Multimedia training

Multimedia is the newest trend in the news industry, as newspapers, broadcasters, portals and broadband service providers add video and rich content to their sites. Press Association Training, with access to PA's state-of-the art facilities and equipment and specialists in every aspect of multimedia, is ideally placed to give your staff the skills needed to develop this side of the business.

So what is multimedia? In this course, we introduce delegates to the principles driving the multimedia revolution and, through a combination of hands-on and demonstration, get them interacting with broadband video and rich graphics. The programme offers a solid introduction to the terminology and key trends.

Who should attend: Anyone who wants to know about multimedia.

Course Length: Two days.

A one-day workshop that looks at where weekly papers are and where they are going with their non-print services.

The day, with guest speakers from the industry, covers:

Best practice; how to grow an audience using online, audio and SMS; how to make sure your move to online is part of a strategic plan; video – how to do it professionally; the kit; the method, the training... and the reasoning behind it; how to make money online; community news and sport online – the opportunities and the mistakes; User Generated Content – and how it could work for you;  the do's and don'ts of online publishing; writing for the web; the law and the web and a look at the future of print.

Who should attend: Weekly newspaper executives and journalists who want to develop their online services.

Course Length: One day.

This three-day course is aimed at equipping stills photographers with the skills they require to shoot effective video footage.

By attending the programme, a photographer would:

• Understand how to use a video camera
• Understand the fundamentals of audio
• Know which mics to use when
• Compose shots effectively
• Understand focus, white balance and exposure in video
• Shoot a sequence
• Develop story boards
• Gain an overview of editing styles
• Shoot a basic interview

The course will be based at The Press Association offices in Vauxhall Bridge Road, just a short distance from Victoria Station.

Who should attend: Photographers wanting to acquire video skills.

Course Length: Three days.

Who should attend:
This course is aimed at anyone who interacts with the net, whether budget holder, sales person or marketing executive who needs to widen their knowledge of the internet and discover how to drive audience and revenue.

What will you gain:
Through attending this course, you will gain a better understanding of what web audiences are looking for and how best to market and sell your products online, driving traffic and creating revenue.

Key elements:

Course Length: One day.

Who should attend:
Journalists are increasingly being asked to tell stories in different media, which means print journalists having to appear on camera. It is a big challenge and this course is aimed at enhancing the skills of those who have to appear in video.

What will you gain:
By attending the event, you will learn how to present pieces to camera effectively, how to write tight scripts for broadcasting, how to produce effective voice overs, how to use autocue and how to effectively interview on camera.

Key elements:

Video journalism is really taking off online and newspapers are leading the way in developing their web content to include video. As more people acquire the technical ability to operate cameras, audio equipment and editing software, the story telling and the words sometimes get forgotten.

This course aims at building on the technical skills and puts the art of storytelling back at the top of the agenda. It teaches journalists how to present effectively in front of the camera, how to make every word count in a script and how to make sure the questions asked are the right ones for the medium being used.

The one thing most people know about television is that it adds ten pounds. For anyone interested in a career in television presenting, however, there is a bit more to it. In this course we cover the gamut from how to write introductions and how to use Autocue, to individual advice on wardrobe selection, as well as choosing and applying make-up. This is a highly practical course which gets delegates in front of a camera, conducting interviews.

Who should attend: Anyone interested in presenting for television.

Course Length: Two days.

Reporting for television and multimedia

This course is aimed at the beginner interested in reporting for television. Over the five days, we cover everything from how to conduct a live interview and how to handle television technology to presentation style and voice coaching. All participants have ample opportunity to get in front of the camera, use an earpiece, take cues from a director and use the Autocue.

Who should attend: Anyone interested in reporting for television.

Course Length: Five days.

This course is designed to help both the beginner and those with some experience to develop their skills as a non-linear editor. Using Avid Express and Final Cut Pro equipment, the course offers a lab-setting for learning how to use the kit, how to edit to tight deadlines, how to choose shots to best tell the story and how to edit for news and current affairs programmes. The programme also covers the basics of archiving material and using archived content to best effect.

Who should attend: Anyone who wants to develop their editing skills.

Course Length: Three days.

What makes a good Web page? How does designing for the Web differ from television and print design? How to make pages look more exciting. How to incorporate multimedia elements into Web design. Aimed principally at beginners, even experienced designers will benefit from this course and its detailed feedback and discussion.

Who should attend: Anyone wishing to learn or improve their Web design skills.

Course Length: Two days.

The Web is the fastest-growing medium in mankind’s history. What does it mean for journalists and how can they use it to increase readership of their content and build relationships with customers. This short course examines contemporary publishing experience and equips editorial staff with the basic knowledge they need to exploit the Web and the Internet.

Who should attend: Anyone working on a website or who needs to know more about the Web

Course Length: Two days.

The course will cover all aspects of using the written word on newspaper websites. The aim is to give delegates a clearer understanding of how people consume information on the web and offers pointers to making written web content lively, entertaining and engaging.

The workshop combines presentations, tutorials and practical exercises and will equip delegates with the skills necessary to deliver top quality written content for their websites. 

Areas covered will include:

• Overview – the role of the newspaper website in the digital age and a look at the latest developments on the web 
• How print and web have to work together to enhance the reader experience
• How newspaper websites have evolved with the arrival of Web 2.0
  
• How users consume words on the web and how it differs from printed media
  
• The four building blocks of posting text on the web
  
• Tips on style, length, and typography
  
• Embedded links, internal and external navigation add-ons, tags and themes – enhancing the reader experience with interactive content
  
• Thinking for the user – the importance of thinking laterally to build multi-layered content
• How to build other web content around the written word

Course Length: One day.

This is an essential course for journalists who want to bring themselves up to speed on all matters relating to the web. Multimedia specialist Andy Drinkwater looks at the threats and opportunities for journalists;  the latest facts, figures and research; how newspapers can adapt; writing for the web; identifying web stories; the best and worst ideas; new routes to readers; how to repackage traditional content using video, podcasts and more.

Who should attend: Print journalists who want to develop their multimedia understanding and skills

Course Length: Two days.