Eying the Scribes

Multimedia Student… media

eyeingthescribes — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:53:18 +0000

You may have noticed that Sam and I have been delving into the all-important realm of multimedia journalism in a few of the last posts. As multimedia reporting becomes more prevalent in all realms of journalism, student media on campus is doing an excellent job of keeping up on the trends. Although most students just pick up a paper copy of The Ithacan each Thursday, it is also important and interesting to visit the website.

The multimedia section of the website offers audio slideshows of different reports, as well as mini-episodes centering on the Bombers sports teams. The multimedia section adds another layer of visual interest to stories, as well as a more intimate look at students on campus. Also, for the most up-to-date reporting, readers can follow The Ithacan on Twitter. Hopefully, more publications on campus will add multimedia aspects to their publication, and more readers will take advantage of the ones that do.

-Nikki

Accent Section in the “Spotlight”

eyeingthescribes — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:40:15 +0000

The last issue of The Ithacan for this year featured an article entitled “In the Spotlight.” The article followed five students involved in directing, comedy, fashion design, dancing and acting. The piece put the students side by side with their idols in their field of interest. The piece was very interesting, and, considering it was a piece the section had wanted to do for a while, well planned out.

Aaron Edwards wrote the article and did an excellent job of choosing quotes from the students that showed the passion and drive they had for their interest. The piece showed exactly how important the arts are for some people, not only as a hobby but as a prospective career.

-Nikki

Year in Review

eyeingthescribes — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:58:02 +0000

We had a good time covering IC student media this semester here at Eying the Scribes. Here’s who we thought did the best of the print publications this semester:

Best Hard News Story: “Faculty Council Acts on Concerns about Provost”- Jackie Polachko, The Ithacan

Most Comprehensive Story: “Beyond the Screaming Tea-Parties”- Zach Tomanelli, Buzzsaw

Most Offbeat Story: “Aren’t you Uncomfortable in that Suit? And other questions for Furries.” – Keith Hadad, Buzzsaw

Best Piece of Fiction: “Letting Go, the Story of Joe”- Chris Accardo, 360 Magazine

Best Overall Publication: Buzzsaw Magazine

What do you think of our picks? Voice your opinion in the comments.

-Sam

ICTV’s “Game Over” and Gaming on Campus

eyeingthescribes — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:45:48 +0000

Check out our multimedia slide show about gaming among college students, and even some adminstrators. For you media aficionados, make sure to listen to our two audio pieces on “Game Over,” Ithaca College’s source for video game culture coverage. They can also be found on the link.

-Sam

New Buzzsaw Debuts

eyeingthescribes — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:38:33 +0000

Buzzsaw’s last issue of the semester debuted last week, and the Hidden Issue looks very sharp. It was a good mix of the hard-hitting, the light, and the just plain frustrating.

Jaquie Simone’s article on “Fracking” can be filed away as the former- she did a good job covering the difficult issue of drilling in Tompkins County, which lies on the Marcellus Shale and therefore has a vast supply of natural gas. Residents, naturally, oppose thedrilling, and Simone does a good job covering the conflict, simplifying the number-heavy story as best she can.

Dan Haack provides a fun read in this month’s sex column, tackling the potential rewards pitfalls of a threesome. He speaks honestly, and presents both sides very well. Haack’s writing style is very accessible, and he handles the sensitive topic with appropriate deft.

Adam Polaski’s article, which kicks off the issue, discusses the FDA’s discriminatory ban that precludes gay men from donating blood. Polaski tears apart the backwards regulation by speaking openly about his own experience trying to give blood, which lends the piece passion- the issue is clearly very important, and his outrage helps encourage a similar response from his readers.

Grab an issue before you go home for break!

-Sam

A Look at the Web’s Effects on Print Newspapers

eyeingthescribes — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:36:30 +0000

Take a look at this timeline detailing what newspapers large and smaller are doing in response to the migration of ad revenue to the Internet. Subscriptions are way down in the past two years, and newspapers are cutting costs at every turn. Here’s a quick look at what they’ve been up to the past two years.

-Sam & Nikki

Another Look at “Little Fish, Big Pond”

eyeingthescribes — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:21:08 +0000

Photo Courtesy of The Ithacan

I know I’ve written about this before, but after this week’s op-ed in The Ithacan I am once again reminded of my distaste for the Lilly Miller’s “Little Fish, Big Pond” column. Bart Comegy made a number of valid points in his response to the weekly piece about life as a freshman.
Comegy accurately describes the column as “embarrassingly out-of-place” in a paper as strong as The Ithacan. I don’t find Miller’s topics particularly interesting; I’m sure there are plenty of students have more engaging and relatable stories. And, as Comegy points out, Miller’s style is bizarre. She uses strange words and makes incomprehensible comparisons to things like “Napoleon Dynamite,” without explanation.
On the other hand, I’m glad the staff allowed this to be printed. They could have easily shielded themselves from criticism, but at least kept the editorial page as an open forum. For that, I am grateful.
Now all they need is a new column.

-Sam

New Magazine on Campus

eyeingthescribes — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:15:55 +0000

We’re back from our Thanksgiving hiatus with an inside look at 360 Magazine, shot and edited by yours truly (Nicole and Sam).

New Edition of Buzzsaw eyeingthescribes — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:16:42 +0000 Photo Courtesy of Buzzsaw Buzzsaw’s “Obsession” issue hit campus newsstands this week and it appears to be their strongest issue of the year. The articles were even more in-depth than usual, and many had unique approaches to their topics. For instance, sophomore Shaun Poust explored journalism’s obsession with objectivity through a fictionalized AP-driven student reporter. The piece was funny, and the stylized sticky notes that ran alongside the piece added flavor to what could have otherwise been a dry topic. However, perhaps the most interesting article this issue dealt with a strange fetish with anthropomorphic costumes. The subculture, known as furrydom, seems like it would be difficult to cover, considering one would need to find one of these “furries” and talk frankly with them about their sexual activities. However, freshman Keith Hadad did a great job providing the reader a thorough examination of the subculture. He got great quotes from a former furry and answered most of my questions about the odd practice. Pick up a copy of the new edition in Park today. -Sam State of the Newspaper Industry eyeingthescribes — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:17:31 +0000 View Larger Map We spend a lot of time covering what Ithaca College's student-journalists produce during their time on-campus, but what are they going to do once they graduate? Here's a look at some of the most important newspapers in the country, with an eye on their financial stability. Which ones are still hiring? Which companies have declared bankruptcy? Take a look at the map to find out- just click on the notepads to see a profile of 11 major news sources. -Sam and Nikki