UC Berkeley Journalism - Program - Digital TV and the World

Digital TV and the World

Krista Mahr, class of 2005. On location in Cambodia.

Digital TV and the World is an initiative to create new styles of global reportage that take a close-up look at ordinary people and the issues they face. The special project aims to give fresh voice to people who live in diaspora communities in California by telling their stories, then to examine the fabric of life in communities overseas by traveling abroad on intensive reporting assignments.

The training emphasizes solid reporting, clear expression and original storytelling based on insight and integrity. Student often take additional courses across the campus to gain background, context and skills for their projects. Stories are aimed for multi-platform, multi-format distribution -- Web sites, satellite and broadcast television, and DVDs along with companion print pieces, photo essays and radio dispatches.

The classes of the Digital TV and the World special project train students outside the television track to work with small-format, digital cameras and explore an array of storytelling techniques and editing styles. Students shoot with Sony PD150 cameras and edit on Apple laptop computers with Final Cut Pro.

Students have probed members of diaspora communities from an Iraqi Kurd in Fremont to Cambodians in Stockton. They have reported around the world from Argentina to China to Romania. Many stories are published on washingtonpost.com.

Instructors:
Todd Carrel 510 643-1923. E-mail
Christopher Beaver 415 332-1410. E-mail
Technical Advisor: Milt Wallace. E-mail