Live video: Tips and tools

Live video needs proper preparation and planning to ensure your broadcast is successful. Here are some elements to consider before you go live:  1. Data or Wi-Fi? If you’re using a mobile app like Cinamaker or Switcher Studio to create a multi-angle broadcast, you’ll most likely need a strong Wi-Fi connection to link your phones. Every … Continued

Ergonomics: What I’ve learned while battling a repetitive motion injury

Imagine coming to work and not being able to type a story on your keyboard because of intense pain in your wrist, elbow or fingers. It’s a scary thought. I never thought it could happen to me. I’m only 33 years old. But I’ve been suffering from tendonitis for several months. More than a year ago I began having pain in my left wrist periodically. But it usually came and disappeared within the same day. Then suddenly it became more noticeable, and gradually it became a constant companion. I love to write, but I almost dreaded coming to work because I didn’t want to be in pain. Like everyone I use my hands continually throughout the day, so it’s been a slow recovery process.

An ergonomic specialist reviewed my workstation and gave me suggestions for furniture that would help me become more ergonomic. She also suggested various assistive technology such as dictation to help alleviate some of the pain and give my wrist the rest it needed to recover.

—JN

May I interest you in a career in media sales?

EDITOR’S NOTE: The writer is a senior in the strategic communication sequence at the Missouri School of Journalism. Although written to her school peers, media salespeople or professionals considering a career in sales may enjoy her story.

‘Shark Tank’ entrepreneur to share pitching tips at upcoming RJI event

RJI Student Competition teams next week will receive pitching advice from a “Shark Tank” entrepreneur before making their own journalism product pitches to competition judges this spring. Tranquilo CEO Melissa Gersin of Boston will speak about her preparation and pitch for the reality TV show during “Pitch like a pro” at 5 p.m. March 19 … Continued

Live video: Sound is key

In this segment we discussed live video with Kansas City Star Visuals Editor Chris Ochsner, who, with his staff, runs polished live sessions utilizing multiple cameras and professional sound tools.

RJI Futures Lab senior editor to teach Python data science course at CAR conference in Chicago

This week, I’ll reunite with my California Civic Data Coalition colleagues to co-teach a six-hour, hands-on session at the annual Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference in Chicago. Our class, “First Python Notebook,” is for journalists who want to learn data science. We’ll show our students how to use computer-assisted techniques to report on money in state politics, but the skills could … Continued

Ergonomics: How to protect your career from desk injuries

Imagine coming to work and not being able to type a story on your keyboard because of intense pain in your wrist, elbow or fingers. It’s a scary thought. I never thought it could happen to me. I’m only 33 years old. But I’ve been suffering from tendonitis for several months. More than a year ago I began having pain in my left wrist periodically. But it usually came and disappeared within the same day. Then suddenly it became more noticeable, and gradually it became a constant companion. I love to write, but I almost dreaded coming to work because I didn’t want to be in pain. Like everyone I use my hands continually throughout the day, so it’s been a slow recovery process.

An ergonomic specialist reviewed my workstation and gave me suggestions for furniture that would help me become more ergonomic. She also suggested various assistive technology such as dictation to help alleviate some of the pain and give my wrist the rest it needed to recover.

But the pain will be worth it if I can help another person. I’m thankful I have a platform like the Reynolds Journalism Institute where I can help other journalists. I’ll share more about my experience in another post.

—JN

Winners announced in the 75th annual Pictures of the Year International competition

Adam Ferguson was named Photographer of the Year in the 75th Pictures of Year International competition at the Missouri School of Journalism. Nearly 40,000 images from nearly 100 countries were entered in this year’s competition. Top editors and photographers donated their time to review every entry over a three-week period of judging. For the first … Continued