4-Week Broadcast Journalism Workshop

In the hands-on 4-Week Broadcast Journalism Workshop, students are trained in the fundamental principles, techniques, and craft of contemporary journalism through a combination of lecture, demonstration, in-class hands-on production, and project-based work.

Each student produces news projects, shot with single-camera set-ups edited on Avid Media Composer. This intensive workshop provides a strong introduction to necessary digital and journalism skills.

PROJECTS
As producers, students have to identify and make arrangements for their subjects, choose and secure locations, prepare equipment, arrange the preparation and setup of the locations, and make final technical checks. Student journalists are required to edit and deliver their projects for viewing and critiques. Projects to be completed are:

VO: In the VO (voice-over) project students use video and natural sound to help tell a story. Each student chooses a topic, shoots video, writes copy, narrates and edits a 30 second segment. The VO encompasses the six skills at the very core of broadcast journalism: finding the story, reporting the story, shooting the story, writing the story, recording the narration for the story, and editing the story.

NEWS PACKAGE: Each student introduces a newsworthy idea, initially as a “story pitch.” Students shoot their own footage, conduct interviews, write, edit and narrate. They also learn how to do “stand-ups.” The stand-up is the on-location appearance of the reporter on-camera. Graphic elements are developed for the story, including (but not limited to) lower-third ID’s and story locators. The News Package runs approximately 2 minutes in length.

INTERVIEW PROFILE: An in depth interview is an important way to use a character to tell a story. Students learn to identify good interview subjects, appropriate locations and work on the skills and techniques of asking questions that elicit news, a relevant story and/or important information. The “in their own words” piece will run approximately 4 minutes.