just perfect
I am almost always asked to show an example of what I consider a ‘great piece’.
I am reluctant to do this because video covers such a wide spectrum that to pick one is to eliminate the others.
Also, I rarely see a piece I consider so good – I almost always see the flaws.
Every once in a while however, one comes along that I feel compelled to share with the rest of you.
This is one of those.
This is by Michelle Michael
She was the NPPA’s Videographer of the Year, and deserves it.
She began her career working as a Videojournalist for the US Army in Germany and now lives and works in Ohio.
Take a look at the piece. Then watch it again.
It has all the elements we strive for.
Note the camera work. She never moves the camera. The piece is really a series of lovely stills. She has a great eye.
But it is also character driven. He’s a simple person but she captures his personality beautifully. It isnt’ dominated by soundbites or interviews. The visuals tell the story.
And there’s a great arc of story.
It has all the elements we strive for.
Just beautiful.
4 Comments
John D September 15, 2011
Looking forward to it Michael!
Odds are good we can grab a quick moment during your busy schedule to share a smile or two! 😉
Michael Rosenblum September 15, 2011
This is from Michelle Michael:
Michael, John,
I appreciate you sharing my work with the mases, however, I would like to share my thoughts on the “discussion” that was more of a “bashing.”
Being involved in NPPA, I very much take pride in a very high standard of ethics. For the record, I am not in this business for the glory. I am not in the business of “directing” either. I look to NPPA for the mentors–just as you did, John. AND…I have many MANY mentors in the organization. It IS an organization w ith values. Noone can take that away!
I have very thick skin, but this blog just made me sick to my stomach. To suggest I directed “Bob” to do anything for the story is sickening. The “moments” I captured, were just that. They were real moments, captured on camera honestly. Bob was not an actor.
Of course I did not get all 24 notes –and all those shots–once.
Taps is played at the 11th hour. Bob was so nervous he began practicing at 9. Is it wrong that I used my time wisely, and recorded him while he rehearsed? I think not. I work smart. I think on my feet.
Be turned off by any of my stories if you wish. However, please ask for the facts before you try to make me into something I am not. I tell stories because it’s my passion. I submit them for awards, because at the end of a contest year, I understand what worked…and why.
BTW, I did not win solo video journalist of the year for this story.
John D September 13, 2011
I agree with you Michael.
Very nice.
But…the reality is this was not exactly “real”.
Twenty four notes? She got all those shots, all those angles, while he played those 24 notes once?
How many times did she have him stand there and play them? Or did he even play them? Just stand and look like he was blowing on the bugle while she got all those shots? Because it’s so obvious the man did his “thing” over and over for Michelle, it brings into question all the video. Did he really walk over and put his hand on the headstone like that or was he told where to walk and what to do?
Again, a very pretty story with a wonderful message. A good man doing a good thing.
However I doubt Michelle went out there and captured “reality”. She made a movie with a willing actor. She got to be Cecil B. DeMille for a day…and she did very well.
Yes, a real interview with his real thoughts. It just looks like yet again someone very heavily invested in the National Press Photographer’s Association went overboard and became a movie director instead of a journalist capturing real moments.
I think there WERE real moments there. But which ones? Without a doubt…not all of them. And that’s where I get a little turned off.
Well shot, well composed, well edited and written. A great feature story and I have no doubt it got notice form the NPPA. For this very reason, the NPPA has fallen from grace with so many long time news photographers. They should be honest and take the “press” out of the group’s name.
But it’s a good story to watch and learn from.
Michael Rosenblum September 15, 2011
Interesting insight, which makes me think a lot.
BTW I am going to be in Miami the weekend of Oct 2 if you’re in town.