JMI - Amman
In cooperation with the Norwegian Institute of Journalism, masters students of journalism and new media at the Jordan Media Institute participated in a three-day intensive training. Students were trained in photo sequencing and its role in television news narratives, whereby events are transmitted to viewers in great detail during a short period of time.
The training workshop was provided by Danish director and correspondent, Torben Schew, an expert in TV news story production, and supervised by the former director of the Norwegian Press Institute, Frode Rekve. With over 40 years of experience in television production, Rekve aims to empower students with creative non-traditional skills needed to produce television news stories that are clear and accurate.
Samples of short television stories from the participating students were displayed and evaluated according to professional standards, taking into consideration the angles in the photos and their visual elements. It was agreed upon that there is a “barrier of fear” when it comes to dealing with clips and their production, but this barrier decreases with more practice.
During the workshop, students saw numerous samples of television works that highlight the key elements of distinguished television stories by emphasizing the human element. Schew pointed out the extent of influence of television stories that discuss life and its details, no matter how simple, relies on the emotions of viewers.
Schew urged participating students to challenge traditional work methods and simplify presentation styles, addressing one issue per story, focusing on the power of photos, and limiting narration. He stressed that every time he comes to the institute he feels the enthusiasm students have for storytelling, a shared enthusiasm among young journalists in the Middle East and Europe.
Rekve, who has supervised a number of workshops and activities during a decade of partnership with the Norwegian Institute of Journalism, said that these activities enhance understanding between different cultures and confirm the level of shared interest among young people working in modern journalism.