“I arrived wanting to learn how to film well, and I’m leaving not only with that but also with practical skills and theory that I’m very grateful for,” shared Vira Polyana from “Fayne Misto” in Ternopil. This is one of the 14 pieces of positive feedback received after a three-day videolab conducted in cooperation between the Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” (SFEM-UA) and the “Nakypilo” educational centre.
Six well-known Ukrainian journalists and media experts from “Nakypilo” trained 14 aspiring journalists from different Ukrainian oblasts in the basic principles of filming, including scriptwriting, directing, and preparation for shooting. Participants also gained essential insights into mobile storytelling. For instance, they learned how to select suitable devices for mobile video production and explored a variety of accessories to enhance their filming process. Moreover, hands-on practice in Adobe Premiere Pro provided them with key editing skills, such as interface navigation, sound editing, colour correction, and adding titles.
Overall, the videolab’s sessions fostered a dynamic and productive environment where participants not only learned theoretical skills but were also able to put them into practice by developing and presenting their own video stories, including behind-the-scenes footage that showcased their new mobile storytelling techniques.
In the context of freedom of expression and media in Ukraine, this videolab proved to be crucial for preparing aspiring journalists for real-world situations and equipping them with the essential technical and creative skills necessary to meet today’s challenges. Furthermore, it highlighted the importance of such training in an evolving media landscape, demonstrating how hands-on sessions promote high-quality and ethical journalism by enriching storytelling skills.
The Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” (SFEM-UA) is implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026.
