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We had an extraordinary workshop in Tbilisi, Georgia, despite some built-in challenges. These included the fact that the languages, the skill levels, the experience and the equipment varied wildly among members of the group. Participants came not only from Georgia but also from Romania, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Some of the non-Georgians spoke English but did not speak the local language, complicating their communication in the field. Others did not speak English, complicating their communication in the classroom.
The craft of video journalism is not something that is widely practiced in the region, so workshop participants arrived with little familiarity with the methodology. Essentially, I teach the visual storytelling language practiced by one person using a hand-held video camera to tell character-driven, documentary-style stories. I do not teach the 6 o’clock news done by a single practitioner. I do not teach students how to illustrate print stories.
A few participants arrived without basic equipment like cameras, laptops or editing software. And others arrived with little working knowledge of the gear they brought to the event.
But the workshop was a resounding success because the participants came well-equipped with the talent, the will to learn and the generosity of spirit that far outweighed any shortcomings of hardware or software. I had ample time to present all the key components of my workshops. I gave each participant a copy of my Essential Video Journalism Field Manual, as well as a laminated copy of my “Stop. Don’t Shoot” shooting tips, the reverse side of which serves as a white space to “white balance” any camera.
Each participant managed to finish a respectable film during the five-day event. Some participants with absolutely no experience in the craft came away with very compelling films. All of them went away with a solid foundation that will allow them to move forward with the craft.
I cannot overstate how privileged I am to teach the craft to this new generation of communicators. They are the future.
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