Dubai
There can be no doubt whatsoever that video has become a key ingredient of any storytelling experience in newsrooms and to catch the viewers’ eye. The question is, do all stories deserve an online video?
According to the US Public Broadcasting Service, online publications should avoid doing video just for the sake of it. The need then is to identify what is most suitable for an online audience — stories that are local with human and community approaches could have a video support, as can breaking news where a good visual can add colour to the text. Videos allow a creative experience by using sounds, motion graphics, text and mixed images.
“I’m looking for something that carries emotion … what I don’t want is a video that tells the same story as the text. I want a video that helps you understand the story in a way that text doesn’t,” says Daniel Gawloski of the Seattle Times.
Online video is different from broadcast TV, as online newspapers cater to a specific audience and do so in a distinctive style. Television in comparison is designed for mass appeal and intended for everyone’s taste.
Some tips for online video development in newsrooms:
Take advantage of the “on-demand” time. Videos can be seen according to the readers’ free time, and that’s make it very convenient for viewers.
There is no “magic length” — for video-based news stories — that readers like. Short and funny video clips seem to become ever more viral, but if the content is interesting, long format documentaries should not be ignored.
Short videos can be more effective to attract users and increase traffic. But high-quality, long-form video can retain audience and develop a video revenue stream.
Experts now advice that it is better to think of how to produce a good video than be focused on revenue. Online videos are here to stay and will be integral to a news organisation’s business strategy.
