From June 13 to 14, 24 participants from the Salesian Provinces across South Asia gathered to deepen their understanding and proficiency in mobile journalism. Organized by Boscom, the communication body of South Asia, together with the Social Communication Sector, Rome the workshop was meticulously designed to cover a wide range of essential topics in MoJo. The sessions included understanding MoJo, essential skills and tools, storytelling, mobile video editing and post-production, live streaming and real-time reporting, social media integration, and techniques for personal brand building.
The resource persons who guided the two-day workshop were Mr Sumit Dhanraj, the Vice President of SIGNIS India, Mr Gajendra Deoda and Ms Neha Sawant, two experienced mobile journalists.
Mr Sumit Dharaj enlightened the participants into the need and advantages of Mobile Journalism and its effectiveness in the initial platform today. Mr Dhanraj also introduced the value of Journalism and how a lax in content creation can lead to sloppy journalism.
Mr Gajendra Deoda and Ms Neha Sawant in their turn touched about the essential skills and practical application and challenges of mobile journalism. Mr Deoda explained the different types of camera shots required when shooting news reports and how one needs to plan out their framing of the video and the scenes they need to present. Ms Sawant explained the use of camera equipment and the essential softwares needed for post production and editing.
The participants were given hands-on training into interviewing people to prepare a short news report. Through the guidance of the resource persons, the participants were able to learn and adapt to the challenges faced when preparing the short news report, when they had gone out on the streets to do their practicals.
Mr Mayuresh Konnur, an experienced mobile journalist of the BBC, shared his practical experiences and tips to Mobile journalism. He also presented the difficulties and the challenges one would encounter at work, and shared some practical tips to overcome them. He also provided a few useful insights to help gaining the audience attention and planning towards creating attractive content for the audience. The participants had a good Q&A session with Mr Konnur that helped clear their doubts and queries as they were enthusiastic to embark on their journey as mobile journalists.
The participants were also introduced to the basics of storyboard planning and execution, the other nuances in post-production especially the practical aspects of the apps – VN editor and Canva.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the practical session on MoJo, where each participant created their own video. This hands-on experience allowed the participants to apply the skills they learned in real time, resulting in unique and compelling video content.
The brain behind this comprehensive workshop was Fr. Harris Pakkam, the Director of ANS (Agenzia iNfo Salesiana) and the point of reference for the South Asia region. His vision and dedication to advancing communication skills among the Communication Delegates were evident throughout the event. Fr. Ernest Rosario, the Delegate and head of Boscom, also played a crucial role in the successful execution of the workshop. Fr. Joyston Machado, the Social Communication delegate of the Mumbai Province, served as the coordinator of the event. His organizational prowess ensured the seamless flow of sessions and an enriching experience for all participants.
The Participants lauded the workshop for its interactive and practical approach, which not only enhanced their technical skills but also inspired them to innovate and excel in the field of mobile journalism, and communicate creatively through MoJo stories.
As the participants returned to their respective provinces, they carried with them new skills and a renewed passion for storytelling, ready to make a significant impact in their communities and to the Congregation at large.
The workshop was very informative and inspiring as affirmed by Joanita Sequeira, one of the participants from Panjim, Goa. She added that the hands-on training in filming and editing helped enhance her creativity and boost her confidence.
