Page 100 - Convergent Journalism an Introduction Writing and Producing Across Media

CONVERGED GRAPHICS ACROSS ALL MEDIA

Figure 6.6 Cont’d. (b)

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graphics packages. At the Sun-Sentinel, for example, a relatively large
staff of graphics reporters is trained to use a variety of software pro-
grams, including Macromedia FreeHand (illustration), Macromedia
Flash (animation), and Newtek Lightwave (3D).
Challenges and considerations are associated with each format. Due
to the linear nature of print, all of the content must fit into a sin-
gle space. Without the potential for motion or sound, print graphics
reporters must find innovative ways to convey movement and action.
Graphics reporters are often limited by the space available for a graphic
in newspapers. However, on the bright side, print graphics can gen-
erally be produced more quickly than those created for other media.
Space is virtually unlimited on the Web, and because the Web is non-
linear, you can present the information in multiple, separate scenes
or steps. Add to that the ability to integrate audio, video, text, and
interactivity, and online graphics can be an incredibly rich, immersive
experience for audiences. Broadcast graphics often integrate animation,
video, and audio and can provide viewers with a much more realistic
portrayal of events. But broadcast news is generally presented in very
short, 1- to 2-minute clips. Thus, a broadcast graphic must convey a
point in about 20 to 30 seconds.