I think there is a lot of hope and opportunity in these times for all kind of journalists, they just have to start thinking ‘outside of their medium’ and earn how to be successful with or without their current institutions.

The first thing to do is stop thinking like the newspaper. Or like the broadcast newsroom. Content creators must embrace the opportunities for storytelling and distributing content, that people who came before us could only dream of.

The amateur is certainly raising the bar for professionals. Every time I go on Vimeo or Flickr I am amazed.

Kirk

The audience responded well to what I said. I did detect that people were especially on edge as I spoke, because I was one of a very few people addressing the elephant in the room, AKA ‘the rise of the amateur.’

Quite a few people came up to talk to me afterward with questions on how to teach even more skills to their students in a limited amount of time and where to start (I was addressing a room mostly full of TV broadcast professors.)

I can say that it is not easy to tell them what they should do next. It is quite complicated. I just told them to start teaching outside the ‘book’ a bit and get students to be more aware of viral video, making their own websites, tapping into social media, and preparing to be their own brand. Basically, teachers have to add some Internet Marketing into the mix.

Since that speech I have been asked to speak in other places around the world and I will be bringing back more info and reactions as I make the rounds.

Journalists need to be leaders not followers. They must create their own space online, and thrive in those spaces. Traditional institutions DO NOT GET THIS. I encourage journalists to be brave and to take the lead as this big jump in media evolution unfolds.

Journalists must stop feeling sorry for themselves and start thinking of how to set a new standard of what it means to report the news. They can do this. If they don’t, then they don’t deserve the title. Believe me, there are more than enough professional bloggers and citizen journalists to take their place.

Take care,
Kirk

Thanks for the kind words. I’m happy that you enjoy my posts and short films.

I’m really trying to put good information out there that will encourage everyone to start making great content using what they already own.

The worst thing that can happen IMHO is to get stuck in the ‘need better gear’ trap. Granted better equipment can lend polish to a piece, to be able to make something cool out of what you have on hand really hones your storytelling skills.

Can you send me a link to your work? I would love to check out what you are making with your iPhone (and soon…flip video camera.)

Take care,
Kirk

Seth Hall here in Greensboro, NC. I just wanted to say that I love your blog man. It has been a great source of information and inspiration. Being an iPhone photographer and a soon to be Flip filmmaker, your blog has been perfect. The Camera Bag and Panolab apps have proved well worth the money spent and your short doc pieces are right on. Thanks for your hard work with this and good luck with all of your endeavors. I am subscribed to the feed and eagerly await new posts. So keep ‘em coming and take care.

Seth Hall
Owner/Creative Director
Middle8Media