Here’s a review posted recently on Amazon.com by Ellen Clegg regarding my Essential Video Journalism Field Manual. Ellen is Executive Director of Communication at the Boston Globe.

“Bill Gentile, a renowned still photographer for UPI, Newsweek, and other outlets, is also a pioneer in video journalism. This field guide distills the lessons from his intense, hand-on workshops in Washington, D.C. The book covers the basics of his character-driven, intimate style of video journalism — it’s run and gun with heart and soul. Gentile covers everything from his six-shot system to ethics in the field to building a social media profile. His direct, energetic teaching style comes through, and he shares a few pertinent war stories along the way. He also provides numerous examples of scripts, treatments, and pitches, and introduces the reader to the basics of handling sound and narration. All in the interest of story, of course. In an era of too much content that skimps on storytelling, Gentile’s work, and his teaching, are refreshingly compelling.”

You can see this, and other reviews HERE.

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, 21 May 2013 — Here are some shots from the video journalism workshop today, the second of our five-day event. Today is the first day of Production. Students headed out this morning to begin constructing the visual foundations of their 3-5 minute documentaries.

Yesterday we covered the visual alphabet, the Six-Shot System, character and informal interviews. When the students returned from the field today, we critiqued their work, then dove into formal interviews, dramatic story arc and script, among many others.

The workshop is funded by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and hosted by Nancy McGirr and her Fotokids.

Above and below, students review their own work.

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, 20 May 2013 — Nancy McGirr (standing far right) opens the May 20-24 Video Journalism Workshop funded by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Nancy is hosting the event at her non-profit, Fotokids, in Guatemala City.

Below, I discuss composition with attendants.

Below, most of the group.

WASHINGTON, DC, 18 Mau 2013 — There are just 16 days left to SAVE $100 on the June 6-9 Video Journalism Workshop in Washington, DC. Use Promo Code BGENTILE to register at https://videojournalismworkshops.com.

You will learn to:

Articulate story ideas.
Capture powerful images and clean sound.
Recognize and cultivate dramatic story arcs.
Conduct compelling, in-depth interviews.
Write powerful treatments and scripts.
Narrate stories.
Edit for maximum impact.
Join the visual revolution! Join us in June.

Best regards,

Bill Gentile

WASHINGTON, DC, 18 May 2013 — During a trip to Venezuela last week, I visited the headquarters of Ultimas Noticias, one of the more widely read newspapers in the country and part of a broad and multifaceted media operation. The visit was part of a summer tour of presentations and workshops in Panama, Venezuela, Guatemala and Great Britain.

Below, members of the visual journalism team.

WASHINGTON, DC, 18 May 2013 — I address students and faculty at the Universidad Arturo Michelena (UAM) in Valencia, Venezuela, early this week.

I got back last night after a one-week trip to Venezuela, where I met with students and working journalists to discuss backpack video journalism and the technological advances that have made the methodology possible. I visited Barquisimeto, Valencia and Caracas and, as during previous visits, came into contact with wonderful young students eager to practice the craft of communication.

Sadly, and unlike my trip to Panama the previous week, I found Venezuela more polarized and more volatile than ever. Both trips are part of a multi-national tour that I’ve put together this summer. The Panama and Venezuela trips were funded by the U.S. State Department.

Tomorrow I head to Guatemala, where I’m conducting a video journalism workshop sponsored by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. (See http://www.trust.org/course/?id=a05D000000FIFPcIAP). I’m conducting another workshop this month in Guatemala, scheduled for the last week of the month and sponsored by longtime colleague and friend Nancy McGirr and her non-profit, Fotokids. (See http://www.fotokids.org). In June I head to London where I’m conducting a workshop for Thomson Reuters. (See http://www.trust.org/course/?id=a05D000000FJssUIAT).

Above, reviewing student work at UAM. Below, autographing handouts.

COLON, Panama, 9 May 2013 — These are images from the Samurai Youth Center in the Panamanian city of Colon. Again, these were incredibly nice kids who are looking for a safe outlet of their talent. Very responsive to any suggestion on how to better their lives.

PANAMA CITY, Panama, 8 May 2013 — The journalists at La Prensa typically work in “silos,” meaning that reporters usually write stories and “los graficos” usually generate visuals. Having said that, there is some overlap, and a limited number of the staff actually do both.

I had a great time discussing video journalism with them, as well as the promise and the challenges that the craft poses.

They actually published a couple of stories of my visit. You can see them at  http://www.prensa.com/impreso/vivir/la-huella-de-un-reportero/176347 and http://www.prensa.com/impreso/vivir/recuerdos-y-consejos-de-gentile/176348.

(Photos by Julie McKay)

PANAMA CITY, Panama, 8 May 2013 — I visited the MUVA Center for at-risk kids to instruct on how today’s digital technology empowers them to document their own lives and to share that reality with other youth who also endure an environment of economic hardship, violence, and the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

These kids were incredibly responsive. They are so hungry to learn, to grow. I’d love to have a few weeks with them to really teach the craft.

(Photos by Bill Gentile, Miguel M. Moreno and Julie McKay)

PANAMA CITY, Panama, 8 May 2013 — During my visit, I had the opportunity to breakfast with some of the key owners of Panamanian media outlets. From left are Juan Luis Batista, Bolivar Aleman, Guido Rodriguez, myself, Julia McKay of the U.S. Embassy in Panama, Rafael Candaneda, Guillermo A. Adames and Hernan Posada.

We had the opportunity to discuss how technology had opened up vastly greater opportunities for media owners as well as practitioners, and how citizen journalism has become an increasingly important component of the broader journalism landscape. The breakfast was held at the Club Union.

Below, the view outside Club Union.