Yesterday (15 August 2008) I went to see some colleagues who work in a well-known press wire service (the initials start in “A” and end in “P”). These chaps checked out some of my work and gave me excellent advice on how to present my work in the future as well as some contructive criticism. But the most rewarding piece of conversation we had was regarding something which they know little about: multimedia storytelling.
They said that on a global level (at least at their particular place of employment), many photographers and reporters are being given multimedia equipment and expected to produce audiovisual stories. The problem is they’re given no training whatsoever in audio recording field techniques, audio editing, and post-production. And this from a pretty well known international wire service! Fumbled attempts at audio gathering, for example, included taping a recorder to the frame of a bicycle for a feature on Mexico City’s weekly cycle-thon. You can imagine what the recording sounded like after two hours of riding around! (The constant buzz of the wheels.) After hearing that I had a little bit of experience, especially in audio since I worked in radio production, they said they might be interested in a workshop to teach them how to produce what they need to. This leads me to believe that multimedia journalism is more than a passing fad: it’s the future.
In fact, CNN recently announced that they would be doubling their US staff, particularly in the form of so-called “All Platform Journalists” (APJs). These journalists will be using
lightweight kits that include laptops, cameras and editing tools for Internet as well as on-air programming in all 20 cities.
This occurs just as other media outlets face staff cuts and shrinking budgets because of falling advertising revenue as their audiences switch from print to web-based reading access. The rise of these APJs (and their multimedia production) signals a new breed of journalism; one in which photographers — to speak solely of myself and my colleagues — must be able to write, record audio and/or video in addition to creating compelling visuals to produce true audiovisual stories1. It means being able to switch instantly from one mode (taking pictures) to another (recording audio/video) without losing the focus and ability to capture the moment and translate it later into a true piece incorporating multiple media. Basically, as devices converge (cell phones + cameras, iPods + internet + GPS, etc) so must the jobs of reporters.
So expect more multimedia work from this journalist. I can’t wait till the tide is upon me, it’s time to go ride the waves!
1 As my friend Hugo Infante has been saying for a while.
Gabriel "Morty" Ortega is a visual journalist.
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