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In Short Courses

Advanced Camera and Lighting Techniques
Advanced FCP Editing Workshop  
Directing, Interviewing and the Ethics of Documentary
Director's Masterclass with Paul Watson
Final Cut Pro Editing Weekend Workshop
Final Cut Pro Editing Week
Freelance TV News Training
The Grammar of Documentary Editing
HDV Camera Techniques
How to Fund and Sell Your Doc
Interviewing Techniques for Documentary
Multiskilling Month
Producers Week
Production Management Week
Project and Narrative Development Workshop
Research for Factual
Sound Workshop
Writing Commentary for Documentary
Writing and Pitching Your Proposal

Freelance TV News Training

When:
tbc
10am - 6pm

Where:
DFG, London

A one-day seminar-based workshop on news features, such as those produced for the Channel 4 News Indy Fund and BBC's This World.

News features are short documentaries in themselves, they are one of the most rewarding ways to cover a story in the news environment and can sometimes even set the international news agenda. With opportunities for Independent filmmakers such as "Newsnight", Channel 4 News' Indy Fund, the BBC's "This World" and the launch of Al Jeezera International, there are more and more opportunities for independent documentary filmmakers to turn to news and current affairs.

Besides covering the daily news agenda, programmes such as Newsnight or Channel 4 News often contain these 'news features' - items varying between 4 - 12 min in length, looking at events which aren't covered by mainstream news.

Usually they get commissioned because the producer can bring something to the story the broadcaster can't - think access, special footage, or particular knowledge of the country or topic covered.

In order to be successful you need a lot of determination and the knowledge and confidence to get yourself on location and finally come back with the footage you promised to get.  

The tutor will enlighten participants about international news features and the Channel 4 News Indy Fund amongst other issues, furnishing you with inside knowledge of what commissioners are looking for and imparting tips on how to approach them and pitch your story.

The course is seminar based and examples of successful independent productions will be shown.


Topics include: 
 
Pitching your story
  • Which stories are getting commissioned; where to find them; rights and revenues.
Getting ready to go
  • What equipment is needed; insurance for freelancers; the importance of the fixer.
On location
  • Being subjective; contacts on location; keeping you, equipment and footage safe.
Post-production
  • The edit; selling your story internationally; generating press; how to sustain contacts for your next story.
How much:
Freelance DFG members: £135 + VAT
Freelance non members £150 + VAT
Corporate rate: £300 + VAT

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