Baobab: Video and Media Training

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Video Training

The major television outlets in the North always report the bad news -- the catastrophes, wars, famines, corruption. The news imperative requires the devotion of increasingly scarce resources to the spectacular stories that explode on the scene. There are many, vital, positive stories that television news organizations rarely do -- even when they want to. Broadcasters can't afford to send crews to get pictures for what they perceive to be "soft" stories and they certainly won't do such a story without pictures. 

We are convinced that part of the solution to this conundrum is home video cameras in the hands of sensitive, trained and seasoned travellers. Institutions with people working in the South can also benefit greatly by having a video resource that broadcasters can use. Sources of footage from the developing world are scarce. 

In the developing world itself video is evolving in ways we have not seen in the North -- as a community resource, a powerful educational and training tool at the grassroots level. Proper training is key to making the most of video in these environments.

Shooting video with a modern camcorder is relatively easy. Shooting good video that will tell a story is not so simple -- but: 

What people don't realize is that with proper training, almost anyone can become a proficient television story-teller!

We provide training modules for institutions, groups and individuals. Our approach is very hands-on and our trainers all have extensive network television experience. 

Our 65 page video training guide, "All the Pictures Tell the Story", is central to all Baobab courses and workshops. This handbook has sections on the techniques of video story-telling, research and organization, and on the technical aspects of using modern video camcorders. The equipment section is updated regularly to keep pace with changing technology. Every course participant gets a copy of the guide.

 

Baobab Training Manual

 

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Media Training

David Mowbray, the founder of Baobab Productions, has spent years as a broadcast journalist in television and radio and knows what the media are looking for from a guest in an interview. He has been a network radio science show host and a television presenter and has created Baobab's media training program. His lively one-on-one and small group sessions on 'what to do when the media calls' have been given to many scientists trying to learn to communicate better.
 

Trainees get sessions in how the media works, the editorial process, being interviewed in different milieu (television, radio, long format, news etc.), accuracy, the right of review, and 'on and off the record' conventions. They also learn internal procedures vital for their organization in order to make the most of media opportunities and to minimize potential damage from a misguided media story. 

All sessions feature simulated interview situations with both tough and soft questions, news conference, and even a simulated crisis. Each situation is video taped, reviewed by the trainers and then discussed with participants. Every participant gets a check list that can be kept handy and referred to if a journalist calls in connection with a story.