Marc Settle, mobile reporting

Editor's Notes

• #3: The iPhone isn’t the only smartphone and it’s not the most popular. BUT the others give so many options, so many variables, so many differences in what they can and can’t do, where things are on the phone, apps etc. Hard to get any consistency. The BBC plumped for the stability and security of iPhones. It must be said that Apple’s iPhone is at the moment the device that offers the most comprehensive range of multimedia applications that are useful for journalists.Some of these principles will hold across all. Show of hands as to who has which?
• #4: Echoing the thrust of media organisations, not just the BBC. Guardian, USA Today, WSJ have all issued staff with iPhones – I’m not aware of an organisation doing anything similar with Android etc
• #5: Quart into a pint pot usually
• #6: Today it’s a whole brewery
• #7: Video aspects
• #8: Hold it horizontally
• #9: The BBC will use footage sent in recorded vertically, if it’s dramatic enough
• #10: Double tap the screen to see what you’re recording, otherwise
• #11: Don’t go for traditional framing – too far. Get closer or use the iPhone headphones. Hold your phone so you don’t cover the mic.
• #12: Keep your shots short – easier to edit with, easier to file. And get a range of shots…
• #13: Vital to put your device in airplane mode. Interruptions if not. Or divert your calls.
• #14: Stills cameraResist using the zoom – get closer (if it’s safe to do so)Double tap the screen to adjust the focus and exposure and white balance (works for video too)Wipe the lensKeep it steady
• #16: Know where your mic is when recording – this covers it up nicely. Hold it like a phone, not like in the Apprentice. Don’t talk into it – you’ll pop.Use a windshield – susceptible to windnoise other wise. It’s great for soundeffects, so unless you want “extra noise” then get into quieter environments
• #17: Airplane mode again is vital
• #18: Voice Memo app records in m4a which is not a very user-friendly format. The BBC is ok using it, but it won’t be as simple if you want to embed it on a webpage and hope people can play it, you’ll need other apps.
• #20: BBC method against “how everyone else might do it”We mainly want to get our content in, assess and edit it, and then transmit it; you might want to broadcast it straight to a blog etc with no intermediary or mixing
• #21: We’re using a bespoke app which can record edit and send content direct into the BBC’s systems
• #22: There are lots of apps…and we’ll start with video
• #24: How to send your content