new FC member seeks audio recorder advice

Hey folks. An unusual request from a new FC member, but one I'm happy to oblige. This from Will Evans:

My wife and I are freelance reporters in the Bay Area, print mostly (I've worked at the Center for Investigative Reporting and the Sacramento Bee) and some radio. We're having trouble with our audio equipment at the moment, and wondered if anyone on your list has a Marantz PMD 620. That's what we have and we're trying to find out if there's anything wrong with it. An editor for a piece we're working on says the sound is bad but we can't figure out what it is – whether it's normal background hiss from a 620 or something else. We would like to get in touch with someone in the bay area that has a PMD620, so we can compare ours and theirs and see if ours has some kind of problem.

Also, if people have advice for what kind of mic to use with that recorder, that would be great too. We're using an RE50b, and we're confused why that combo isn't working out so well since that's what NPR has its reporters use. [NOTE: I suggested that the mic might not put out a strong enough signal to overcome the natural hum of the 620, but if this is what they use at NPR then I'm not sure. I use a 660. I also suggested they take it to Leo's Pro Audio and check out transom.org.]

So, this kind of thing is exactly what Freelance Cafe was created for. If you think you can help, please contact Will Evans <willevans4@gmail.com>. You can also post a comment on freelancecafe.org or our Facebook page.

Thanks all!
Best,
Mia

SAJA-NY EVENT – Meet Krishna Bharat at GoogleNY + workshop

Looks like a great event for NY folks… and it sounds like you can get in as long as you have a friend in SAJA. Details below.
-mia

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

Google NYC is pleased to extend an invitation to members of the South Asian
Journalists Association and their media friends:

Thursday, January 20 — from 6-9 p.m.
@ Google NYC at 75 Ninth Ave. (more details below)

a reception with hors d'oeuvres & refreshments, followed by: 

Google News Discussion / Q&A with Krishna Bharat
 – founder and head of Google News ( http://bit.ly/hEbcpP )
 – Hearst New Media Professional-in-Residence at Columbia J-school
                ( http://bit.ly/igDwYl )

Krishna Bharat is the founder and head of Google News, responsible for
leading a team developing Google's news products. He is also a Google
distinguished research scientist. Google News won the 2003 Webby Award
in the news category, and Krishna received the 2003 World Technology
Award for Media & Journalism. In 2004 he founded Google's R&D
operations in India and served as the center's first director until
2006. Before joining Google in 1999, he was a member of the research
staff at DEC Systems Research Center in Palo Alto, Calif. He holds a
Ph.D. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech.

——

Google for Journalists: Getting the Most from the Web — training
session

Every day, millions of people around the world use Google's search
engine to find what they're looking for. Journalists, editors,
producers, and others in the media have long known just how essential
it is to be able to find and use information, and this
"Google for Journalists" session demonstrates ways to work more
efficiently and effectively on the web. Learn how to get the most from
Search and other free tools from Google. Whether you're in print,
broadcast, or digital journalism, this session will introduce tips and
tricks you can use to search smarter, keep better tabs on your beat,
see what's hot and what's not, and add a visual edge to your online
content. (Delivered by Sean Carlson)

Sean Carlson is Manager for News Industry Relations at Google,
responsible for building the company's relationship with the
journalism community. Based in New York City, Sean previously worked
at Google's Mountain View, Ca. headquarters and has also led
initiatives in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Prior to joining
Google in 2006, Sean interned with the Consulate-General of Ireland in
Sydney and Fleishman-Hillard in Boston. He graduated from Boston
University with degrees in political science and communication.

——

@ Google New York's offices in Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Ave. (at W. 15th St.), New York, NY
directions via Google Maps: http://bit.ly/gbXVdL

(Just inside the main entrance to Chelsea Market, there's an elevator and
staircase to the right. Please proceed up to the second floor for the
evening event.)

PLEASE RSVP via Google Docs: http://bit.ly/fLdo4n

2012 BAVC Producers Institute – proposal deadline Jan 17

BAVC is so very cool and this institute promises to be amazing. Go for it!
-mia

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

BAVC Producers Institute for New Media Technologies

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE

In 2011, The Producers Institute seeks innovative proposals from documentary and narrative media producers with an interactive science component that includes the participation of communities of origin. For more detailed information, see http://bavc.org/producersinstitute.

Completed applications must be submitted electronically prior to 5pm PST on Monday, January 17, 2011. Please do not wait until the last minute to submit. The application form will go offline at 5PM PST on January, 17,2011. NO LATE PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Seriously.

INSTITUTE DATES are Friday, June 10 – Sunday, June 19, 2011. Please do not apply unless you are available to attend the ENTIRE program in San Francisco. Travel and Accommodations are provided by the Institute.

Questions should be directed to wendy@bavc.org

Go here for an application form:
https://bavc.wufoo.com/forms/producers-institute-for-new-media-technologies/

+++AIR is everywhere.+++

www.airmedia.org

seeking LA-based audio producer for oral history project

Any LA-based audio folks available? Contact Sarah Elzas <toucanradio@gmail.com>.

-Mia

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

I have been asked to find someone in LA who might be up for working on
a project documenting oral histories of a few graduates of a charter
school for troubled girls (near downtown LA) – they want some oral
histories recorded and edited into audio slideshows for a benefit they
are putting on in March. This might lead to other projects with the
grads and/or students. This would be a paid gig – you'd be working
with a photographer. Anyone interested? I'd like to give them a list
of people who might be interested… email me if you want more
details, and/or send me your information to send along.
Sarah

website consultant looking for beta testers

A colleague forwarded this to me. Looks like it could be a good option for folks who want a website and don't have a ton of money to spend. I don't know the developer personally, but I trust Amy's instincts and she seems to think this is a really good deal. Details below. Feel free to post any feedback as a comment on freelancecafe.org!

-mia

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

If you have a project in need of a website, and not a lot of money to hire a developer, I have a lead for you. I had lunch today with a web designer/developer who is about to launch a beta round of a new service she hopes to offer. The service is a custom website and brief training on using WordPress to maintain it, in about two days. Her process is to talk with the client by phone, develop three unique possibilities, have the client choose one, put the site together and then do a one-hour (or so) phone training so the client can then manage it alone. She hasn't set the prices yet.

Right now she's looking for 20 volunteers to beta test the service, at a very modest expense (or possibly none, I'm not quite sure). She's not putting too much of this information out for public consumption yet, but if you fill out her inquiry form, she's happy to answer additional questions individually.

Her name is Tess Gadwa. Website is dcs-creative.com. To sign up to be a beta tester, or just to stay in the loop about this, fill out the form at yesexactly.com.

The project that led me to Tess isn't ready for a site yet, so I haven't actually hired her and can't, therefore, vouch for her business. But I am planning to work with her, so that says something. 😉

Amy
amy@amymayerwrites.com

Job Opening – social media marketer for Pulse of the Planet

Hey all. Pulse of the Planet is hiring a social media marketer for their program. I have done contract work for them and would be happy to provide any insight if you have questions. They are based in upstate NY but you do NOT need to be local to apply for this position. Good luck!

Best,
Mia

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

Now in its 23rd year, Pulse of the Planet, http://www.pulseplanet.com/ the award-winning daily radio series produced by Jim Metzner, is looking to hire a social media marketer to develop and implement a social media strategy for the program. Demonstrated experience with current social networking tools a must. This is a part time contract position. Please contact Eileen at emcadam@hvc.rr.com.

Tax Q&A with CPA Jason Stallcup, Jan 20, Sandbox Suites, Union Square, SF, 6:30pm

Hey all. Many of you might remember Jason Stallcup, the SF CPA who did a couple events with Freelance Cafe in the past. Well he's back, this time with Sandbox Suites in Union Square. You do NOT want to miss this. January 20, 6:30pm. Details below.

-Mia

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


http://www.meetup.com/SF-Coworking/calendar/15960725/

Location

Sandbox Suites Union Sq

567 Sutter St.

San Francisco, CA 94102
415-762-0093

How to find us
"Top floor"

Price  $10.00 per person

Sandbox Suites is bringing back the San Francisco superstar CPA Jason Stallcup for another round of tax talk with great tips and updated information on new tax law changes for the self-employed. Jason is great about answering everyone's questions and giving hot tips, so this is not-to-be-missed!

He'll also discuss:

  • New tax law changes: treatment of health insurance premiums and lowered self-employment tax
  • Documentation: what you need to keep for your records
  • Entity options: should you create an LLC or Corporation
  • Discussion of common deductions: Home office, auto expenses, travel, meals, etc.

Speaker
Jason Stallcup is a CPA with an entrepreneurial background focusing on the self-employed and small-to-medium sized businesses. His expertise lies in tax preparation for all entity types and accounting services for businesses. Check him out at http://www.jasoncpa.c….

Schedule
6:30-7 Refreshments & networking
7-8:30 Talk and Q&A
8:30-9 Networking

Please note this event takes place at Sandbox Suites Union Sq!

Tickets are $10 online, $15 at the door; free for Sandbox members – learn how to become a member

Enter the 2011 Casey Medals Competition, deadline April 15

Awards opportunity for reporting on children, youth, and families – deadline is April 15.
-mia

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

Apply now for the 17th annual Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism honoring distinguished coverage of children, youth and families. First-place winners receive $1,000 and are honored in an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Categories include newspaper, video, magazine, audio, multimedia and photojournalism. First-place winners will also be considered for the America's Promise Journalism Awards for Awareness and Action, presented by the America's Promise Alliance. Alliance winners receive $5,000 and will be announced in October. Work must be published or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010. Entry deadline: Friday, April 15, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST.

http://www.journalismcenter.org/content/history-and-guidelines

The awards were created to inspire and recognize exemplary reporting on children and families. Winning stories offer a fresh take on a significant issue, show enterprise in research and reporting and demonstrate masterful storytelling and impact. Judging is conducted by respected journalists and journalism educators.

The Journalism Center on Children & Families is a nonprofit resource center based at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. More than 4,500 journalists have competed for Casey Medals since 1994. The awards are funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Journalism Center on Children & Families
University of Maryland
Room 1100, Knight Hall
College Park, MD 20742-7111
www.journalismcenter.org

Smart Freelance Audio Editors Needed – Blank on Blank

I don't know anything about Blank on Blank, but this might be worth looking into if you're a freelance audio person looking for work.
-Mia

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

My media nonprofit, Blank on Blank, is looking for some smart

freelance audio editors with a creative ear who can make rough
interviews shine. Must be able to work remotely and be able to clean
up interviews recorded on cassette or digital recorder. Three-five
minute finished audio pieces include tracks and music, so music
knowledge is a plus–though not required. Pay per interview project.
Drop a line to info at blankonblank dot org.
Thanks
David

audio verite story competition, 10 Days to Go!

Couple weeks left for this competition, sponsored by some radio colleagues. Details below.
-mia

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

Friends, colleagues, radio producers, documentarians,

Are you planning on putting together an audio verite story for verite + 1;, Big Shed’s first ever competition? If so, you have 2 more weeks before the January 15th deadline.

We’ve gathered a team of judges, built a submission system and we’re all ready for you. One winner will be awarded a $250 cash prize. Honorable mentions will be featured on upcoming Big Shed podcasts.

To submit, just follow the instructions here:http://www.bigshed.org/verite/#submission;

What’s verite +1 again?

By audio verite, we mean sound recorded without direction or prompting from the recordist. Also called "fly on the wall", or "direct audio". By +1, we mean you can use tape from one interview in order to help your piece make sense as a story.

Why are we doing this?

We believe verite is a powerful and beautiful storytelling tool, which you’re unlikely hear on North American radio. Producers rarely use verite in their stories and when they do, editors often don’t understand where they’re coming from,finding the form confusing, overly long and potentially disorienting to listeners. We think this is lame. And we want to encourage producers to start working in verite, and we want to help listeners to develop an appreciation for it.

So join us as we kindle a North American verité movement (we’re happy for our European, Asian, African and Australian friends to take part as well). And get it together by January 15th!

For full submission guidelines, go to www.bigshed.org/verite.

Send questions to jesse@bigshed.org.

In friendship,

Jennifer, Shea, and Jesse at Big Shed.