«Happiness is when you see the result.» Pavel Melnikov on the work of the Higher School of Journalism

Pavel Melnikov, head of the television department at the Higher School of Journalism (VShN), helps future  journalists take their first steps in the profession. For 15 years, Pavel Yevgenyevich worked as a correspondent for Rossiya 1, and in 2016 he was awarded the Moscow Prize for his coverage of the city's historical and cultural events. After years in television, he joined what he calls  the "best university in the world" to pass on his experience to young journalists by creating a unique newsroom workshop where students can feel like part of a real editorial team.

© Olga Zotova for the HSE Media Institute

— How did your teaching career begin, and how did you start working at the Institute of Media?

My teaching career  at the Institute of Media began two years ago. Before that I had no such teaching experience. Over the years, various universities had invited me, but I refused because I was terrified of giving lectures, and the mere thought of public speaking made me panic. But with the Institute of Media, everything happened very naturally. I was offered to run a reporting workshop. For me, it was the perfect opportunity to try something new in my profession and at the same time join the best university in the world.

— What do you see as your mission as a teacher?

My mission is very simple: to make sure that students who choose this profession already know and understandthe “tricks of the trade” . I don't want them to only start learning how to work once they get into a national newsroom - they should begin their careers as fully prepared professionals.

— You head the VShN television department. What does this project look like, and what does it teach students? What qualities should those who want to work there have?

VShN stands for "Higher School of News" (Vysshaya Shkola Novostey). The work here is structured according to the principles of a regular television news department. Students go through the full production cycle developing a story idea, finding speakers, producing and filming, writing scripts and editing. My favorite part is recording the weekly news roundup in the studio, with hosts and a full student crew. The main qualities needed for work at VShN are curiosity, responsibility, and diligence. We'll teach you everything else.

— What makes this project different from others?

As far as I know, no other university in the country has anything like it. From day one, students become part of a newsroom that follows the same rules and standards as a professional television news department. I try to organise our work so that when students move on to federal channels, they don’t feel a difference and can immediately start working.

— Why should one participate in the VShN project?

Because it's both exciting and useful. First, students gain hands-on experience. Second, they get access to various events and filming locations that are usually off-limits. Our students have already gone on reporting trips, attending EMERCOM emergency drills, and covered dozens of film premieres, plays, exhibitions, and music festivals. What’s more, students come up with most of the story ideas and shoot themselves.

— And who shouldn't participate and why?

Definitely those who are not interested. But honestly, if you’re not interested, why go into journalism at all?

— Which of your student’s works are you most proud of? Any notable successes?

I am proud of every single piece produced at VShN. And it doesn't matter if it's a big documentary or a regular news story. If a student takes on a project and sees it through to the end, that's already a small victory. Of course, at VShN-TV there are standout talents, but even beginners’ works are equally valuable for me.

That said, VShN's collection already includes a number of award-winning projects: such as the film Village of Victory. Yaropolets, professional-level coverage of the Road to Yalta festival diaries, and the Faces of Victory series.

— What does happiness mean to you as a teacher?

Happiness is when you see the result. And it isn’t always the finished report or program. For me, the result is watching students grow and develop during their studies – seeing them make mistakes and learn from them. And how useful I am in all these processes.

Quickfire round!

—Teaching in one word

Communication

— Morning or evening?

Evening

— Give a lecture or conduct a seminar?

Seminar (I'm all for practical sessions)

— Museum or theater? (Which one and why?)

The Experimentanium Museum, because it makes complex things fun and engaging

— Cat or dog?

Dog

— City or village?

City

— If a book: science fiction, detective, or novel? What was the last one you read?

Science fiction, but most recently I re-read Igory Guberman and Sergey Dovlatov.

— Television or digital media?

Content is king. The platform doesn't matter anymore.

— A place on Earth you dream of visiting.

Singapore and Australia.

Interview by Viktoria Andronova, 2nd year, Journalism program