Best Practices in Journalism : Workshops

		Sat.29.Nov

Political Storytelling: How to Cover Candidate Character and Voter Concerns

Saturday	22 June " Telling the Candidates Story	[updated 7.May.02]
8:008:30 a.m.	Breakfast and Introductions
8:3010:00 a.m.	Whats Important to Tell About a Candidates Past and Why Well review both local and national reporting examples and look at: What part of a candidates past matters? Whats fair game when it comes to covering character? Whats relevant and revealing?
10:0010:15 a.m.	Break
10:1511:45 p.m.	Whats Important to Tell about a Candidates Present and Why Remember candidate George W. Bush and the pop quiz? Whats important to know about a candidates record and his or her ability to contend with current issues? Guidelines for covering a candidates personal life Making knowledge of current events fair play Examples of innovative campaign profiles from around the country
12:001:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:303:00 p.m.	Producing and Interviewing: Long Form Techniques A discussion of elements useful to producers of longer length candidate profiles, including those modeled after Frontlines The Choice. Interviewing techniques Story structure, lighting and shooting techniques Writing approaches
3:003:15 p.m.	Break
3:154:45 p.m.	Producing and Interviewing: Short Form Techniques Doing it for the nightly news: planning and research tips Innovative approaches: using unusual settings and props Up close interview techniques
6:008:30 p.m.	Reception and Dinner
Sunday	23 June " Telling the Candidates Story
8:008:30 a.m.	Breakfast Show and Tell
8:3010:00 a.m.	Connecting Peoples Lives to Politics, Part One Connecting the dots between what matters to people and what government does
10:0010:15 a.m.	Break
10:1511:30 a.m.	Connecting Peoples Lives to Politics, Part Two The voters voice used in innovative formats.
11:3012:00 p.m.	Closing Meeting Final discussion and planning
12:002:00 p.m.	Optional Session for Feedback and Critique Bring your rough-cuts and scripts for one-on-one feedback