On Location

MediaStorm Methodology Master Class

with Brian Storm

Online registration for this program has closed. To check availability, find about about future dates, or if you would like further information, please call 505-983-1400 ext. 111. Also, get the SFW E-Newsletter for updates!

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Course Description

The MediaStorm Methodology Master Class gives participants a chance to look inside the workings of a successful film and interactive production company, while taking them step-by-step through both the creative and business aspects of digital storytelling. 

During this in-person workshop in Santa Fe, attendees learn about the history and recent developments in photojournalism, multimedia and video journalism, including the current trends in documentary filmmaking, all through specific examples in MediaStorm’s work.

Brian Storm shares MediaStorm’s workflow and methods and discusses essential elements of project organization and storytelling concepts. We also have detailed discussions about working with clients and fostering relationships with NGOs and other partners as well as traditional and new models of distribution, offering a detailed blueprint with specific recommendations for producers and educators alike.

Attendees are encouraged to participate in ongoing discussions and in-depth critiques of MediaStorm’s work, as well as the industry as a whole. Our goal is to teach and inspire others to improve on MediaStorm’s model and approach, and to foster a growing family of storytellers that will continue collaborating with one another and moving the business forward for years to come.

Participants leave the Master Class with an understanding of what it takes to produce quality documentaries and digital multimedia stories, from software options, to story selection, to distribution. This Master Class is not a hands-on workshop, nor is it designed to teach attendees how to use editing software or how to shoot video. MediaStorm offers detailed Online Training videos for that, and each participant will receive one year of complimentary access.

What you will learn:

Storytelling Fundamentals

  • Fundamental video storytelling skills and techniques
  • Documentary filmmaking essential principles
  • Best interviewing practices for your subjects
  • Working with still photographs, sound and video
  • Organizing your dailies
  • Optimizing your editing workflow
  • Putting the package together

 

Design Fundamentals

  • Creating appropriate graphics packages for cinematic narratives
  • Fundamentals of web design and interactivity
  • Using animation appropriately and effectively in your work

 

Partnering with Clients

  • Pitching to and collaborating with clients/partners
  • Wisely choosing different types of possible clients/partners
  • Applying to production and post-production grants and contests

 

Packing and Distribution

  • Efficient and appropriate ways to showcase work on the web
  • Encoding and distribution for various online platforms
  • Syndication models

 

Various distribution models for both short and feature length content

  • Best festivals to submit your film to depending on your priorities
  • Specific examples and recommendations of companies and platforms to use to distribute your film

 

The Business

  • Real financials and business strategy of a small production company
  • Different possible modes of business for a successful production company
  • Remaining innovative and ahead of the curve as a video/multimedia producer

Additional Information

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Photojournalists, videographers, and documentary filmmakers who want to learn how to improve their craft, while also getting up to date on the current state of the industry. Educators looking to build out video journalism, multimedia or documentary filmmaking programs for both undergraduate and graduate levels. Organizational leaders and entrepreneurs looking to build or grow successful video/multimedia departments and companies.

For the convenience of participants, recordings of each class session are posted privately for one month after the end of each session. Santa Fe Workshops takes the recordings down after one month to protect the intellectual property of our instructors.

Categories
Documentary, Multimedia, Professional Development, Storytelling
© Brian Storm
about
Brian Storm

Brian Storm is founder and executive producer of MediaStorm. MediaStorm publishes diverse narratives, offers advanced storytelling training and collaborates with a diverse group of clients. MediaStorm’s stories and interactive applications have received numerous honors, including 30 Webby nominations (6 time winner), 17 Emmy Award nominations (4 time winner), two duPont Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award.

Prior to launching MediaStorm in 2005, Brian spent two years in New York as vice president of News, Multimedia & Assignment Services for Corbis, a digital media agency founded and owned by Bill Gates. From 1995 to 2002 he was director of multimedia at MSNBC.com.

Brian received his master’s degree in photojournalism in 1995 from the University of Missouri. He lives in Los Gatos, CA.

Instagram: @mediastorm

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