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Author Archives: Jim Killam
Apocalypse Sunday
Editor’s note: In a departure from the usual type of Go Tell It post, this one simply illustrates how creative writing can teach. My friend, Cherice Ullrich, and her colleague, Chris Jones, teach Bible at Rockford (Ill.) Christian High School. … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Writing
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Overcoming the monster
People who teach writing like to talk about the basic elements of any good story. Characters. Setting. Conflict. A 350-foot-tall lizard that breathes lightning and threatens humanity. Stick with me here. Any story needs a monster, and according to three … Continue reading
5 keys to shooting smartphone video of yourself
Suppose you need to shoot a video of yourself speaking. Even if you have no equipment other than a smartphone, here are five ways to maximize quality: 1. Lighting Light your face. If there is a window, it should be … Continue reading
Posted in Videography
Tagged mobile, smartphone, tips, video, Videography
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Inside jargon, outside voice
During a recent sermon, American televangelist and presidential adviser Paula White prayed: “We command all satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now.” Wait, what? Social media went crazy. Isn’t she pro-life? Who is satanic and pregnant? Those Christians really are nuts. … Continue reading
Writing for a global audience
Imagine you are talking with a friend. Then write that way. That was one of the best pieces of writing advice I ever received in college. It has served me well through almost four decades now, because it helps me … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
Tagged culture, grammar, international, journalism, multicultural, writing
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Interviewing for video
Even though I had worked for decades as a print journalist, I had to relearn how to interview people for video stories. A good interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. In a two-way conversation, both people talk a lot. … Continue reading
Posted in interviewing, Videography
Tagged interviewing, video
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How to tell a dangerous story
Here’s another guest post from our friend and fellow missions journalist, Heather Pubols. You can learn more about Heather’s work at: http://www.lemotif.org “I know how you can tell this story,” I said to a colleague with a smile. “Someone did … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Ethics, sensitivity, Story
Tagged ethics, reporting, risk, sensitivity, story, trust
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2019: Year of the Shed
I’m building a backyard shed this year. Several months ago, I would have told you I’m building a backyard shed this weekend. We needed more storage space and this seemed like a good idea at the time. That was before I … Continue reading
Simplicity gone astray
Today we welcome this guest post by our friend, Heather Pubols. Heather has traveled the world getting stories for mission organizations. You can learn more about her work at: http://www.lemotif.org In 2012 I took a media team to a country … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Ethics, Photography, Reporting, sensitivity, Videography
Tagged dignity, ethics, reporting, truth
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