Islands (3/14): On this episode, the Guys will journey in search of islands — material and metaphysical — that have played notable roles in the course of American history. We need: stories from actual islands themselves! We’re specifically after pitches (of historical stories, of course) from freelancers on location on an island.

Trash (3/11): On this episode, we’re doing a social/cultural history of trash in America. It’s pegged to the idea of “spring cleaning,” so we’re probably not looking for stories about human waste or public health/sanitation (outside of garbage collection). We’re asking questions like: how have Americans defined and redefined trash? When did landfills begin? How does trash become historic material? Is recycling really a ‘new’ phenomenon?

Revivalism (3/25): Focusing on dramatic upsurges of religious energy, this episode will explore the persistence of revivalism — from the “Great Awakening” of the early 18th Century, to the rise of the religious right just decades ago — considering how religious sentiment has expanded beyond the individual and spiritual to embrace civic and political concerns.

Here’s a link to the pitch page of our web site, for info about what makes a good BackStory pitch: http://backstoryradio.org/producers/

BackStory is especially interested in stories that get out of the studio — that is, site-specific and sound-rich stories from around the country. Include what, if any, sources you would use in your story and how you would produce them. Give us an idea about what you imagine your piece would sound like (field tape, scoring, effects, readings, etc.). We’re open to non-narrated features, written essays, and reported pieces. Three to 10 minutes in length is ideal.

Email Associate Producer Kelly Jones at <khjones at virginia dot edu>, with “PITCH:” in your subject line. We’ll do our best to be in touch with you within a week of receiving your pitch.

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Hi Snappers,

It's been a while since our last themes list, but this year we're
going to try something a little different.  Instead of a long list of
themes once every four months, we're going to be sending out a
shorter list once every 1.5 – 2 months.

As always, pitch us an audio movie from the point of view of someone
facing a unique struggle with a thought-provoking (or just plain
entertaining) resolution.

And, as always, no profiles or topical stories.  Of course, we
welcome stories with interesting characters and interesting topics,
but we also need a plot driving the narrative forward.  Ideally, the
story should be told mostly by the main character.

This round's themes may seem serious at first blush, but we welcome
any and all silly twists.

Lord of the Flies

A story in which any group of people (adults, kids, dogs) find
themselves stuck together for whatever reason and things go south.
Think classrooms, summer camps, business conferences, family
reunions, lifeboats, and — yes — deserted islands.

The Peerage

Stories that take place in (or on the periphery of) an elite circle.
The House of Lords, Skull & Bones, the first 50 Google employees, the
cool clique at school.   Stories about being inducted (or kicked out
of) of a special world. Stories about people who think they're
special and learn that they're not, or vice-versa.  Stories of people
who want in … or out.

The River

Stories involving … well … rivers, both literal and metaphoric.
The Ganges, the Mississippi, the Nile, the Styx. A journey down a
river not knowing where it goes, or up in search of a mysterious
source.  A life lived on the bank of a river watching it change.
Some kind of bridge or treacherous crossing in life's journey.  The
metaphors go on and on…

Any Really Good Story

Remember, the themes are there just to get your mind churning.  If
you have a good story that doesn't fit one of these themes (or even
fits a theme that already aired!), we're going to help you produce it
anyways, because we want it on our show ASAP.

BackStory is looking for stories for an upcoming episode about the history of SHOPPING in America. The episode focuses on consumerism — not so much on marketing or advertising. We’re looking for stories about: the history of shopping practices, peddling, historical stories from behind the sales counter, stories about historical shopaholics, and especially stories and ideas from the early days of the republic. Also, you might suggest something about how shopping has been depicted in movies or literature.

Here’s a link to the pitch page of our web site, for info about what makes a good BackStory pitch: http://backstoryradio.org/producers/

The more concise your pitch, the better. Include what, if any, sources you would use in your story and how you would produce them. Also give us an idea about what you imagine your piece would sound like (field tape, scoring, effects, readings, etc.). We’re open to non-narrated features, written essays, and reported pieces. In general, pieces run from three to ten minutes in length. Email Associate Producer Kelly Jones at <khjones at virginia dot edu>, with “PITCH:” in your subject line. We’ll do our best to be in touch with you within two weeks of receiving your pitch.

Cheers!

Kelly Jones
Associate Producer, BackStory
Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
(w) 434-243-2188
(c) 703-407-9131