NSA Files Decoded guides readers through the Edward Snowden documents by blending videos, animations, maps, charts, GIFs, and text. It’s structured as a seamless, scrollable web experience. The central goal was to answer the question: “What do these revelations mean for me?” I shot all the video interviews and edited the video.
I edited three different viedo teasers that were used to promote the piece before it was published. To get the full idea of the piece, go to the NSA Files: Decoded website
The Guardian US Interactive team is famous for their clever expositions of complex problems. So I was thrilled when Gabriel Dance, the Guardian Interactive editor called and asked if I could meet him about a project. “Could we chat on the phone?” I asked. “Rather not” he replied. “Can you give me an idea what it’s about?” I wrote back? His short reply:”NSA.”
Thus began my journey working on the Guardian US fantastic Interactive project NSA files decoded/ Edward Snowden’s surveillance revelations explained
I shot the videos and did the sound along with the help of the Guardian’s Interactive Editor Gabriel Dance (now at the NYTImes) and their ace designer, Greg Chen (now freelance) then cut these trailers, which they used both to promote the piece and as one of several introductions when you come to the page. (Always clever, the Interactive team crafted the site so you’ll find a different introduction every time you come to the page. )
The entire interactive piece (and the videos) received some great shout-outs including FastCompany and also from Dr Mario Garcia, my former graphics arts professor who now re-designs newspapers and online publications worldwide.
After you hit the opening page, scrolling down the page launches the intro, orm rather, one of four different intros. Greg Chen did the cool AfterEffects graphics.
The third teaser.
The project won a host of awards:the interactive with my videos was part of the package that earned the the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, a National News Emmy for New Approaches to News and Documentary Programming, a Webby and the first gold medal ever given by the Society for News Design.
I love the way the site tracks you, the viewer, by relating the time you’ve been on the site to the amount of data the NSA has been downloading.