University of at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Fall 2019 J-275 Intro to Audio (4) Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm, Room 209, “The Greenhouse” Instructor: Ben Manilla, 415.235.8491, [email protected] Office Hours: Mon 3-7pm Room 213 (By Appointment) Tutor: Nina Sparling: 907.738.4538, [email protected] Office Hours: TBD

Audio news in America today is a gold standard for journalism. NPR and Podcasting have set a high bar for journalistic excellence. At the same time, commercial news radio continues to be a vital part of listeners’ lives across the country.

The skills acquired in J-275 – while wrapped around radio – are transferable to any other medium which uses audio, including podcasting, audio slide shows, animation, television and streaming video.

As a multi award-winning working producer/journalist with an on-going career that stretches over thirty years, I draw upon my experiences and contacts to bring the real-life world of audio to our students.

J-275 is designed as solid training for all the basics needed to become a professional audio reporter, producer and story-teller. By the end of the semester, every student is able to write and communicate a script, to conduct interviews in the field, to produce broadcast-ready features of the highest caliber, to use sound powerfully in moving a story forward, to create an audio persona, to pitch audio stories, and to appreciate the possibilities of creative sound design.

In the past, many student features produced for J-275 have been published by broadcasters and podcasters nationwide. In addition, we work with representatives from KALW radio and KQED radio, leaders in the podcasting/radio space, to find a larger audience for quality student work.

The course follows three distinct streams.

1. Editorial: reporting, interviewing, and writing for audio 2. Performance: reading copy and directing others to do so 3. Technical: using remote and studio gear and a Digital Audio Workstation

Every class session touches on these three aspects of audio journalism; some sessions concentrate on one aspect more than the others.

Twice in the semester, a talent coach, Mary Kay Magistad (the J-school’s Director of Audio), works with the students individually and collectively to fine-tune their performance skills. Twice during class sessions, the Tutor works with the students

Manilla – J-275 pg. 1 to perfect their digital editing and mixing skills. The Tutor is also available throughout the semester to support audio production.

As part of the curriculum, guest speakers join the class to help demonstrate the editorial fine points, to help students with their pitches, and to describe careers in audio. In the past, guests have included:

Tamara Keith, NPR, Political Reporter (J-School Graduate); Roman Mars, Producer, 99% Invisible; Daniel Zwerdling, NPR, Investigative Reporter; Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva, The Kitchen Sisters; Mike Sugerman, KCBS-AM & FM and TV, Feature Reporter; Teresa Chin, Producer, Youth Radio (J-School Graduate); Caitlin Esch, Producer/Reporter, Marketplace (J-School Graduate); Victoria Mauleon, KQED-FM, Producer, The California Report (J-School Graduate); Anna Sussman, Producer, Snap Judgment (J-School Graduate); Mia Lobel, Producer, Revisionist History; and Joshua Johnson, host of the NPR program A1, etc.

Every semester these professional appearances are customized to student preferences and guest availability. In addition, there are non-mandatory field trips to working audio facilities to see news and production teams in action. These field trips have included KQED (NPR Information radio at 88.5FM), KGO (NewsTalk at 810AM), and KCBS (NewsTalk at 740AM/106.9FM) and Jetty (Al Jazeera’s Podcasting division.)

Beyond the three main educational streams, the course illustrates the nuts and bolts of being a working audio journalist, including detailed discussion on the current state of the business of audio story-telling.

J-275 does not subscribe to "Berkeley time." Class begins promptly at 9:30am.

Each semester all students produce 3- 4 pieces of varying lengths and will be expected to enhance those audio pieces with further content: bonus audio, still photographs, video, research, and related materials for the radio program's companion website.

There is an audio “wiki” designed as the go-to spot any time there are immediate issues that need answers. The wiki provides basic contact information for all involved, guides to the many facets of the course requirements, and real-life tips on story structure and technical issues.

Students will be graded according to the following formula:

Class participation/teamwork = 40% Web extras = 20% Produced pieces = 40%

Unapproved absences will lead to a lower grade.

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Any unapproved late assignments will lead to a lower grade.

It is not permissible to drop this class after Week Three.

Reading assignments are assigned throughout the semester. Selections are customized to the topic at hand. The reading list:

Joe Richman and Jay Allison (2017), Radio Diaries: DIY Handbook, Perfect Paperback

Jessica Abel (2015), Out on the Wire, Broadway Books.

Jonathan Kern (2008), Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production, The University of Chicago Press.

John Biewen, Alexa Dilworth (2010), Reality Radio: Telling True Stories in Sound, The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

Brad Kalbfield (2001), Broadcast News Handbook: A Manual of Techniques and Practices, McGraw-Hill.

Marvin Mencher (2011), News Reporting and Writing, McGraw-Hill.

Tim Harrower (2010), Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism, McGraw-Hill.

Mitchell Stephens (2004), Broadcast News, Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich College Publishers.

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