With the advent of the small digital cameras and desktop editing, and the potential of the Web for distribution, news and documentary journalism is more open now than ever to more in-depth journalism and a wider variety of styles and forms.
News and Documentary educates students interested in reporting and producing short form and long form journalism for traditional and non-traditional media. From the first class, students are immersed in the small DV camera and desktop editing environment. They learn form, structure and storytelling by working in the field with a partner and, eventually, by themselves.
The Reporting I class begins with the basics of short form stories in a variety of formats and then students move on in a progression of courses to the thirty-minute documentary. Courses in the history of documentary as well as electives that cover "48 Hours"-style newsmagazine editing enhance the experience. We also encourage students to take advantage of our summer global reporting opportunities. Examples of past projects can be viewed in Student Work.
The classes are small and individual attention is primary. Students are encouraged to develop independent projects and we will support that work. Students team closely with experienced faculty and teaching professionals who represent a variety of approaches and disciplines. Professor Rock is an independent documentary producer who has covered stories in Northern Ireland, New York and the arts. She is interested in journalism that incorporates solid research and stylistic innovation. Professor Ludlum is a veteran studio line producer interested in rethinking the presentation of network and local broadcast news, including conceptualization, story development, writing and production. He also has a keen interest in long form radio journalism. Professor Stone specializes in investigative and legal reporting in the network magazine style. Other faculty bring the wealth and variety of New York media outlets into the classroom with in-depth experience at cable channels, the networks, local news, MSNBC, CNN, New York One, WNET Channel 13, PBS and HBO.
Our students are in demand for internships at all the major broadcast news organizations in New York as well as the smaller documentary production units.
