Chicago Headline Club’s Digital Media Training Institute
The Chicago Headline Club – the largest local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists in the country – today announced the launch of an innovative program to provide specialized training for its members and the local journalism community during these tumultuous times in the industry. The Digital Media Training Institute will help journalists acquire the skills they need to compete for new media reporting jobs and to hold on to jobs they already have as staffers are being asked to do more with less.
“The importance of ongoing training for journalists is critical, especially in a digital media age,” said Chicago Headline Club President Beth Konrad. “Also having an ethical awareness of how digital media compares to more traditional media is essential.”
The Digital Media Training Institute will begin with three monthly programs. The first one, “The Elements of Audio Production: Recording & Editing,” will take place at WBEZ Chicago Public Radio on Saturday, Oct. 17. The second session, “Video Production I: The Basics of Shooting and Editing Video,” will be at the Chicago Tribune on Saturday, Nov. 7. The third part of the series, “Blogging Basics for Reporters,” will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, on Loyola University’s Water Tower campus. Each session is limited to 20 participants.
“As a print reporter who recently started shooting video, I realize the importance of multi-platform journalism,” said Kristen Schorsch, Headline Club vice president. “As chair of the Headline Club’s program committee, I am very excited to be working with a team of professionals and fellow Headline Club board members to put together this training institute.”
Here are additional details of the sessions:
Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – noon
The Elements of Audio Production: Recording & Editing
Learn the essentials of how to record, produce and edit audio in this hands-on session at WBEZ Chicago Public Radio. Experienced, award-winning radio journalists led by Steve Edwards, acting program director for WBEZ and Headline Club board member, will teach the basic elements of audio production. The session will include how to record in the field, how to get great tape, how to upload audio and the ethics of editing.
Location: WBEZ studio, 848 E. Grand Ave. (Navy Pier)
Cost: $40 for Chicago Headline Club members; $50 non-members
Class size: 14
Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Video Production I: The Basics of Shooting & Editing Video
Learn how to produce and edit video with the latest digital technology – Flip cameras – in this hands-on session at the Chicago Tribune. Multimedia producer and photo editor John Owens will teach you the basics of shooting and editing video and how to tell a story. No equipment necessary.
Location: Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th floor
Cost: $40 for Chicago Headline Club members; $50 non-members
Class size: 15
Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – noon
Learn how to create and maintain your own blog, embed multi-media and interactive features, tie in your social networking accounts and all the nitty gritty details in between. ABC7 Chicago News reporter Ben Bradley, a former president of the Chicago Headline Club, and Barrington Broadcasting Group LLC interactive content manager Hilary Fosdal, current Chicago Headline Club secretary and webmaster, will lead this session that will cover online media including how to develop a following with your blogging.
Cost: $40 for Chicago Headline Club members; $50 non-members
Class size: 20
In addition, Chicago Headline Club members who sign up for all three sessions at once will pay $100 for the series, saving $20.
Reservations are required no later than 24 hours before each session by calling 312-553-0393 or e-mailing chc.kathy@gmail.com. Payment, by personal check and credit card (no American Express), will be accepted at the door.
Local journalists are encouraged to view the Headline Club’s recently re-vamped Web site for job information, programs and member directory among other features. Go to www.headlineclub.org. Journalists who are not members can join online.