Poynter Producer Project (September 2022)

$499.00

Application is closed
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Poynter Producer Project (September 2022)

This hallmark Poynter program will help TV producers tell stronger stories and make tough calls on deadline. Applications are now closed.

September 12, 2022– September 24, 2022

Overview

  • Beginning September 2022, you’ll join a lasting community of other ambitious producers.
  • Tune in to online sessions for practical, usable insights from Poynter’s Al Tompkins and our guest faculty.
  • Gather with fellow participants Sept. 22-24 in St. Petersburg, Florida, for in-person discussion and coaching.
  • 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 our sponsor.

$499.00

Application is closed
SKU: NUOGS20-22 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

Application is closed

Overview

  • Beginning September 2022, you’ll join a lasting community of other ambitious producers.
  • Tune in to online sessions for practical, usable insights from Poynter’s Al Tompkins and our guest faculty.
  • Gather with fellow participants Sept. 22-24 in St. Petersburg, Florida, for in-person discussion and coaching.
  • 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 our sponsor.

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

Applications are now closed for the Producer Project in September 2022.

Making stories work involves more than just teases and live shots. This online and in-person hybrid 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 hybrid seminar will unfold over two weeks, beginning Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. There will be three online sessions — Sept. 12, 13 and 15 — and one in-person workshop Sept. 22-24.

Below is a tentative schedule, subject to change:

Monday, Sept. 12 (online) — The producer’s role in breaking news

Tuesday, Sept. 13 (online) — Part 1: Powerful writing
Writing to video, the power of natural sound, spotting subjective soundbites, the shape of the story, writing powerful leads, developing interesting characters and finding tight focus

Thursday, Sept. 15 (online) — Battling bias, detecting disinformation

Thursday, Sept. 22 (in-person at Poynter in St. Petersburg, Florida)

  • 9:00-10:30 a.m. — Why journalism matters today
  • 10:30-10:45 a.m. — Break
  • 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — 360-degree feedback from your newsroom (participants joining virtually will discuss results online, while those attending in-person will work with facilitators in small groups)
  • 12:15-1:30 p.m. — Lunch
  • 1:45-3:15 p.m. — What the best producers do
  • 3:15-3:30 p.m. — Break
  • 3:30-5:00 p.m. — The power of diverse voices and sources every day
  • 5:00-5:15 p.m. — Closing thoughts and feedback on the day

Friday, Sept. 23 (in-person at Poynter in St. Petersburg, Florida) 

  • 9:00-10:30 a.m. — Motivators that make stories more interesting, tease and show open writing, the power of active verbs, avoid subjective adjectives and embrace complexity
  • 10:30-10:45 a.m. — Break
  • 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Ethical decision making skills for producers on deadlines
  • 12:15-1:45 p.m. — Lunch
  • 1:45-3:15 p.m. — Producers as newsroom leaders: Principles of Leadership
  • 3:15-3:30 p.m. — Break
  • 3:30-4:30 p.m. — Managing difficult conversations and challenging people
  • 4:30-4:45 p.m. — Closing thoughts and feedback for the day

Saturday, Sept. 24 (in-person at Poynter in St. Petersburg, Florida)

  • 9:00-10:15 a.m. — Managing your boss
  • 10:15-10:30 a.m. — Break
  • 10:30-11:30 a.m. — How to make your newscasts more valuable — lead your team beyond the “what happened” story to valuable “enterprise journalism”
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. — Lunch, small groups make a plan for three big goals
  • 12:45-2:15 p.m. — Tell us your plans and goals
  • 2:15-2:30 p.m. — Closing

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 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.

We want applicants to commit to attending all 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. Poynter has reserved a block of hotel rooms in St. Petersburg at a reduced room rate. We provide lunch for participants in our in-person sessions.

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 will also include a health screening form in the application to help us plan a safe event.

Cost

The cost is $499, which includes tuition for the two-week hybrid 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.

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

  • Nima Ahmed
    Vice President of Programming, CNN
    Nima Ahmed is the Vice President of Programming for CNN/U.S. She oversees more than 35 hours of programming a week working with multiple executive producers...
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  • 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...
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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

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