Snap Judgment Call for Stories

Hey all. This very cool new radio show is looking for pitches. Details below.
-mia

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Snap Judgment, “Storytelling, with a Beat,” is calling for pitches for five upcoming episodes, listed below.


Snap Judgment tells both character-narrated and producer-narrated, dramatic, first person, true stories and airs on over 85 stations nationwide. Our stories are heavily produced with music and sound effects and need not have a news hook. Pay scale is on par with other national programs.

Episodes
All In It Together: Go team. Stories about working together, feeling outcast, being accepted, signing-up or going AWOL. Examples include the story of a young man who finds himself at a bar on the night of 9/11 listening to the stories told by emergency workers.

The Wiz: Stories with a Wizard of Oz theme. Think creatively, not just searches for brain, heart and courage, but stories about going home, emerald cities, fake wizards, good witches, tornadoes and your little dog too. Examples include the story of a heart transplant recipient experiencing the memories of his donor.

Tilt: Stories about reaching a tipping point, changing your tune, convincing others, falling from grace, rising to fame, giving-up, standing-up, or more literal stories about tilting, tipping. Examples include the story of a gang of bikers turned born-again evangelicals.

Waste: Stories about trash, time wasted, lives wasted, money wasted, garbage dumps, e-waste, wasting resources, wasting talent, finding treasure in trash. Examples include the story of a high powered attorney’s slow decline into crack addiction.

Cha-Ching-999: Stories about the value of a dollar. $9.99, $999.00, $99,900.00. Stories about learning the worth of something, something that’s value changes with time or with events, losing money, finding money, inheriting money, dirty money, money laundering, winning money, greed or generosity. Examples include the story of a robber who returned his victim’s wallet upon learning that his victim was homeless.


Pitch Procedure

1.     Listen to Snap Judgment.

2.     Check out the “Is your story right for Snap Judgment?” flowchart.

3.     Send your pitch to pitches@snapjudgment.org

4.     The Snap team will discuss your pitch and do our best to get back to you in about two weeks.


We can’t wait to hear your stories!


–Snap

World Vision Report Seeks Editor

Good, part-time contract job for experienced radio producer. Can work from anywhere. Application deadline Dec. 1.
-mia

+++++++++++++++++++++

The World Vision Report, a nationally broadcast, award-winning public radio show, is seeking a seasoned editor for a part-time contract position for one year. We are looking for someone with a minimum of 8 – 10 years of public radio editing experience.

The WVR is an hour-long weekly newsmagazine that focuses on issues of poverty and justice worldwide, with a special emphasis on developing countries. The show tells personal stories of ordinary people through original, sound-rich segments.

Candidates must have excellent editing skills, the ability to present stories in fresh ways, and the willingness to develop collaborative relationships with reporters at different skill levels all over the world. We work mainly with reporters from English-speaking countries who are based abroad, but we’re also committed to cultivating local reporters in developing countries. Experience living and working abroad is a plus, but being well-informed and having an interest in other cultures and places are equally important.

The editor is responsible for contributing story ideas, shaping pieces with reporters, editing scripts, fact-checking and approving final mixes. The editor may also check show scripts, write billboards, review interviews and rough show mixes, and fill in for the show producer or assignment editor as needed. This is a part-time contract position that offers a competitive wage, flexible hours that vary by week, and no need to relocate.

The WVR is funded by the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision. The show values its editorial independence, and the views expressed on the show are not necessarily those of the organization.

The WVR airs on more than 100 public radio stations, and in six years has received a variety of national awards, including Edward R. Murrows, Gracies, Gabriels, New York Festivals and Clarions. To hear the show, go to www.worldvisionreport.org.

Please send a cover letter, resume and audio samples of radio pieces you have edited to: kbaldyga@worldvision.org. Please write “Editor position” in your subject line. Only applicants with more than 8 years of public radio editing experience will be considered.

The deadline to submit applications is Dec. 1.

RFP-The Women Entrepreneurs in the Global Digital News Frontier

There are a couple weeks left to apply for this, deadline is Nov 30. Good luck!
-mia

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Brief description:  The International Women's Media Foundation is accepting applications for its Women Entrepreneurs in the Global Digital News Frontier grant program. The initiative is funded by the Ford Foundation.

The program is open to United States-based women journalists proposing to use digital media in innovative ways to deliver the news. A successful applicant will be dedicated to a media career, and will clearly demonstrate how her project furthers the role of women in digital news media. In addition, she will provide a business plan that demonstrates project sustainability, including tangible benchmarks to measure success.

Three awardees will receive grants of $20,000 each to launch digital news media projects, as well as pro-bono coaching and technical assistance to support their work.

Link to website:  http://www.iwmf.org/pioneering-change/new-media-women-entrepreneurs/frequently-asked-questions.aspx

NYC area Job Opportunity – audio production with Electric Literature – NOW thru end of December

Not stellar pay, but a great, short-term gig for someone who wants some extra holiday cash and an in with what seems like a cool organization. Must be in the general NYC area.
-mia

+++++++++++++++++++++++


Here's a pretty sweet job opportunity with Electric Literature, a publishing house in Brooklyn, New York. If interested, please
feel free to be in touch asap with my colleague, Chloe Plaunt, at chloe@electricliterature.com.

Electric Literature is creating audio maps of the world that will be available for free to anyone with a mobile phone. They will be filled with stories and oral histories of people's lives, notable places, and relevant facts. We need a top notch, hard working, blazingly fast Pro Tools editor to help us from now to the end of December edit audio before the launch. The job is full time, $10 per hour – 40 hours per week, plus overtime. Electric Literature is the start-up publishing company The Washington Post called "a refreshingly bold act of optimism." Our mission is to use new media and innovative distribution to keep storytelling a vital force in popular culture. We have over 150,000 followers on Twitter and are successfully expanding our audience through YouTube videos, iPhone and iPad apps, micro-serializing stories over Twitter, and other ways of using new technology and mediums to redefine what it means to “publish” in the digital age.

April 2011 Science Literacy Workshop

Hey folks. The next Science Literacy Workshop is happening in April 2011 in Berkeley, CA. I did this workshop a couple years ago and it was FANTASTIC! Meet fabulous producers from all over the country and learn a ton about science and telling science stories. I'm happy to answer any specific questions you might have. Deadline is December 10. Go for it!
Best,
Mia

+++++++++++++++++++++

The next Science Literacy Workshop is scheduled to be held the week of April 10 – April 16, 2011.
The application Deadline is December 10, 2011.

The Science Literacy Project workshop is an intensive, six-day training opportunity for mid-career public radio producers and reporters.

http://scienceliteracyproject.org/sites/default/files/SciLit_application_2011.pdf

Soup to Nuts audio documentary training course, December 18-19, Berkeley, CA

Hey Bay Area folks. Claire Schoen is offering her audio documentary training seminar again in December. Don't miss it! Details below.
-mia

======================================================

 

"From Soup to Nuts"

A 2-day intensive

on documentary radio production

offered in the San Francisco Bay Area


Logistics:

This seminar will be held December 18 and 19, 2010.

Each day's class will run from 10 am to 5:30 pm,

including 6 hours of class work, plus lunch and breaks.

 

It will be held at Claire’s studio in Berkeley, California

Class will be limited to 8 students.

The cost of the 2-day seminar is $250.


The Course:

Through lectures, group discussion, Q & A, written handouts, and lots of audio demos, this two-day class will explore the ins and outs of creating a long-form radio documentary. Designed to meet the needs of mid-level producers, this seminar will also be accessible to individuals who have little or no experience in radio production.

 

Compelling audio documentary incorporates a creative weave of elements including narration, interviews, music, vérité scenes, character portraits, dramatizations, performances, archival tape and ambience beds. Students learn how these elements serve to paint a picture in sound.

 

Emphasis will be put on the production process. To this end, the class will examine the steps of concept development, research, pre-production, recording techniques, interviewing, writing, organizing tape, scripting, editing and mixing required to create an audio documentary.

 

Most importantly, we will focus on the art of storytelling. We will discuss dramatic structure, taking the listener through introduction, development and resolution of a story. And we will explore how character development brings the listener to the heart of the story.

 

The Teacher:

Claire Schoen is a media producer, with a special focus on documentary radio. As a producer/director, she has created over 20 long-form radio documentaries and several documentary films, as well as numerous short works. As a sound designer she has recorded, edited and mixed sound for film, video, radio, webstory, museums and theater productions. Her radio documentaries have garnered numerous awards including NFCB Golden and Silver reels, two Gracies, two Clarion awards and a New York International Festival Silver. She has also shared in both a Peabody and a DuPont-Columbia.

 

Claire has taught documentary radio scriptwriting and production at numerous venues including U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies, Third Coast Audio Festival Conferences and AIR's mentorship program.

 

To Register:

Contact Claire Schoen

cschoen@earthlink.net    510-540-5106     www.claireschoenmedia.com

 

 

pdf iconSoup-to-Nuts Flier (Dec 2010).pdf

Free ProTools Demo, Nov 11, 6-9pm, NYC

Hey NYC audio folks. Free pro-tools demo at the Puck Building in NYC this Thursday at 6pm. Their new software promises lots of goodies. Check it out!
-mia
PS: Warning – the new PT is more expensive, but supposedly more flexible than the earlier versions. Go see for yourself.

++++++++++++++

Pro Tools 9 – Elevate Your Sound – New York City

 
Meet the new Pro Tools family.

See the new Pro Tools family live in person and open yourself to the possibilities.

Come out and see the new Avid® Pro Tools® family—live at an event near you. Meet our Pro Tools experts as they take you through all the exciting things you can do with the new line-up:

• Work the way you want—with more than ever—using Pro Tools 9
• Get the benefits of Pro Tools HD in a native solution with Pro Tools|HD Native
• Hear what you’ve been missing with the Pro Tools HD Series interfaces
• Expand your mixing options with the Artist Series and Pro Series (formerly Euphonix) controllers/consoles
• Elevate recording with the all-new Pro Tools Mbox® family

Join the fun and test-drive the latest gear in our workstations, get your questions answered, and mingle with your peers over hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.

Event overview:
6:00pm – registration, cocktail hour, and hands-on Pro Tools 9 workstations
6:55 – short video clip
7:00 – main Pro Tools 9 presentation, demonstration and Q/A
8:00 – talk with Avid Pro Tools experts, refreshments and access to hands-on Pro Tools 9 workstations
9:00pm – event ends

This event is free, but space is limited, so RSVP today to reserve your spot.

 
 
Where
The Puck Building
295 Lafayette Street
New York, New York 10012
USA
212-993-5858
 

new WAMU global affairs radio project seeks pitches

Hey folks. Get in on a brand new global affairs radio program based out of WAMU in DC. They're taking pitches now for their pilot and if all goes well it will get much, much bigger. Contact Andrea at awenzel@wamu.org for more details.
Best,
Mia

++++++++++++++++

Attached is a list of upcoming program themes for WAMU's global affairs program-in-development, Latitudes. We are currently producing a series of pilots to run starting in January. Fingers crossed it will be a weekly program in the future. 
We're seeking pitches from freelance producers around the globe and country– sound-rich features–narrated or non-narrated, essays, essays with tape, short interviews or vox, almost anything really.  These will then be woven into in-studio discussions/interviews on the given themes. Please note deadlines for pitching stories on some themes are very soon.
Full disclaimer, in this start-up phase, our rates are modest. Please contact me for details, and any other questions.
If you're getting this, it's because I thought you or people you know might be interested (or I bumped into you at the Third Coast Conference!). If you'd rather not get these messages please let me know (they should be infrequent). If you know others who might be interested, please forward along.
Many thanks!
All best,
Andrea

* * * * *
Andrea Wenzel
Global Affairs Producer
WAMU 88.5 FM

202.378.8523
awenzel@wamu.org

WAMU-Latitudes
Upcoming program themes

Latitudes is looking for story ideas for the following themes. If you
have a pitch that doesn’t quite fit, send it along. Latitudes seeks
solutions-oriented stories—people with interesting ideas or projects
that aim to make an impact. We’re also seeking ideas that make local-
global connections. Please note the pitch deadlines for each theme.

Send pitches describing focus of your story, characters, and
sound to: awenzel@wamu.org

Pluralism and preventing communal conflict—As the US
struggles with an upsurge of ‘Islamaphobia’, this program
will examine efforts in other countries to encourage cross-
communal tolerance—from India to the UK, and closer to home.
[DEADLINE: 11/8/10]

Global parenting- From maternity/paternity leave to affordable
day-care and more, an exploration of global programs and
projects to help parents. [DEADLINE: 11/15/10]

Urban agriculture- As the world becomes increasingly urban,
this program looks at efforts to bring a bit of the farm to the
city. Honeybees in Iraq and the US, visions for fruit orchards in
downtown Detroit, and more. [DEADLINE 11/17/10]

Cancer in developing countries- Cancer is a major cause of
death in many developing countries, but for most in these same
countries, treatment is not an option for all but the elite few
able to travel abroad. Now some doctors and health advocates
are making plans to change this, arguing what has been done
to address HIV treatment could work similarly with cancer.
[DEADLINE 11/22/10]

Down the toilet- For many, basic sanitation is not something to
take for granted. This program looks at what a difference a toilet
can make… from communal toilets to compost toilets… to the
difference access can make for women living in slums who have
to wait until nightfall to go to the toilet. [DEADLINE 11/29/10]

Cultural connections- Most Latitudes episodes feature
programs connecting local and global cultures through food,
music, art, poetry, jokes, sport, history, etc. Wide open for
interpretation. [OPEN DEADLINE]

doc iconLatitudes themes_1110.doc

Two Job opportunities with SoundVision Productions, based in Berkeley, CA

Hey CA producers. SoundVision Productions is looking for two new hires, one full time and one part time. I've attended one of their Science Literacy workshops and can vouch for their talent and professionalism – plus they produce some really phenomenal radio. Details attached and pasted below.

Good luck!
-mia

++++++++++++++++++++++

SoundVision Productions® is looking for a managing editor/senior producer
for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title), an integrated,
cross-platform journalism initiative that will use community projects,
concept art and other public engagement means to extend informal education
about the science, technology, engineering, and social context of energy and
to tap community knowledge for innovation. This is a two-year position,
based in Berkeley, California
. The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by
the National Science Foundation.

The managing editor/senior producer will be responsible for leading a small
editorial staff as well as freelance writers, reporters, editors and
producers. The ME/SP will work in conjunction with other team leaders
overseeing the technical, digital, outreach, community engagement, research,
evaluation, development & marketing areas.

Looking to fill as soon as possible.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SoundVision Productions® is looking for a Digital Media Producer/Social
Media Coordinator
for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title). This
part-time, two year position is located in the San Francisco Bay area. Start
date is as soon as possible.

The Public Radio Energy Project is an integrated, cross-platform journalism
initiative that will use community projects, concept art and other public
engagement means to extend informal education about the science, technology,
engineering, and social context of energy and to tap community knowledge for
innovation. The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by the National
Science Foundation.

This is a unique opportunity for the right person who lives for the Internet
yet needs the flexibility of a part-time position.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SoundVision Productions Managing Editor/Senior Producer

 

SoundVision Productions® is looking for a managing editor/senior producer for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title), an integrated, cross-platform journalism initiative that will use community projects, concept art and other public engagement means to extend informal education about the science, technology, engineering, and social context of energy and to tap community knowledge for innovation. This is a two-year position, based in Berkeley, California.  The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

 

The managing editor/senior producer will be responsible for leading a small editorial staff as well as freelance writers, reporters, editors and producers. The ME/SP will work in conjunction with other team leaders overseeing the technical, digital, outreach, community engagement, research, evaluation, development & marketing areas. 

 

Looking to fill as soon as possible. 

 

Qualifications

 

The ideal candidate will have experience in:

 

  • Shaping and developing an hour of public broadcast programming such as documentaries, news magazines, or series;
  • Covering or managing coverage of energy/environmental science; 
  • Producing, editing or reporting broadcast features;
  • Managing a diverse group of media professionals, including independents and freelancers;
  • Digital technologies including social networking.

 

The characteristics of the ideal candidate are:

 

  • Ability to generate benchmarks and deadlines and motivate team members to meet them;
  • Ability to transform the mission of the project into a process that keeps everyone moving forward;
  • Detail-oriented yet flexible;
  • Leadership, collegiality, calm under pressure, and a sense of humor.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills.

 

Duties include

 

  • Maintain and communicate SoundVision's editorial vision of sound journalism values, quality production and accuracy in science;
  • Coordinate hiring of freelance and independent writers, editors, producers and reporters in consultation with senior leadership team;
  • Make assignments and manage freelance and independent writers, reporters, producers and editors;
  • Lead team meetings using appropriate brainstorming, problem-solving, decision-making, and project planning techniques;
  • Delegate team tasks as needed;
  • Coordinate editorial review process, from treatment to final;
  • Edit program components as needed;
  • Lead ongoing self-evaluation of the team’s effectiveness;
  • Coordinate with other team leaders and the executive producer to assure timeliness and coherence across project elements such as digital, outreach, evaluation, etc;
  • Collaborate with partners in the ethnic media, local radio stations and universities.

 

Salary negotiable and commensurate with experience.  Some benefits offered.

 

Please submit cover letter and resume/cv with links to three examples of your work, with a description of your specific role in each, to jobs@svproductions.org.  Write editor/producer in the subject line.  No phone calls, faxes or snail mail.  Candidates invited to the next round will be contacted.

 

SoundVision has more than a decade of experience in producing exceptionally substantive, impact-oriented science journalism.  Its NPR-distributed series The DNA Files won numerous awards and aired internationally.  SoundVision produces The Really Big Questions with NPR’s Lynn Neary, which explores the dynamic boundary between science and the humanities and achieved wide carriage. SoundVision also conducts the annual Science Literacy Workshop, a weeklong science and production training for public radio producers, reporters and editors.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++


SoundVision Productions Digital Media Producer/Social Media Coordinator

 

SoundVision Productions® is looking for a Digital Media Producer/Social Media Coordinator for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title). This part-time, two year position is located in the San Francisco Bay area.  Start date is as soon as possible.

 

The Public Radio Energy Project is an integrated, cross-platform journalism initiative that will use community projects, concept art and other public engagement means to extend informal education about the science, technology, engineering, and social context of energy and to tap community knowledge for innovation. The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

 

This is a unique opportunity for the right person who lives for the Internet yet needs the flexibility of a part-time position.

 

Qualifications

 

  • Degree in journalism with an online or multimedia emphasis or equivalent experience;
  • Social media aficionado who lives and breathes all things digital and loves learning new technologies;
  • Extreme familiarity with multiple blogging programs;
  • Ability to adapt to changes in equipment, software and workflow;
  • Willing to explore or develop new methods for creating and distributing digital content;
  • Excellent storyteller and writer experienced with video and audio recording, editing and production;
  • Basic skills with Photoshop, iMovie, Final Cut, Pro Tools, Flash and other similar or complementary software;
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint);
  • Interest in science in general and energy science in particular;
  • Able to work independently and as part of a team;
  • Cool and efficient under deadline pressure;
  • A sense of humor.

 

The successful candidate for this hybrid position will be responsible for:

 

  • Updates to website and social media communities including, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare etc;
  • Conceiving and quickly producing compelling digital features and multimedia packages such as slide shows, galleries, audio presentations and/or videos;
  • Reporting and writing original story elements;
  • Editing topic pages, writing and editing headlines for blog posts and other display copy;
  • Providing suggestions for home page treatment of material;
  • Maintaining online content across multiple platforms, including websites, newsletters, social media and mobile;
  • Support social media presence by integrating tools, apps and widgets from different networks;
  • Integrate Energy Project-branded content into social media sites including Facebook, YouTube, Flicker, Tumbler, Twitter and wikis, etc;
  • Promoting Energy Project-branded content on blogs and aggregator sites;
  • Updating digital databases;
  • Conduct ongoing evaluation of keywords, content and meta data, campaign performance tracking and link building.

 

 

Salary commensurate with experience.

 

Please submit cover letter and resume/cv to jobs@svproductions.org.  Write digital in the subject line.  No phone calls, faxes or snail mail for this digital position.  Candidates invited to the next round will be contacted.

 

SoundVision has more than a decade of experience in producing exceptionally substantive, impact-oriented science journalism.  Its NPR-distributed series The DNA Files won numerous awards and aired internationally.  SoundVision produces The Really Big Questions with NPR’s Lynn Neary, which explores the dynamic boundary between science and the humanities and achieved wide carriage. SoundVision also conducts the annual Science Literacy Workshop, a weeklong science and production training for public radio producers, reporters and editors.

 

SoundVision is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

 

 

doc iconsvp_job_openings.doc

Justine Sharrock reading at Revolution Books November 11th

Fabulous author and Freelance Cafe member Justine Sharrock is reading from her new book in NYC on November 11. Details below.
-mia

++++++++++++++++++++++

World Can't Wait presents a book talk and discussion with Justine Sharrock:

Tortured: When Good Soldiers Do Bad Things

Thursday November 11, Veteran's Day @ 7:00 pm
Revolution Books 146 West 26th Street, NYC

Justine Sharrock, an investigative journalist, writes for Mother Jones, Alternet, and San Francisco magazine.  Her 2010 portrait of U.S. soldiers is "an eye-opening exposé of America’s torture regime."

“Powerful and important. Justine Sharrock talks to soldiers whose patriotic duty was warped by the Bush administration, making torturers out of ordinary men and women. A must-read for all Americans concerned by the corrosive impact of the Bush administration’s “War on Terror” policies on the US military.” –Andy Worthington, journalist and author of The Guantanamo Files

Debra Sweet, reporting from Berkeley Says NO to Torture Week, October 2010: "Justine read from her book about Chris Arendt, an anarchist, Jack Kerouac-reading punk from the Midwest who somehow ended up in a National Guard unit sent to Guantanamo. As he learned the pattern of detainee abuse, like the “frequent flyer” program where detainees were moved every few hours to a different cell for months, he began folding the order forms into origami birds which spilled over his whole desk.  Then he tried to kill himself."