Photo Credit: Wasim Ahmad
Pictured: Some students from JRN 380 looking suspiciously happy after an otherwise tough and taxing semester. (Also pictured is what I presume to be the future crop of 380 students who are currently in 320.)
No matter what grade I end up receiving (an A would be my first choice--if you're reading, Wasim), I will have walked away from JRN 380 not only as a survivor, but as a better videographer.
While we spend much of class learning about various aspects of online journalism including packages and infographics and the like, it would be remiss to say that video doesn't rank supreme. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it shouldn't be the only thing.
That being said, the ability to shoot video on the dSLRs was probably one of the best things about this course. As a student journalist, shooting on a Nikon made me feel as though I was on the cusp of cutting edge online journalism--corny, I know, but true nonetheless.
As far as content went, I liked how Wasim tried to continuously push the envelope in terms of getting us to think and shoot creatively--even if that meant lengthy class discussions on what does or does not constitute journalism (I, for one, was a more than active participant in these conversations so I suppose I am more than partly to blame for the duration of these arguments).
But the absolute best thing about this course was the fact that it offered that rare opportunity to think--about how and what we wanted to shoot, how creative or visual we wanted to be, and even pondering about what journalism is to us personally. And that's not something I personally come across in other journalism classes as of late.
As other students mentioned in previous posts, I was extremely lucky to have been familiar with Wasim's teaching style and expectations prior to 380. Having taken JRN 320 with Wasim provided me with the perfect primer for 380. However, I can also see how 380 can be a rude awakening for those unfamiliar with Wasim's particular 'brand' of online journalism (for lack of a better term).
If I had any regrets concerning this course, it would be with the content component of our stories. It's extremely easy to overemphasize drippy visuals when you're shooting on equipment that can make almost any naturally lit situation look luxurious. But what about the story? This class puts a high premium on style and as a result, the journalism inevitably suffers.
Did the course prepare me with the diverse set of skills I need to pursue a career in the online field? Absolutely. Did I feel as though I produced pieces that I cared about? More or less, yes. And in the end, that's what really matters.
You bring up an excellent point about the overemphasized drippy visuals of the camera and how the class does put too much of an emphasis on style, while the stories suffer. I think you also produce to very well done video pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe picture was also a nice touch! Nice photo Wasim!
ReplyDeleteEverybody coming into 380, not familiar with Wasim's teaching style in 320, were definitely lost without a paddle in the beginning. I would say that 320 was a bit harder than 380, but that's only because 380 felt like a continuation for me from last semester.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote written pieces that really complimented your videos. Video isn't everything, but it does rank as the most important over writing and photos, in my opinion. I honestly judge a news package based on the video, more so than other elements.
When it's online, I definitely judge news packages by the quality of the video as well, but I know there is also the type of person that tends to judge the overall quality by the story.
ReplyDeleteMy point is, no matter which type of person comes across your packages Jenny, they'll be impressed.
I like your title. Whether we wrote about it or not, I think that most of us endured some sort of internal struggle throughout this semester pertaining to our feelings about journalism. Nice to know it's normal.