Listening to the Gut

This month's spotlight will likely provoke a lot of thought, but it's your gut reaction that may prove to be most interesting. In "The Fine Art of the Wee Pause," producer Alex van Oss explores the fine line that producers risk trespassing as they tackle difficult subject matter. It's the companion to last month's spotlight article, "Sticking Your Microphone Where It Doesn't Belong," by Jen Nathan.

Whether or not you agree with this article or the last, we hope to help you think twice when your gut rumbles.

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April 1 – Society of Environmental Journalists Awards for Reporting on the Environment

April 20 – Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism

May 1 – National Press Club Awards

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Audio Archives

Spotlight

The Fine Art of the Wee Pause

By Alex van Oss

From time to time, we have all encountered powerful, well-produced radio works that leave us wondering: Am I grateful to have heard that program? Should that report have been broadcast? Even if the head says yes, the heart and gut may not. Are some pieces better left undone? These are a few of the questions asked by longtime producer Alex van Oss.

Read more

Next in the Spotlight: AIR shines a light on the fabulous MQ2 producer Kara Oehler.

Calendar

Third Coast Filmless Festival
Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
March 28, 2009, 12 p.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.

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.

AIR Mingle
Portland, OR
Thursday, April 2, 2009 (tentative)

Oregonians! NFCBers! Come mingle in Portland! Let us know if you'll be with us. R.S.V.P. to Barbara Bernstein at mediapro@spiritone.com.

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

The first-ever Megapolis Festival, spearheaded by a group of AIRsters, kicks off this spring. Visit their Web site to see their fantastical schedule and to find out how to jump on board.

JUST IN: April 25, 4–6 p.m., tune in to AIR's special broadcast, streaming live from Megapolis on 88.1FM/WMBR.org. Program details to follow soon.

Radio Without Boundaries
Toronto, ON, Canada
May 28–30, 2009

It's not too early to mark your calendars for this fabulous conference "about radio and transmission arts," presented annually by New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA). We know for a fact that AIRsters who have attended past RWBs have been rewarded in both love and work. Space is limited. Information and registration here.

Public Radio News Directors, Inc.: 2009 Conference
Portland, OR
June 11–13, 2009

This conference generally operates on a smaller scale than most, making for some excellent networking opportunities with public radio news directors and managers from across the country. They're still in early planning stages, but you can track details here.

Cool Tool: Twiddle This

AIR's core team of staffers and board members works, like many AIRsters, in virtual space — with locations in Boston and Cambridge, Philadelphia, Silver Spring, Maui, Seattle, New Orleans, Memphis, and Brooklyn. With Twiddla, a free online tool, you and your collaborators transcend many of the geographic hurdles standing in your way. You can brainstorm, share and mark up documents, surf the Web, and chat privately — all at once, all in real time. No registration, downloads, or scheduled activity necessary. Just hop on at www.twiddla.com, invite your colleagues to join your meeting, and you're off!
— 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.

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