Robb Montgomery

I am so proud to be teaching video journalism to more and more print reporters. And humbled by the amazing volunteer contributions of colleagues old and new that are donating their time and expertise to the Camp Video Journalism training workshops.

Today I am preparing two lectures that I will be giving in Bucharest October 2-3 for the World Editors Forum Master Class series but last week I was joined in the Chicago Sun-Times classroom by my former Sun-Times colleague, Carol Marin and some new CampVJ instructors: Danielle Guerra, Mark Flescher and Aaron Cahan.

CAROL MARIN
I like to document the training I do in venues around the globe and in this first video clip, Chicago TV journalist and Chicago Sun-Times political columnist, Carol Marin, answers questions from Camp VJ Chicago students about interviewing techniques for video reports.

(See the students videos at Camp Video Journalism)

The class was made up of print reporters, videographers, newsroom executive staff, journalism instructors and multimedia editors for Web sites. They got more they than bargained for when Carol agreed to share her vast expertise with the class. Carol has, of course, worked for 60 Minutes and is one of the top Chicago journalists in print and television.

What’s more is that she agreed to teach a session with only about 15 minutes notice. Her esprit de corps and passion for strong reporting, of course, is no surprise to those of us who have worked beside her. I can vividly recall teaming up with her on the Loop LaSalle bank fire story a few years ago when I still worked at the paper. She is as generous with her time as she is professional in her work. I am so grateful to her to have had this chance to collaborate again.

DANIELLE GUERRA
Danielle Guerra is a 23-year-old videographer working at the Northwest Herald in the Chicago Suburbs and she shared her experiences as a photographer and reporter who took quickly to the Web video medium. She has a natural gift and combines those skills to great effect in her video reports.

Take a look at this film she produced recently - it’s amazing. The class loved her.

Find more videos like this on Visual Editors

MARK SCHEFFLER
Mark Scheffler is a former Crain’s Chicago Business Reporter and the founder of BusinessPOV.com, an influential video blog launched in September 2006 focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship. He also regularly shoots for ChicagoBusiness.com (Crain’s Chicago Business). His video stories have dealt with everything from entrepreneur profiles to CEO interviews to overseas segments about Motorola in India and Miller Beer in Argentina.

Mark showed his videos and deconstructed how he reported them for the students. His experiences really connected and he has an easy, yet very articulate teaching style that resonates with working journalists.

Check this video he shot in Indonesia for Crain’s.
The Teak Hunters: Through Bali and Java in search of Indonesian wood
Video link

Just like Carol Marin, Danielle and Mark volunteered their time and talents to the Camp VJ training experience. When they saw the Chicago workshop posted on Camp VJ, they contacted me immediately and offer their services. Wow. I can’t say enough about how humbling e-mails from pros like that are to get and how perfectly matched their hearts are to the mission that the Visual Editors charity stands for.
The charity is on their debt.

AARON CAHAN
Aaron Cahan is a recent graduate of NYU’s famed film school and also taught a session at Camp VJ on story boarding and narrative development. Aaron is also the son of Sun-Times legend, Rich Cahan - the paper’s former picture editor and author of some tremendous photo books about Chicago’s History.

Aaron is as astute as his old man and was able to relay some key points from his recent training in documentary filmmaking and journalism to the class.

LEARNING FROM THE STUDENTS
All of these instructors gave of themselves and it was wonderful to witness. I of course taught a few sessions, too I absolutely love it when we can collaborate and draw on all of the expertise in the Chicago area as well as the expertise from the veteran reporters and editors who were taking the class.

I think we all feel a little bit pumped up and ready to pick up our cameras and turn around more Web video reports just as soon as we can. I know I am inspired by the efforts put forth by the students.

Check out this great film made by Camp VJ Chicago student, Allison Williams. She found Cecil Locke, Chicago Touch & Go Chess owner.

Find more videos like this on Camp Video Journalism

STUDENT COMMENTS
Because good Web video is really best when it engages what I like to call the ’social narrative’ I am going to share some screen captures from a few of the students who took the class. They clearly liked this type of instruction based on their Twitter, e-mail and Facebook updates.

From Marshall, who came from Indiana

Form Nicole who came from Washington, D.C.

I am already looking forward to producing a new film next week. I will be spending a few days each in Bucharest, London and Berlin next week and will be rolling film.

Film at 11.

Share on Facebook