SMI '22 Electives
Below are the SMI ’22 electives and keynotes. This page will be updated regularly as the program approaches.
Monday, June 20.
Session One: 9 to 10:15 a.m.
The HeArt of Video Storytelling – Denise Vickers
Great news stories don’t just inform – they CONNECT with the audience. So, what’s the secret to memorable video storytelling? We’ll search for the answer together by watching some of the most compelling news stories.
Solutions Journalism: Reporting What Works – Kim Walsh-Childers
In this workshop, you will learn about an alternative approach to reporting on social problems that doesn’t leave the audience feeling helpless, hopeless and disengaged. Learn how you can reframe stories to focus on evidence-supported methods already being used to reduce or even eliminate important problems. Find out what’s required to use solutions approaches to increase the impact of your reporting and increase audience engagement with your stories while ensuring that your reporting meets the highest standards of journalistic practice.
So you want to start a podcast – Ryan Vasquez
In this elective, you will learn some of the basics of getting your podcast idea off the ground. During class, students will produce an episode of the SMI podcast with just a phone and learn skills they can take back home to do their own podcasts with little to no cost to them.
Session Two: 10:25 to 11:40 a.m.
How to request government records as cheaply and quickly as possible – Ted Bridis
A nationally recognized expert on the subject, Prof. Ted Bridis will walk us through the practice of filing requests for government records under Florida’s public records law and the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, including understanding what the types of information you can request, brainstorming about specific files that might be newsworthy, setting expectations about how much it might cost and how long it will take, and where to get help when you run into trouble.
Producers: Making TV Magic Happen – Denise Vickers
What does a producer do? They make magic happen every day on DEADLINE. You’ll see why some believe producing is the best job in the business. Learn how to do it well and you’ll climb the career ladder fast. Join Denise Vickers for this fast-paced, fun session where you never know what we’ll pull out of our hat.
Creating Engaging Sports Content for a Local Audience – Eric Esterline
Understanding your audience and how to craft your story is key to engaging today’s sports fans. Students will learn about creating compelling content for a local sports audience through simple analysis and techniques.
Pitch Perfect – Ryan Vasquez
How do you pitch the perfect pitch when it’s hard to find stories? This elective will help you find and develop story ideas from source materials like agendas and press releases and also your own observations and perspectives.
Tuesday, June 21
Keynote: 10:25 to 11:40 a.m.
What’s Your Story?— Ted Spiker
Learn how to tell compelling stories using interviewing techniques that allow you to connect with your subjects and audiences in meaningful ways. Ted Spiker, journalism department chair, will share his favorite strategies and techniques that go beyond the who, what, when, where, why, and how.