So by now we've all gotten used to the concept of using video to tell a story, but how does that concept change when you put video online? Simple answer; it doesn't.
Using video online does not have to be a frightening concept as evidenced by the myriad of online stories that have a video component to them. Take the Los Angeles Times for instance. This newspaper puts out stories each day in its print edition that were written with absolutely no video in mind. When loaded to the internet, however, the original print story is changed and transformed to encompass some sort of video that keeps the web site's visitors clicking and staying on the web page. A prime example is seen with today's print edition of the Los Angeles Times with the story "Tenative bailout deal is reached." This story was run in the paper and posted in the online edition with the addition of video, charts, and links sending browsers to other places on the Times' web page and keeping them clicking.
Video and the Downtown Art Walk
The video that I will be including in my blog posts about the Downtown Art Walk will run as a news brief in addition to the text that describes and details the Art Walk as an event. The video will serve as a visual component to the editorial description as it does with most online news pieces. This particular addition will have the basics of a regular news packge: plenty of B-Roll with voice over to tell the audience details of what the story is about.
Since the Art Walk is a visual story the video will include pictures of not only the event itself but some of the pieces featured in the galleries themselves. This will give the online news consumers a better picture of what the event is about, literally.
Making or Breaking it with Online Video
It's easy to get caught up with all the outlets that online journalism has to offer, which unfortunately, leaves more room for error and disorganization. To make it with online video, it's important to remember the following:
- Keep it short and sweet: Online news consumers are scanners, they won't read the full story, they're not going to watch the entire video.
- Make the video relevant: nothing is more irritating than clicking on a video that you have to search for the connection to the news story.
- Keep it simple: Online video should be direct, you only keep your browser's attention span for so long, make the most of the time with simple, easy to follow video
Although following these simple rules may seem like common sense, some news sites, still manage to lose track of these warnings. If the video is so good it's a must use, try taking the USA Today approach, and have it stand alone. Who has time to read copy and watch video anyway?
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