Leesburg Today started it out with a daily webcast about a month ago, and now The Loudoun Times Mirror responds with a weekly webcast of their own. Both papers go with their youngest female staffer as their prime anchor, with one sporting perpetually swaying mega-earrings and one sporting a plant growing out of the back of her head. Both productions have their hokey public access TV-style elements - Leesburg Today has an incredibly annoying too-long intro with bombastic music, and the LTM goes with a cheesy hand-off style of group reporting, complete with “now here’s ____” and “thanks _____” segueways.
All complaints aside, I do think both webcasts have great potential, especially for in-depth interviews, as I pointed out last week with the School Board members’ thoughts on the budget. Go check them out if you haven’t already and share your thoughts.
UPDATE: As pointed out in comments, the Loudoun Independent is doing video updates as well, and may have started the trend locally.
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Apr 20th by Loudoun Insider
The youngest female… interesting. Let’s use anything possible to get people to watch.
Ryan
on April 20th, 2009It’s probably less to do with using anything possible to get people to watch and more to do with the fact that no one else on the staff would be willing to embarass themselves like that.
Brian W. Schoeneman
on April 20th, 2009The LTM needs to follow Obama’s lead and get a teleprompter!
Loudoun Insider
on April 20th, 2009I don’t usually read the Independent but saw that they are doing daily web casts too. Here’s a link to an actual news package, a 5 minute story where they interviewed Eric Trump in NYC and Susan Buckley here in Loudoun about Trump coming to Loudoun. This was actually well done, IMO.
http://www.loudouni.com/news/2009-04-16/eric-trump-part-ii
Not Hanna Hager's Giggle
on April 20th, 2009Actually it was the Loudoun Independent that started all this and have had plenty of great interviews already, including John Brownlee and Jim Plowman and others.
CSR
on April 20th, 2009I just haven’t gotten to the point where I see the Independent as a legitimate contender to LT and LTM. However, those extensive video pieces by Amy Burns are very good. Some of this is of course my western Loudoun focus – I don’t think much about The Easterner either.
Loudoun Insider
on April 20th, 2009If they need a teleprompter, they should just use this: http://www.cueprompter.com/
No reason to go out and spend $6k on one when your computer screen works just fine.
Brian W. Schoeneman
on April 20th, 2009Yep the independent is the best and was the first and amy outshines the others.
Anonymous
on April 20th, 2009that was me on the above comment. don’t know why it went anonymous
Leej
on April 20th, 2009“Hey everyone, instead of doing some hard research and reporting, how about we make a vapid TEE VEE show?”
DO SOME REPORTING!
This saddens me. There are stories out there that provide opportunities for young journalist at a local level.
Important stories.
edmundburkenator
on April 20th, 2009Here are some thoughts…why spend all of this time and energy to read me the news. If you are going to get into video, you need lots and lots of b-roll and soundbites. I do not want to watch a a writer make a poor attempt to be an on-air personality. Show me something! Also, invest in some quality camera and editing equipment. If you say that is too expensive, then you are in the wrong field. Video is very expensive. The best option is to stay away from video and update your sites more often with actual more in-depth content. The LTM probably has the best producton value, but of the three (Leesburg Today and Loudoun Independent) they update their site the least.
Truthseekerva
on April 20th, 2009This has become increasingly popular with small market papers. My hometown paper has been doing one for month, if not a couple of years.
James Young
on April 20th, 2009I think it’s very funny that all three papers proclaim these vids some kind of groundbreaking ‘new media.’ Anybody ever heard of television?!?
None of them are worth watching; the sound, video, scripts and choice of stories are all amatuer at best.
Todd
on April 21st, 2009Brian, edmundburkenator, Truthseekerva, Todd and anyone else here who believes the video casts are “amateur,” “embarrassing” or a “poor attempt” at a different way of conveying the news- put your money where your mouth is. Consider making a donation to any of these newspapers. In this economy, I’m sure they could use the help. Perhaps then they could invest in the type of quality equipment and in-depth reporting apparently expected by commenters here. As it is, all three papers seem to be doing the best they can with the resources they have. This is Loudoun County local news, people- not the Today Show.
Liz
on April 21st, 2009Don’t take it too personal, Liz. I like the webcasts but just think they need a little work.
That said, don’t expect many donations!
Loudoun Insider
on April 21st, 2009Well I will put it this way as I know a little about film or TV making. It is about the delivery and how they tell the story, is what will make what they are trying to say. It is not about the equipment. If the reporter is boring it will come off boring no matter what equipment you use.
I am filming pilot for a TV sitcom at my home late this summer. And we are not using the best equipment in the world, but I do have incredible actors and actresses. And I want to shoot it with everyday digital cameras and sound so we can see how well they come off playing their roles. Then we will shoot it with serious professional equipment, if the pilot is picked up.
Steven Spielberg has said many times it is not the equipment or special effects it is first the story and the acting that makes a great movie. And he always watches and critiques his films first on the small old tv. If he is happy with that and enjoys the movie and scenes then he knows he has a winner.
My son in film and acting classes in college using just off the shelf mid range video equipment you can buy anyway where and has made some amazing short films from first a great story he his written to directing to special effects and he also usually acts in them .
Anyway in his dry boring computer class, he along with his paper he wrote about the history of the computer, also did a short film about the history of the computer which the professor and class said was absolutely amazing and he got the first double AA ever in that class and it was not even a film or acting class just a computer class.
Anyway I have seen some of these local videos and these reporters need to work on their delivery and presentation the equipment won’t matter on some of the videos I saw. Amy has been the best but needs to liven up a bit.
Leej
on April 21st, 2009It’s no skin off my nose, I assure you. I just think it’s unfair to assume these entities or the young women working for them have any control over what they’re expected by corporate bosses and editors to do, or any desire to be thrown into the world of online broadcasting, versus what they were ostensibly hired to do, which is write.
Because all revenue for these papers is advertising-based, they’re throwing out every gimmick they can to attract advertisers, and these videos are just one example.
Of course, you’d think they’d want to offer potential clients an outstanding product in which to showcase their business and thus invest a bit in the project- but that’s the Catch-22. If you don’t have enough money coming in from ads, you don’t have capital to invest- if you don’t think of something snazzy to attract clients, they won’t spend money on ads.
Liz
on April 21st, 2009Man, Liz, why so touchy???
Loudoun Insider
on April 21st, 2009I’ve been assuming that Liz is Liz Coe, host of the LTM webcast. But this may not be the case. The two Liz comments are from separate IPs.
Loudoun Insider
on April 21st, 2009Hey everyone, just so you know I am Liz Coe(Elizabeth Coe) the girl in the video, and interesting discussion I must say, but none of the above comments are me! I appreciate all the feedback though we just launched this video thing and are trying to figure out how to make it work!!! Thanks
Liz Coe
on April 21st, 2009See what I get for assuming!
Now, who is the one sowing the deception? I have a clue, and it is very interesting!
Loudoun Insider
on April 21st, 2009Liz Coe,
I for one love the earrings. Don’t let LI pressure you to change your style!!!!!
Loudoun MIddle Man
on April 21st, 2009A big Welcome to the real Liz Coe
You soon learn who to trust here and not, but overall this is mostly a tough but good group.
Anyway keep up the video news. I really like this new media addition to our local papers. I am sure you will find your way. And if you ever watch some of our big news casters today and then go back and look how they looked and talked when they first started you wonder how some of them made it and evolved into great on air personalities they are today. Can’t wait to see you anchoring a major network news show in the near future.
Leej
on April 21st, 2009Seems I’ve created a bit of confusion- indeed, I am not Liz Coe. Whenever I comment locally, I go by this shortened version of my middle name.
My apologies to the real Liz Coe! I meant no offense and honestly, it didn’t even occur to me some may have thought my comments attributable to you.
Because I know LI is obviously a savvy media professional, I’m sure he’s figured out from whence these thoughts come, which is fine.
My point in all of this is that each of these local papers is going through their own set of problems, trying to find solutions, just like everyone else these days. What they need are constructive suggestions (some are offered here) rather than cheeky criticisms.
I have no doubt those who frequent LI are a “tough but good group,” as Leej points out. Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel comfortable voicing my thoughts here- by middle, first or last name, in any case.
Liz
on April 21st, 2009Liz, I won’t “put my money where my mouth is,” because these vid reports have no value whatsoever. I have seen all three and can’t think of any reason to watch them again. They appear to just be the brainstorm of some very small brains who think having this stuff read into a webcam ads some value. It doesn’t. It’s a waste of bandwidth and a waste of time. Reading the Sheriff’s Office’s blotter in a dull monotone into a webmic doesn’t interest people. The Independent might draw a few return visits because the intern there goes almost topless, but there is NO news value here.
And, again, there’s nothing “new media” about it at all. It’s the same thing we’ve all been able to access on television for decades. It’s the same thing that’s been available on other news sites for years. The difference is that those sources knew what they were doing.
Todd
on April 21st, 2009Liz, my intention was not to disparage the pseudo anchors (I guess I did it again!). I really meant to question why the people who run the local papers are attempting these video projects at all? We know the local papers were struggling even before the recession and are way understaffed. Why put this extra burden on your reporters. To make the video succesful the reporters will likely be asked to taken ob even more duties. The key for all three is to get more b-roll (on-scene video). If you are talking about a house fire, show the burning house. If you didn’t make it on time, show the aftermath. As I stated above, I don’t need someone to read me a watered down version of a news story. Video is a visual medium. Ms. Coe, Ms. Bartram and Ms. Burns are pleasant on screen, but they need to offer more to the viewers.
TruthSeekerVA
on April 21st, 2009Liz (not Coe) I am no media professional – I just play one in the blogosphere! You’re always welcome to chime in here on any topic.
Todd and truthseeker, I think there is potential here – we need to let things play out a bit. I don’t really need the video of the burning house to get the gist of the story, but it would be interesting to see. I think the real value lies not so much in background footage as it does in providing more in-depth interviews with those in the news. I think The Independent is way ahead on that one, but I did like the extra SB member interviews on LT. LTM is the newest to this medium and will hopefully pick it up a notch.
Loudoun Insider
on April 21st, 2009I’m not Liz (Coe or otherwise), nor do I play her on TV. Web 2.0/Rich Media, etc. – just a progression. Video feeds will continue to increasingly appear on web sites. I think the women (or men) who serve as anchors will do just fine. Some people will like it – some won’t. It really doesn’t matter – this is where things are headed.
Beyond that, just a quick SHOUT OUT to Leej – Leej – I strongly recommend that you create a cameo role for LI in the home movie pilot that you are producing this summer.
Ben Dover
on April 21st, 2009Ben, my old friend! Good to see you, digitally speaking.
I hope Lee isn’t stealing my Loudoun TV series idea. I still need to finish up the casting on that.
Loudoun Insider
on April 21st, 2009Hey Ben good to hear from you, it has been awhile.
Of course Ben, LI can even have a re occurring role. As a matter of fact my wife said you and LI had the only real exciting personalities at the beer bust you threw after the election. ha ha ha And I need to get a role for you too, Ben.
Perhaps we can do a scene like a road trip from my place over to the brew pub with both you two in it. Recreate the exciting version of the beer bust, although we need to find other actors to play some of the other personalities that were there, as a few are real duds in real life, compared to how they act here in secrecy. ha ha ha I can think of two right off hand.
Don’t worry LI you can have Loudoun. My potential TV series is nothing like the craziness that goes on here locally.
Leej
on April 21st, 2009Liz Coe
It’s not your fault. I understand you are doing what you are told to do. It’s just that what you are told to do is one of the reasons that newpapers (and journalism) is in trouble.
LI does better research than LTM or LT.
Here are some questions for you…
How did the school site selection process become what it is? Where are they doing it better? Why does it take so long to make changes in the process? Who disagrees with changes and why? How supports change and why?
I have a list of other topics, but really, that’s your managing editor’s job.
Produce a good product. People will read it. People will then advertise in it. Profit.
edmundburkenator
on April 21st, 2009GIve these girls a break, they are underpaid and in an industry that is just trying to stay afloat.
p.s. I knew the original “Liz” statement did not come from Liz Coe when I saw the word “ostensibly”.
Evanescence
on April 22nd, 2009Did anyone else see the LoCo reference that the Loudoun Independent is being bankrolled by none other than the infamous, M.C. Dean?
BlackOut
on April 24th, 2009I thought M.C. Dean was a company… and if he’s a person and not a company, why is he infamous?
Elizabeth (not a Liz)
on May 1st, 2009i think they are desperate for readers/watchers and are willing to do anything to stay afloat. i don’t read the papers, i will not watch their ridiculous productions and encourage their narcissistic effort to gain market share. what a joke. especially the one with the blond hair extensions. what on earth!
i consider loudoun a pretty cool place and they cheapen our street cred. we look like a bunch of country bumpkins that just discovered sliced bread.
anyway, either get the production quality up to national standard or don’t do it. also, companies are buying these struggling local papers and keeping the same people to run them. hello??? if they didn’t suck, why are they all filing for bankruptcy.
just a thought.
saucy
on May 28th, 2009