A presentation given by Patrick Johnson, adviser at Antioch Community High School in Antioch, Illinois, to students at the JEA China summer 2017 conference at Duke Kunshan University in Kunshan, China. Uploaded with permission.

1. MOBILE VIDEO
JOURNALISM

2. yes… all of this can be
done with just your
phone

3. shooting video
• Rule of thirds
• Landscape lines in the lower third;
• keep focal points on horizontal + vertical
intersections
• Use the rule of thirds feature on your phone (you
can turn it on and off on your camera)

4. framing: the rule of thirds

5. shooting video
• Leading lines (watch the nose and where it faces)
• Horizontal
• Be stable (tripod or monopod help; if not, brace with your
fingers and hold with your elbows)
• Start early, go late (applies to all parts of this profession)

6. using audio
Two ways:
1. On-camera interviews which fade into b-roll and
voice over (must use rule of thirds)
2. Direct voice over using your voice or an interview
• 2-3 sentences
• Include 2-3 facts you found out about the
story

7. your interview
• TELL ME
• Say your name and spell it
• Where we are
• What’s happening
• What you know about this topic
• A follow up on something they just said to dig deeper
• Anything else you would like to add

8. b-roll
• non-interview
• Oftentimes environment to set scene or emotion, track
movement
• Meant to advance a story and is usually accompanied by
a voice over
• Do not record fewer than 10 seconds

9. five is the magic number
THE SEQUENCE (w/o on-screen interviews included)
1. Wide Shot (full frame/environmental; ex: a group
walking down a hallway)
2. Medium Shot (focused on a subject and action; ex: a
teacher working with a student w/o full environment)
3. Tight Shot (another name for a close up)
4. Medium Shot
5. Wide Shot

10. a story is still a story
• You still need a beginning, a middle and an end
• Video storytelling follows the same structure as the
written piece; it just includes moving images instead of
stationary words
• Engage, sustain, emote
• Three minutes is a really long time; 30 seconds to two
minutes is good as gold

11. tips
• Motion = Emotion
• Make sure to record each shot for at least 10 seconds
• Try not to record inanimate objects; find movement or
action
• Utilize the rule of thirds for both b-roll and on-camera
interviews

12. let’s practice
• Find a new friend who you are going to practice the
five-shot sequence (Wide-Medium-Tight-Medium-
Wide)
• Tell the story of that person (who is he/she) using five
shots and, if possible, try a voice over helping us to
meet your new friend.
• My students are here to help

13. for tomorrow
• Everyone should report, as well as take photos and video
• Respond to the prompt you were provided—New Humans of
Shanghai (no tourists or people who lived here their whole lives)
—and use the requirements provided (2-3 minutes, maximum).
• Use the reporting tips to report; the writing and caption tips to
write your captions for your photo gallery and subtitles and
credits for your video; the video tips to shoot video (1080, as
required).
• The American students are a part of your group to help you edit
and guide the process of producing your multimedia packages
(they’re reporting about your reporting while you’re reporting)

14. for tonight
• You will be with your team for your multimedia journalism projects—plan for what you want
to accomplish tomorrow.
• What is your story going to be about in 25 words or less (the angle)?
• Who are the faces of the story (who are the people that will make or break your story
tomorrow; anticipate need)?
• What additional sources are you going to want to look for or need to prepare for
your trip? What will you need when you’re there.
• Define roles for production.
• Use your faculty adviser for guidance and advice (we are also doing critiques on your
investigative projects); your American student is an exceptional resource to plan and guide.
• See your page on Global Student Square for the reporting/writing, photo and video tips.
www.globalstudentsquare.org/jea-china/ (and use your password)