Extra! Read all about it..

Newspapers are pretty easy to understand.

At least, the way they gather the news.

If you have ever worked at a newspaper you understand immediately how it works.

“Here’s the pencil. There’s the door. See you at 6.”

It’s fast, cheap and efficient.

When we moved the Star Ledger to video, we made sure to take that culture of fast, cheap and efficient with us.

Newspaper reporters don’t spend a lot of time waiting around for the crew. They are already at the story. But instead of taking a pencil, they’re taking a small video camera. (In this case, a Sony A1U). And here’s what they’re bringing back (at least at the Star Ledger).

[blip.tv ?posts_id=1110803&dest=-1] [blip.tv ?posts_id=1106997&dest=-1] [blip.tv ?posts_id=1114223&dest=-1]
Michael Rosenblum

For more than 35 years, Michael Rosenblum has been on the cutting edge of the digital video journalism revolution. During this time, he has lead a drive for video literacy, and the complete rethinking of how television is made and controlled. His work has included: The complete transitioning of The BBC's national network (UK) to a VJ-driven model, starting in 2002. The complete conversion of The Voice of America, the United State's Government's broadcasting agency, (and the largest broadcaster in the world), from short wave radio to television broadcasting and webcasting using the VJ paradigm (1998-present). The construction of NYT Television, a New York Times Company, and the largest producer of non-fiction television in the US. Rosenblum was both the founder and President of NYT TV, (all based on this paradigm (1996-1998). The President and Founder of Video News International, a global VJ-driven newsgathering company, with more than 100 journalists around the world. (1993-1996). Other clients include Spectrum News, Verizon and CBS News.

6 Comments
  • Cliff Etzel July 24, 2008

    I thought it was impossible not to get stunning pictures from a balloon…

    So true Stephen – I use to shoot the local balloon festival back in the mid 80’s when shooting stills – shot with a 17mm and 200 f/2.8 lens and got beautiful images when up close with that low in the horizon sunlight – they use to launch right at sunrise – how could you not get great content???

    Then again, as you said, still a ways to go, but it’s getting better.

  • pencilgod July 24, 2008

    Some better shooting, still a long way to go but more importantly where is the journalism?

    We used to have a national camera award over here that for three years running was won by whichever cameraman was assigned to the yearly ballooning story. It became a bit of a joke amongst the shooters.
    I thought it was impossible not to get stunning pictures from a balloon… congratulations you proved me wrong 😉

  • Cliff Etzel July 24, 2008

    These are excellent examples of newsworthy content to a typical small to mid sized community – anyone who states otherwise is sadly mistaken.

  • Lance July 24, 2008

    Very nice work. Lots of nat sound and let the subject tell the story. Good job.

  • chirax July 24, 2008

    Would love to be a video Blogger. Now even more.

  • Kevin July 24, 2008

    Sweet and simple. It’s a crime to overproduce. These are great examples of how even videobloggers could produce great videos fast.