Friday, November 07, 2008 Seares: Hologram or not By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
CNN's use of hologram for the anchorperson to talk with a correspondent outside the studio has set off some debate on new technology and how it affects journalists' work.
On US election night, anchor Wolf Blitzer at CNN press center in New York City talked with reporter Jessica Yellin at the Obama campaign in Chicago.
Instead of appearing on split screen or window, Yellin looked like she was on the same set with Blitzer, not miles away. Futuristic shades of Princess Leia and Obi-wan Kenobi in "Star Wars."
Actually, tech experts rushed to correct, it was only a virtual hologram inserted into the video by some "sophisticated real-time processing effects."
CNN used hologram-enabled satellites and cameras and computers and other whiz-bang gadgets. Yellin said 35 high-def cameras, encircling her in a tent in Chicago, picked up her every movement and beamed the image in 3D to the New York studio.
Check out the process. How journalism work is affected by modern tech is the primary point here.
'Cool but'
CNET News' Marguerite Reardon says the hologram was cool but a "bit silly and annoying." She wants to see the place and hear the people covered by a news report. Off-camera noise, Scott Nichols of "PC World" writes, can make it nearly impossible to hear anything.
As TV consumer, I disagree. Location and people can be flashed on screen. Background sound can be muted. More annoying is the sight of persons behind the reporter-on-scene, gesturing and making faces to grab public attention.
As a journalist, I believe new tech shall complement, not overwhelm, content.
It shall seize, not distract, the reader or viewer.
