Comments on: The elements of storytelling

By: Cindy Brown | Atlanta Wedding Photojournalist

Cindy Brown | Atlanta Wedding Photojournalist — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:48:21 +0000

Wonderful post. Made me think of a great radio story I heard on NPR lately. Those folks at All Things Considered sure know how to tell a story.

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/19/134682348/Separation-Anxiety-Taking-Cell-Phones-From-Teens

I’m sad to say that NPR ruined the surprise in the radio story when they posted it on their web page with a blurb under the play button that gives away the surprise.

If you’re interested, force yourself to hit the play button without reading the test underneath.

By: Teaching Online Journalism » Teaching about storytelling

Teaching Online Journalism » Teaching about storytelling — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:49:33 +0000

[...] The elements of storytelling [...]

By: Medial Digital» Neu RGMP Multimedia Tutorial » Serie Multimedia-Tutorial RGMP (12): Eine gute Geschichte in Bild und Ton erzählen

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:41:05 +0000

[...] Ken Speake, der fast 40 Jahre beim Fernsehen gearbeitet hat, sagt immer, dass ein Journalist, der sich von seiner Neugier leiten lässt, überall interessante Geschichten finden kann. Ken sieht die Welt fast wie ein Kind. Kleine Kinder fragen immerzu “Warum?” Das kann einen manchmal verrückt machen, wenn es um die banalsten Dinge geht. Wie geht das? Warum sieht das so aus? Was macht das? Warum steht der Mann auf einer Leiter? Wie ist er dahingekommen? Wohin geht er jetzt? [...]

By: Efficiency through storytelling at JMC 352

Efficiency through storytelling at JMC 352 — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:01:56 +0000

[...] I learned from Ken Speake, who worked in TV news for almost 40 years, was that a reporter who follows his curiosity can find [...]

By: Can I press rewind back to 2003? | News Videographer

Can I press rewind back to 2003? | News Videographer — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:53:08 +0000

[...] 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

Drew Geraets — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:06:44 +0000

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

Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Monday squibs — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:36:16 +0000

[...] 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

Mike Igoe — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:57:21 +0000

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

Alexandre Gamela — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:25:41 +0000

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

Nick Booth — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:43:39 +0000

Thanks Mindy – really useful post.