What to do for April 9

This week you are supposed to be chugging along on your projects, as I have discussed with many of you in conference. Turns out, there's some chugging and some crawling going on for various reasons. My caution is to use this time wisely so things don't pile up at the end. Multimedia projects differ from conventional stories because there are so many moving parts -- scheduling, interviewing, recording, shooting, editing, creating. It's kind of like a big construction project -- you really need to have a systematized approach: First I need a design (your storyboards); then I need nails, a hammer, x amount of lumber, and shingles; I need to call the concrete guy to pour a foundation; but before that I need to get the electric company to run wires in; oh, and before that I need to get a road put in and trees cut down; then I'll build a floor; then walls; then roof; then I'll paint; then I'll move in. So you are sort of in the same situation as that builder; if you wait for the last minute, you're screwed.

Most of the writing that has been done about multimedia project management, like this from MIT, focuses on larger projects that involve many people, rather than solo projects like the ones you are doing. Still, there are similarities, so take a look.

I will also email you a project management guide that I set up which really comes earlier but may be of some help now, so try filling it out and bring to class Monday.

Don't underestimate the "rough" draft. As I said, the draft should represent a substantially completed project. The value of it is that you can get feedback from the class, from me, and from whomever else you show it to that will help you to improve it. If you don't put much up there, you won't get much back (and it won't help your grade.) It can also be embarrassing to put something up there that shows little progress. If you forgot when you are scheduled to present, check the class blog. If you ever feel you are in trouble, please come and see me so we can talk about it.

I think it would also be useful to bring Chelsea Conaboy, next week's visiting journalist, into the conversation. She will be in class Monday. I think it would be helpful to talk about project problems with her. Obviously doing the cancer story required some pretty tight and disciplined time and resource management, so she should be able to lend some insight to that aspect of the projects. She may also be able to help with story development and reporting issues. I've already spoken with Lauren about problems she has had documenting gymnasts' injuries due to privacy issues. I'm sure Chelsea ran into lots of this in her reporting for the cancer story and continues to as she covers the health industry for the Boston Globe.

So let's all think of some challenges we are facing with our projects, especially from the point of view of story and journalism, and be prepared to ask for suggestions.

As I mentioned in class, please read the series and be prepared to discuss Chelsea's role in the cancer project. You've seen the multimedia, and it was powerful. As you read the story, compare the effectiveness of the two forms, the multimedia and the story. What can the story do that the multimedia can't, and vice-versa. What does the photography add to the project? You can see PDFs of the pages here to get an idea of what it looked like in print.

Finally, please take responsibility for a lively, dynamic, interesting class discussion. No walls of silence of depending on the same old people to ask questions (much as we appreciate their contributions.) This is a great opportunity to squeeze advice from someone who was once right where you are now and has reached the top of the profession.