News Legend Al Tompkins Tees Up Final Producing Workshop Nov. 17-18

posted on 10.16.2023

- Poynter Veteran Schools Pros, Newbies, Students in Tough Landscape

Any news director or journalist who’s spent time with Al Tompkins deliberating the challenges of the modern TV newsroom will attest that it’s among the most rewarding experiences of their careers. For two days next month, TAB will host Tompkins for his final workshops in Texas guiding professional and novice news producers, as well as college students, to journalistic excellence.

Tompkins, recently retired from the venerable Poynter Institute for Media Studies, will present the same day-long workshop Nov. 17 and 18 at the TAB building in downtown Austin.  Breakfast, lunch and all-day refreshments are included in the $75 registration fee.

REGISTER

The Workshop Agenda

The workshop opens with an examination of what producers strive for in the newscasts they create and manage, followed by a session on “power writing” that makes for memorable newscasts and retains audiences.

The first post-lunch session focuses on a producer’s leadership role in the newsroom by reviewing principles to guide story choices and make ethical decisions on daily deadlines.

Attendees will also take a deep dive into proven techniques in self-care as Tompkins addresses the ongoing struggle newsrooms have with staff stress and burnout in today’s newsroom environment and workload.

This session will also examine ways to best interact and lead other staff contributing to the newscast, as well as “managing up” with bosses and other newsroom managers.

After a short break, producers will explore their vital role in fact-checking and truth-testing by learning the new threats from artificial intelligence, spotting disinformation, and avoiding unproven claims that undermine viewer trust.

Tompkins will conclude the day’s training by reviewing how attendees can implement the main takeaways from the day in their next newscast.

Best Of The Best

In his 25 years at Poynter, Tompkins trained thousands of producers keen on improving their professional skills and developing their newsroom leadership capabilities.

Tompkins’ teaching, considered the best of the best by industry leaders, is practical, specific, and loaded with real examples that arm attendees with techniques to use on the next shift.

Registrants should expect lots of interaction and introspection as they take time away from the daily newscast grind to focus on their unique role in the newsroom.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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