"I can attest that I found it invaluable. It affirmed my commitment to the sort of programming that PTV does so well, and gave me more awareness of how the system works. . . In addition to the information I got from the Workshop, it was invaluable to get to know the people involved -- both the presenters and the participants, and the folks from PBS and CPB. That experience makes me feel more comfortable about not only how to craft a project, but who to talk to about it." Robert Winn, 2002 Workshop
The 2006 Workshop will be held at WGBH Boston during the week of Saturday, June 17 through Friday, June 23. It has been developed for producers who create or intend to create works for public broadcasting, either through a station or independently. It is an opportunity for these producers to work intensively on the skills that will benefit them most, through classes and through direct contact with some of public television's most talented personnel.
The definition of "producer" includes producer/writers and producer/directors; individuals who have worked locally as well as nationally, in all genres of programming; professionals who work in video, film, and interactive media; and those who work in studio-based as well as field production. Please note that the Workshop is not for beginners.
Over its five-year life, the Workshop has accepted participants from 32 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Many of these producers have since contributed to public television's signature programming (American Experience, History Detectives, African American Lives). They have made programming for local and regional broadcast (New Jersey Legacies, Oregon Field Story, Greater Boston Arts) and online (Katrina Film Project, Journey to Planet Earth website). Their independent films (Mirror Dance, Saigon USA, Fannie Lou Hamer: Courage and Faith) have reached national PBS air.
The twenty producers selected for the 2006 Workshop will receive scholarships that pay for the cost of the Workshop and the week's travel and living expenses.