Hands-on Intensive 8-Week Broadcast Journalism Workshop

OVERVIEW

NYFA's Broadcast Journalism Workshops are offered at our New York Campus only.

In this workshop, through study and hands-on practice, students are trained in the fundamental principles, techniques, and craft of contemporary journalism. This is accomplished through a combination of lecture, demonstration, in-class hands-on production, and the students’ own 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 set up 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 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.

VOSOT: The VOSOT is comprised of video, the natural sound associated with that video, and a short sound bite to tell a story. The video rolls over the anchorman or reporter speaking and then opens up full for the sound on tape (SOT). Students shoot their own footage, conduct interviews, write, narrate and edit the VOSOTS. Completed projects run approximately 45 seconds.

VOSOT WITH STAND-UP: Students learn introductory techniques of “stand-ups.” The stand-up, the on-location appearance of the reporter on camera, will be written, taped, and added to the VOSOT.

THE INTERVIEW: An in-depth interview is an important way to use a character to tell a story. Students learn to identify good interview subjects, good locations, and work on the skills and techniques of asking questions that elicit news, a good story, and/or important information. Each student finds an interview subject who has a newsworthy tale to share. Students conduct the interview and write a script that uses the subject’s responses to tell the story. The “in your own words” piece will run, approximately, 1 minute and 30 seconds.

THE NEWS PACKAGE: A package is an individual stand-alone news segment that airs within a broadcast or webcast.

Each student introduces a newsworthy idea, presents the story as a “pitch,” edits his or her visuals (video, graphics, etc.), and interviews with a narration. The News Package runs approximately 2 minutes in length.

Course Description

• Broadcast Journalism This course is the spine of the program and encompasses the principles and foundation of news-gathering and production. All student projects are introduced in class and it is the venue where they are viewed and critiqued. Topics include: writing, story ideas and development, research, basic reporting, producing and directing single camera shoots. Classes are geared towards preparing students for their own productions.
• Hands-on Camera and Lighting Functions, operation, and use of the HD digital video camera and associated equipment. Students train to shoot in the field. Students learn to operate professional cameras and production equipment enabling them to technically execute single-camera productions and understand the necessities of a variety of shooting environments and conditions. Lighting is a key element in this class, and students will learn basic threepoint lighting techniques.
• Hands-on Audio Students learn to record in a multitude of situations. Training encompasses wireless and boom microphone techniques.
• Production Workshop In these teacher-supervised labs, the process of directing, shooting, and sound recording for 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 Students train on the non-linear editing system, Avid Media Composer. They are introduced to the fundamental editing tools and techniques using this software. Students edit their own projects, and can supplement classes with individual consultations at the editing station. Students are taught to edit non-fiction material, both practical and aesthetic. Topics include editing terminology/vocabulary, time code, cutting styles, organizational tools and rules for editing, and building the story in post.
• Special Topics This class addresses subjects of specific relevance to the outside projects. Topics include story structure; writing commentary; rights, ethics and law; broadcast studies.
  
  For further information please email Senior Executive Vice President, David Klein (david@nyfa.edu).

Dates & Tuition