Multimedia Badge

The multimedia badge is meant to encourage staffs to try storytelling in these different mediums. To earn the badge each site must submit one video, one photo gallery, and one podcast/audio story that meet the guidelines below.

Video:

1. CONTENT: The entire piece has a professional, journalistic tone (no blooper reels, overlaid graphics (e.g. pixelated sunglasses placed on someone’s face), or slowed/sped up footage).
2. CONTENT: No AI voices or graphics are used.
3. CONTENT: Subject of each video lends itself to a good video opportunity (motion, sound, etc.) and a compelling storyline. Q and A videos will not be accepted.
4. CONTENT: Each video contains at least two interviews.
5. CONTENT: Reporter voice-over is only used to bridge elements within the story.
6. CAMERAWORK: Each video uses a combination of different shots (wide shots, medium shots, and close-up shots) and angles.
7. CAMERAWORK: The footage is steady and not shaky.
8. CAMERAWORK: All shots have a clear visual focus.
9. AUDIO/SOUND: Each video avoids using copyrighted music. Music must be credited somewhere in the video or story.
10. AUDIO/SOUND: The sound/voice quality on each video is clear and not lost in background noise or music.
11. EDITING: Length is appropriate for telling a story (at least one minute, but no more than five minutes in length).
12. EDITING: Individual shots/clips are smoothly edited together to move the story forward.
13. EDITING: Technical quality of lighting doesn't detract from the story.
14. EDITING: All b-roll in the piece is video shot by the staff (no stock footage or still images).
15. EDITING: If captions are added, there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
16. The full length videos are embedded as a post on the site.

Photo Gallery:

1. CONTENT: Each gallery has 8-15 unique photos (no duplicates or similar subjects). Galleries with more than 15 photos will not be considered.
2. CONTENT: Each photo is individually captioned and contains a photographer credit. For photos with three or fewer individuals, each person should be identified.
3. CONTENT: Each photo has a clear subject.
4. CONTENT: A majority of the photos are candid action shots.
5. CAMERAWORK: The gallery contains a mixture of close-up, medium, and wide shots.
6. CAMERAWORK: Each photo demonstrates purposeful composition and skillful technical quality.
7. EDITING: Each photo is optimized for web display (consistently and appropriately sized).
8. DISPLAY: Photos are displayed with the SNO Photo Gallery tools or as stacked inline photos.

Podcast/Audio

1. Episodes should be interview-based or be discussion-based and include at least two hosts OR are an NPR style audio report utilizing reporter voiceover, interviews and natural sound to tell a narrative story.
2. The entire piece has a professional tone and demonstrates pre-planning – the podcast does not feel like a random conversation was just recorded an published.
3. No AI voices are used.
4. All music is used with permission or is free-use and credited correctly, either in the podcast or in the post.
5. Each episode contains an intro and outro.
6. Host based podcasts should be at least five minutes in length, NPR style pieces should be at least three minutes in length.
7. Episodes contain a title and brief description.
8. Any music or background noise does not detract from the speakers.
9. Audio is edited together for a seamless transition between them. Volume levels are consistent throughout.
10. The full length podcasts are embedded into a post on the site.