When it comes to video journalism, most news organizations have a rule: Do not use any sound or music that didn’t occur while you were filming the story. Audio holds powerful sway over our emotion and therefore, can distort our perception of facts and events. If you’re skeptical, check out the trailer for “Sleepless in Seattle” and this remix.
But what about when you’re not filming something on the scene? What about using video to tell a text and infographics story in a different way?
One of my favorite sources for this storytelling style is Good magazine, which I’ve subscribed to since its inception.
Have a look at the video below and see what you think. The camera motion and music draw you in, while the text and graphics give you a better grasp of how and why certain countries excel at certain Olympic sports.
Hello Chrys
Traditionally News, particularly if you worked at the BBC eschews music for reasons that it can embellish the story.
Features, bordering on mini-docs can be a different prospect relying more on the arc of film making where music maters.
Video journalism follows the same line of enquiry, however there are other rules it can break that TV wouldn’t.
Motion graphics, a branch in itself which you quite rightly mention above, could be one of them. Though if you’ve been watching Brit Network news interpret the financial meltdown, most of its being done in motion graphics or vertical film making.
Visual compositional and mis en scene is most certainly one of the areas video journalism could use to distinguish itself from the status quo of news making. Peter Ralph at shootingbynumbers makes some interesting observations in this area.
Cheers
David
viewmagazine”
doh typos/grammar
“Visual composition and mis en scene are certainly some of the areas….” That’s the last time I post in the morning. 🙂