Assignments

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE SKILLS TEST ON THURS DEC 9

Please bring the raw video from your hobby story to class on Thursday. You will need it for your final. If you don't bring it you will have to capture and edit video for your story during class time. Don't do that to yourself, you'll be rushed and you may not be able to complete the test.

If you did not record video for the hobby story, you need to do it before Thursday. Hint: The video is less important than the audio with the interview and the nat sound.

ASSIGNMENT DUE DEC 9

Create a Twitter list with at least 10 people/organizations.

Add a description for the list and Tweet a link to your list from your individual, personal Twitter account. Add the hashtag #j226. So, you should Tweet something like:

My list of San Francisco food bloggers: http://ow.ly/3l0oJ #j226

FINAL SKILLS TEST DEC 9

Be prepared for next week's final skills test!

Make sure you have (and know) your Flickr username and password.

Make sure you have (and know) your YouTube username and password.

Be sure you can login to Dropbox.com.

You will be expected to do the following during the class time (DO NOT BE LATE!):

1. Upload, edit and post a photo gallery.

2. Edit audio using Audacity and post it to WordPress.

3. Edit video using iMovie, upload it to YouTube and post it to WordPress.

4. Create a chart using Excel and post it to WordPress.

5. Tweet and post story links to Facebook using HootSuite.

During the test, you may reference the digital producer checklist and the video checklists posted here.

ASSIGNMENT DUE DEC 2

1. Re-do your charts from the EPA assignment. See the assignment that was Due Nov. 4 for more information (scroll down on this page).

2. Shoot video for a story about someone's interesting hobby.

Interview someone on video about their hobby. Plan to ask them 3-5 questions. For example:

Tell me about your hobby.
Why do you enjoy X hobby?
How did you get started with X hobby?
What's your favorite aspect of X hobby?

Shoot b-roll of the person doing their hobby. Get at least 2-3 different angles and a combinations of wide, medium and close shots.

Be sure to shoot enough b-roll to have plenty to choose from (but aim for no more than 5 total minutes of b-roll video.)

Write a short summary paragraph that introduces the person and their hobby. Be sure to include at least one link with the text.

Bring your raw video to class on Dec. 2. You will edit the video into a 1-2 minute video package. upload the video to YouTube and post the story to the class blog.

Have a great Turkey Day break!

ASSIGNMENT DUE NOV 18

1. Shoot 1-2 minutes of b-roll video (environmental video)
The video should include good nat sound and visuals to support a story about how students use computers. Get at least three different "environments" and a mix of wide, medium and close shots. Be creative. Where do students use their computers, laptops, cellphones? Record each "environmental" shot for at least 15 seconds but no longer than 30 seconds. Do not pan or zoom.

2. Shoot an interview with a San Francisco State student (NOT a journalism student).
1. Turn on the video camera, frame your subject (be close enough to them to frame them from the chest up, don't cut off their neck or the top of their head!).

Be mindful of the background behind them, too much light or too little light is bad. Don't center your subject in the frame, place them off center to the left or right.

If you have a mic, use it! It will improve the quality of your audio. If you do not have a mic, take that into consideration when choosing a spot to do the interview.

- Ask the person to give you their full name, their year in school and their major. Stop the camera.

- Turn on the camera again and ask them, "What do you spend the most time doing on the computer?"

- PAUSE FOR AT LEAST 3 SECONDS and then ask them to give you their name again and spell it.

*** The video interviews you shot in class Nov. 4 were pretty bad. Try to improve your technique for this assignment. Remember to ALWAYS WATCH YOUR VIDEO BEFORE CLASS. IF IT SUCKS, DO IT AGAIN.

3. Bring the raw video to class on Nov 18. You will be editing the video in class and must post the assignment to the class blog by the end of class.

ASSIGNMENT DUE NOV 11

Shoot 1-2 minutes of b-roll video. Bring the raw video to class on Nov 18. You will be editing the video in class.

ASSIGNMENT DUE NOV 4

1. Tweet three stories for the SanFranBeat Twitter account. (Don't forget to RT your SanFranBeat Tweet using your personal account in order to receive credit). Post one story to the San Francisco Beat Facebook page.

2. Complete the purple handout you received in class Oct 21 from the librarian. (You can download a PDF of the handout here.)

Create TWO charts based on the following questions from the handout:
1. What are the top three inhaled cancer-causing pollutants in your neighborhood?

2. (Question #4 on the backside of the handout) Look at the demographic information for this facility. What percentage of neighborhood residents living within one (1) mile of this toxic-releasing facility are minorities? What percentage are living below the poverty level?

You must decide what kind of chart to create (pie chart, bar chart, line chart).
Embed the charts in one post on San Fran Beat.
The chart must include a title and a legend. Be sure to label the data too.
Include a caption along with each chart that explains the data and it's significance.

Read How to Enhance Your Story with Charts and Infographics for more info.

You can download a 30 day trial version of Excel for Mac or PC here.

If you need additional help with Excel check the following resources:

Microsoft Office Excel Help (yes, use the help, it can be helpful)
Download this PDF tutorial for Microsoft Excel 2008 (Mac)
Utilize the Lynda.com Excel 2008 training. (Costs $16.33 and is available in video tutorials until Dec 9. I have sent you all an invite to Lynda.com (check your SFSU email). The tutorials also include iMovie which we'll be working with in Dec., WordPress, Flickr and Google Analytics! So the $16.33 is a real bargain!)

EXTRA CREDIT DUE OCT 28 by midnight

Take a break from Twitter and Facebook! :-)

Pitch another story to MuniDiaries, The Tenderblog or Ocean Beach Bulletin and work with the appropriate editor to complete your story by midnight Oct 28. This story is worth up to 5 pts. Save your story as a DRAFT on San Fran Beat and mark the extra credit story categories: Fall 2010, Extra Credit and MUNI, Tenderloin or Ocean Beach (depending on which story you do).

EXTRA CREDIT DUE OCT 22 by midnight

Take a break from Tweeter and Facebook! :-)

You may pitch a second story to MuniDiaries, The Tenderblog or Ocean Beach Bulletin and work with the appropriate editor to complete your story by midnight Oct 22. This story is worth up to 5 pts. Save your story as a DRAFT on San Fran Beat and mark the extra credit story categories: Fall 2010, Extra Credit and MUNI, Tenderloin or Ocean Beach (depending on which story you do).

ASSIGNMENT DUE OCT 21

2. Cover an event. Take between 15-20 photos and upload them to Flickr. You must take the photos yourself. Add titles, descriptions and tags for every photos. Create a set with the photos. Embed 5 photos with captions in a post along with a short text story on San Fran Beat. Include at least one link in the text. Categories: Fall 2010, Slideshow/Photo Gallery. Don't forget to add 5 tags.

ASSIGNMENT DUE OCT 14

2. Prepare three story ideas for Ocean Beach Bulletin. Email your pitches to me BEFORE class starts Oct 14.

3. Begin work on your MuniDiaries, Tenderblog or OBBulletin story (choose one of the stories you proposed). You must send your story proposal to the appropriate site editor and ask for their feedback/input before beginning your work. Please cc me on the email you send them so that I know what story you are working on. Eugenia Chien (MuniDiaries): eugenia.chien@gmail.com, Elia Varela Serra and Jen Phillips (The Tenderblog): thetenderblog@gmail.com, Tom Prete and Mark Lukach (OBBulletin): oceanbeachbulletin@gmail.com.

One story is due BEFORE class on Oct 21. You may do a second story (for MuniDiaries, Tenderblog or OBB) for extra credit (worth 15 points). The extra credit story must be completed by midnight on Oct 22.

4. To be completed in class Oct 14: Take 10-12 photos of a process and upload them to Flickr. Do some basic photo editing using Picnik. Add titles, descriptions and tags for every photos. Create a set with the photos. Pick the best 3-5 photos and embed them with captions in a post on San Fran Beat. Write a short blurb (paragraph) explaining what process you documented. Categories: Fall 2010, Slideshow/Photo Gallery. Don't forget to add 5 tags.

ASSIGNMENT DUE OCT 5

2. Check out Ocean Beach Bulletin and @OBBulletin on Twitter and Ocean Beach Bulletin on Facebook. Tweet at least two questions to @tomprete. Be sure to include the hastag #j226 in your Tweet. For example:

@tomprete how often do you Tweet for @OBBulletin? #j226

@tomprete how many people contribute to Ocean Beach Bulletin? #j226

3. Email three Tenderblog story pitches to sbaird [@] sfsu [dot] BEFORE class Oct 5. Your story pitches should include a multimedia component - audio interviews, MOS, photo gallery, or photo/audio slideshow. You should plan for the text of the story to be around 500 words. Your pitches should give a brief summary of the who-what-why/how and explain why you think people would be interested in the story.

ASSIGNMENT DUE SEPT 30

2. Check out Tenderblog.com and @Tenderblog on Twitter and Tenderblog on Facebook. Tweet at least two questions to @tenderblog about the Tenderblog. Be sure to include the hastag #elia in your Tweet. For example:

@tenderblog how often do you Tweet? #elia

@tenderblog how many people work on staff for the Tenderblog? #elia

3. Read: Fair Use Excuse - http://j226.posterous.com/dont-use-the-fair-use-excuse.

4. Read Briggs, Chapter 6.
Discussion questions (please print your answers to turn in).

1. How are news websites using photos? Find two examples and be prepared to discuss things you like and dislike about their use of photos. Think about the interface (the way the gallery is presented) and the way you navigate the images. Are there captions? Links? Photo credits?

2. Find an example of a photo gallery on a website (news, magazine, blog, etc.). What do you like about the gallery? What do you dislike? Think about the interface (the way the gallery is presented) and the way you navigate the images. Are there captions? Links? Photo credits?

ASSIGNMENT DUE SEPT 23

2. Take a photo (with your smartphone or digital camera) that you think would work for the San Francisco Beat Facebook profile image. Post your photo to the Best of SF Album on the San Francsico Beat Facebook page. Be sure to "vote" for your favorite image using "Like."

3. Email three Muni Diaries story pitches to sbaird [@] sfsu [dot] BEFORE class Sept. 23. Your story pitches should include a multimedia component - audio interviews, MOS, photo gallery, or photo/audio slideshow. You should plan for the text of the story to be around 500 words. Your pitches should give a brief summary of the who-what-why/how and explain why you think people would be interested in the story.

4. Capture 4-5 audio interviews with participants at an event in San Francisco. (See http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com). Capture at least a minutes worth of “nat sound” that helps establish the atmosphere/environment of the event. Bring your raw audio to class onSept 23 to edit. (If you're using a digital recorder or iTouch/iPhone to record your audio, be sure to sync the device with your home computer, download the audio files and email them or save them on your Dropbox so you can access them from the lab.)

Write a HED and a short story (between 250-350 words). Save your text as a draft post in WordPress. Don't forget to include at least one link in your story, choose the categories Fall 2010 and Audio Interviews. Add at least three relevant tags to your post. Take at least one photo at the event to establish the location, capture relevant action or a relevant person. Email the photo to yourself or save it on Dropbox. Be sure to note the name of the person and their title or role in the event if you take a picture that focuses on one person.

ASSIGNMENT DUE SEPT 16

3. Check out MuniDiaries.com and @MuniDiaries on Twitter and MuniDiaries on Facebook. Tweet at least two questions to @evicious about Muni Diaries. Be sure to include the hastag #eugenia in your Tweet. For example:

@evicious how often do you Tweet for @MuniDiaries? #eugenia

@evicious how many people work on staff for Muni Diaries? #eugenia

4. Read Briggs Chapter 7 p177-202
Discussion questions (please print your answers to turn in).

1. What are two characteristics of audio journalism that make it unique from other forms of media?

2. What is one way audio can be utilized on the web?

5. Record at least five MOS. Bring your raw audio files to class on Sept. 16 (in other words, record and save your MOS on your digital recorder or video camera and bring your camera to class along with any necessary cables or card readers). Write a HED and a paragraph to go with your MOS with some background info on the topic and the question you asked. Save your text as a draft post in WordPress. Don't forget to choose the categories Fall 2010 and Audio MOS. Add three tags to your post.

Some tips for your MOS:

Ask five people the same question. *Be sure to ask a variety of men, women, children, races, ages, etc.
Record the person's full name (ask them to spell it out for you), age and/or year in school, major in school or occupation (also write it down). Don't forget to get their contact information in case you need to follow up with them.
You only need to record the audio, not video. Be mindful of the background noise (nat sound) it will either help establish the location (which may or may not be relevant to the question you're asking) or it could be a distraction.
Take a "mugshot" photo of each person you interview. You may use your mobile phone or a digital camera to get their picture.

ASSIGNMENT DUE SEPT 9

Use HootSuite to post three local news stories to the SanFranBeat Twitter feed and one local news story to the San Francisco Beat Facebook page. Be sure to RT what you post to the SanFranBeat feed with your personal account in order to receive credit for the Tweets.

Remember, when you post to Facebook you need to include your name after your commentary (posted by SB).

Read Briggs Chapter 10 p 284-289, Chapter 11 330-334

Discussion questions (please bring a print out of your answers to turn in).

1. Take a look at Huffington Post. What is your first reaction to the site? What do you like/dislike? How is HuffPost different from SFGate.com, NYTimes, CNN?

2. How many social media channels is Huffington Post actively participating in? (hint: start with the list of social media channels on p 331 of Briggs)

3. “Like” one news organization on Facebook and follow five news organizations on Twitter. How are these organizations using Facebook and Twitter? Are these news organizations actively participating in conversations or just talking “at” fans/followers?

4. What is social capital? Why is it important for journalists to “earn” it?

Bring your audio/video recording equipment to class on Sept. 9. This includes a mic, headphones and any cables you may need in order to transfer media files from your device to the lab computers. If you do not have a Kodak Zi8 then it is your responsibility to make sure you can transfer photos/video from your device (smartphone, digital camera, etc.) to the lab computers in HUM 312. You also must make sure you can open/import the files in Audacity. Please plan to come by my office hours next week BEFORE class if you do not have an iPhone, NexusOne, Kodak Zi8 or FlipCam.

Office hours: HUM 362
Tuesday 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2-4 p.m.
Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2 - 3 p.m.

ASSIGNMENT DUE SEPT 2

Setup Twitter and Facebook accounts. (Read: http://www.kullin.net/2009/01/strategies-for-choosing-twitter-handle/).

Follow 10 journalists on Twitter: See list http://10000words.net/2008/08/10-journalists-you-should- follow-on/and/or Listorous for suggestions.

Follow @girljournalist

Write an essay that answers the following questions: Why journalism? Where do you see yourself five years after graduation? Find a job description for a job you hope to have (link to it in your post). How will you learn the skills you need to succeed in your career? (Don’t forget to include at least three links in your text. Copy should be around 300 words. Post as a DRAFT to the class site.

Setup Google Reader. Subscribe to 20 feeds including:
New York Times
Washington Post
BBC
NPR
CBS
CNN
MSNBC
FoxNews
SFGate
SFAppeal
SFWeekly
SFist
California Watch
LATimes
San Jose Mercury News
Poynter E-Media Tidbits
Romenesko (Poynter)
Xpress
2 additional sites of your choosing

*****************

ASSIGNMENT DUE AUG 26 (Yes, the first day of class):

Please read the following articles:

Gene Weingarten column mentions Lady Gaga

Taylor Momsen Did Not Write This Headline

Type up and print out your answers to the questions below and complete the online skills survey (found at https://survey.insightify.com/b7a-b94-241-4a6). This assignment is due the first day of class (August 26) by 3:35 pm and is worth 10 points.

*If you're on the waiting list for this class please plan to complete the assignment and attend class for at least the first two weeks. People often drop during this time and I may be able to add you to the class.

1. What do you think of the concept of writing search engine-friendly headlines? Is it killing creativity? Why or why not?

2. What are the similarities and differences between these two articles? Provide one or two specific examples.

3. Digital headlines can appear in a number of places. What are two of these places?

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