Editor’s note: We’re sorry to announce that Skills Fest 2019 has been cancelled for lack of interest. Please drop us a line at njspj.feedback@gmail.com to let us know what kinds of Skills Fest activities you’d like to see in the future.

Learn from the pros

Want to learn how to shoot and edit a perfect video? Or capture a fleeting moment with nothing more than your smart phone?

Or perhaps you want to learn how to tell an audio story? Or craft a compelling podcast?

All of these skills will be taught at SkillsFest 2019 at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark on Saturday, Feb. 2. (Room locations to be announced.)

SkillsFest is a day-long set of training workshops co-sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists New Jersey chapter and the staff of The Vector, NJIT’s student newspaper.

Our workshops are aimed at giving journalists – both students and professionals – the tools they need to better do their job.

The cost is $85 for professionals and $45 for students. Besides the training, that fee includes a box lunch and a one-year membership in SPJ for new and renewing SPJ members. NJIT students pay $10 to cover the cost of lunch but have the option of joining as a student member of SPJ.

Click here to register for this event.

Seating is limited. Attendees must bring their own smart phone and laptop.

We start with coffee and registration from 9-10 a.m., and then we proceed to:

10-11 a.m. Crafting the perfect video

Michael Karas, a photo and video journalist for The Record and NorthJersey.com, will show you how to frame and gather your video clips and weave them into a short compelling narrative.

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Catching the moment

Amy Newman, a photojournalist at the Record and NorthJersey.com, will show you how to anticipate capturing the image you’re looking for and how patience plays a role in documenting a fleeting moment.

1-2:15 p.m.  Create your own podcast

Steve Lubetkin, a professional podcaster and managing partner of Lubetkin Media Companies in Cherry Hill, N.J., will show you the basics of how to record and craft a podcast. Steve is co-author of “The Business of Podcasting: How to Take Your Podcasting Passion from the Personal to the Professional.” Copies of the book will be available at the discounted price of $20.

2:30-3:45 p.m. How to edit your audio story

John Ensslin, a multimedia reporter for The Record and NorthJersey.com, will show you how to use a free software program called Audacity to craft a compelling audio story following a hands-on exercise. Alternative editing programs and promoting your podcast will also be discussed.

12:30 to 1 p.m.  A box lunch and soft drinks will be provided

Steve Lubetkin