While I used Apple's QuickTime format to allow people to view my clips, Real Video or Microsoft Media also can be downloaded from most computers. A video file on the AnyTime News server can be picked up by the client computer and played, as long as there is enough bandwidth. A high-speed Internet connection is required to view most streaming video. Our local cable company plans to sponsor the video panel to promote high-speed access. Putting together a video story requires a different interview style from print.
Video depends on constant movement.
Few clips go over 10 seconds, requiring many insert clips of buildings and images of people to run with dialogue. Like a good print reporter, my instinct was to let my subjects talk and talk. I quickly discovered that people ramble and repeat themselves in front of a camera. So I began setting up the subjects, letting them practice their comments, then shooting. The iMovie software allowed me to cut and paste images and sound elements with a variety of fade-ins, making the worst speaker sound sharp.