|
|
|
Kudos to the folks in Camdenton, Mo., who produced this fine front page for the Lake Sun weekend edition, taking top page honors for the Month of July.
The centerpiece package — an enormous ASF — on how to beat the heat gave readers a number of ideas on how and where to while away the dog days of summer. The package has a lot of impact, in part because of the fantastic lead photo by Lake Media staffer Jeff Burkhead.
Joyce Miller, editorial director for Lake Sun and the other publications in the Lake Media group, answered a few questions about the planning of the package:
Who was involved in the planning of the page and how did the discussion transpire?
Reporters, page designer and editor
Did the story assignment differ from the planning? If so, how?
Yes. Very much so. We originally had planned a larger piece with some additional beat the heat activities but ..... just hours from deadline, and I mean less than two, we had a drowning on Lake of the Ozarks. We pulled the package and ripped out the pieces that did not have to do with the water. ie caving, movies etc. We used those as a standalone package. We felt it was totally inappropriate to have the drowning as the top deck story above a centerpiece about water fun. We then took the water pieces and moved it to our weekend edition.
How did photography play a part in the planning and execution of this package?
We knew we needed a central photo that we could push to the top. So we decided to concentrate our efforts for that on one of the municipal swimming pools that are always excellent places for great photos of families, fun and water.
What was the most challenging aspect of producing the content/page?
The photo and how to package it.
What would you differently next time you approach an ASF this way?
I am not sure to be honest. We were pretty pleased with the final package.
What advice do you have for other editors who wish to create a unique ASF?
Don't be afraid. Try new things but always, always have a back up plan in case it totally falls through.
Nice job, Joyce, by you and your talented staff!
Send front page pdfs each day to frontpages@gatehousemedia.com.
Joe Greco is corporate design director for GateHouse Media.
Contact him at jgreco@gatehousemedia.com.
Missed front page of the day? Find the archive here.
