MOJO@UKings.ca (Updated 21 July 2014)

Day-by-day outline, July 21-25 and also July 27, 2014

Teaching hours and location: 11am-4pm (including a short lunch break) Monday to Friday, and 11am-1pm on Sunday. All classes in lab two. Note that the lab will be open 9am-5pm each day, so you can arrive early to prepare.

Day 1: Monday July 21
Introductions and overview. This session introduces the concept of mobile journalism, which we will call mojo, and will take students through a recommended approach focusing on the iMovie app on iOS devices. You will need an iPhone, iPad or iTouch for this course.

This overview class will cover everything in one session, in the same way that we build a jigsaw by starting with the outline or edges first. It will also consider the key question: Why mobile journalism? The teacher will also demonstrate how to upload to YouTube and embed a video in a blog for those who are not sure.

We will consider the history of mojo work, and also see how it fits in the continuum of multi-media journalism. And we will look at the strengths and weaknesses of mojo in the realm of modern journalism.

Exercise: Set up a YouTube account (if you do not have one already)

Exercise: Set up a blog (if you do not have one already)

Exercise: Load the iMovie app to your iPhone or iPad or iPad mini or iTouch during the lunch break if you do not already have it installed. It costs about $CA 6. Am told it comes free with some newer models of iPad.

Book: I recommend you buy the excellent iBook How to Mojo by Ivo Burum because it is the best resource on the subject of mojo. Among other things it contains a 10-minute video that tells you everything you need to know about using the iMovie app. The book has several other videos about useful aspects of the app. A bargain at about $CA 5. Another excellent resource is Ivo Burum’s blog.

Tip: Always put your iOS device in flight mode before you shoot and/or edit.

LUNCH BREAK

Video composition: The language of mobile video. The teacher will show a Keynote presentation and use the digital TV in the classroom to demonstrate how we create pieces of video suitable for editing.

Exercise: Students will go outside and make a video for practice. Afterwards we will look at some of your videos on the digital TV in the classroom.

COFFEE BREAK

Interviewing with a mobile phone. We will consider how mojo interviewing differs from other forms of journalistic interviews, and ways to ensure quality audio.

Preview of assessment #1 (10 per cent of the total): Tomorrow you will make a video of between 60 and 70 seconds and put it on your YouTube site. The subject can be anything you choose.

Exercise: Students will make a video for practice if we have time.

Day 2: Tuesday July 22
Editing on the touch-screen of your mobile device. This is where the magic starts to reveal itself. We will also consider how smartphone technology has evolved, and will evolve.

Exercise: Students will make a video on their smartphone in a fixed time frame. The teacher will show some students’ work on a projector and provide feedback.

LUNCH BREAK

Scripting and voice presentation. The teacher will show a Keynote presentation to demonstrate the importance of elegant scripting and appropriate voice-overs. It will include tips on clear writing.

Preview of assessment #2 (25 per cent). Your job for #2 is to use social networks and other links to promote your video. The highest mark will go to the video with the highest number of views by Monday August 1. Tip: Get your video online quickly and use Facebook etc to tell all your friends and colleagues so you can market it! Other assessment parameters will be discussed on the day.

Assessment #1 (10 per cent). Make a video, with only a smartphone and iMovie, of between 60 and 70 seconds and put it on your YouTube site. The subject can be anything you choose. This must be completed by 7pm tonight.

Day 3: Wednesday July 23
Special effects editing.

Ethical and legal factors when mobile reporting. The use of secret recording apps.

LUNCH BREAK

Assessment #2 (25 per cent of the total): Use the rest of the class today to make a news video, using only a smartphone, and file it to your YouTube site by 6pm today. This news video should be between 60 and 80 seconds. Email the URL to your teacher (sraquinn@gmail.com). Remember, the highest mark will go to the video with the highest number of views by Monday August 1. Tip: Get your video online quickly and use Facebook etc to tell all your friends and colleagues so you can market it!

Day 4: Thursday July 24, 11am-4pm
Discussion of the influence of citizen journalism, social networks and ethics on the role of journalism.

Show and tell. Feedback on student work created so far. Discussion and Q&A about the issues students have encountered to date.

LUNCH BREAK

Assessment #3 (25 per cent of the total): In your own time, using only a smartphone, make a video of between 60 and 80 seconds and put it on your YouTube site by 6pm on the day, July 24. It should be a review of something: a movie, book, wine, exhibition, play or something similar (your choice). Email the URL to your teacher (sraquinn@gmail.com). This is your chance to be creative. Enjoy!

Day 5: Friday July 25
Future possibilities for journalism using mojo techniques. Other ways we could use mojo apart from breaking news.

EARLY LUNCH BREAK

Assessment #4: Live reporting assignment (40 per cent of the total): You have only the next 3.5 hours of the class today, July 25, to make a news video, using only a smartphone. This news video should be between 60 and 70 seconds. File the edited video to your YouTube site by the end of class (4pm today, July 25) and email the URL to your teacher (sraquinn@gmail.com). Videos that are posted after the deadline will not be assessed. Your task is to prepare / research your news story before this class, which is why you have received some advanced notification. Good luck!

Day 6: Sunday, July 27. Note that this class is 11am-1pm, with the option of lunch with the teacher afterwards if you like.
Discussion: Possibilities for the future for you, working as a mojo. Setting up your own video production house. On becoming a small business.

Review of what we learned. Feedback for and to the teacher: What did we learn? Where did the course fall short? What was good about it?

Go forward. Be brilliant. File videos from the field. You could make a brilliant career using mojo. Go mojo!

Good luck with your studies

Stephen Quinn