Social Media and Social Change Blogging, Compositional Guidelines, Interview Tips

Blogging for change What ? Why ? – With examples How ?

What ? Web + log = blog Form of self publishing Individual and collective Multimedia (text, video, image, links) Post in reverse chronological order Utilize interactivity – comments, pings, trackbacks Bias is transparent Subject can be about anything - war, politics, culture Free (blogging services -wordpress, blogger, livejournal)

Why ? visibly engaging platform expressive forms of communication participation and social interaction community building (blogroll) give voice, freedom of opinion and expression

Blogging and Journalism Quick and responsive to current events - blogs break stories Focus attention on small stories until they catch on – “dig up the lead” as opposed to “burying the lead” Unconstrained by journalistic conventions like good taste, accountability, objectivity – Unabashedly biased (honest, direct, opinionated) Invert hierarchies of MSM (become legitimate sources)

Example: Global Voices OnlineGlobal Voices Online (click through link) – International blogging network (over 200 bloggers) Bridgebloggers -making bridges between languages and cultures Work closely with MSM – Supplementary rather than oppositional to traditional press

How ?: getting a blog Go to the website Click on the orange button “Sign up now” Fill out form (user name, password, address) – Check box “Legal Flotsam” – Check box “Gimme a blog!” Click “Next”

How ? (part 2) Choose blog domain name – e.g.,reallycoolclass.wordpress.com Choose blog title – e.g., reallycoolclass Click “Sign Up”

How ? (part 2) Choose a blog domain name

Go to address to activate blog

How ? (part 2 cont.) Go to worpress.com Sign in (with user name and password) You'll see this drop down menu – click “my blog”

Ta da!

How ? (part 3) create content Add a new post (you can also edit first post)

Part 4 (optional) invite friends Go to dashboard

Part 4 (optional) invite friends User>Invites

Part 4 (optional) invite friends Select “add user as contributor” (later change role to editor)

Using Video for change “Powerful images and stories have unrivaled candid authority that can help prompt awareness, concern and action.” Example: Witness (click through)Witness

Composition Basics Different types of shots Establishing Close -ups Composition Rule of thirds Foreground/background (depth) Framing for interviews (balance) Headroom Noseroom

Establishing Shot

p. 2

p. 3

Different types of shots

XLS

LS

MS

MCU

CU

ECU

Rule of Thirds

p. 2

p. 3

F and B

p. 2

p. 3

p. 4

p. 5

Head Room

p. 2

p. 3

p. 4

HR rule of thirds

p. 2

p. 3

NoseRoom

p.1

p.2

p. 3

p. 4

Examples Cincylight Donde Yo Vivi

Interview tips See handout Shot sheet (posted to wiki)