4-Week Broadcast Journalism Camp

Through study and hands-on practice, students are trained in the fundamental principles, techniques, and craft of broadcast journalism. This is accomplished through a combination of lecture, demonstration, in-class hands-on production, and the students' own work.

Each student produces two projects, shot with single-camera set-ups and edited on Final-Cut Pro. 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 set up of the locations, and make final technical checks. Student news producers are required to edit and deliver their projects for viewing and critiques. Projects to be completed are:

FIELD REPORT
Each student produces a field report. In crews of two or three, each student directs, produces, writes, shoots, and edits a short field report of up 30 seconds to one minute.

THE INTERVIEW
Each student produces and edits a single camera interview of one to two minutes. Students are challenged to ask open-ended questions and to follow the conventions of the television interview.

CLASSES

• Broadcast journalism
In this class, students learn the fundamental principles of news-gathering and digital production. Projects are introduced in the class and it is the venue where they are viewed and critiqued. Topics include: Producing and directing single camera shoots, research, ethics, and broadcast standards.

• HANDS - ON CAMERA
Functions, operation, and use of the digital video cameras and associated equipment. Training for shooting in the field and in the studio. Students are taught basic principles for a variety of shooting environments and conditions.

• HANDS - ON AUDIO
Students learn to record quality audio. Training encompasses wireless, interview, and boom microphone techniques.

• DIGITAL PRODUCTION WORKSHOP
In these teacher-supervised labs, the process of directing, shooting, and sound recording for digital news projects is put into practice. Each workshop is an opportunity for students to implement and examine in a controlled environment the techniques they are learning in class.

• EDITING
Non-linear editing training with Final Cut Pro. Students are taught fundamental editing tools and techniques using this software. Students edit their own digital projects, and can supplement classes with individual consultations at the editing station. Students are taught concepts of editing non-fiction material, both practical and aesthetic.

• SOUND DESIGN
This class introduces the process of sound editing and design. It provides concepts, technical information, and hands-on demonstration. The class challenges the students to use sound as an additional tool to enhance their storytelling, and takes them through the complete post-production process.

• PRODUCTION MEETINGS
Before each production, students meet with the Broadcast journalism instructor by crew in preparation for the upcoming project. Students are required bring all preparatory materials to Production Meeting. These may include storyboards, scripted material, location details, and shooting schedule.