Workshops and Classes
"Alison Hill could be easily regarded as the most international, diverse and multicultural journalists anyone has ever encountered. Her enthusiasm, passion and willingness to always give it all in a classroom, has made her a unique and sophisticated journalist and producer..." Susana Vela-Pryor , Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colorado.
Read more testimonials from acadmeics and insustry professionals below...
Workshop
Television pre-production
So you have an idea for a TV show, documentary or film but are not sure how to proceed?
A good finished product in TV requires excellent pre-production skills. It’s imperative that a producer spend time planning before venturing out on a shoot.
Drawing on over 10 years professional experience in the TV industry, I can offer simple yet effective techniques. Starting with a vision of the proposed show I can help budding producers bring their dream into reality. All it takes is careful planning, a good idea and a little skill.
Anybody can learn all of the above – but it does take time, patience and practice!
I'll cover the following elements for location and studio shoots: ideas/concepts, research, recon/location scourtng, treatment/outline, shot lists, networking, guests, inerviewing, crew lists, paper work - permits and releases, and much, much more...
I hope to see you there!
Where - URTV Community Television, Asheville, North Carolina.
When - Thursday November 6, 13 and 20, 7-9 pm.
Future classes are determined by the level of interest. Please e-mail me for further information.
serenmedia1@yahoo.com
News Media and Journalism Classes
Teaching goes beyond mere instruction and the sharing of information. A good teacher inspires a lifelong exploration of ideas and encourages critical and analytical thinking. My teaching material comes from the journalistic trenches and my methods from a tradition of open discussion and sharp analysis. This is what I endeavor to bring to my classes, be they for adults or children. I want my students to discover their passion, listen, learn, make up their own minds, then go forth and achieve their best!
Overview of course
An exploration and analysis of the role of journalism and journalists in society. Are journalists fulfilling their roles adequately? Are citizens fully informed?
1. The definition of journalism.
2. News Mediums.
3. Different types of journalism.
4. Stories.
5. Elements of a story.
6. Political coverage.
7. Analysis of stories/newscasts.
8. Project – an exercise in information gathering, analytical thinking, research, organizational and writing skills.
- I've given many talks to classes at the Metropolitan College of Denver, discussing the role of journalism in society and whether the news media is fulfilling its duty. I encouraged students to fully participate in the critical analysis of this very important issue.
- Recently I completed a week-long teaching residency at a private school in Asheville, teaching the above News Media and Journalism course.
- I also worked as an instructor at the Ohio School of Broadcasting in Denver, Colorado, teaching "Introduction to Television" classes, focusing on the basic skills needed to pursue a broadcasting career.
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Below are testimonials from industry professionals and academics:
" I have worked with Alison Hill in the tv and film trenches. Alison is the professor of excellent writing and impressive producing skills, talents, and accomplishments. She co-produced our award-winning Sand Creek Massacre documentary film. She listened to me as I described how I wanted her to be as a hostess on our tv show, "Haunted World." Without a script, she walks the viewer through a haunted house, giving out information, creating suspense, and entertaining the viewer. We have also worked together on a variety of tapings and shoots. Her brilliant journey in life with professionalism, perfection and know how are paralleled to me, and I've worked with some of the best. A consummate artist, writer, producer, host and interviewer. "
2007-08-30
Donald L. Vasicek , Olympus Films +, LLC, Centennial, CO
" My name is Susana Vela-Pryor and I am a Visiting Assistant professor in the department of Political Science at Metropolitan State College of Denver. I generally teach courses to mainly international students from all over the world as well as United States nationals. Since the fall 2004, Alison Hill has been part of the lecture series I have consistently organized in all of my classes, which consists in bringing speakers from all paths of life, religion, political and cultural views. I have had the pleasure of having Alison Hill consistently for various semesters since 2004 in three of the classes I have taught, specifically, American National Government, Global Citizenship and First Year Seminar (multicultural class). It did not matter whether her audiences consisted of a variety of multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual students or not, Alison was always ready to address every single sensitive, political and multicultural issue while in the classroom as well as ready to answer the innumerable questions posed by the students. Alison shared her experiences and contributed greatly to the student knowledge with the following topics: Slavery in the 21st Century; Television and Media in the United States; the politics, the government and the current immigration issues of Wales. Alison Hill could be easily regarded as the most international, diverse and multicultural journalist anyone has ever encountered. Her enthusiasm, passion and willingness to always give it all in a classroom, has made her a unique and sophisticated journalist and producer. 2007-09-10 Susana Vela-Pryor , Denver,Colorado "
2007-09-22
Susana Vela-Pryor , Metropolitan State College of Denver,Colorado
" I worked with Alison Hill for over four years, sharing my expertise on Middle East history and politics as a panelist on several prime time PBS discussion shows. I have worked with many very able professionals in TV shows over the years and Alison Hill is no doubt one of the best I worked with. She is very professional, extremely creative and attentive to details. Most importantly in my opinion is that she is able to accomplish always excellent results (time after time) with her great compassionate smiling personality which enabled panelists of high level specialist (dealing with extremely contentious charged issues) to feel comfortable, trusting and appreciated. Myself and my Colleagues who worked with Alison were always eager to participate in her projects - we always knew that we would be proud of the final public result which indeed always turned out correct.
Professor Shaul M. Gabbay (Ph.D). Executive Director, Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East - ISIME Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver www.isime.org "
2007-08-31
Prof. Shaul M. Gabbay (Ph.D) , Executive Director Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East, ISIME, University of Denver, www.isime.org
" I worked with Alison for more than four years on Colorado Inside Out, a political and topical events roundtable produced by a PBS Denver affiliate. Alison produced the show and was a godsend. During a very reactionary time nationally and locally, Alison made sure that dissenting, progressive voices always had a seat at the table! She earned my respect again and again with her ability to remain calm under fire.
I am a former civil righs attorney who currently teaches undergraduate American legal history at the University of Colorado at Denver. I wrote a political blog for the DenverPost.com for more than three years - as a writer I'm in awe of Alison's discipline. I'll read that book! Go after it girl. "
2007-09-01
Dani Newsum , Centennial, Colorado
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"Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure."
George E. Woodberry
Gail Godwin
"Cultivate your garden. Do not depend upon teachers to educate you... follow your own bent, pursue your curiosity bravely, express yourself, make your own harmony."
Will Durant
"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater."