The associate professor of cinema and television arts was one of nearly 400 attendees at the 2024 Vision Africa Media Institute in Umuahia.
Nearly 400 students, educators and media professionals gathered in July for the 11th annual Vision Africa Media Institute in Umuahia, Nigeria, to educate, strengthen and inspire future media practitioners. Among the participating educators was Vic Costello, associate professor of cinema and television arts, who led five presentations to help aspiring media professionals navigate modern media landscapes.
During the two-day event held on the campus of Vision Africa Radio, institute participants were divided into two tracks – Management and Programming or Production and Storytelling – and attended sessions on radio production, social media, branding, ethics and artificial intelligence, while also covering basic media skills like interviewing, videography and audio production.
Costello provided an opening plenary address, titled “AI 101: Navigating Media’s Newest Technological Frontier,” introducing the transformative role of artificial intelligence in media. While discussing the advantages and pitfalls of AI, Costello addressed the essential information needed to confidently engage with emerging technologies while using AI assistive technologies responsibly and ethically.
In another session, Costello explored the rapid evolution of podcasting as a powerful storytelling medium. The Elon professor emphasized the engaging nature of podcasts and encouraged participants to experiment with the platform as part of their media strategies, especially for reaching new demographic segments of listeners or viewers.
Additionally, Costello presented three production-oriented sessions on visual storytelling, audio recording, and sound design, and conducted in-house training for the radio station’s news and multimedia content producers.
The annual media institute served not only as a gathering for students from regional universities, including mass communication students from Abia State University, but also as a convergence point for professionals in radio, television, journalism and filmmaking.
“It was so encouraging to see this vibrant exchange of ideas and the positive impact of the event,” said Costello, noting the importance of fostering connections across the media landscape in Africa and beyond. “The students and professionals in attendance were engaged, and there was a palpable enthusiasm for learning and professional development. The atmosphere was lively and dynamic, reflecting the vibrant and active nature of media and broadcasting in Nigeria.”
According to Costello, many attendees expressed a strong desire to stay current and enhance their professional skills and knowledge, which showcases their commitment to excellence in their respective fields.
While this was Costello’s first visit to Nigeria, he previously co-led summer filmmaking workshops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2017 and 2018.
Vision Africa
A faith-based nonprofit organization, Vision Africa is dedicated to delivering support for the mind, body and soul, enabling the African communities it serves to live more abundant lives. This year’s conference faculty and coordinating partners included Vision Africa 104.1 FM, Sharing International, and Galcom International.