How to Tell Better Entertainment News Stories - Mark Graham

In Chapter 17 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares his process for determining the appropriate storytelling medium for online entertainment news and events. When attacking a story, Graham first focuses on the story essence - what is the story, where is it going, where it originates. He then thinks about the readership preferences and the available media options - video, pictures, long-form writing, short-form blogs - he can use. For example, Graham notes how red carpet events are very visual so video and pictures take precedence over writing. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.