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Journalism · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Mobile Journalism (MOJO)

The studio is in your pocket. This practical course trains students to be one-person production crews using only a smartphone. “MOJO” focuses on agility and intimacy—getting shots big cameras can’t and editing in the field to beat the competition. Students will learn mobile cinematography, external audio setups, and app-based editing (LumaFusion/CapCut) for broadcast-quality output.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master the Mobile Camera: Exposure lock, focus, and frame rates
  2. Assemble a MOJO Kit: Mics, lights, gimbals, and tripods
  3. Record professional audio using external smartphone-compatible microphones
  4. Edit complete news packages on mobile apps (LumaFusion, Kinemaster, CapCut)
  5. Execute "Live" field reporting using cellular bonding apps
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The MOJO Revolution: Why Mobile?
  2. 02Apps for Pros: Filmic Pro & Camera+
  3. 03Shooting Techniques: Stability & Movement
  4. 04Composition: The rule of thirds on a small screen
  5. 05Audio for Mobile: Lavaliers & Shotguns
  6. 06Lighting: Portable LED setups
  7. 07Interviewing with a Phone: Eyelines & Framing
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Mobile Video Editing I: Cuts & Trims
  10. 10Mobile Video Editing II: Multi-track Audio
  11. 11Mobile Video Editing III: Graphics & Titles
  12. 12Vertical Video (9:16) for Social Stories
  13. 13Going Live: Streaming Protocols
  14. 14Workflow: File Management & Cloud Sync
  15. 15The MOJO Ethics: Consent & Stealth
  16. 16Final Project: The Mobile Mini-Documentary

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Mobile Mini-Documentary

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Mobile and Social Media Journalism by Anthony Adornato
  2. The Smartphone Filmmaking Handbook by Neil Hillman
  3. Mojo: The Mobile Journalism Handbook by Ivo Burum and Stephen Quinn
  4. Smartphone Movie Maker by Bryan Michael Stoller
  5. Journalism Next by Mark Briggs
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