News Service: Media training workshops: 2011–2012 schedule
UC Davis University Communications offers Media Training I and Advanced Media Training workshops. These sessions are customized for our scientists, faculty, staff and students.
Media Training I
This all-day interactive session is customized for scientists, faculty, staff and students of UC Davis who interact with the news media. It covers the benefits and risks of working with the news media, including strategies for accommodating the differing methods of print and broadcast journalists. Participants will learn what to do when a reporter calls, as well as their rights to obtain information from the news media before agreeing to an interview. A series of exercises will teach participants how to prepare for a successful interview and how to develop strategic media messages and talking points for public presentations. Instruction is provided on general public speaking skills as well as on-camera techniques. The course will also cover the topic of public versus protected information, and offer tips for handling crisis communications. Techniques are demonstrated through a series of exercises including critiqued on-camera interviews. Topics covered through on-camera exercises will include message development, speaking to a group and aggressive interviews. Please plan to attend the entire workshop in order to obtain your certificate of completion.
Dates: 2011–12
- September 2 – UC Davis campus
- October 7 – UCDHS Sacramento
- November 4 –UC Davis
- December 2 – UCDHS Sacramento
- January 20 – UC Davis
- February 17 – UCDHS Sacramento
- March 16 – UC Davis
- April 13 – UC Davis
- May 11 – UC Davis
- June 22 – UCDHS Sacramento
- July (to be announced) – UCDHS Sacramento
- August (to be announced) – UCDHS Sacramento
Cost: $50, covers catered lunch, beverages, class materials, room charges (please note that cancellations made less than one week in advance of the scheduled class date will still be charged the entire class fee).
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Place: Classes will be split between the UC Davis campus in Davis, and the UC Davis Health System (UCDHS) campus in Sacramento. UC Davis campus workshops will be held in room 203 Mrak Hall. UCDHS Sacramento classes will be held in the Suite 1200 of the Broadway Building, 4900 Broadway.
Instructors
- Mitchel Benson, associate vice chancellor for University Communications, former spokesman and media strategist for the California state treasurer and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, San Jose Mercury News and Kansas City Times
- Charlie Casey, senior public information officer, UC Davis Health System; 26 years of media experience, including newswriter and producer for KXTV News, and media and communications director for a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization
Registration: Contact for application. Enrollment in Media Training I is limited to eight participants per session.
Advanced Media Training
This three-hour program is for those who have completed the primary media training workshop and are seeking more practice with media interviews and public speaking situations. Topics covered through on-camera exercises will include message development, speaking to a group and aggressive interviews.
Dates: 2011–12
- October 20
- December 15
- February 16
- April 19
Cost: $50, covers studio rental/equipment use (please note that cancellations made less than one week in advance of the scheduled class date will still be charged the entire class fee).
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Place: All workshops will be held in the UC Davis television studio at Academic Technology Services (in Surge II), unless otherwise noted.
Instructors
- Pamela Wu, director of marketing and communications for UC Davis School of Law and former reporter and broadcast news anchor
- Mitchel Benson, associate vice chancellor for University Communications, former spokesman and media strategist for the California state treasurer and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, San Jose Mercury News and Kansas City Times