Poynter Producer Project (2021)

$499.00

Out of stock

Poynter Producer Project (2021)

This hallmark Poynter program — now entirely online — will help TV producers tell stronger stories and make tough calls on deadline.

March 1, 2021– March 25, 2021

Overview

  • Beginning the first week of March 2021, you’ll join a lasting community of other ambitious producers.
  • Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday of this all-virtual, four-week seminar for practical tips you can use right away.
  • Learn from Poynter’s longtime broadcast faculty, Al Tompkins, as well as special guest instructors.
  • When you’re done, you’ll leave with new strategies and skills to help you level up in your broadcast career.
  • If you are a member of AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, NAJA or NLGJA, 50% tuition scholarships are available, thanks to CNN.
  • The deadline to apply is Feb. 9, 2021.

$499.00

Out of stock

SKU: NUOGS07-21 Tags: , ,

Learning Outcomes

You will learn:

  • How to find stories that others miss
  • How to find a focus for your story
  • How to write clear, clean copy
  • The keys to writing teases and show opens that attract and hold viewers
  • A framework for making ethical decisions on deadline
  • Ways to lead even when you do not have formal authority
  • How to better navigate news coverage involving race and bias
  • Strategies for managing newsroom trauma and stress

$499.00

Out of stock

Overview

  • Beginning the first week of March 2021, you’ll join a lasting community of other ambitious producers.
  • Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday of this all-virtual, four-week seminar for practical tips you can use right away.
  • Learn from Poynter’s longtime broadcast faculty, Al Tompkins, as well as special guest instructors.
  • When you’re done, you’ll leave with new strategies and skills to help you level up in your broadcast career.
  • If you are a member of AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, NAJA or NLGJA, 50% tuition scholarships are available, thanks to CNN.
  • The deadline to apply is Feb. 9, 2021.

Training five or more people?
Check out our custom training.

Making stories work involves more than just teases and live shots. This eight-session, four-week online seminar will help you expand your expertise as a TV producer with new writing, storytelling, coaching and ethical decision-making skills.

Here’s what some recent graduates said about their experience:

“The Poynter Producer Project reignited the passion for what I do and made me a better producer in every way. I learned to be a better newsroom leader, which led to a promotion to Executive Producer.” — Jim Bob Breazeale, KEYE, Austin, TX

“The Producer Project gave me perspective on managing workflow and egos — both of which are vital with political coverage.” — Brian Calfano, KOLR TV

“The course was a meaningful experience and excellent networking opportunity.” — Sara Shyiak, CTV

The Poynter Producer Project is long on practicality and low on theory. Poynter Senior Faculty Al Tompkins and a five-star lineup of visiting professionals will sharpen your writing and ethical decision-making skills, stretch your leadership muscles and increase your value to your newsroom. This course will energize you and expand your professional contacts.

The Poynter Producer Project is a cornerstone seminar at Poynter. Over the two decades that we have offered this specialized training for TV newscast producers, many of our graduates have gone on to become executive producers, news directors and top managers for stations and broadcast corporations. Poynter graduates also work at network and cable news organizations and at local TV stations across America and around the globe.

Questions?

If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org.

This all-virtual, eight-installment seminar will unfold over four weeks, each Tuesday and Thursday at noon (Eastern) beginning March 1, 2021. Each session will last 60-90 minutes.

Week 1

  • March 1: At our virtual open house get-together, we will show you how our learning system works and answer questions about the seminar. You will meet your classmates, some of whom you are likely to know for years to come.
  • March 2: Al Tompkins will teach you how to “write visually,” the power of sentence and story structure and strategies for finding focus.
  • March 4: Al Tompkins will teach you how to write teases, leads and show opens that attract and hold viewers.

Week 2

  • March 9: Liz Roldan will detail the essential role of a producer in breaking news.
  • March 11: Ramon Escobar will show you real-world examples of what the best producers do and avoid doing.

Week 3

  • March 16: Kelly McBride will provide you a framework for ethical decision-making when time is tight and the bosses are busy.
  • March 18: Doris Truong will help you navigate race and bias in your daily coverage.

Week 4

  • March 23: Andrea Parquet-Taylor will give you the framework to help you manage your career path.
  • March 25: Al Tompkins and Sidney Tompkins will lead a session about managing newsroom stress and trauma.

The deadline to apply for this four-week program is Feb. 9, 2021.

Who should apply

This seminar is aimed at newscast producers and associate producers. Of course, we welcome executive producers from smaller markets, and we welcome educators and dedicated college students who have producing experience and expect to work as professional producers.

We want applicants to commit to attending all eight sessions when we present them live. Knowing that news sometimes gets in the way of learning, we record each session if you miss one or you want to review what you learned in the live session.

The process to apply is straightforward and simple. No letter of recommendation or reference is required. Please be prepared to answer questions about your professional experience, areas of interest and basic demographic information.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. If you are a member of AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, NAJA or NLGJA, 50% tuition scholarships are available, thanks to CNN. To receive the discount code, note your membership on your application and email us at info@poynter.org.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 9, 2021.

Cost

The cost is $499, which includes tuition for the four-week online group seminar and coaching.

Thanks to generous support from CNN, members of AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, NAJA and NLGJA may apply for a 50% tuition scholarship. If you are a member of one of these associations, please note it on your application.

If you would like to defer payment please use the code 2021producers at checkout. We will contact  you to pay the balance of your tuition if you are accepted into the program.

Instructors

Lead Faculty

  • Al Tompkins, Senior Faculty, Broadcast and Online
    Al Tompkins
    Senior Faculty, Broadcast and Online
    Al Tompkins is The Poynter Institute’s senior faculty for broadcasting and online. He has taught thousands of journalists, journalism students and educators in newsrooms around...
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Guest Faculty

  • Ramón Escobar
    Senior Vice President of Talent Recruitment and Development, CNN
    Ramon Escobar is responsible for recruitment of all on and off-air talent for CNN U.S., CNN International, and CNN en Espanol. He joined CNN after...
    Read More
  • Andrea Parquet-Taylor
    News Director, KCBS/KCAL (LA)
    Andrea Parquet-Taylor joined KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles as news director in 2020. Andrea formerly was news director for KTVT in 2017, and was quickly promoted...
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  • Liz Roldan
    News Director, KHOU, Houston
    Liz Roldan is the News Director of KHOU in Houston, Texas. Formerly News Director of WFOR-TV/CBS4 in South Florida where she worked since 2011, when...
    Read More
  • Sidney Tompkins (LMHC)
    Licensed Mental Health Counselor
    Sidney Tompkins is a licensed Mental Health Counselor who brings more than 40 years of clinical experience to her teaching. She is also a retired...
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  • Doris Truong
    Senior Director of Teaching & Diversity Strategies
    Doris Truong is Poynter’s senior director of teaching and diversity strategies. She helps newsrooms better cover their communities by providing the resources to recruit, retain...
    Read More
  • Kelly McBride
    Senior Vice President and Chair of Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership
    Kelly McBride is a journalist, consultant and one of the country’s leading voices on media ethics and democracy. She is senior vice president and chair...
    Read More

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