Blog post about blogging

Journalism Educator Mindy McAdams recaps a conversation about blogs with Bridget Gutierrez of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Jamie Gumbrecht of the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader. Mindy believes the comments by the two journalists bloggers might be helpful as other journalists talk with their editors about blogging.

First soundslide up and running, sort of ...

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to tell everyone I got my first soundslide up and running (well, it has a few kinks, but I certainly learned a few lessons). It's on the first day of school in Lincoln. Please, offer me any suggestions you might have. Making mistakes is the best way to learn.

http://journalstar.com/media/graphics/

Kevin Abourezk

Video training for print journalists

Sounds and images from our video training were captured by Mindy McAdams of the University of Florida in this SoundSlides project.

In conclusion ...

I can't believe the week has come and gone that fast ...

I learned so many new things this week, I almost feel like I was part of something illegal. Like some top secret, backwoods, underground information that I'm supposed to share with the world, yet not tell the world how I got it.

Whether it be John-John challenging a speaker on if his online publication was actually making money (it wasn't) on the first day or Team 7's constant clowning at the end, the week was full of memories.

The feeling of discovery when Mark Briggs introduced us to RSS feeds or Al Tompkins divulging new sites we can go to find damn near any information we needed was unmatched.

I think Mindy McAdams is my new secret girlfriend. She could've taught something all 6 days and I wouldn't have tired of it. Especially on how to use and edit audio for the web. I connected with that instantly because that's the stuff I've been wanting to do at my paper, especially now that I'll be doing sports. But Soundslides are such a powerful way of telling a story that I'm completely enamored with the idea.

The video info we received was informative as well. I know it's been a long time since I was able to do any video editing work but I feel like that's another future challenge that I'll be looking forward to tackling.

To the staff, instructors and presenters who organized the event, I'm very appreciative of everything. Kate, thanks for allowing me to be one of the first 21.

Yvette - my Nashville momma - thanks for taking care of everything as you always do. You're my homegirl.

Aunt Pearl, I only saw you for a couple days, but it was definitely good to see and talk to you for a bit.

John Seigenthaler - my favorite white man - thanks again for everything. Wikipedia can't hold a candle to who you truly are ...

And I also want to send a big thanks to Robbie Morganfield, who is leaving the Freedom Forum and Diversity Institute at the end of the month to pursue another chapter in his life on the East Coast. Robbie is the one who helped mold me as one - of about 80 other aspiring journalists (including Martin and Leah) - of many bold journalists taking knowledge into newsrooms all across the nation and keeping the "old guard" on their toes. I owe him a deep gratitude and put it down, Deacon Morganfield!!!

Okay, class. We're armed and dangerous with all kinds of potent information. Let's get to shootin'!!!!!!

Whatever endeavors you choose to partake in the future, just make it happen.

Thanks for a great week everybody!!!


Jonathan Babalola

The Noblesville (Ind.) Daily Times

- "I don't know the key to success, but I do know the key to failure is trying to make everybody happy."

The Cherry on Top

What a whirlwind of new information, training and terminology this has been. These projects were great fun. And it's been so satisfying to see the finished products. We rock.

Thank you Freedom Forum for throwing me into this, putting awesome equipment at my fingertips and for bringing such gracious, knowledgeable teachers and colleagues to guide me through.

And the cherry on top -- Despite many complications and setbacks, I was able to finish my Sound Slide project this morning with the help of Tom Costello and his trusty Mac. Thank you Tom. Most satisfying.

I can't wait to go back to my newsroom and pitch my first Sound Slides project. I've got lots of ideas...

Cheers.
~Tonya Alanez

WHITE BALANCE!!!!!!

Team 5 ... (myself, Tonya Alanez and Tate' Finn) ... worked on our video presentation and it was three styles (though at times clashing) which came together and put together a pretty outstanding 80-second video piece. Big thanks to Glenn Hartong from The Cincinnati Enquirer, Thomas Costello from Asbury Park Press and Anne Saul from Gannett for all their help. I haven't done any video editing since my senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison- more than a decade ago and YES, I'm repping U-Dub- so things have definitely changed. I think we were all excited with how the final product came out although the project would've been perfect with just a little more
WHITE BALANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(And yes, people, John Siegenthaler is a white man, not Cablinasian liked he looked on our project.)

Jonathan Babalola
Noblesville (Ind.) Daily Times

seminar reflections...

Last year I went to Poynter for a seminar on untold stories. My colleagues and I participated in a variety of lectures and assignments tailored to challenge how we view our sources and how we frame their stories.
By the end of that week-long training, our group leader said we had gone from "untold" to "well told."
I feel that same sense of accomplishment with the Freedom Forum's online training. I arrived last Sunday in Nashville with no prior experience using a flash drive or holding a microphone. I was unsure of journalism and its future direction.
What a difference a week makes.
I blogged. I told stories through sounds. I can compose a photo. I also can shoot video and will never underestimate white balance, clear audio, lighting and the need for enough B-roll.
The work involved in producing an audio slideshow or video presentation is long and detailed. It requires good planning, patience and precision.
The principles of journalism are unchanged. I've only picked up new skills and tools to enhance a reader's experience with stories. I'm excited about these platforms.
Thank you, thank you, Kate for making the seminar happen. Thank you speakers and trainers for your time and support.
Tom Costello and Glenn Hartong: You guys rock! Thanks for believing in Team 1 despite our 40-minute delay beginning our first interview.
Mindy McAdams: I'd move to Florida to take your classes.
Amy Eisman: "Dudette," thanks for your critique of my newspaper's Web site. Noted. I'll pass on to the staff.
Al Tompkins: Great dialogue about ethics in the online world. I had wondered whether our newsroom had guidelines but had not thought to ask. That's changed.
John Siegenthaler: Thanks for your wisdom and strong convictions. You are an inspiration.
-Jenny Espino