun – History of Las Vegashttp://www.lasvegassun.com/history/

Be creative

• Get ideas from other industries: advertising, technology, social networking.

• Seek best practices• Washington Post - On Being

http://specials.washingtonpost.com/onbeing/

Provide resources

• Age of Uncertainty – Roanoke Timeshttp://blogs.roanoke.com/ageofuncertainty/

Student Projects

• Learn skills in XHTML, CSS, Flash, graphic design, photo, audio, & video editing

• Digital Storytelling via integration of tools• A Toast to the Hill Country -

mclabserv.oldmain.txstate.edu/wine_tour• San Marcos Online -

mclabserv.oldmain.txstate.edu/sanmarcos• Thread Austin -

mclabserv.oldmain.txstate.edu/threadaustin• Firestation Studios - http://www.jonzmikly.com/final/• Pop-up Music Buzz -

http://cncooper.com/popupmusic/index.html• South By Texas State – www.sxtxstate.com