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Radio Journalism Workshops with Rebecca Williams
Feb
08
2013
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Morning Session: 9:30am-12pm
Afternoon Session: 1:30pm-4pm
Rebecca Williams
Workshop format: Using samples of her own work, Rebecca will guide students through the creative process, and present the elements of effective journalism, and how these stories motivate people to feel different emotions, think critically about the issue, and even modify their behavior. There will be two workshops: The Morning Session (9:30am-12pm) and The Afternoon Session (1:30-4pm). Transportation will be provided to and from the workshop from the Dana Building. Workshops will begin at 10am and 2pm.
Rebecca will introduce interview techniques and review the basics of story-telling. During the workshop, Rebecca will start with specific story she created, and deconstruct it into basic elements of storytelling. Students will then work in groups to re-construct a story using the audio mixing software previously downloaded before the workshop. Time permitting, students will present the stories to each other. From this exercise, students will see how the same elements can be used to tell very different stories. The workshop will conclude with a studio tour.
Who should attend this workshop: Any student who wants to effectively communicate the need for environmental behavior change. Applies to students interested in environmental journalism/writing, policy, education, behavior change, communication/ marketing, business, urban planning, or community outreach.
What should I do to prepare for the journalism workshop?
Students are encouraged to bring their own laptops and power cords.
Bonus: Since students will be using audio editing software, Rebecca has recommended that students download the free audio program and familiarize themselves with it. The program is called “Audacity,” and can be downloaded here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. Version 2.0.3 is available for both PCs and Macs. The audio files that will be used during the workshop will be available for download via Google Drive by Tuesday, February 5th. Students should feel to practice editing this software prior to the workshop.
From this workshop, students will:
1. Learn interview techniques and how to drive a discussion about multi-faceted issues
2. Develop understanding of elements needed for effective radio journalism.
3. Learn what role the arts and media play in influencing environmental and social movements
Students are encouraged to bring their own laptops!
Biography of Rebecca Williams
Rebecca is a reporter/producer of Michigan Radio's The Environment Report. Rebecca has a natural science degree from the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources & Environment, where she had close encounters with escaped boars and poison sumac. Before getting into radio, Rebecca snapped photos of Mongolian diatoms and published a few papers in obscure scientific journals.
Now she spends her days reporting on everything from hungry watersnakes to heritage turkeys to people who live in 300 square foot houses.
She has won several national awards for her work including a first place National Headliner Award at the network level for her stories on the uber-destructive emerald ash borer.