Your magic wand

• On the blank side of your sheet of paper,

write your name LARGE exactly as you
would like it to appear in you byline or
credit line.
• Think about ONE thing you would change
about the world, the nation, the state, the
school, or yourself if you had a magic wand
that allowed this. (Don’t write it)
 Your magic wand
• Hold up your name sign, say your name,
and then put down the sign and use the
wand to pronounce your change to the
camera.

• When you are done, take the camera and

shoot the person next to you.
Changes
 How to get an “assignment”
Best Way Good Way Might Work
Don’t get assigned. Get to know your editors; Sit around and wait for
Writing Pitch an idea at the check the list of homeless desperate editors to
story meetings. stories posted on the web contact you. This works
after meeting; contact your better if the editor knows
editors. who you are.

Come to the story Get to know your editors; Sit around and wait for
Photos meetings and either check the list of homeless desperate editors to
pitch an idea, or team shoots posted on the web contact you. This works
up with a writer. after meetings; contact better if the editor knows
your editors. who you are.

Come to story meetings Get to know your editors; Sit around and wait for
Art / and pitch infographics check the list of homeless desperate editors to
Graphics for packages, or make a
running graphic
graphics posted on the web
after meetings; contact
contact you. This works
better if the editor knows
coverage element. your editors. who you are.
 The story meeting
• All editors meet every two weeks to begin planning
for the next issue
• All staff are encouraged to attend
• All staff can pitch, brainstorm, or volunteer
– Pitch - You have thought through the basic angle of
coverage that YOU want to write / shoot / design
– Brainstorm - Throw out ideas that you think someone
should cover
– Volunteer - An idea is on the board, and you want to
cover it.
• You will receive feedback on your previous work
 The Pitch
• The best way to work on stories you are
passionate about is to prepare and suggest.
• Include the following:
– BRIEF summary of the idea / Angle
– BRIEF summary of the info you have found
already
– Explanation of how you will research it
(Sources)
 What will be approved?
• Editors (not me) decide what goes in the issue at
the budget meeting immediately following the
story meeting. They will consider the following:
– Newsworthiness (Timely, Important, Entertaining)
– Audience appeal (Is this story right for Accent readers?
Are we the right ones to cover this?)
– Space
– Visual possibilities
• Editors may decide to run content as print and web
or web only content
• Assignment list is posted and an e-mail / facebook
message sent out by 6 p.m.
 The Process
• You promise an editor that you will do something
– At the story meeting, over the phone, via e-mail, etc.
• You do it ASAP
– There is only one week between the story meeting and
deadline for most pieces
– You are encouraged to get feedback from editors before
deadline
– You may work in the field or in the office
• You get notes and revise
– Editors will have feedback for you ASAP.
– It’s a good idea to make yourself available immediately
after deadline
• Finalized, approved content goes into production
Will all content that goes through
the process be published?

YES
In print, on the web, or both
Q:What can I do?

A: Written content,
Photos, Art, Video
•
Written Content
The big story - This is what you traditionally think of when you think
of a newspaper story
– 300 words or more
– Based on SOLID (shoe leather) research
• Quote / fact based if objective
• Fact based if subjective
– Usually packaged w/ photo and graphics
– Has impact
• Short coverage - This is what you probably actually read in the
newspaper
– Less than 150 words
– Based on SOLID (shoe leather) research
• Quote based if objective
• Fact based if subjective
– Can accompany big stories or stand alone
– Often part of a graphic element
 Writing- The Big Story
• Research
– Form relationships with sources so they want to talk to you
– Be there
– Interview
– Research More
• Inform and inspire
– Celebrate the good
– Cast light on the bad
– Important changes in readers and communities start with
big stories
Writing - short coverage
 Photos
• Photojournalism - Event coverage
– Visually tell a story in a fraction of a second
– Fill in the story with a well written, fact-rich caption
– Get candid shots, fill the frame, capture action and emotion
• Photojournalism - Environmental Portraits
– If the story focuses on a person, we need a portrait of the person
in their natural environment
– Can be candid or posed
– Capture the essence of the person
– Should have beautiful lighting
• Photo Illustrations
– Can be staged, altered, composite, or made into art
– Illustrate a concept
– Usually part of a package
Photojournalism - Events
Photojournalism - Environmental
Portraits
Photojournalism -
Photo Illustrations
 Art
• Infographics - Information presented visually
is almost always read
– Charts, maps, graphs, diagrams, lists, timelines etc.
– Should be VERY visually appealing and loaded
with facts
• Illustrations - Accompany written content
– Can be in any medium
– Should illustrate, not decorate
• Stand alone content - Editorial cartoons,
comics (single cell or strips)
 Art -Infographics
Present facts and numbers visually
Art - Illustrations
Tell the story visually
Art - Stand alone content
Use cartoons to make a point
 Video
• We have small Flip cameras and a
professional video setup available.
• There is also a small green screen “studio”
space available if you want to do a regular
video feature.
• Shoot / edit video that supports and adds to
the written content. Or standalone content.
 Let’s look at some content
• Theaccent.org
What do I get for doing all this work?
• That warm, mushy feeling you get when you
see someone picking up your work and
enjoying / learning from it
• Pieces for your portfolio
• A small “Thank You” payment each
semester
• Free travel!
 The portfolio based break check
• Once per semester, contributing staff members
will meet with me to review their portfolios of
published work.

– Two pieces published -$20.00

– Three pieces published - $30.00
– Four pieces published - $48.00 (20% bonus)
– Five pieces published - $60.00
– Six pieces published - $90.00 (50% bonus)

– Plus - Raise after the first semester

TCCJA conference
Oct. 7 – Oct. 9
• ACP /
TCCJA
Convention
• First 20
people who
meet the
issue 1
deadline
and apply
go free!
 Meet your editors

• Chris Smith: Editor-in-Chief

• Sarah Neve: Assistant Editor
• Karissa Rodriguez: Photo / Web Editor
• Michael Needham: Campus Editor
• Sarah Vasquez: Life and Arts Editor
• Chris Scott: Layout / Graphics Editor
 Want their job?
• Editors are hourly employees.
• Part time, flexible student job.
• Applications are taken every semester.
• To qualify, you must earn 10 “experience
points”
• The In Training program is a great way to
prepare.
 To get involved
• Make sure your information is entered
online
• Complete the assignment
• Talk to editors now
• Read Accent Update e-mails and facebook
posts
 Chris Smith
The assignment [email protected]

• Email the editors of your choice. Sarah Neve

[email protected]
Give them a reason to remember -News coverage, column and
you and give you work: opinion ideas, general coverage
etc.
• Include all of your contact
information Sarah Vasquez
[email protected]
• Pitch a great idea for something -Feature, entertainment, arts etc.
you want to produce Michael Needham
• Volunteer to shoot or create [email protected]
-Campus events and other issues
graphics as needed
Karissa Rodriguez
• Include links to or examples of [email protected]
previous work -Photo ideas and assignments

• Be professional but not boring Chris Scott

[email protected]
-Art and design ideas
 While you eat
• Get to know your editors
– Introduce yourself and let them know what you
are interested in contributing
– Ask them any questions you might have
remaining