Frequently Answered Questions
Is there a place i can watch all of the videos that have been produced in years past?
Yes, check out our Vimeo site, which has all of the videos our participants have produced.
When is the workshop?
We are back for 2023! May 16 to 20, 2023. In Syracuse, NY
What time do you start on the first day?
We start bright and early, at 8 am. We expect our participants to arrive 15 minutes early and bring your gear with them.
What time do you end on the last day?
We hold a graduation ceremony, usually done by 3 or 4 pm. We encourage people to stay overnight to celebrate their new skill sets.
Do I need to rent a car?
That’s totally up to you. Most stories are within 25 min driving distance from the workshop HQ. If you rent a car, you will not need it the entire time. Your opportunities to shoot your stories are on Wednesday afternoon, Thursday, and maybe Friday, depending on how your shooting went. Uber, Lyft, Zip Cars, and taxi cabs are available in Central New York.
Is there a hotel you recommend we stay at?
We recommend the Syracuse Sheraton Hotel (the official hotel with the NPPA discounted rate.) The airport is a 10 to 15 min ride from Syracuse University / the Sheraton. The hotel is within a 3 to 5 min walk from the workshop. Phone: (315) 475-3000 Toll-Free: (866) 716-8115. Use this special booking URL for the NPPA discounted rate.
Do I need to find my own story?
Nope, we find local story topics and characters for you. Each participant picks their story out of a hat at the start of the workshop, so you can focus on learning the technology and storytelling and less about parachuting into a foreign town to try and find an interesting story out of the blue.
Having said that, if you are working on a beat or want to cover a specific topic in Syracuse and already have a story idea, you’re welcome to do that, but setting up those logistical details is up to you check in with us before the workshop to make sure your idea will be usable for the workshop’s curriculum.
What kind of stories have students produced in previous years?
Check out the hundreds of examples from Pulitzer Prize winners, White House Staff Photographers, leading educators, and more Immersion alums.
What software will I be learning?
We will train with Adobe Premiere on 27″ iMacs provided by Syracuse University.
Do I need to bring my gear?
We recommend you bring your gear so that when you return to work, you have all the answers to your gear questions, but having your gear before the workshop is not required. Sony and Canon will be on hand to loan out equipment. Usually, the latest gear each brand has available. Syracuse University provides 27-inch iMacs and the software installed for the workshop.
What, if anything, is required gear-wise?
Sony and Canon will be at the workshop, loaning out gear. We recommend you bring your SD cards. You can also get your camera gear. We recommend you check out equipment from a vendor to use the latest gear and technology. You must bring a tripod. We will not be supplying tripods for participant use.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
We make it so that there is one coach for every 2 participants, the highest of any workshop or training experience short of a personalized mentorship! This lets you get customized training from the industry’s top visual storytellers and educators.
Who are the coaches?
The team changes a bit every year. We pride ourselves on the extremely high quality of our family of coaches. We select them specifically for five core reasons: They’re excellent teachers with years of experience coaching. They’re innovative visual storytellers who have a mastery of the technology. They’re hard workers. (This workshop goes long, and it goes hard. It’s an Immersion, so your coaches will be up with you, coaching by your side throughout the night if needed.) Fourth, they’re from diverse backgrounds, mediums, skillets, and experiences. Finally, they’re great to have a beer with. (We work hard, we play hard.)
We also have official reps from Sony and Canon on hand throughout the week to answer questions and help with the gear (as well as show off some of their advanced features and pro tips).
Do you have any discounted rates?
Outside of the discount for NPPA members, we don’t offer any other discounts. Those rates are $1,095 for NPPA members or $1,245 without a membership.
Do you have any grants available?
We do not at this time. Not this year. Sorry.
I don’t want to take the workshop; I want to observe. Can I do that?
Sorry, we don’t allow any outside observers due to space constraints.
Can I ask for a specific coach to work with?
We match coaching teams to the participant’s skill sets, so while we do our best to match participants with appropriate coaches, we can’t guarantee anything.
Where can I get more information about the workshop?
Feel free to email us! We are very good at responding to emails quickly.
Do you ever sell out?
Yes, in the past, we have sold out almost every year, and we have to top out the workshop at 24 participants.
When do you start registration?
We have begun registration. Register Here. Got Questions? Email us immersion at nppa.org.
