Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is defined as ´Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights. This is an interesting concept because it allows you to use a combination of texts, pictures, video clips, audio devices, graphics, and interactivity on your website. Another great thing about multimedia stories is that it is presented in a nonlinear format where the information presented is complimentary instead of outmoded. Digital storytelling is an easier ways for individuals to learn about things going on and feedback can be provided. I find that these types of stories are more interesting and easier to read and keep your attention for longer with whatever I am reading about. These stories are very appealing because cameras, digital recorders, clips, pictures, and audio clips are all used to create the story. Another way in which the story is created, is when the editor/producer will analyze a story in a multimedia format and assign work to different professionals such as photographer for pictures, writer for the background information of the story, etc. the editor/producer has a story in his head and decides how he wants to assemble it instead of leaving it up to the reporter.

 

Tips to prepare a good report:

1. Have the storyboard gather as much information on the topic as possible
2. Need documents and interviews
3. Once at the field; collect as many photos, videos, audio clips, maps, etc.

Antoni Gaudi

Antoni Gaudi was born in 1852. In 1868, Gaudi moved to Barcelona, Spain to pursue work in architecture. Gaudi went to school at the Escola Técnica Superior d´Arquitectura in Barcelona from 1873 to 1877. When Gaudi received his title, Elies Rogent declared, “Qui sap si hem donat el diploma a un boig o a un geni: el temps ens ho dirà” (“Who knows if we have given this diploma to a nut or to a genius. Time will tell.”) In school, Gaudi was an average student who produced prestigous ´trial drawings and projects.´ Nobody knew what would come of Antoni Gaudi and he impressed everyone who has ever laid eyes on his work.

At the turn on the century, when Barcelona began to flourish, so did Gaudi and his works. Although Gaudi had outstanding achievements, he created more than just his great works of art. Gaudi’s major works would be considered Casa Vicens, Palau Güell, College of the Teresianas, Crypt of the Church of Colónia Güell, Casa Calvet, Casa Batlló, Casa Milá, Park Güell, and Sagrada Família. Gaudi´s designs were almost always Modernisme or Art Nouveau.

As far as viewing Gaudi´s works, they are incredible. Each architectural work is its own masterpiece. I have seen a few of them several times, and each time, you find something different and see more detail. My favorites would definitely be Park Güell and Temple Sagrada Familia. They are both beautiful and different. The architecture of the temple and park are incredible. Sagrada Familia is an overwhelming experience where you just want to take in all that it has to offer. When I visited the Park, I felt tranquil and relaxed. There were little trinket type items to buy, and places to grab a snack or drink. You could sit anywhere or walk through the park and see something beautiful from every angle. Throughout Barcelona, is where most of Gaudi´s works are, you can even take a ´Gaudi Tour.´ A Gaudi Tour consists of La Padrera, Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia, and Park Güell. This tour runs from Monday to Sunday and lasts around four hours.

Citizen Journalism

Citizen journalism is a very controversial term. I believe that in order to be a journalist one must be interested in what they write and able to provide accurate and intriguing information for its readers. However, journalism is not for everyone. You must need to know facts, details, and have insight and knowledge in the area of journalism in order to provide sufficient outcomes. Citizen Journalism is beneficial because it is basically a free lance writer. Citizen Journalists are able to write about whatever they please with little regulations. This is beneficial to other journalists as well because it allows them to receive information from other sources. For example, The Drudge Report broke the Monica Lewinsky story proving that someone who is not completely in the loop or working on a story for a high-end journalism corporation definitely has the potential to produce big things. Established journalists and media companies once fulfilled the job of producing information to the public and producing it in a timely fashion now. Now days, anyone can record a simple observance or just write about their feelings and it could be considered ‘work of a journalist.’ One key concept that I have noticed regarding citizen journalism is that mainstream reporters do not get the acknowledgement on the subject that is written about. Citizen journalism is a helpful tool for retrieving information because it allows individuals to gain knowledge quickly and find out what is going on locally and globally.

Rome AND Florence

This past weekend, I visited Rome, and took the train to Florence. Rome is a beautiful city with endless things to see. Rome is a huge city and overwhelming with all that is has to offer. We took an early flight into Rome and headed straight for the Vatican. Once arriving there, we took the tour around. We devoted our entire morning to this site because it was so big. The Vatican was beautiful and enlightening. At the end, was the best part of it, when we walked through the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel, created by the infamous Michelangelo was unlike anything I have ever seen. It was the most beautiful work of art I have ever gotten to see. After spending the morning at the Vatican, we ate lunch at an authentic Italian restaurant, and walked around to site see. We first went to the Coliseum where we were able to walk and also see The Forum which was right next to it and the ruins, then the statue of Marcus Aurelius, and Plaza Venezia. We finished with the Spanish steps which were awesome, and hard to finish walking up! Around the Spanish Steps there was good shopping, and good places to pick up Gelato and Pizza while walking around the town. The next day we went to the Trevi Fountain, where you of course have to make your wish and then saw The Pantheon. Before we took the train to Florence we ate at L’Ensalada Ricca which I would highly recommend if you enjoy a large, fresh salad!

Florence is a beautiful small city. While visiting, we only went to The Duomo, saw The David, another one of Michelangelo’s most recognizable pieces, the first Jewish ghetto, and the Ponte Vecchio. The Duomo is in the central part of Florence and one of the biggest Cathedrals I have ever seen. While there, we walked around to all the markets and nice shops. Florence has incredible shopping for trinkets and high end fashion. At night we ate at two of the best restaurants in Florence. We went to Acqua Al 2 and La Giostra. Both were two of the most exquisite restaurants I have ever been to in my life, not only were the food remarkable but the atmosphere was ideal. Florence is a quaint city that I think everyone must take a trip to!

How much can you see in a day?…

 

This past weekend, I had friends visiting Barcelona from Florence. Due to the fact that they only had two days to see everything in Barcelona, we made an itinerary and tried to see as much as possible in those two days. We started out Friday morning and began on Passeig de Gracia. On this street there are hundred of interesting things to see, shops to browse in, and food to eat. First we headed towards the Gaudi Apartments. We took the inside tour through the white apartments. After that we went to see the blue although we did not go inside. After strolling on Passeig de Gracia for a couple of hours, we took the metro to La Sagrada Familia. It was a beautiful site with tons of people surrounding in, trying to take in all that it has to offer. After viewing that, we went towards Las Ramblas and Plaça de Catalunya. We did some shopping around there and visited the Erotica Museum. Before it got dark, we visited the Arc de Triomf and walked through the park.

The next day we decided to start out taking the bus tour around Barcelona. We saw beautiful buildings, architecture, and streets despite the cold wind that was blowing in our faces. We finally decided to get off when we approached the stop for the Olympic Stadium. Interestingly enough, the stadium was built to hold the Olympics in 1936, but a civil war broke out in Spain postponing that from happening. At last, in 1992 Barcelona held the Olympics at this site. After viewing this, we went back on the bus and got off by the cable cars. This was one of my favorite stops because it was more scenic and less city in Barcelona. When we got on the cable car, we had a view of the Port and the water was beautiful. We took the cable car one was, and took the elevator down heading towards the Port to have lunch. Before we settled down to eat, we walked around the mall and walked outside as well. After a satisfying lunch at Gino’s, we walked to the aquarium. There we saw all types of fish, including several types of sharks. The aquarium was a nice relaxing walk inside which we all greatly enjoyed. After all of this, we headed for our last stop, Parc Guell, another one of Antoni Gaudi’s works. The view from the park was inexplicable and overwhelming (in a good way). This park is huge and is not just a park. You could have lunch, a pitcher of Sangria, or just walk up and down around the park which can certainly take hours. After such a long day we decided to go home and get ready for dinner. For dinner we chose Carpe Diem. Carpe Diem is located on the beach overlooking the water. You can eat at a regular table, or on a bed. The food was exquisite; we had appetizers, salad, and sushi. All in all, what I have done this weekend was more than I have done since I have been here in Barcelona. Every stop we made we would all recommend!

Las Ramblas

If you have plans to be in Barcelona, you must have plans to visit Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is full of street theaters, cafes, and market stalls. Although the downside to Las Ramblas would its notorious reputation for pickpocketers and the tendency for it to get sketchy at night. During the day you can walk around the fresh markets, go to Gothic Quarter, or just meaninglessly explore. Hot spots that I visited on Las Ramblas are Wax Museum, Erotica Museum, (be prepared to see some interesting toys), Christopher Columbus monument and Modernist Boqueria Market. The market is great for picking up a bag of candy or bringing home dinner to cook! The museums are interesting and definitely fun to see, everyone will get a kick out of them. The best part about Las Ramblas is that once you’ve spent an hour or so exploring, you can move on to any other part of the town. Las Ramblas is in a central spot of Barcelona, allowing its visitors to see more than is possible to take in.

 

Portugal

This past weekend (1/30) I traveled to Portugal with friends. We flew into Lisboa and stayed at Hotel Veneza. Lisboa is a beautiful city, despite the rain that persisted all weekend. When we got there on Friday morning we immediately went to the Castle. There we took pictures and walked around until we were drenched. Saturday the sky was clear for the beginning of the day which gave us the opportunity to walk around and sight see. We started out by taking the lift to see the city at a higher glance. After that we walked around, went into shops, and ate a fantastic lunch. Saturday night we went to the docks for dinner and dining. It looked like it would be a fun place to walk around and navigate, but the rain was teaming and we were only able to go to one restaurant. Sunday we chose the aquarium and cable car ride. The aquarium is the second largest in the world and was a great experience. Before the aquarium we took a cable car ride that overlooked the water. The ride was very relaxing and showed us a beautiful view of Portugal. So although we got stuck in rain all weekend, we found a way to make the best of it.

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