A couple weeks ago, I announced my dirty little secret: I enjoy watching how the Jennifer Aniston v. Angelina Jolie saga plays out. I admitted that I often read the stories that pop up on Msn.com about the pair and their supposed fight, and I admitted that I might be a little crazy for liking to monitor their "feud."
I think I've only tapped the iceberg of crazy. Instead, the real crazies are the celebrity shows who turned an awards show into the "Oscar Showdown" between John and Jen and Brangelina.
Anyone who doubts that last statement, I dare you to watch "Oscar Ex-plosion" by Sarah Haskins. In her video, she shows clips of many popular celeb shows (and even some serious news channels) rehashing the night's drama. But what drama was there?
Apart from the unfortunate cut from Jen presenting to Angie laughing (which I must admit, I was peeved about), there really was no tension between the two couples. Instead, the celeb shows tried to create some signs of Oscar fighting out of mid-air. They created timelines showing how the movements of both Jen and John and Brad and Angelina were orchestrated so that they wouldn't see each other. And then, they pointed out that Jen was only three feet from her ex when she went onstage to present. Gasp! I bet they even had to breath the same air!
If you think I'm exaggerating on the celeb shows' ridiculousity, then I highly suggest you watch Haskin's video. You will probably be as amazed as I was that the non-confrontation between the two couples was played up to being the jilted lover showdown of the year. And I thought that I needed help!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Reporting on funerals
Maricarrol Kueter, executive editor of the Argus Leader, has it exactly right when she says on her blog, "Photographers and reporters generally dislike being assigned to cover a funeral."
Wow would I feel awkward if I was ever given that assignment. If asked, I know I would do it, but that would be one of the hardest stories of my life. Sometimes it's hard enough to just approach random people in The Union on campus. Think how hard it would be to try to approach someone at a funeral.
Plus, there's always concerns about being sensitive towards the family. I would be terribly concerned that the family would consider me a media hound who was just trying to capitalize on their misfortune. Obviously that would not be my intention, but there would always be the nagging thought in the back of my mind that the family could be offended by my presence.
On the other hand, some families could be extremely flattered that their loved one was being honored by a paper. Not many funerals get covered, so to have a paper come to a funeral signals that whoever died was valuable and important to the community.
This probably is an extremely depressing blog post, but the thought of covering a funeral has been circling in my head ever since I saw the Argus's coverage of the recent funeral of the fallen Turner county deputy. I thought what they did was very tasteful, but as a young journalist, I kept thinking what I would do if I was asked to do a story like that. I have to say that would not be my favorite assignment.
Still, I do think there is a time and place for funeral coverage. Kueter provided the example of Gov. Mickelson's funeral, and I do think funerals for fallen soldiers and police officers can be covered tastefully, as well. Plus, stories like these can play a larger role. As Kueter says, "Photographs and stories help concerned residents understand and honor a person's public service. They also allow the community at large to pay respects and, in a small way, share the personal loss."
Wow would I feel awkward if I was ever given that assignment. If asked, I know I would do it, but that would be one of the hardest stories of my life. Sometimes it's hard enough to just approach random people in The Union on campus. Think how hard it would be to try to approach someone at a funeral.
Plus, there's always concerns about being sensitive towards the family. I would be terribly concerned that the family would consider me a media hound who was just trying to capitalize on their misfortune. Obviously that would not be my intention, but there would always be the nagging thought in the back of my mind that the family could be offended by my presence.
On the other hand, some families could be extremely flattered that their loved one was being honored by a paper. Not many funerals get covered, so to have a paper come to a funeral signals that whoever died was valuable and important to the community.
This probably is an extremely depressing blog post, but the thought of covering a funeral has been circling in my head ever since I saw the Argus's coverage of the recent funeral of the fallen Turner county deputy. I thought what they did was very tasteful, but as a young journalist, I kept thinking what I would do if I was asked to do a story like that. I have to say that would not be my favorite assignment.
Still, I do think there is a time and place for funeral coverage. Kueter provided the example of Gov. Mickelson's funeral, and I do think funerals for fallen soldiers and police officers can be covered tastefully, as well. Plus, stories like these can play a larger role. As Kueter says, "Photographs and stories help concerned residents understand and honor a person's public service. They also allow the community at large to pay respects and, in a small way, share the personal loss."
Wild Card: Food! Food! Food!
This video assignment was pretty wide open. We could do a video on whatever we wanted, but we had to make sure that we would be able to finish our videos during our studio time (or shortly thereafter). My partner and I decided The Market would be a good topic to cover since we were both starving this morning!
The most difficult part of this project was the audio. The audio for the first speech isn't that good because while I was talking, the camera panned away and so the camera mic slowly got farther and farther away from me. I now know that that is not a good idea. We also had audio troubles with background noise because the workers were getting The Market ready for the noon rush.
Good things were the willingness of The Market staff in allowing us to do a few fun things (i.e. me standing by the Stir Crazy grill waving two spatulas) and my increased competency with transitions. I know I talk about audio and transitions for each assignment, but for me, they are probably the two biggest things I struggle with and they are two of the biggest things that separate a professional video from a blatantly amateur one. By the end of this class, I hope my videos fit in the former category as opposed to the latter.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Open Records in SD
A great stride was taken today in open records legislation in the state. Gov. Rounds signed SB 147 which will great a presumption of openness in South Dakota. The bill will take effect July 1.
With this bill, records in the state will be considered open unless there is an exemption that specifically says they are closed.
There are several exemptions in the bill. Information about ongoing criminal investigations may be kept closed; correspondence, memoranda, calendars or logs of appointments, working papers and records of telephone calls of public officials or employees is exempted; trade secrets do not need to be released; and some private information, like social security and passport numbers, will not be open under the law.
After hearing about all these exemptions, I was worried that the bill really won't do anything to open up records in South Dakota. David Bordewyk of the South Dakota Newspaper Association assured me that isn't the case.
He said that prior to the passing of this bill, when someone would go ask for a record, that person had to prove that they could actually see the record. After the bill takes effect on July 1, the government/public officials will have to prove that someone cannot see the record. This puts the burden of proof on the government if they want to get a record closed, and as the bill says, it creates a presumption of openness of record in South Dakota.
To me, this is really exciting for South Dakota. It creates a government that can be held more accountable by its citizens (and the media), and it puts South Dakota into the middle of the pack in terms of openness of records, Bordewyk said.
After spending years as the state with the worst open government laws, I think it's about time that records be open for public viewing. To me, it's only fitting that we live up to our former state nickname: the Sunshine State.
With this bill, records in the state will be considered open unless there is an exemption that specifically says they are closed.
There are several exemptions in the bill. Information about ongoing criminal investigations may be kept closed; correspondence, memoranda, calendars or logs of appointments, working papers and records of telephone calls of public officials or employees is exempted; trade secrets do not need to be released; and some private information, like social security and passport numbers, will not be open under the law.
After hearing about all these exemptions, I was worried that the bill really won't do anything to open up records in South Dakota. David Bordewyk of the South Dakota Newspaper Association assured me that isn't the case.
He said that prior to the passing of this bill, when someone would go ask for a record, that person had to prove that they could actually see the record. After the bill takes effect on July 1, the government/public officials will have to prove that someone cannot see the record. This puts the burden of proof on the government if they want to get a record closed, and as the bill says, it creates a presumption of openness of record in South Dakota.
To me, this is really exciting for South Dakota. It creates a government that can be held more accountable by its citizens (and the media), and it puts South Dakota into the middle of the pack in terms of openness of records, Bordewyk said.
After spending years as the state with the worst open government laws, I think it's about time that records be open for public viewing. To me, it's only fitting that we live up to our former state nickname: the Sunshine State.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Good and Ugly of Twitter
Ever since hearing about Twitter this past fall, I've always wondered why people are so drawn to it. What is the purpose? Do people really want to hear that I ate a Twix bar and some Cheetos today?
A couple weeks ago, the Editor-in-chief of The Collegian began Twittering Students' Association meetings. To me, that was really cool because those of us in the newsroom could receive live updates about the meeting.
Apparently, another good use is asking people for a cure for something. Exhibit 1: David Pogue of the New York Times was showing off Twitter at a conference and decided to do a live demonstration. He said he needed a cure for hiccups and viola, dozens of random people responded with their own personal cures. Sweet!
(Click here for Pogue's full article about the incident and some fall out responses when he told the Twitterers that he asked that question as part of a demonstration.)
So there are some good uses for Twitter, but there are definitely some weird ideas tied to the medium. Prime example: George Stephanopoulos is going to "twitterview" Sen. John McCain. That's right. Stephanopoulos is going to ask McCain the tough questions about these trying times in 140 characters or less. Nothing like limiting the word count while trying to solve the country's (oh sorry, to cut out that last word, I ran out of characters!)
So for me, the live updates and twittering of meetings is the future of news outlets on Twitter. The "twitterview" ... yeah, not so much.
A couple weeks ago, the Editor-in-chief of The Collegian began Twittering Students' Association meetings. To me, that was really cool because those of us in the newsroom could receive live updates about the meeting.
Apparently, another good use is asking people for a cure for something. Exhibit 1: David Pogue of the New York Times was showing off Twitter at a conference and decided to do a live demonstration. He said he needed a cure for hiccups and viola, dozens of random people responded with their own personal cures. Sweet!
(Click here for Pogue's full article about the incident and some fall out responses when he told the Twitterers that he asked that question as part of a demonstration.)
So there are some good uses for Twitter, but there are definitely some weird ideas tied to the medium. Prime example: George Stephanopoulos is going to "twitterview" Sen. John McCain. That's right. Stephanopoulos is going to ask McCain the tough questions about these trying times in 140 characters or less. Nothing like limiting the word count while trying to solve the country's (oh sorry, to cut out that last word, I ran out of characters!)
So for me, the live updates and twittering of meetings is the future of news outlets on Twitter. The "twitterview" ... yeah, not so much.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Redheads will live on forever!
Some people tell me that my kind (people blessed with red hair) will be extinct by 2030 or 2100, depending on the source. First, I want to say that I intend to still be living by 2030, and if I have a redheaded baby (which I will ... hopefully), my child will probably still be alive by 2100.
Second, redheads will never be completely extinct because they will live on forever ... in song.
According to the Redheaded Goddess Forums, the following songs mention redheads:
1. Redheaded Woman by Bruce Springsteen
2. Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young
3. Icky Thump by The White Stripes
4. Red Headed Woman by 2000 lbs. of Blues
5. Fire Woman by The Cult
6. Red Headed Stepchild by Golden Smug
7. Tangled Up in Blue by Bob Dylan
8. Keepin' the Faith by Billy Joel
9. Jolene by Dolly Parton
10. Valerie by The Zutons
I also uncovered these songs about redheads:
1. Boot Scootin' Boogie by Brooks and Dunn
2. Ain't Going Down Til the Sun Comes Up by Garth Brooks
3. Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
4. Who's Messin' Up Your Red Hair Tonight by Den Hollinden
So, basically redheads rock, and we will never completely go away!
Second, redheads will never be completely extinct because they will live on forever ... in song.
According to the Redheaded Goddess Forums, the following songs mention redheads:
1. Redheaded Woman by Bruce Springsteen
2. Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young
3. Icky Thump by The White Stripes
4. Red Headed Woman by 2000 lbs. of Blues
5. Fire Woman by The Cult
6. Red Headed Stepchild by Golden Smug
7. Tangled Up in Blue by Bob Dylan
8. Keepin' the Faith by Billy Joel
9. Jolene by Dolly Parton
10. Valerie by The Zutons
I also uncovered these songs about redheads:
1. Boot Scootin' Boogie by Brooks and Dunn
2. Ain't Going Down Til the Sun Comes Up by Garth Brooks
3. Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
4. Who's Messin' Up Your Red Hair Tonight by Den Hollinden
So, basically redheads rock, and we will never completely go away!
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