2019 - Summer

Graphic Journalism: Using Live-Drawing, Visuals and Comics (Session 1)

Course Number: SS1: JOUR-UA 302.001

Day & Time: T/R 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: 20 Cooper Square

Instructor: Bob Eckstein

Albert Class Number: 2323

2019 Summer: Graphic Journalism. The pinnacle of teh conference is Pitch Slam. Every writer with a dream, hoping to be discovered by an agent. - My editor friend: "My worst nightmare - hordes of writers with ideas."

Today most people have the attention span of a flea. This is why illustrations, videos and live-drawing have become an integral part of reporting, and major news outlets have taken notice. Graphic journalism ranges from covering local news to the World Series, frivolous events like Comic Con, and even uber serious global conflicts like Syria. It affords those with the right skills to stand out at a time when our profession is more competitive than ever. All writers need to be elastic. If telling your story in a vibrant way through images helps you reach more people, media outlets will want you. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

But creativity and being open to try is a prerequisite. This class is about improving your storytelling while discovering ways to make work more enjoyable and rewarding.

Students will cover and report one event a week in an area of interest and executed through drawing, filming or some other non-text form of expression. We’ll determine this after learning what your strengths are (hidden or obvious) and how to apply them. This class will prove there is room for experimentation in journalism. The ultimate goal is to find your individual voice, produce work that is shared online or published, and amass examples of graphic journalism to add to your portfolio.