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Nice video storytelling from KARE

Reviewer

Eric Seals May 3, 2011, 4:45 p.m. permalink

I don't know who the videographer was who shot this piece (perhaps Jonathan Malet) but Boyd Huppert who is a master at this stuff reported and wrote the script for it. It's a really nice job of storytelling about a tiny earthquake that happened in a tiny town in Minnesota. Check it out, what do you think??

I love the start "The wind is an old friend in Alexandria. But at 2:20 Friday morning a stranger knocked."

Great nat sound, pauses, interviewing, editing.

Here is the link to the video, worth checking out

http://www.kare11.com/news/article/921229/391/Earthquake-is-talk-of-the-town-in-Alexandria-

Love that it's a piece obviously done after the fact but so good in my opinion.

Eric

Reviewer

David Brooks May 3, 2011, 5:35 p.m. permalink

I like this. It's edited so clean and for a story with not much in visuals it is very successful. This is a good example of creative and experienced story-tellers taking an average assignment and making it great. I can admit that I could not have done this, my biggest obstacle now would be me. I would have had a tough time motivating myself to shoot something with no REAL visuals. But this soars with the strength of the quotes and reactions along with an energetic voice over. Thanks for the link Eric. Now I have to get back to work and edit.

Reviewer

Eric Seals May 3, 2011, 5:47 p.m. permalink

Totally agree with you David. I watched and was just wowed about what little they had to work with but still turned shit into shine.

These guys set the bar so high. I really loved Boyd's narration and script writing as well that just kept the piece moving along and kept me hooked the whole time.

Next year I want to attend the NPPA Advance Storytelling Workshop, Boyd and Jonathan are on faculty there and we were lucky enough to fly them down for two full days to do a mini-workshop at the Detroit Free Press. I still have my many notes from their talks to us and refer to them often.

Reviewer

Colin Mulvany May 8, 2011, 4:09 p.m. permalink

I've been showing Boyd's videos to my Intro to Documentary Class lately. We break down each edit, narration sound bite and look at the use of natural sound. The bottom line here is the writing. You're right Eric, that opening line just sucks you into the story.