1999 Platypus Workshop February 27 - March 12, 1999

The Two Week Workshop
The first week will be a "boot camp" for still photographers in basic television shooting. In the second week, all would-be Platypi will enter the world famous NPPA TV Workshop to learn alongside the best in broadcast journalism.

You'll Work Hard
As TV shooters who have gone through the experience can attest, learning this stuff is no picnic. Participants will spend 12 to 16 hours a day in formal and informal sessions with over 30 award-winning videographers, editors and correspondents. Logistical considerations will limit the number of participants who will actually be shooting and editing to ten. However, the shooters will be married to observers in three man teams, and will go through all the exercises together. During the TV workshop, the teams will take the same kind of assignments given to the broadcast shooters, except they will be edited and critiqued in the Platypus nonlinear edit room.

What To Expect
You'll be totally immersed in a new atmosphere from the moment you arrive. The Workshop will provide the newest in 3-chip professional digital video cameras. Technical and storytelling skills will be taught, providing the foundation for a new breed of total visual journalists.

Leave Your Ego Behind
Unless you already have a professional 3-chip digital camera that you can't do without, leave your gear behind. We will outfit you with the equipment you need. If you are already a skilled TV shooter, pass on the Platypus course and apply to the TV Workshop. Otherwise, forget everything you thought you knew about working with a handycam, and prepare to learn a set of skills that will form the core of your new career in photojournalism. Workshop graduates will be the spark plugs whose enthusiasm and commitment will energize the environments in which they will work - and change the face of media.

Plan Now
The Workshop is organized to let you take advantage of super-saver airfares. Fly to Oklahoma City on Saturday, and return home two weeks later on Friday evening.

Housing
Attendees must make their own housing arrangements. OCCE offers convenient, low-cost, on-campus accommodations. Full details will be mailed upon receipt of each completed application. For housing reservations and information, call 405-329-2270. Due to the large number of applicants expected, for both workshops, you should apply as soon as possible.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution. Under the guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the University of Oklahoma requires written notice of any special needs for participants. This request must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the beginning conference date.
 

Faculty For The 1999 Platypus Workshop
Dirck Halstead, Director: A veteran still photographer for UPI and Time magazine. In the early 90's he helped in the creation of Video News International, now NYT-TV (a New York Times Company). VNI played an important early role in moving photojournalists into television. Dirck can be reached at (202) 861-4071, or Email: dhalstead@dvnetwork.net

David Snider: A second generation Platypus, is a documentary still photographer who has embraced the philosophy, and is now the senior producer for The Digital Journalist website.

Rolf Behrens: A former cameraman and editor for Sky News, who spent 12 years on the news fronts of the world, including Somalia, Rwanda and South Africa, is now a freelance producer/director based in Washington, DC.

Dick Swanson: A former Life photographer and National Geographic contributor, he is a certified AVID editor, and is engaged in producing documentary projects for the Video Action Fund in Washington, DC.

Bill Gentile: A former Newsweek photographer, who won international awards for his coverage of Nicaragua in the 1980's, he has emerged as an Emmy award winning videojournalist. He has been there and done that, and will share his firsthand experiences.

In addition, faculty members of the TV Workshop, and guest speakers will share their knowledge with you as you prepare for a new career in visual journalism.

Enroll me for: (check one)

_____ Shoot and Edit: ($1,000 - Enrollment is limited to 10 photojournalists). Minimum of 2 years of professional photojournalism is required. NPPA reserves the right to select applicants if more than 10 paid applications are received. You will shoot and edit six TV exercises, then attend critique sessions with members of the faculty of both workshops for evaluation and constructive criticism. We suggest you bring a sturdy video tripod with a quick release clamp.

_____ Participant: ($750) - May be a photojournalist, reporter, editor, producer or educator. News managers will also benefit. You will attend all sessions, go out on assignments, but will not shoot or edit. If you have already shot a video piece or two, you are encouraged to bring short tapes on Beta, Digital or VHS tape for individual critique by a faculty member.

_____ Qualified Student: ($400) - The workshop encourages student participation. To qualify you must provide a letter from your professor or advisor verifying your status as a full-time student. You get full access to all sessions, plus a few "for students only" events.

*Special Note: Deadline for applications to Shoot and Edit is January 15, 1999. Payment (check, money order, or credit card information) must accompany application. Tuition fees are fully refundable except for cancellation without notice.
 

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Employer:___________________________________
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Mail completed application and check, money order, or credit card information  to:

The Platypus Workshop
National Press Photographers Association
3200 Croadsdaile Drive, Suite 306
Durham, North Carolina  27705

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