Comments on: The elements of storytelling http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/ Notes from the classroom and observations about today's practice of journalism online Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:00:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Can I press rewind back to 2003? | News Videographer http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-9108 Can I press rewind back to 2003? | News Videographer Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:53:08 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-9108 [...] Mindy McAdams makes me wish I could press the “rewind” button on my life back to 2003. That’s the year I got serious about school and went back to college full time. I would have decided to go to the University of Florida so I could have her as my journalism professor so that I could take advantage of learning opportunities like this one. [...] [...] Mindy McAdams makes me wish I could press the “rewind” button on my life back to 2003. That’s the year I got serious about school and went back to college full time. I would have decided to go to the University of Florida so I could have her as my journalism professor so that I could take advantage of learning opportunities like this one. [...]

]]> By: Drew Geraets http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-9025 Drew Geraets Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:06:44 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-9025 I was fortunate enough to grow up in Minnesota watching great storytellers like Ken Speake and <a href="http://www.kare11.com/news/investigative/extras/stories.aspx" rel="nofollow">Boyd Huppert</a>. In an age of self-promotion, both of these guys knew how to weave tasteful stand-ups and voice-overs into a story without any ego. They never got in the way. And sometimes that's just as important as the other stuff. I was fortunate enough to grow up in Minnesota watching great storytellers like Ken Speake and Boyd Huppert. In an age of self-promotion, both of these guys knew how to weave tasteful stand-ups and voice-overs into a story without any ego. They never got in the way. And sometimes that’s just as important as the other stuff.

]]> By: Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Monday squibs http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8998 Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Monday squibs Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:36:16 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8998 [...] The elements of storytelling. Mindy McAdams recaps a presentation by journalist Ken Speake, which contains all sorts of vital advice for storytelling. (And yes, I am being a bit mischievous in putting this squib right after the on above.) [...] [...] The elements of storytelling. Mindy McAdams recaps a presentation by journalist Ken Speake, which contains all sorts of vital advice for storytelling. (And yes, I am being a bit mischievous in putting this squib right after the on above.) [...]

]]> By: Mike Igoe http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8951 Mike Igoe Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:57:21 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8951 Hi Mindy, I worked with Ken Speake at KARE TV for 5 1/2 years. Im glad both you and your class got the opportunity to not only see his work but also chat with him about it. You've hit on all the things that make him an outstanding storyteller. I'd like to add another. One of Ken's strongest traits is that he always remains flexible and doesn't get locked into a preconceived idea about what the story is. He always looks for that little extra something that makes the story different and more interesting. That's especially important in today's news climate. As an example, one of the reporters at my station was once chided by a veteran producer for "not bringing back the story that was discussed at the morning meeting". He matter of factly told her that was not the story that was actually there. Still, the producer persisted. When he asked her if she wanted him to make something up,THEN she backed down. That's one of the biggest challenges nowadays-not to fall into the "cookie cutter" trap. Unfortuantely some of the people making newscast decisions are too deeply imbedded in this mode. So it becomes a real challenege when you "dare to be different"..especially on some of the perennial stories that appear again and again on a newscast. (Save us all from boring snow coverage stories!) Ken Speake should be used as a texbook example of the way to approach stories and how to produce them with emotion and impact. Mike Igoe Consumer Reporter WGRZ TV Buffalo, N.Y. Hi Mindy,

I worked with Ken Speake at KARE TV for 5 1/2 years. Im glad both you and your class got the opportunity to not only see his work but also chat with him about it.

You’ve hit on all the things that make him an outstanding storyteller. I’d like to add another.

One of Ken’s strongest traits is that he always remains flexible and doesn’t get locked into a preconceived idea about what the story is. He always looks for that little extra something that makes the story different and more interesting.

That’s especially important in today’s news climate. As an example, one of the reporters at my station was once chided by a veteran producer for “not bringing back the story that was discussed at the morning meeting”. He matter of factly told her that was not the story that was actually there. Still, the producer persisted. When he asked her if she wanted him to make something up,THEN she backed down.

That’s one of the biggest challenges nowadays-not to fall into the “cookie cutter” trap. Unfortuantely some of the people making newscast decisions are too deeply imbedded in this mode. So it becomes a real challenege when you “dare to be different”..especially on some of the perennial stories that appear again and again on a newscast. (Save us all from boring snow coverage stories!)

Ken Speake should be used as a texbook example of the way to approach stories and how to produce them with emotion and impact.

Mike Igoe
Consumer Reporter
WGRZ TV
Buffalo, N.Y.

]]> By: Alexandre Gamela http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8928 Alexandre Gamela Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:25:41 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8928 Awesome post, one of my favorites for the last few months. I hate to do daily, regular news journalism, even if they make 90% of the total work.I worked a few years ago for a health theme channel, and i was in charge of a program dedicated to senior citizens, the elderly, people with truly a lifetime of experiences and stories to tell. I learned a lot listening to them, and had my trouble when my cameraman once stopped taping at the middle of an interview to get cut shots- he was all news drilled. The moment was lost. And you're right, all journalists must be curious, and see beyond the surface. Curiosity and the will to understand are essential to do this well. But the job too many times forces you to go only skin deep on the subjects. It's painful to see reporters asking questions that follow an agenda, that pretend to provoke more news than to explain what is really going on.But that's the business. And i wonder if journalism students read books at all. There's no better way to learn how to tell a story than by reading good books. No distractions caused by special effects or directors gimmicks, just words. The other skill i find to be fundamental in a journalist is listening. But seldom i saw a journalist that preferred to listen to others than to talk about himself. Awesome post, one of my favorites for the last few months. I hate to do daily, regular news journalism, even if they make 90% of the total work.I worked a few years ago for a health theme channel, and i was in charge of a program dedicated to senior citizens, the elderly, people with truly a lifetime of experiences and stories to tell. I learned a lot listening to them, and had my trouble when my cameraman once stopped taping at the middle of an interview to get cut shots- he was all news drilled. The moment was lost.
And you’re right, all journalists must be curious, and see beyond the surface. Curiosity and the will to understand are essential to do this well. But the job too many times forces you to go only skin deep on the subjects.
It’s painful to see reporters asking questions that follow an agenda, that pretend to provoke more news than to explain what is really going on.But that’s the business.
And i wonder if journalism students read books at all. There’s no better way to learn how to tell a story than by reading good books. No distractions
caused by special effects or directors gimmicks, just words. The other skill i find to be fundamental in a journalist is listening. But seldom i saw a journalist that preferred to listen to others than to talk about himself.

]]> By: Nick Booth http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8924 Nick Booth Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:43:39 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8924 Thanks Mindy - really useful post. Thanks Mindy - really useful post.

]]> By: Mindy http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8923 Mindy Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:00:52 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8923 @David: I am asking myself these same questions. I think it absolutely is possible to nurture curiosity in a young journalist. But for those who show no sign of curiosity, or even caring about the world outside their immediate surroundings, I despair. Is it too late? I hope it is never too late. But I don't know of a way to light that fire without at least a warm ember to blow on. @David: I am asking myself these same questions.

I think it absolutely is possible to nurture curiosity in a young journalist. But for those who show no sign of curiosity, or even caring about the world outside their immediate surroundings, I despair.

Is it too late? I hope it is never too late. But I don’t know of a way to light that fire without at least a warm ember to blow on.

]]> By: David Poulson http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8921 David Poulson Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:32:47 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8921 I love this post because it has nothing to do with technology. Rather than nurture curiosity, there are times that I think we drum it out of our students. They come to us pumped and sometimes leave us drained of enthusiasm from covering too many meetings, speeches, events. That said, can you teach curiosity? I think you can nurture it. And I think you can extinguish it. And you might be able to spot its lack and encourage that student to pursue another career. But if it's not there, is it too late to instill it? I love this post because it has nothing to do with technology.
Rather than nurture curiosity, there are times that I think we drum it out of our students. They come to us pumped and sometimes leave us drained of enthusiasm from covering too many meetings, speeches, events.
That said, can you teach curiosity? I think you can nurture it. And I think you can extinguish it. And you might be able to spot its lack and encourage that student to pursue another career.
But if it’s not there, is it too late to instill it?

]]> By: Kate Martin http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8920 Kate Martin Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:04:04 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8920 Now you have me wondering too! I saw the barn swallow piece a year or so ago. It's neat to know some of the backstory to it. Thanks for the post. Now you have me wondering too! I saw the barn swallow piece a year or so ago. It’s neat to know some of the backstory to it. Thanks for the post.

]]> By: Mindy http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8919 Mindy Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:46:31 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/the-elements-of-storytelling/#comment-8919 Sorry, Aaron, I don't want to give it away. His former station, KARE-11, could be making a mint if they had his stories online, but they do not. (Like most TV news operations, they don't really understand online video.) To read more about Ken, see: https://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=118472 If you ever get the chance to see him present, ask him to show the "attach arm" story. Sorry, Aaron, I don’t want to give it away. His former station, KARE-11, could be making a mint if they had his stories online, but they do not. (Like most TV news operations, they don’t really understand online video.)

To read more about Ken, see:

https://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=118472

If you ever get the chance to see him present, ask him to show the “attach arm” story.

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