Wufoo

Vocalo Storytelling Workshop

Vocalo connects with younger, culturally diverse audiences through music & stories. But here's the thing, we not only want to connect with you, we want to inspire you to make big things happen.

Many have come to know Vocalo because of the awesome music we play, but we also talk about news and issues that affect us all. We are, after all: Real. Life. Radio.

Keeping it real means that we aren't talking heads, we use a cadre of on-air contributors and community experts to deconstruct headlines, debate, and challenge us all to respect and appreciate different points of view. This means that community participation is crucial. And this winter 2014, we are teaming up with Latino USA, NPR’s radio show on Latino news and life, in a special community workshop and event.

Now it is your turn! Vocalo and Latino USA are joining together to hold a special Storytelling Workshop, which culminates in a year-end Town Hall event in Chicago.The focus? YOU and YOUR community. What is the news saying about you and yours? Are they right? Got a better story?

If the the news ever seem like fiction to you, and you wonder how journalists produce stories that have little to do with your reality, this workshop is for you. Drawing on Vocalo’s storytelling curriculum, this workshop features a special guest editor- the award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, Executive Producer of Latino USA. Latino USA is the longest running Latino-centered public radio program in the U.S., and in 2013, Latino USA launched “News or Noise?”—a regular on-air segment encouraging listeners to think critically about the news, to understand the authority and perspective behind media stories, and to understand how important it is for young producers to develop and contribute their voices. Most important, “News or Noise?” encourages authentic voices from diverse communities to share their perspectives to counter the noise, the commentary, misinformation, confusion, shouting, deliberate misunderstandings, stereotyping,and slanted reporting, that characterizes too much of the media.

As part of this workshop, each participant pitches and produces his or her own radio segment, which will be considered to air on national NPR as part of Latino USA’s “News or Noise?”

So, check it out: We're recruiting 8-10 community-minded folks to participate in this free production workshop. The classes will be taught by multimedia professionals from Chicago Public Media (Vocalo/WBEZ) with Maria Hinojosa joining to welcome, guide, and provide editorial input. Workshops will take place at 848 E Grand Ave at Navy Pier and our new Little Village bureau at 2710 W. Cermak Ave, every Saturday from 12-4pm or 10-2PM.

Selected participants will come together to identify issues that impact our communities at large. In this season of the workshop, we are asking participants to produce stories about issues they care about, to understand why news about them matters, and to create accurate and compelling stories about their (self-identified) community.

Do you think you have what it takes?

We're looking for applicants that:
• 18-34
• Can demonstrate potential in utilizing our training to give voice to underrepresented communities.
• Can complete assignments outside of the workshop time.
• Can participate in ALL 6 Saturday classes from 12-4pm or 10am -2pm and the final Town Hall event.

Upcoming Workshop dates:
January 25th 10AM – 2PM with Maria Hinojosa as guest instructor
February 1st
February 8th
February 15th - 10AM – 2PM with Maria Hinojosa as guest instructor
February 22nd
March 1st

Additional Program Details:

Applications are due by Monday, December 30th

Selected participants will be notified by Friday, January 10th.

Classes are free but selected participants will be provided with a suggested list of basic gear that can be useful such as headphones, and possibly, a digital recorder.

If you have any additional questions, please contact: info@vocalo.org

Visit our Storytellers page: http://vocalo.org/storytellers

For more about "News or Noise?" see: http://latinousa.org/category/news-or-noise?

Name First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code Country
Email
Phone Number ### - ### - ####
Date of Birth MM / DD / YYYY
What ethnicity/race do you identify as?
What is your gender? Preferred Pronoun?
Grade in school (if applicable)
Do you need any special accommodations?
How did you hear about the Vocalo Storytelling workshop?
Are you able to attend all 6 classes and listening party? (Dates Listed Above)
Yes No
Tell us about yourself. Who are you? Why do you want to be a part of this training?
What are some news stories that you have been following lately around which there has been misinformation or confusion? Which have a lot of hype or hyperbole? How do you feel about the current state of the media?
How do you keep up with news and information? (TV, Radio, Twitter, FB, Blogs?)
Provide us with 3 pitches of the stories that you would like to tell. We will select pitches that could air for Latino USA’s “News or Noise?” episodes and on Vocalo’s programming.

A pitch is a short rationale about your story idea to peak the interest of an editor, in this case the producers of “News or Noise?” It should be succinct and answer questions such as:
What is its specific significance and context? Who does it affect? What’s new about the story, and why do you want to tell it now? Who will be your sources and how can you use audio and digital media to tell this story? What sources will you need to consult? Will Vocalo and Latino USA listeners care about the story?

Pitch Example:
“In June, unpaid internships took a hit when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the unpaid interns, whose work had little educational value and was the same work as paid employees on the Oscar-nominated Black Swan. Mainstream media buzzed about what was being called the beginning of the end of unpaid internships, perpetuating different ideas of the future of internships, but without digging into any of the truths about unpaid internships. This ruling affects people from undergrads to career-transitioning adults, and I believe Latino USA should discuss this controversy and produce a “News or Noise?” segment on the problematic past and hopeful future of unpaid internships.”

Stories must be factual and accessible.

One pitch will be selected and become the story you complete throughout the workshop, be sure to pitch ideas you are passionate/curious about.

*
Please discuss your journalism/news literacy background, and if you have worked with any organizations or school/university programs.
Do you have experience in any of the following? Check All That Apply
Journalism Radio Creative Writing Film & Video Web Design Web Programming Performance Arts (spoken word, theater, etc.) Community Organizing Podcasting

Please indicate which social media tools you use and your level of experience with each.
	Beginner	Intermediate	Advanced	N/A
Facebook	1	2	3	4
Twitter	1	2	3	4
You Tube	1	2	3	4
Tumblr	1	2	3	4
Sound Cloud	1	2	3	4
Drop Box	1	2	3	4

Do you currently use a smart phone?
N/A Android iPhone Other

If you've used any of these tools, please indicate your level of experience with any that apply.
	Beginner	Intermediate	Advanced	N/A
Pro Tools	1	2	3	4
Reaper	1	2	3	4
Final Cut	1	2	3	4
Audacity	1	2	3	4
Sony Vegas	1	2	3	4
Avid	1	2	3	4
iMovie	1	2	3	4

Is there anything else you want to share with us?
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