This course has been postponed because of novel coronavirus and COVID-19.
Email [email protected] to learn more about online video courses that we will be offering this summer.
The Program
The best way to tell a story is to show it.
Columbia Journalism School faculty teach you how to tell your story through video. This two-week course focuses on the essentials: how to conceive of and structure a story, how to handle a camera, how to use post‐production software, and how to combine audio and video visual components to deliver a story.
The program is structured for interactive discussion and lab work, which is done in small groups, to maximize the learning process and encourage individual progress. Throughout the program, you will meet with industry innovators and leading video producers, as well as visit the video newsrooms of mid- and large-size news organizations, like Vice, Mashable, Bustle, Great Big Story, and the New York Times. These opportunities to meet and observe those working in this fast-shifting field allow you to gain valuable access to networking opportunities and first-hand insight on how to deliver multimedia journalism that is effective and engaging.
Over the course of the program, you will identify, research, and report out several original stories. These stories will deepen in complexity and sophistication as your understanding of the tools and techniques improve, and as you learn from professional critique sessions. You should leave with at least one complete video story.
Who Should Apply & Course Fees
Prior experience working in video and journalism, defined broadly, is preferable but not necessary.
The course fee is $3,000. Admitted applicants who pay the course fee in full before April 15th will receive $250 off the course fee. Alumni of the Journalism School receive a 10% discount on this course. Those who have taken other non-degree courses from the Journalism School and all faculty, staff, and students of Columbia University receive 5% off the course fee. The course fee does not cover travel, lodging, or other expenses associated with living in New York City for three weeks.
Curriculum
Week One
June 8 (Monday)
Introduction to the Course
Syllabus Overview
Gear Check Out
The Video Journalism Landscape
What Makes Good Video
Watch Examples of Video
Shooting Process
June 9 (Tuesday)
Video of the Day
Importance of Sound
Understanding Microphones
Setting up a Sit-down Interview
Shooting Process Review
Research and Pre-Produce Story 1: Character, Interview, Process
June 10 (Wednesday)
STORY 1 Field Production, Shoot Action and Interviews for 2-3 Minute Story
June 11 (Thursday)
Field Trip: Vice (example)
Preparing for Post Production
Review and Questions from the Field?
Logging Footage
Transcribing Interviews
Editing in Premiere Part 1
June 12 (Friday)
Video of the Day
Editing STORY 1
Week Two
June 15 (Monday)
Video of the Day
Editing in Premiere Part 2
Critique of STORY 1
The Pitch: What makes a story a story? What makes it NEWS story?
June 16 (Tuesday)
Video of the Day
Field Trip: The New York Times (example)
Research and Pitch of STORY 2
Production Techniques Review
Composition
June 17 (Wednesday)
STORY 2 Field Production, Shoot Action, Multiple Interviews for 3-5 Minute Story
June 18 (Thursday)
Video of the Day
Editing STORY 2
Narrative Storytelling Techniques
June 19 (Friday)
Course Review
Critique of STORY 2
Faculty
Duy Linh Tu is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice and the Director of Digital Media at the Columbia Journalism School. He is a journalist and documentary filmmaker whose work focuses on education, science, and social justice. His work has appeared in print, online, on television, and in theaters. He is also the author of Narrative Storytelling for Multimedia Journalists (Focal Press).
Professor Tu teaches reporting and video storytelling courses at the Journalism School. He is also a graduate of the School.
Student Experiences
Sai Ma focused on improving her toolkit as a video producer:
Sarah Smaïl gained the skills to pivot to video full time: "The video class was a great inspiration for me and got me very motivated for jouranlism, which is what I'm doing now."
Jeff Canoy learned to think outside the box: "It was an adventure to explore NYC with journalists from other countries. We managed to pull off making three video projects in three weeks--in a foreign country, no less, and had fun while doing it."