Category Archives: Gigs

Making Contact seeks pitches on freshwater, healthcare, recession, and more

Hey all. The fab public radio program Making Contact is looking for pitches. They are one of the few shows out there that takes long, sound-rich docs. I'm not sure about their rates so contact them if you have questions. Details below.
-Mia

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Hi there Making Contact reporters, freelancers, and friends,

Our latest call for pitches is below. In the short-term, we’re looking for a quick turnaround story on fresh water in the Eastern United States. We also have a pressing need for reports about health care reform and the impact of the oil industry on local communities. For our ongoing “How We Survive” series, we want recession-related features.

 

Please send story ideas to pitches@radioproject.org.  Generally, we look for 7-13 minute sound-rich pieces reported from under-covered areas.

As always, feel free to send us ideas you don’t see on this list. We’ve recently increased our freelance budget, and would really like to hear some voices from around the US, and overseas.  Keep in mind, we occasionally commission full length 29 minute documentaries.

For those new to “Making Contact,” check out our site (www.radioproject.org).
We try to feature voices that aren’t normally heard. Our shows highlight structural problems as well as grassroots solutions.

Thanks, and please forward widely!

Pauline Bartolone & Andrew Stelzer
Producers
Making Contact
www.radioproject.org

Freshwater issues in the Eastern US

In light of the UN’s recent vote that clean drinking water is a human right, how are communities in the US working to claim their entire water systems? We already have a story about a movement in Michigan to put freshwater into a public trust. Another segment could be about crumbling water infrastructure in your city or town—how are privately owned vs. publicly owned water systems dealing with it? This piece will need to be finished by August 25th—a two week turnaround, so get your pitches in!

Cleaning up After Big Oil

Months after the explosion on the BP-owned oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, the long-term impact on the coastal way of life is still unknown. For this show we’re looking for stories about how an oil company's presence in a community has changed their way of life. We’re also looking for stories about how to make oil companies accountable.

We Got Health Care Reform. Now what?
Health care reforms are just starting to be implemented, but massive change won’t be seen until 2014. But will these reforms really provide
the change system really needs? And what are people doing now to get the health care they need? We’re particularly interested in stories
about the undocumented.

Seniors in the Recession
In this show, we'll explore how senior citizens are affected by the recession, and what they're doing to maintain quality of life despite
rising costs and fixed incomes. We're particularly interested in the differences in experiences along race, class and gender lines.

Young People and the Recession
Studies show that more than a third of young people in the U.S. have cut back on cigarettes and alcohol because of strapped personal
budgets. Others are "boomeranging" back to their parents place because of a bad job market. We want stories about how young people are
getting creative and becoming active and organized. We invite collaborations with Youth Media initiatives.

We’re also looking for pitches that fit under the following themes:

Rural Areas and the Recession

Access to Mental Health Care and the Recession

Women and the Recession

Send your story ideas to pitches@radioproject.org

video adjunct position in DC this fall

Not sure we have any DC folks in the group, but spread the word to your peers in the area. Or maybe find an excuse to hang in DC for a semester?
-mia

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*Adjunct Instructor Videography, Washington, D.C.*

*Four days a week, flexible for 11 weeks, beginning Sept. 20 and ending Dec. 8, 2010 *

*Deadline for Applications: Aug. 18*

The Medill School of Journalism seeks an accomplished video storyteller with experience in public affairs, business or science journalism to teach in the school’s unique program in Washington, D.C. The job is a fulltime, temporary adjunct position.

The successful applicant will be an outstanding visual storyteller with experience in original video production for broadcast and non-broadcast platforms and a strong record of enterprise journalism.

He/she will be able to teach techniques that include, but are not limited to, audio collection, voice coaching, field producing, non-linear editing, creation of news packages and longer-form storytelling for digital platforms.

He/she will work with a range of students who are studying videography/broadcast, and/or specialist reporting in public affairs, business or science/health/environmental journalism.

The position is not a fulltime faculty position. It is an adjunct position for 11 weeks beginning Sept. 20. Schedule has some flexibility.

To apply, please send resume to:

Salome Angrand
Office Manager
Medill News Service
1325 G St. NW, Suite 730
Washington, DC 20005
s-angrand@northwestern.edu

The Media Consortium — Seeking Immigration Blogger — application deadline July 15

The pay for this gig isn’t great, but might be a good part-time opportunity for someone. Apply fast – they’re looking to fill the position by July 26!
-mia

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TMC is searching for a blogger that can quickly take the reins on the Weekly Diaspora. The ideal candidate has experience writing about immigration issues with clarity and verve. They are also excellent at meeting firm weekly deadlines and have a love of independent media.

I’ve included a job description for the position below. Please pass this information on to individuals that might be a good fit. Since our turnaround time is tight, cover letters, resumés and references for this part-time position must be emailed to erin@themediaconsortium.com by COB on Friday, July 15.

*Women and people of color are especially encouraged to apply. The ideal starting date for this position is July 26.

Thanks, Erin

*Job Description*

*Where:* Telecommute

*Status:* Freelance blogger/buzz-builder for “Weekly” news summary blogs, Contract is 3 months with option to renew.

*Who:* The Media Consortium

*Compensation:* Weekly stipend of $150 for approx. 10 hours/week ($15/hour)

The Media Consortium, a network of leading progressive independent journalism organizations, announces a freelance blogging and promotions position for a web and independent media savvy journalist with strong background in immigration and immigration reform.

This work is a key component of The Media Consortium’s MediaWire project–an aggregation and distribution initiative intended to spotlight, build traffic and generate buzz for Media Consortium members’reporting on the nation’s most critical issues including health care, immigration and the economy. For background on the project, visit www.themediaconsortium.org.

Media Consortium bloggers write weekly syndicated “best of” roundups highlighting exemplary content from our members. Blog posts will be based on content aggregated from the economy, environment, health care, immigration feeds aggregated on Delicious. Opportunities for longer, feature-length articles may arise later on. Articles and blog posts written by Media Consortium bloggers are featured in leading blogs and progressive journalism outlets across the country.

*Job requirements include:*

* Writing one weekly blog of 800-1000 words that rounds up and key stories from Media Consortium members for syndication across the net.

* Using social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter to draw attention to weekly posts/blog.

* Helping identify online communities and sites to promote and place blog posts.

* Joining scheduled calls with Media Consortium staff to plan outreach and coverage.

*Qualifications:

* At least 2 years experience as an issue-based or political blogger or reporter

* Familiarity with progressive media organizations and the political/issue-based blogging community.

* Comfortable with the concept of adding multimedia elements to reporting.

* Self-starter and team player with a sense of humor.

*Note that this is a contract position. Send a cover letter, resume, and links to your work to: erin@themediaconsortium.com. No phone calls please. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.*

Erin Polgreen

Senior Program Associate
The Media Consortium
erin@themediaconsortium.com
Twitter: @tmcmedia / @erinpolgreen
Skype: ErinPolgreen
Cell: 312.841.055

Far-flung producers sought for quick turn-around audio demo project

Anyone traveling at the moment and can handle this request from Radio Lab? Or know someone who can? Details below.
-mia

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Radiolab is looking for a few folks to help us with a demonstration of a study.

We're seeking reporters in Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East who are either FROM that region (and sound like it) or can work with a local collaborator. (We've already got Europe and Australia covered.) Must have good equipment (i.e. flash recorder and shotgun) and be able to upload tape to an FTP by the end of the week. Should be an hour of recording plus transfer/upload time. We'll pay $150.

Contact me today and include your location and the recording equipment you'd use. Write to EHorne@wnyc.org.

Thanks!

Ellen

new podcast looking for pieces on architecture, urban planning

Interesting opportunity from the Chicago Architecture Foundation – they're starting a podcast and are looking for stories. Pay is decent, content is pretty cool. Details below. -Mia

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One Nation Call Outs

The Chicago Architecture Foundation and radio host & producer Edward Lifson are developing and producing an ongoing weekly web and radio broadcast program tentatively titled One Nation, Under Construction. The program is about why the United States man-made environment looks the ways it does, and how that affects a person's life. It will engage people in learning the stories behind the building—conceptual and physical—of America’s spaces, places, and structures. Each week, the show will address a humanities theme through exploration of architecture, infrastructure, urban history, planning, and landscape. We are looking for producers of compelling, passionate audio stories about the built / man-made environment for the following segments:

O Pioneers! Redux? A commissioned story about the following: young people are emptying out of the center of the US. In states such as Nebraska and Kansas, only the very elderly remain as young people seek opportunity elsewhere. How is this different from the pioneer days? A few elderly guests from Nebraska, the Dakotas, Kansas discuss why they’re staying in their homes and how they have witnessed change in the rural US…

Dream House A commissioned story about the following: a family who bought what they thought would be their dream house, but it turned out to be a disaster. The dream house may be on the extreme fringe of the suburbs, in the city, etc. The story will surprise us, make us laugh, and connect humanities-based ideas about sprawl, cities, home.

Mortgage Crisis A commissioned story about the following: many people have recently lost their homes in the mortgage crisis. In this segment a diverse group of people come together to discuss the fantasies and realities of home ownership and how the mortgage crisis has affected them. The group may include: a Mexican-American family, a retired schoolteacher, a real estate agent, a firefighter, etc.

Please send your ideas, your pitches for any or all segments along with a sample of your work.

Each segment will be 4-6 minutes and $400-$600 compensation, dependent on production process.

Send all questions and pitches to Alyssa Kilroy: akilroy@architecture.org

multiple, part-time AP positions available at WNYC’s The Takeaway

This is an exciting new show, with lots of support from lots of big players. I believe you have to be in NYC for these gigs, but you never know. Details below! -mia

http://www.thetakeaway.org/
http://www.wnyc.org/jobs/listings/

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GENERAL SUMMARY
Co-producers WNYC and PRI — in collaboration with the BBC World Service, The New York Times, and WGBH Boston television and radio — are reinvigorating morning drive. The Takeaway is a new multi-platform national morning drive news program that is creating a new model for morning news and public broadcasting in the 21st century. The show is rooted in the values public radio is best known for — highly credible journalism, depth and context — but breaks out from the medium’s conventionally packaged sound. The project features live conversation, reporters in locations around the world, a cast of regular contributors, audience interaction, a website and distributed content, and video. The show is live, delivering national and international news and cultural stories through a conversational and unprecedented personality-driven format.

About the position:

The Assistant Producers will be responsible for operating all broadcast audio equipment associated with the live production of the show. The hires will be instrumental in maneuvering the fast-paced and high-intensity environment of a live national radio show. Under the direction of the Technical Director, the assistant producers will play a significant role in the sound and technical aspects of the show. Much of the work on the program will take place during early morning hours.

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Digital editing of recorded radio segments for use in live broadcast
• Podcast production
• News/Music/Television editing for broadcast
• Assist producers with digital audio production
• Assist with show guests/live production of the show under supervision of Director and Line Producer
• Comply with all WNYC/WQXR and show policies and guidelines
• This position requires use of a computer, telephone and other office and/or broadcast equipment; ability to communicate effectively through a variety of methods
• Ability to work extended hours as needed
• Work on other special projects and other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree required
• Minimum of 1-2 years of Journalism/Media/News background strongly preferred
• Must be able to successfully problem-solve and multi-task under pressure of live broadcast
• Digital audio editing experience required; Cool Edit/Audacity, Easy Track and/or DAVID experience, ProTools, Audition, Ableton, others accepted
• Knowledge of different styles of radio programming required
• Strong audio editing skills required
• Practical knowledge of computers, computer systems, and associated audio interfaces
• Requires ability to take direction and complete tasks as assigned within specified timeframes
• Ability to meet objectives under (often intense) deadline pressure required
• Excellent communication skills—both oral and written—with an impressive reputation for building and maintaining relationships with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational and social backgrounds

• Requires the intellectual and emotional depth, maturity, self-confidence and interpersonal skills to work effectively and/or interact with the other Takeaway staff, executives at WNYC, colleagues, vendors and guests as needed

To apply for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, salary requirements and resume online to jobs@wnyc.org with "P/T Assistant Prod, TT" and your last name in the subject line.

WNYC must receive all information requested in order to consider your candidacy.

Qualified candidates only please. No calls, no third-party submissions.

Due to the high volume of submissions, we are able to respond only to the candidates selected for interview. We appreciate your interest in employment with WNYC.

WNYC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites and encourages qualified applicants from all walks of life.

Kids’ Science Challenge needs video logger

Hey all. Kids’ Science Challenge is looking for a video logger – budget and amount of work is negotiable.

Check out http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com/ and email me with a quick note about your rate and qualifications if you’re interested/available. I will put you in touch with the right person.

Thanks!
-Mia

PS: If you don’t know what a video logger is, this job is probably not for you.

TAL request for pitches

Latest request from TAL. Please note their pitch process in the third graf. Good luck!
-mia

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Hello This American Life contributors,

Thanks so much for your all responses to our last theme list. Our next list will be sent out soon, and in the meantime, we'd like to get your input on a new theme-in-progress that will air in a couple weeks: "Held Hostage".

The show will include a story about a radio station in Columbia that broadcasts messages from the family members of hostages to their captive loved ones. But we're also looking for stories that deal with less literal hostage situations people trying to escape or cope with whatever in their lives is keeping them captive. We're particularly interested in stories where the hostage situation is humorous or lighthearted. Or where the "hostage" is a thing instead of a person.

A reminder of how this process works: When you send in a story idea, you'll get a generic email letting you know that we've read your pitch. If we think the pitch is right for the show, or if we need more information, you'll hear back from us. But if you don't hear back from us within two weeks from the auto-reply email, it means the story just isn't right for us or for the needs of that particular show. The idea of doing it this way is just to get through pitches and get back to everyone a little more quickly.

Also, for this theme only, please address all your pitches to Ben Calhoun, (ben@thislife.org) and/or Lisa Pollak (lisa@thislife.org).

As always, thanks so much for your pitches. All of us here are very appreciative.

Best,
Lisa and Ben

Columbia Earth Institute travel opportunities for journalists

VERY long list of international travel opportunities for journalists through the Earth Institute. NOTE: Journalists must pay their own way, but they do want to support coverage of their research. Check it out. Or click here if you want the pdf version from their website.
-mia

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Kevin Krajick
Senior science writer,The Earth Institute
The Earth Institute <http://www.earth.columbia.edu/>

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
MEDIA ADVISORY

MAY 20, 2010

Upcoming Scientific Travel Opportunities for Journalists

Journalists are encouraged to cover expeditions by Earth Institute researchers, who work on every continent and ocean. Here are upcoming trips of potential interest, in rough chronological order (some dates approximate). Work in the New York City/Hudson Valley region is in a separate section below. Journalists may accompany scientists on a case-by-case basis; news organizations must pay for travel to sites.

Unless otherwise stated, projects originate with our Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory <http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/>.   For those wishing to follow remotely, many teams post blogs on our State of the Planet pages <http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/> .

Go to our Media Advisory page: http://www.earth.columbia.edu/articles/view/2637, where updates also are posted.

More info: Kevin Krajick kkrajick@ei.columbia.edu 212-854-9729.

Kim Martineau, kmartineau@ei.columbia.edu 845-365-8708.