Now This...

1. How would De Palma, Haggis and the others quoted in the story define the truth?

*I believe De Palma, Haggis and the others would define truth as being "what really happened". While I agree with them that the truth should depict the facts of what actually occurred, I do not believe that the truth has to be presented as a shocking feature story or film.

2. How do they documentary filmmakers go about seeking the truth (however they define it)?

*Many of them get there information from the internet. De Palma told reporters: "It's all out there on the Internet, you can find it if you look for it, but it's not in the major media. The media is now really part of the corporate establishment."He told reporters: "It's all out there on the Internet, you can find it if you look for it, but it's not in the major media. The media is now really part of the corporate establishment."

3. What marketplace pressures make it difficult to tell the truth?

*The market is not profitable when it comes to documentaries. People don't want to watch a documentary, they want to see an action film or a sappy love story. People are more interested in the truth when they watch the news, not when sitting down to enjoy a film.

Truth

When you don't know whether people are telling you the truth or not, what affirmative steps can you take to ensure accuracy, objectivity and fairness?

*Ask Questions!!! Don't be afraid to talk to people. If you unsure of something, ask for clarification. If you never get a straight answer, don't publish it. Never publish assumptions, opinions, or anything that cannot be verified through a credible source. Cross-examine everything, and ask mulitple sources about one issue.

My old city editor used to say, "Pete, if your dear old white-haired grandmother tells you she loves you, don't believe her! Check it out!" Is that a reasonable attitude?

*I think it is extremely reasonable, and necessary in today's society. People are not honest, some just want fame and money, and will say anything to see their name in print. I believe you should investigate everything. If it's true, great, but find out for yourself so that you know for sure!

What other steps can you take? What would Don Murray (author of the little green book that won't go away) recommend? What do you recommend?

*Ask questions, research and investigate, and always ask mutiple sources~!

Journaling on Steve Lopez

Unfortunately, this story had already been deleted by the time I went to the website. However, after reading through some of the other student's blogs, I came up with a few opinions of my own. Lopez used two narrative techniques in this story that proved to be successful in that many of the students recognized his use of them. The first is that of character. He introduced his audience to each of the characters, and thoroughly explained each one. He used very descriptive words that helped the audience to envision what each character was really like. Some of the quotes he used to describe his characters are as follows: "Ten-year-old Danny White, red-haired and freckled, was riding his skateboard while his mother walked a friend's dog."Ron Dobson was on the corner after a day of revisions on a screenplay, enjoying the feel of the afternoon sun on his face, eyes closed and head tilted back."Myra Crowe was on her way to a ballet class for one of her three kids, all of whom were in her Honda Pilot as she headed out of her town house driveway and onto Palisades Circle at the very moment Danny approached."
Another narrative technique Lopez used was dramatic action. Through the use of dramatic action, he made the story come to life. In reading his story, the audience was able to picture in their minds what was happening in the story. An example of the dramatice action Lopez used is, "The car wasn't going very fast as it approached the intersection, but Dobson wondered how long Danny could hold on. It was like a scene out of a movie -- this young child pulling off what looked like an impossible stunt, using all his strength to hold his head up off the pavement. If he let go, Dobson thought, he could be crushed by the low undercarriage, or be thrown under the wheels."

Controversy over Hersh's reporting

Hersh uses 4 anonymous sources is his story. While he gives a brief description to provide their anonimity, I think the fact that he used at 4 discredits his name. I believe that there are times when you must use sources who want to remain anonymous. However, to use 4 or more in one story is too much. When people read stories, they want to be able to believe that what they are reading is true. If they are reading much of what is cited as coming from an "anonymous" source, then how can they truly believe that what they are reading is true?

Storyline on Carl the Cat

This story is extremely unimportant, and is a waste of the taxpayer's money. Most people have more important, pressing matters happening in their lives, and to waste time reading about a story like this is pointless, and a true waste of time. Of the Eleven Elements of Newsworthiness, I believe that proximity and unusual would apply to this case. Proximity applies because the case is taking place in Alaska where this paper is written. Unusual applies because it is extremely unusual for a trial to exist regarding the custody of cat. All I can say is, Grow UP People!!!This story is extremely unimportant, and is a waste of the taxpayer's money. Most people have more important, pressing matters happening in their lives, and to waste time reading about a story like this is pointless, and a true waste of time. Of the Eleven Elements of Newsworthiness, I believe that proximity and unusual would apply to this case. Proximity applies because the case is taking place in Alaska where this paper is written. Unusual applies because it is extremely unusual for a trial to exist regarding the custody of cat. All I can say is, Grow UP People!!!

09/12/07 Chapter 3: Surprise! Surprise!

In chapter 3, Murray explores the delight of surprise within the world of writing. He explains that too many of today's journalists see what they expect to see even if it isn't there. In the same respect, they do not see what they do not expect to find, even if it is there.A writer should look for what isn't there; as much as what is, they should hear the unsaid as well as the said...they should imagine what could be. "The best writers delight in the unexpected" quotes Murray. I think this a fabulous quote to remember. While putting myself in the audience's shoes, I discovered that this exploration is proven to be true. When I read an article or story, I don't enjoy or even finish the ones that read like all the others. I want the surprise, both in technique and content. I enjoy reading the articles that were written with thought. It's important to avoid the cliché’s of vision when writing stories. Some stereotypes or cliché’s of vision are: the victim is always innocent, corporation execs are workaholics, politicians are crooks, and it's exciting in the city. Good reporting would be to step outside the borders of these cliché’s and explore what might be instead of assuming that the cliché’s are true. For example, Murray uses the example of hard-edged reporter discovering that the cliché' "he never did anything like that before" killer had actually been showing the warning signs of a killer for years. Starting at the age of 3, he was seen grilling pigeons, he played the Nazi torturer instead of doctor, and neighbors were forced to call the police on several occasions after hearing him beat his mother. A story like this, with the "surprise" factor revealing that the killer wasn't an innocent young man who had never done anything like this before, creates an interesting, exciting story that will lure people in. It also provides a great lead to other stories such as, early help for disturbed kids is crucial, or there are danger signals that neighbors and teachers should pay attention to.All in all, Murray makes a great point which is to look for the surprise in every story. A story with surprise is much more successful than one that is based on cliché’s.

09/08/07 Re-read Chapters 1 and 2 of "Writing to Deadline" by Don Murray. Post to your blog a paragraph or two in answer to questions 1 and 2

1.) As a communications student, I learned several tips about the process of writing from Murray in chapters 1 and 2. The main point Murray stresses is that writers get writing done because they have deadlines. He explains that the term, "deadline", comes from an actual line drawn outside of prison's walls. When prisoners crossed the deadline, they were shot dead. Murray says that he feels the same way about a writer's deadlines...they must be met or the writer will face professional death. I would pass on many of Murray's tips to other professional students. A few that I think are most important, are to rehearse and edit. To rehearse your writing means that you should reflect on the subject matter. Murray shares that he did most all of his important writing away from his desk. This was because he took time to sit back and think about the subject he was going to write about. If given a 3 hour deadline, he would rehearse, or think about the subject for an hour and a half, write for an hour, and edit for a half hour. This is a process of writing I think every professional student can learn from. The editing process is extremely important for every writer, and is most often the step that is skipped because of a lack of time.Every writer needs to allow time to stand back review their writing. You need to answer the reader's questions, clarifying, cutting, correcting, and polishing the writing. Rehearsing and editing are the 2 most important processes I would pass onto others.2.) Murray's specific idea that will help me the most in my writing process is the idea that less is more. I often times have a tendency to write more than what is needed. I use too many words, and talk around the subject instead of just getting to the point. He talks about when he started as a reporter at the newspaper, he discovered many things. One of which was the respect for specific detail. He says that he didn't lose his love for words, he just learned to focus that love for words on the specific details that needed to be stressed.During his interview with David Mehegan, Murray asks the questions, "How do you prepare to interview someone?". Mehegan responds by saying, "I need to know enough about what I'm writing about so that I don't ask questions that make me look foolish...but, I do not worry about being ignorant because my theory is taht we are all professional ignoramuses, it's our job to not know something and then to find out". I think this is great idea for writers to remember, especially new, inexperienced writers just beginning their career. The goal in interviewing is to find out what you don't know. There is no reason to feel ignorant when answering questions, afterall, that's what the interview is meant for...questions and answers.