Be Bold

With this issue of the AIRblast, we want to inspire you to act and reflect upon your own boldness. In the AIRmuse, Sue Schardt prompts us all to boldly step forward in this time of change and opportunity. In the Spotlight, Jen Nathan shares her own struggle with being bold in the face of recording a dying man's last days. With the help of our featured Cool Tool, Erin Mishkin manages to get things done boldly. There are many ways to embrace boldness. Take a look around. Which way do you like best?

Issue Archives

Deadlines

March 1 – Arthur F. Burns Fellowship

March 1 – The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism

March 4 – The Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism

March 11 – The Gabriel Awards

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AIRmuse

"Today's Sharp Sparkle": A message from Sue Schardt, AIR Executive Director (4:22)

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Audio Archives

Spotlight

Sticking Your Microphone Where It Doesn't Belong

By Jen Nathan

"Put that thing away." These are the words that every radio producer dreads. Whether investigating fraud or documenting people's lives, knowing when to push for more access and when to back off is a dangerous tightrope. Asking timid, polite questions in a soundproof booth rarely makes for great radio. Neither does barging through someone's front door and immediately asking personal, embarrassing questions. Jen Nathan was a student at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies when she got her first painful lesson in the balancing act of persistence versus patience.

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Next in the Spotlight: Producer Alex Van Oss explores when NOT to make a piece, in "The Fine Art of the Wee Pause".

Calendar

The Megapolis Audio Art & Documentary Festival
Boston, MA
April 24–26
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: February 11, 2009

A group of enterprising AIRsters is launching the first-ever Megapolis Festival this spring. The organizers say, "We are interested in proposals for workshops, performances, and presentations, including sonic installations, documentaries with innovative use of sound, subversive audio tours, and anything else that challenges the boundaries of sound. We're especially interested in proposals for exploring the landscape of the modern megacity, and keen on those designed to create new material over the course of the festival weekend, April 24-26th." Visit their Web site for more information and to submit a proposal.

IMA, Integrated Media Conference
Atlanta, GA
February 17–18, 2009 (Executive Producer seminar)
February 19, 2009 (AIR Mingle)
February 19–21, 2009 (General Sessions)

It's not too late to get on board. AIR members are eligible for IMA member rates when you register, and several AIRsters descend on Atlanta to work and play. Put AIR on your dance card for a session on Tuesday, February 17, at 1:30 p.m. and another discussion convened by Executive Director Sue Schardt on Thursday, February 19, at 3:30 p.m. Phil Graitcer is hosting an AIR Mingle at his home on Thursday night, 7 p.m. RSVP if you intend to come, pgraitc@mac.com. Follow this link to see the full schedule and sign up online.

NFCB, Annual Conference
Portland, OR
April 1–4, 2009

Community broadcasters next descend on Portland, Oregon. Some smart AIRsters will present their work during a panel on Friday afternoon, April 3. "Moving Audience, Shaping the Sound of Tomorrow" features Seattle-based producer Jenny Asarnow and AIR's Live-Interactive resident Hammad Ahmed, who will update us on his work. Learn all about it and register here.

Third Coast Filmless Festival
Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
March 28, 2009, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

The Third Coast International Audio Festival brings us its first-ever all-day celebration of storytelling, sound, and the art of listening. Join other radio fans "in the dark" for screenings of unforgettable audio documentaries and to meet some of the most talented producers working in radio today. Information and tickets available here.

Cool Tool: MailChimp Saves the Day (and He Loves You, Too)

What does a small nonprofit do when its Web host provider, PAIR, decides to disable its bulk e-mailing system with no advanced notice, effectively cutting off its ability to send press releases and announcements to its 725 members? Crying is one option. This happened to us in December. But instead of shedding tears, we dug in, researched bulk e-mail programs, and eventually fell in love with MailChimp. We think you'll love him, too. MailChimp not only lets you create pretty HTML e-mails and manage multiple lists with ease, but it also has an uber-responsive customer support team to help with any number of issues or questions. So if you're looking for a program to help spread the word about your latest project, give MailChimp a try with their free starter plan. Feel the chimp love. — Erin Mishkin

Funding for AIR comes from our members and the generous support of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Association of Independents in Radio
P.O. Box 220400
Boston, MA 02122
Phone: 617-825-4400
www.airmedia.org