Last day of class
1. Complete these three short evaluations:
- Online course evaluation. Find link on Blackboard > My UNL > Course evaluation
- Skills assessment. Click here to take survey.
- Three quick questions
2. Make sure to put all of your media — text, photos and videos — in the correct folders on the NewsNet server.
3. I will look at each of your videos individually — and after you’ve received the go-ahead, you can export.
4. While you are waiting for video approval, upload your text story and photos to the news website. Be sure to follow all the steps on the checklist. Please double-check that you have completed all the steps.
5. Please tell me when your post is complete, then I will approve your video. (Do not export it before I approve it.)
6. If we have enough time and things go smoothly, we can watch each video as a class.
7. But regardless, please do not leave until I have signed off on your checklist.
8. After you have left, if your story needs tweaking or clarification, I will email you to fix, then publish once it is complete. If your story needs significant work, it will not be published and will be graded accordingly. I will put into your Dropbox a copy of your final project grades and any comments.
Final project assignment & examples
Your final project for this class is a multimedia news package featuring 1) text; 2) photos and/or graphics; and 3) video.
Your pitch will be due on Monday, March 25. Please be specific about what each component (text, photo/graphics and video)
But please come to class on Monday, March 25, to discuss your ideas for a final project and how you foresee using the different media to tell what parts of the story. The story can be about anything of interest to a NewsNetNebraska audience. Please look through at least three of the examples below before you write your pitch.
The rest of the schedule
No class on March 18.
Final story pitch due on March 25.
Finish up regular assignments on April 1.
No class on April 8 — work on final project.
Discuss final project with me on April 15.
Final project due on April 22. Any project not ready to be uploaded by 12:30 p.m. will receive a zero. We will use the class time to upload the projects.
Some examples of final projects from NewsNet past:
Hearst winners
Important class notes
Please read the following very carefully:
- Start thinking now about your pitch for your final project. Your final project pitch is due March 25. We will talk specifics about the final project in class on Monday, but generally it is a piece that has text, video and photo/graphic components.
- If you have a pitch due, please upload it to the Google doc by 8 a.m. on Mondays.
- Please avoid pitching event-related stories. They are too easy for a senior journalism course and they get old really fast. The reason we give you two weeks to do a story is that we want you to try to do some enterprise reporting.
- If you have a final video due, please do not upload it to YouTube until I have approved the timeline.
- If you have a breaking assignment and a pitch due on Monday, the pitch is for your video story, which is due later. You do not have to file a pitch for breaking assignments, but you do need to come to class with three ideas to possibly pursue.
If you need to reach Sean for video editing help, here’s his email:
Sean Carney <nmc.scarney@gmail.com>
Assignments for Monday
Edited video timeline, due by 8 a.m. Monday: When your timeline is done, please export to Quick Time Movie. The destination will be your folder in Monday NNN in nnnvideos on NewsNet server.
Revised pitch by 8 a.m. Monday, posted on the blog.
Final response paper, by class time, in your Dropbox folder.
Data assignment, due at class time in your Dropbox folder: Nebraska is considering doing away with its income tax. One of the biggest users of state tax money is education, specifically K-12. How much states spend on education is commonly measured by per-pupil spending. The Census Bureau tracks per-pupil spending for primary and secondary schools here and here. Please get data from 2010, 2009 and 2008 and compare Nebraska to the states that have done away with their income taxes. What story would you pitch based on your analysis? I need a one paragraph pitch.
Where to get the data:
here http://www.census.gov/govs/school/
and
Bethany Schmidt Pitch 1
Name:
Your story format for this assignment:
_____ Text (2 photos and/or graphics)
__x___ Video
_____ Live tweet, Storify version of tweets and story (1 photo and/or graphic)
Your pitch, written directly and concisely in one paragraph (imagine what your lede or nut graf would be) – 20 points
Mallory Prucha, a graduate student in costume design, has painstakingly handcrafted all of the costumes for UNL’s spring musical, “Candide.” She calls her final academic project her “mega thesis.” She is putting on the final touches to show her work later this month.
Explain why your audience would find your story compelling – 15 points
Beautiful, colorful costumes would be very visual. Also, Prucha is a very spunky, colorful person with really interesting mannerisms.
Explain why this story is best told using this format – 15 points.
This story could make for an okay text story but seeing the costumes and hearing Prucha’s voice (plus sounds like sewing machines, show music, etc.) would definitely add the the story.
How will you tell this story visually? Please be specific. For example, list potential B roll shots for your video story – 10 points
Potential B-roll: Close-ups of hand-stitching, close ups of fabric running through sewing machines, wide shot of the room with all of the the costumes and Prucha running through it.
List the names and titles of the sources you plan to use in your story – 10 points.
Mallory Prucha, costume designer of Candide
Adam Fieldson, stars as Candide in the show
Sara Warner, a female cast member
the director and other creative directors (set, lights) would also be nice to have interviews with
What roles will your identified sources play in the story? – 10 points
Prucha will be the focus but director will add extra insight behind themes of the play and will give reference to Prucha’s role. Cast members will also give reference to Prucha’s character and provide interesting, fun stories from fittings, etc.
List the names and titles of the sources you have already contacted for the story – 10 points. (If you have not reached any sources, please leave this blank. If you are live tweeting, list the hashtag you have chosen and what other hashtags you might include in the course of tweeting.)
Mallory Prucha
What is your back-up story idea if this one falls through? – 10 points
Lanny Holstein, a CoJMC student, is heading to San Francisco this June to compete in the Hearst Championships for broadcasting. He is the only UNL student (as of now) competing.
Joshua Kellams First Pitch
Name:
Your story format for this assignment:
_____ Text (2 photos and/or graphics)
__x___ Video
_____ Live tweet, Storify version of tweets and story (1 photo and/or graphic)
Your pitch, written directly and concisely in one paragraph (imagine what your lede or nut graf would be) – 20 points
Frisbee golf, or frolf, has grown extremely popular over the last several years. Typically considered a summer sport, it thrives in the winter months thanks to uncommonly warm temperatures and a rabid following. One frolfer, Chris Sheik, has been playing for years, and uses frolf as an escape and a means to relax in his free time. And even though he has to bundle up to enjoy on of his favorite sports, it hasn’t dampened his desire for the perfect round.
Explain why your audience would find your story compelling – 15 points
Frisbee golf is a relatively unknown sport, but has an extremely devoted following, locally and nationally. It is also an active sport that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. As more and more people look for ways to exercise and enjoy their free time, frolfing offers an escape. There are also a lot of misconceptions involved with frolfing, i.e. it’s only played by people who like to drink and smoke marijuana. One of my sources, Joshua Orr, explains the sport goes way above simple stereotypes.
Explain why this story is best told using this format – 15 points.
Frisbee golf has several great natural sound opportunities, and it takes place outdoors. The “holes”, or the places frolfers throw their discs to (in the fewest amount of throws possible), is made of chains and metal. The courses are often set up in open, forest-filled parks. There’s no other way to tell a story of frolfers without showing them in their environment and bringing in all the sights and sounds that go along with it.
How will you tell this story visually? Please be specific. For example, list potential B roll shots for your video story – 10 points
I was thinking of doing a traditional news package, but I was inspired by several of the video packs we watched in class and for homework over the last few weeks, and I liked the idea of letting the sources tell their story alone. I will gather plenty of footage of frolfers, including establishing shots of the courses, the frolfers playing, making putts, walking from hole-to-hole, etc.
List the names and titles of the sources you plan to use in your story – 10 points.
Chris Sheik, veteran frolfer, Team Manager at Walgreens
Joshua Orr, frolfer, Optimum Data employee
I also plan to interview someone from a frolfer’s club in Omaha. Haven’t nailed down a specific person yet.
What roles will your identified sources play in the story? – 10 points
Chris and Josh will provide the substance of the story – they’re describe why frolfing has a following, what it means to them, tips for beginners, and they will help explain how frolf has impacted their lives and how it can affect others’. The professional frolfer from Omaha will provide a bigger picture and help explain the national competitive frolfing stage.
List the names and titles of the sources you have already contacted for the story – 10 points. (If you have not reached any sources, please leave this blank. If you are live tweeting, list the hashtag you have chosen and what other hashtags you might include in the course of tweeting.)
Chris Sheik and Joshua Orr
What is your back-up story idea if this one falls through? – 10 points
UNL is going to increase housing fees by $400 beginning the fall semester of 2013. Although Nebraska’s fees are among the lowest in the B1G, it’s still very expensive, and has forced several students to consider moving off-campus in exchange for slightly more freedom, more responsibility, but less costs.
Mallory Miller Pitch 1
Name: Mallory Miller
Your story format for this assignment:
_____ Text (2 photos and/or graphics)
__X__ Video
_____ Audio slideshow
_____ Live tweet and story (1 photo and/or graphic)
Your pitch, written directly and concisely in one paragraph (imagine what your lede or nut graf would be) – 20 points
A bill proposed by Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff would require drivers over the age of 80 to take a cognitive test in order to renew their drivers licenses. Many blame the young, and texting, for the majority of accidents on the roads. However, the most recent figures from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that the highest rate of fatal accidents was among those age 70 and older. While giving up driving may mean giving away some freedom for seniors, it may be the best way to keep themselves and other drivers safe.
Explain why your audience would find your story compelling – 15 points
People are concerned for their safety on the roads. With this test, it may be possible to determine whether or not it is safe for older citizens to be behind the wheel.
Also, people with elderly relatives whom they have a role in caring for are split between wanting their relative to have the freedom of driving and the concern for their safety. This may be able to give them some piece of mind.
Explain why this story is best told using this format – 15 points.
Hopefully, I will be able to show what the test will entail if put to law. It will also be useful in showing the emotion of drivers that could be affected by the bill.
How will you tell this story visually? Please be specific. For example, list potential B roll shots for your video story – 10 points
I hope to use explanatory graphics to show the current death and accident statistics. I would also like to show the test and get some footage of someone renewing his or her license at the DMV, in the current process. I can also show the new parts of the bill.
List the names and titles of the sources you plan to use in your story – 10 points.
Sen. John Harms – author of LB351
Sara O’Rourke – Driver Licensing Service Administrator, Nebraska DMV
Will also interview some drivers in the age range, or who are about to be in the age range, of 80 and up.
What roles will your identified sources play in the story? – 10 points
Harms will be able to explain his research and motivations for creating the bill.
O’Rourke will be able to explain the current process of renewal for driver’s licenses. She might also be able to map out any challenges increased regulation would mean for the DMV.
List the names and titles of the sources you have already contacted for the story – 10 points. (If you have not reached any sources, please leave this blank. If you are live tweeting, list the hashtag you have chosen and what other hashtags you might include in the course of tweeting.)
—
What is your back-up story idea if this one falls through? – 10 points
Ben Leypoldt was born with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The disease affects his movements, and requires a special type of living space in order to make every-day tasks manageable. Leypoldt has put his talent with computers and gadgets to good use by providing an outlet for those who share his trouble with finding good accessible housing at livingonyourown.org. He hopes the information he gathers will help to make local changes.
Erica’s Pitch
Name: Erica Jobman
Your story format for this assignment:
_____ Text (2 photos and/or graphics)
__x__ Video
_____ Live tweet, Storify version of tweets and story (1 photo and/or graphic)
Your pitch, written directly and concisely in one paragraph (imagine what your lede or nut graf would be) – 20 points
To honor its 125th anniversary, the Sheldon Museum is introducing new art exhibits, including American artist Alexander Calder’s statue called “Tripes” and a photography collection called “Encounter.” But who is responsible for curating the artwork enjoyed by so many Nebraskans? Brandon Ruud, curator of Transnational American Art, is part of the Sheldon’s curating team, explains the process of art curating.
Explain why your audience would find your story compelling – 15 points
Many students and Nebraskans go to the Sheldon to enjoy the artwork, and many more people see the sculptures on campus without ever having stepped foot in the Sheldon, but little is known about who selects the pieces and how they do it. This story would show the audience how the Sheldon selects art and give a different perspective on art.
Explain why this story is best told using this format – 15 points.
Video is a good format for this story because it allows the audience to actually see and hear the personalities behind the Sheldon. It will also help the audience put curating into context. The audience will also get a “behind-the-scenes” look at the Sheldon, which is not often shown.
How will you tell this story visually? Please be specific. For example, list potential B roll shots for your video story – 10 points
I plan to interview some members of the curating staff. B roll could present a bit of a challenge, but I plan to shoot the curating staff in the offices so the audience can see them working. I also plan to get the curators working with or selecting art and setting up exhibitions. I will also use shots in and around the Sheldon to give the audience some context. I will also shoot visitors coming to the museum.
List the names and titles of the sources you plan to use in your story – 10 points.
Ann Gradwohl, Sheldon’s public relations and marketing manager
Brandon Ruud, Sheldon’s curator of Transnational American Art manager
I will also ask to interview other members of the curating staff and possibly visitors at the Sheldon
What roles will your identified sources play in the story? – 10 points
Ruud is the main source that will explain the curating process. Gradwohl, the other curating staff members and the visitors will provide context to the story.
List the names and titles of the sources you have already contacted for the story – 10 points. (If you have not reached any sources, please leave this blank. If you are live tweeting, list the hashtag you have chosen and what other hashtags you might include in the course of tweeting.)
Ann Gradwohl, Sheldon’s Public Relations and Marketing manger (She has also helped me set up an interview with Ruud for next week.)
What is your back-up story idea if this one falls through? – 10 points
East Campus is holding a workshop on February 19th to re-imagine uses for the CY Thompson Library. Students, faculty and others in the community are invited to develop a new footprint (including interior and exterior space) for the library.
NewsNetNebraska: It's all about the story 