Studio Blog
Hi, I'm Karen Gaskell. I have more than 25 years’ experience in radio and TV news. I have worked as a reporter, anchor and news manager. I studied journalism and political science at the University of Wisconsin, Superior. I have also been freelance writing for several years. I stumbled onto Demand Studios about four months ago. Since then, I really feel as though I am “living the dream!” I loved broadcasting and writing, but I always detested the structured schedules and never-ending deadlines that my jobs required. Now I can write when I want, how much or how little I want and only on subjects I am genuinely interested in. I am so grateful to be a part of this company and hope to keep writing for Demand Studios for a long time!
My name is Angela Atkinson. I'm a freelance writer, editor and researcher. Currently, I write and edit for several websites and private clients. I love working with Demand Studios for a number of reasons. First, Demand Studios offers me the flexibility I need—I can work as much or as little as I like. This is ideal because I can take the time to focus on a private client's project if I need to. I also love the fact that our copy editors are picky. I know that sounds odd, but as an editor myself, I appreciate the high standards Demand Studios requires of its writers (despite the claims of many naysayers in the writing community). Some of the other sites I've written for in the past aren't so concerned with quality, and in my opinion, that makes the entire publication (or site) look substandard (and its writers by association). Thanks Demand Studios for everything you do. I am so very grateful to have found you and honored to be among your writers.
Check out two articles Angela wrote for Answerbag!
How high should a stair rail be?
My name is Don McMullen, and I have been in the newspaper business for 30 years as a writer, copy editor and editor for sports sections in papers, such as "The Florida Times-Union," "The Dallas Morning News," "South Florida Sun Sentinel" and "The Miami Herald." I've been a copy editor for Demand Studios for about two months, and what I really enjoy is the diversity of topics I get to edit on a daily basis. In some ways, working for Demand Studios is kind of addicting. Once you start reading files, you want to keep opening new ones because of the challenge of pushing yourself to do more and make each article better. Sure, making money for editing is the tangible bonus, but to me, the real bonus is expanding my editing horizons with each new article.
2009 in Review - My Favorite Demand Studios Video
Posted by Ryan Vaughn | December 31, 2009 | Leave a comment
My choice for video of the year goes to a filmmaker who demonstrated his love for improving a video in post. There are a lot of creators who've submitted great work this year, but it's rare that such pure enjoyment of postproduction demonstrates complete involvment on assignment as it does in this Tennis Lessons video from Ryan O'Keeley.
Who shot it: Ryan O'Keeley
What I Like About It: I'm one of those tennis players who does not actually play tennis. I know to look ready by rapidly hopping up and down on the balls of my feet while a server prepares to deliver. And I know that a ball should eventually rebound to the opposite side of the net, the result of my own swing. But when faced with articulating the rules of the game, my vocabulary is reduced to the terms of ping pong. So for me, this simple explanation offered in Ryan's video was a welcome, some might say essential, part of my road to better tennis.
The spare geometrical graphics in "Rules & Regulations of Tennis" compliment the layout of the court and clearly identify dimensions and regions of play. Not only was the information dictated efficiently by the expert on camera, it was also demonstrated clearly by the information layered onto well-chosen footage.
How You Can Copy It:
Give yourself options with alternative angles. How often do you hear an editor complain that there is too much extra footage on a project? Compared to the alternative, it's not a bad problem to have, especially on a loosely scripted production. This filmmaker took note of every situation where additional angles and b-roll would be needed and made sure to capture those moments in detail.
Look for opportunities. Review your video looking for opportunities to enhance its content with graphical elements. Is there something which is not clear? Could it be demonstrated with tasteful animation or text integration?
Benefits of Using a Travel Backpack When Traveling
Who Wrote It: Sabah Karimi
What I Like About It:
Its lean and well-organized content. I love how the writer makes efficient use of the subject in its given format. She gives a great short intro about how applicable the article will be to all travelers and quickly hints at the advantages that come with travel backpacks. The rest of the article then goes on to list each feature individually and succintly describes why it is beneficial.
How You Can Copy It:
This article is a prime example of how succesful List formats can be when combined with a solid title and well-organized content. After reading the article in its entirety, it's hard to imagine it going any other way. The structure is simple but effective. You can tell the writer had full command of the article every step of the way. One way to help you do this is by creating an outline before you begin writing the peice. A building cannot be constructed without blueprints, so create one for your article. If you properly scope out your article, you will have better command of the subject and how it flows which will definitely come through in your writing.
2009 in Review - My Favorite GardenGuides.com Articles
Posted by Melissa L | December 30, 2009 | Comments (1)
GardenGuides.com is still a relatively new site for Studio writers and that’s why we’ve been extremely pleased with the extraordinary response we’ve received from our writing community. The quality of submissions has been superb, which made it all the more challenging to single out three articles for this post. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this site great. I’ve enjoyed reading your contributions and look forward to 2010. The three articles I chose included a special element I felt was worth highlighting.
How to Plant Butterfly Garden Plants
http://www.gardenguides.com/87232-plant-butterfly-garden-plants.html
Who Wrote It:
What I Like About It:
Many years ago I worked to attract butterflies to my garden by using one “guaranteed” type of plant. I attracted exactly one butterfly that summer and I think he was just lost. I like that this article gave me multiple suggestions on the kinds of plants that could be used together to attract butterflies (even down to what caterpillars eat), but I also appreciate the writer took the time to include a few additional tips on non-plant features one could use to keep the garden humming with colorful butterfly activity.
How You Can Copy It:
Make the most of what you’re given. In this case, the title was seeking info on how to plant butterfly garden plants, which could be rather vague given the variety of plants it encompasses and the varied needs of each plant. Since it would be extremely difficult to try and answer in detail how to plant each and every plant individually, the writer chose to include the basics on how to plant these types of plants with specifics whenever possible or applicable. And instead of including the bare minimum to answer the question posed in the title, she opted to include additional information that would be helpful to someone seeking this information. Which leads me to…
Think like your audience. When you get a title, ask yourself what you would want from this article if you were the person searching for the answer. What additional information would make this helpful to you? What steps would make this easier to understand? What practices can you take from this and put into action? Visitors don’t want to read filler (nor do we), but they do appreciate practical advice related to the topic they’re interested in learning about.
Include unique, but relevant info. The inclusion of information on growing plants as food for caterpillars and not clearing the lawn of items that could be home to butterfly eggs was relevant information for achieving the implied goal of creating a thriving butterfly garden. This advice helps keep butterflies in the area through the use of plants and offers usable information for ensuring the reader has the best chance of success with their garden.
Using Fresh Herbs for Thanksgiving Dinner
http://www.gardenguides.com/82836-using-fresh-herbs-thanksgiving-dinner.html
Who Wrote It:
What I Like About It:
Though the title strays a bit from the usual gardening article, requiring a blend of culinary knowledge and gardening experience, the writer manages to keep it informative and on point. The tips are helpful and sprinkled among actionable steps.
How You Can Copy It:
Be thorough. Since the title did not specify which herbs or the number of herbs that should be listed or even which parts of Thanksgiving dinner needed to be covered, it would have been easy to simply give a few examples and say the article answered the title. The writer took the time to breakdown the meal into separate components and included multiple examples using a sampling of herbs. This creates a much more satisfying experience for the reader than had the author simply provided a basic list with a general suggestion or two.
Be clear. Each step is clearly defined and simple to execute. She included recipes, as well as general techniques that can be applied to dishes one might already be planning to make. The information is not intimidating for the cooking novice, nor is it condescending to the experienced chef. It’s the perfect balance between the two, like advice from a friend who happened to discover a few kitchen secrets she’d like to share.
How to Grow Caraway
http://www.gardenguides.com/70281-grow-caraway.html
Who Wrote It:
What I Like About It:
Though it seems very straightforward on the surface, this article is what I would consider to be the perfect “How to Grow” article. Many times these articles are almost perfect, except for the exclusion of what seems like one minor piece of information. But sometimes that little tidbit can make the difference between a reader being able to execute the task as is or being forced to go to another source to complete it.
How You Can Copy It:
Include details. If you’re telling someone how to grow something, be specific in what you’re telling them. An article shouldn't simply say “water the plant frequently” or “plant it in the soil.” Explain what frequently means and how deep within the soil the plant should be placed. Every vague comment in an instruction raises another question for the reader.
Answer these questions. If you’re writing a “How to Grow” article, please be sure you include the following information:
Type of soil
Depth of soil
Sunlight requirements
Watering requirements
Time of year
Spacing of plants
Type of food
Kind of fertilizer/how much fertilizer
It feels good to sit back now and see how we all learned from our mistakes and have gotten a better understanding of what is required from all of us to make this work at scale. Our writers and CEs have to learn our formats and we have to listen to their feedback when things are not working as planned and make adjustments when possible.
I think our creators have done a great job this year and I'm looking forward to 2010.
Without further ado, here are my favorites of 2009.
How to Live Healthily Inexpensively
By Lillian Downey
What I Like About It
I like this intro a lot because I can relate to it. I want to make better choices when it comes to what foods I buy, but it's almost always more expensive to make healthier choices. That means the intro did its job, it grabbed my attention and made me want to read the whole article. The article steps also have more than just instructions, they explain why you should do this step or include an example of what to do. Look at step two for example. It would have been easy for the writer to end the step after the second sentence, but she spent some extra time on the article and the end result was great. She also captures the LIVESTRONG voice very well and uses attribution accurately.
How You Can Copy It
The most important question you should ask yourself before submitting your articles is if you think it gives the reader what the title promises. If you're the reader, will you feel satisfied after reading the article or did it just cover the basics? Rachel, who is the editor for Answerbag, calls it the Disappointment Test. If you think the reader might get disappointed after reading your article you should continue to work on it and not submit it yet. Obviously the test only works if you're being completely honest with yourself.
Bankruptcy Rules in Mississippi
By Joseph Nicholson
What I Like About It
We've struggled with these types of titles for a long time now and it was great to find one that delivered what we are looking for. Location titles were often turned into generic articles with very little information that was specific to the actual place mentioned in the title. This article doesn't have that problem. The writer did a fantastic job keeping all the information relevant to Mississippi and included everything from where to file depending on where you live, to all the fees associated with the process.
How You Can Copy It
Go straight to the source and do the research. We often see articles with second hand references, which can be OK in some cases, but it's always best to go to the original source. When information is republished it can be taken out of context or be angled in a way so it fits the agenda of the person or publication that is using it, or even just be misinterpreted. Newspapers print retractions when mistakes are made, but the same cannot always be said about online sources. If a website is updated with edited copy you will probably not notice it unless you're looking for it. A good way of protecting yourself from wrongful information is to go to the original source.
2009 in Review – My Favorite Trails.com Articles
Posted by Soren Bowie | December 29, 2009 | Leave a comment
Top 10 Pieces of Ice Climbing Gear
Who Wrote It: Erika Napoletano
What I Like About It: Erika has taken a vague title and transformed it into a solid, well rounded article. She keeps the information compelling with little hints a reader might not consider while reading it on a computer, but would likely encounter out in the field. “Many climbers opt for harnesses with detachable leg loops, which make both using the bathroom and donning your harness over layers and crampons an easier task.” Here she presents a feature, and then provides the context for why that feature is advantageous.
I also like this article because it feels complete. Ten pieces of gear are a lot to cover, but all the pieces get proper coverage. The equal attention that Erika shows to each is a demonstration of how well she knows the subject, and how important it is to her that the reader know as well.
How You Can Copy It: Rather than selecting titles you think you can answer, select titles you want to answer. I realize it’s not always that simple. Understandably, Studio writers set a number of articles they would like to finish in a day but this doesn’t always allow each writer enough time to fully explore the topic. By selecting titles on topics you know well, you will spend less time on research and more time on adding the little nuggets of helpful information from your own experience. In a list like Erika’s, it’s important to explain what each piece of gear is, give examples and variations, and then explain why it is important. Context is important. Also every section deserves as much thought as the next.
Vacation Ideas for Christmas
Who Wrote It: Claire Taylor
What I Like About It: I love the attention Claire gives to each section, providing ideas that are as general as the title, then digging down to more unique and personalized options in each. A skiing holiday by itself is a self-evident option for Christmas vacation ideas, but Claire offers resorts that are guaranteed to be less occupied during the Christmas season. “Sun Valley, in Idaho, was a favorite in the 1940s but is now less popular and somewhat outdated in terms of facilities available in more modern destinations. The quality of the skiing, however, is still fantastic and Mount Baldy offers not only some of the best skiing in the country, but also some of the best background views.“ The specificity here is key. Whether she knows the areas well or not, as the reader I feel like she knows them well.
How You Can Copy It: The title is about as vague as it gets. There are a lot of these floating around in Demand Studios, and they don’t necessarily have to result in vague articles. Claire gives unique perspectives on each vacation idea that a reader wouldn’t ordinarily think of. She does it by adding very specific options for each along with objective explanations that don’t read like travel brochures. “Squaw Valley in California…is one of the most challenging mountains in the area, so only seasoned skiers head here, reducing the number of skiers competing for lift time considerably.” By taking the time to think about each section of an article and how beneficial it will be for a reader, you can turn a bland article into something site editors are proud to feature on their homepages.
Along with my work as a video production manager here at Demand Media, I spend a lot of time working in recording studios and crafting not only my own music in these environments, but other people’s music as well. I have been producing some form of media for about 18 years and most of my adult working life has been spent in recording studios. So, the gang around here always defer to me when a recording series comes in. This year we’ve been receiving some excellent music and recording series from one of my favorite filmmakers in Nashville. Dimitiri LaBarge has not only been finding us some world class musicians as experts, but he’s also been finding us some amazingly talented and knowledgeable recording engineers and music producers. This series was shot with Frank Green, owner of Digital Master in Nashville. Frank has been working for 24 years as a recording professional and his insight and knowledge in this series really shows. I’ve not only worked in this type of studio, I trained and learned my craft from working with “old school” guys like Frank.
Who Shot It: Dimitri LaBarge
What I Like About It:
I believe Frank. I trust that I’m learning something from someone who has been mastering his craft for years in this series of videos. Dimitiri not only did a wonderful job of finding a true professional, but he found someone working in a beautiful and professional recording environment with state of the art equipment. Frank does a wonderful job of explaining the basics of recording in this environment and our filmmaker gets us enough coverage so that we feel like we are on this session and are truly learning something. In each clip Frank gives us a variety of techniques and historical accounts of different ways to do things. You can only get this from an expert that has been around and has been trying things, experimenting for years and again, has been developing their craft. I like this series for the very simple fact that the expert is truly an expert…. And our filmmaker just captured him sharing his knowledge and experience
How You Can Copy It:
Research All Possible Experts: If a subject interests you and you haven’t found an expert yet, research, research, research. To me, the expert is the foundation of the clip, the central most important piece to this type of production. The right expert can make any production just run smooth. Never settle for someone who dabbles in the subject. They may be passionate about their hobby, but a hobbyist and an expert are two very different things. A true expert gives their life to their passion to their work and either makes a living doing it or at least puts most of their waking hours into what they do. Dimitri did not settle for a hobbyist in his home studio. He found a professional in a state of the art location. Research and search until you find the perfect expert.
Location: Professionals and true experts work in professional environments with interesting and sometimes expensive tools. In the case of this series, Frank was giving instruction in a facility that probably cost close to a couple million dollars to be in business. The type desk that he was mixing on can cost up to $500,000.00 dollars or more, depending on the type. Start your search for experts by researching professional businesses and environments and you are looking in the right place. Experts who use tools always invest in the best tools. In this case a beautiful and professionally built recording studio with thousands of dollars of recording gear is Franks set of tools. He’s spent time and money on them and it shows. I believe anyone who watches these videos with truly learn from them and that is the goal.
Coverage: Shoot, Shoot, Shoot. I’m just going to repeat what we tell everyone. Shoot as much b-roll as you can. This is a visual medium and the goal is to instruct, so we want to see as much as we can about what the expert is talking about. We can imagine it in our heads when we are reading about a subject and we can even grasp the concept if the expert explains it well, but for eHow videos, we need to see what they are explaining and a few cuts of action are worth a thousand words. Again, this is a visual medium, always be looking for the “money shot” or the one visual that will teach the audience. Again, answering the question is the goal and as filmmakers we have it pretty easy because all we have to do is show the viewer the “how to” action.
