PhotoJournalism "Multis" and Convergence Media with Bill Frakes

This is a repeat posting of a blog post on a different blog that I write on. Since we've talked about this photographer in class and the piece he created at the State Wrestling Tournament, I thought you may enjoy reading it as well. ~Mrs. Morrow

Bill Frakes, 25-yr Sports Illustrated photographer, and his partner Laura Heald, spoke to nearly 400 people at Creighton University on Friday, February 20, 2009. The event was sponsored by Apple Computers and hosted students of both high school and colleigate levels, as well as teachers from area schools. Frakes and Heald walked us through their workflow as they create multimedia pieces (combining video, audio, and still images) for Sports llustrated.com and Sports Illustrated for Kids.com Using Apple Professional Applications (Final Cut Pro, Aperature, Soundtrack Pro, etc.) the two-person team inspired the audience of learners by showing finished pieces as well as a piece-in-progress: The Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament. Bill finished the 2 1/2 hour session with a slideshow collection of his favorite Sports Illustrated images over the years and left everyone feeling empowered and motivated to continue use technology to capture the stories around us and share them with the world.

Some of the most interesting and important things that I heard Bill and Laura talk about included:

• The most important quality of a photojournalist is the ability to fall in love with subject - be able to talk to people.
• Everything you do brings exactly to where you are- It is a growth process. (Sometimes he
  will go through four days of shooting and production only to throw it all out and focus on a different story.)
• Failure is always an important part of the growth process.
• COLLECT INFORMATION!! - no matter how you collect it. Vaccuum cleaner everything-- get all the info you can!
• For the most part still photography gives more power than video, in his opinion.
• The heart, mind, eye, and soul will always be more important than the black box (camera or other technology tools).
• "YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO LOOK FOR THINGS!"
  (Growing up in Scottsbluff, NE not a lot of things are going on. But you can find a story anywhere-- if you just learn how to look for it.)
• Another piece of advice.. "Take what you have and do the best you can do with it." (His mom's popcorn cake story)

And finally, the most memorable quote of the evening for me was, "It's not about the HOW, it's about the WHY." I think we can all take this advice and apply it to whatever area of teaching and learning we are involved in... most especially in the realm of educational technology. Bill and Laura definitely showed us their talents, but also inspired the hidden talent in each one of us, as a photographer, videographer, interviewer, storyteller, composer, or whatever it may be. Each of us is equipped with the ability to create art just as powerful or more so as Bill and Laura's. We just have to find it and transform it into a product that we are proud of. With Apple's Pro Apps software suite this is easier than ever before. With Bill Frakes encouragement and advice, we all saw how "doable" Convergence Media and Photojournalism can be for each of us interested in trying.

• Creightonian's front page story about the event entitled "Apple slices"
• Apple Digital Learning Series video featuring Bill Frakes
  

09 Week #9 - Screennation

Another collective website for teenage moviemakers looks to be another positive resource for you budding filmmakers. It is called ScreenNation and I want you to check it out and share some things that you discover for this week's blog post. Visit http://screennation.afi.com/. Browse through the site. Click on the Challenges link. Any ideas for an entry from you? After this week's project you will be choosing a new movie project topic each week. This site may give you some ideas. You could also post your previous productions to this site and get feedback from all over the globe. Finally, you should click on the "LEARN" link on the left side of the homepage and watch at least 3 of the teaching videos. Tell us what you learned in this week's blog post.

09 Week #8: Self-directed learning via iTunes

For this week's blog post assignment, you are assigned to subscribe to the Ripplecast Podcast at: http://www.rippletraining.com/ripplecasts.html

Download as many of the episodes as you would like to learn about and then watch at least one. Reply to this post by telling us which podcast episode you watched and what you learned.

09 Week #7 Self-Assessment

It's time for parent-teacher conferences already again. For this week's blog I would like you to take a moment to reflect on what you have learned during the first part of this second of semester of class. What are some ways that you are stretching yourself and trying to develop your digital media skills? What are some things you are doing really well with? What areas could you show some improvements in? Self-critique is good once in awhile, often more important than percentage or letter grades, and I would love to hear things from your point of view.

I would also like you to post what you are considering for your Digies project. I know the time will sneak away from us like always and I would love to help you out as you formulate your plan for yet another impressive digital media project.

09 Week #6 B-roll/Cutaways example

Find at least one example of A-roll/B-roll footage (most likely an interview where the action "cuts away" to B-roll shots. Post the link of the movie clip that you found to this blog post. Mention any additional techniques that you think are important to remember when creating interview or documentary-type movies that you noticed in your clip. Keep watching video with your "mind wide open" and apply what you like to your projects!

09 Week #5 Movies make you millions??

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2009/01/26/news/local/doc497d01167afc0827623734.txt

Read the above article and share your reactions.

What do you think it would take to actually make money off of making youtube-type videos? What are some ways teenagers like you can get involved in the world of digital media to make it more than just a hobby? Is this something you think you would ever be interested in?

09 Week #4 Blog Post

Watch this video and blog about it. More points awarded for quality and quantity of insights. Try to relate things you have learned in class with your analysis of the commercial.