It seems difficult to compare the work of Steinbeck and Chris McGreal. I would say McGreal is definitly responding to Steinbeck and is inspired him but what McGreal has done is far more journalistic. I think this is a risk and benefit when using multi media.
Journalism wants truth, hard truths, we take all the photos of McGreal's at face value. That said fiction is often a vehicle for truth that is more sincere than journalism can be. I have worked only a few weeks as a reporter for a paper and already see how much is not said.
My problem with multi media is that I personally think it almost says less. How much interior thought does it allow?
Sorry this is short :/ I spent more time on the site than blogging since I had to rush.
I love your idea about what goes unsaid in a newsroom. I felt the same way as a reporter. Being a journalist often has more to do with editing than storytelling. I know fiction is all about editing too, but that expectation of "truth", even partial truth, changes things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the refelection.