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9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Welcome: Who am I and Why am I Here?
Introductions: Instructors and students

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
What’s the Story?
General discussion on storytelling, with a focus on audience engagement and the Q&A process

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Get it Together: News Gathering
Techniques for finding interviews, assessing stories, and gathering information

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Story Construction
How to structure and craft compelling news stories

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & Learn: Ask Us Anything
Discussions on internships, networking, and landing a job in broadcasting

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Writing: Creativity and Conciseness
How to write creatively while maintaining clarity and conciseness in broadcast journalism

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Say What? Voice & Diction
Focusing on voice, pronunciation, and using your authentic voice to tell the story

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Daily Wrap
Recap of the day’s lessons and preview of homework assignments

Homework for Day 1:
Identify three plausible and doable story pitches (must include verifiable interviews and a two-line story synopsis). One story must be enterprise-focused and outside of the FAMU university environment.

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome Back
Quick reintroduction and outline of the day

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Morning Meeting: Pitch Review
Each student presents their story ideas, defending the concepts and answering questions from mentors and peers

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
What Time Is It? Time Management
Tips on managing time effectively while working under pressure

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Decisions Under Deadlines
Strategies for handling breaking stories and working with tight deadlines

11:15 AM – 11:20 AM
Break

11:20 AM – 12:00 PM
Reclaiming My Time: Part 2
Continuing the discussion of time management under tight deadlines, applicable to reporters, producers, and photojournalists

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & Learn: Ask Us Anything
Continuing the conversation on internships, networking, and career advancement

1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
One-on-One Coaching Sessions
Students rotate through smaller group sessions focusing on:

• Photography coaching (outside)
• Anchor coaching (TV 20 Studio)
• Interview coaching (Lecture Hall)
• Producing coaching (TV 20 Newsroom)

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Post-Show Meeting
Review of the day’s learnings, with an opportunity for Q&A

Homework for Day 2:
Choose one of the three story ideas to work on for the group assignment. Prepare to head out in pairs on Saturday morning to shoot part or all of the story package.

Strict deadline enforcement.

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome Back

• Quick reintroduction and preparation for the day
• Final story selection and briefing

9:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Morning Assignment
Students gather gear and head out to shoot their packages. Mentors will accompany the groups, when possible, to provide guidance and feedback

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & Learn: Ask Us Anything
Continuation of discussions on career development, internships, and networking

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Get Written Up
Writing the story. Students will work independently, with mentors available to assist with the writing process. First drafts will be student driven.

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Speak It into Existence
Voiceover training: Students will record their story narration, with mentorship provided to refine delivery

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Putting It All Together
Assembling the full story package (as much as possible) with mentor assistance in shot selection, editing, and package construction

4:30 PM – Until
Dinner Theatre
Viewing and listening to the students’ completed stories (even if partial), followed by critiques. Dinner and final feedback will be provided.

Wrap Up
Archiving the Weekend
Final thoughts and reflections on the bootcamp experience, along with career advice

This comprehensive three-day curriculum ensures students gain practical experience in all aspects of broadcast journalism, from story pitching to writing, producing, and on-air delivery, with a strong emphasis on mentoring and real-world application.