Gravy podcast seeks reporter/producers

SFA’s Gravy podcast tells true stories of the changing American South.

Gravy showcases a South that is constantly evolving, receiving immigrants from across the world, adopting new traditions, and lovingly maintaining old ones. Through the lens of foodways, Gravy digs into the lesser-known corners of the region, complicates stereotypes, documents new dynamics, connects the dots between history and the present day, and sings the unsung people who grow, cook, and serve our meals.

In 2024 SFA explores restaurants. We seek pitches that tell stories of restaurants from a narrative perspective, and fresh stories of, from, or culturally connected to the American South. SFA will not accept pitches of a PR nature. Prospective reporter-producers may pitch a single story or up to 5 stories that may or may not be thematically linked. Previous Gravy collaborators are welcome to re-apply. Payment for a successfully completed single episode begins at $3,700, inclusive of travel and expenses, and increases are commensurate with experience. Pitches are always welcome. There is no deadline.

Applicants should possess the equipment (or access to equipment) and skills to pitch, outline, report, script, track, and select music for a 20-minute podcast episode.

A complete pitch includes: —A 200-400 word description of the intended story: Tell us who and/or what the story is about, where it takes place, why the main character(s) and setting(s) are interesting, and why Gravy should tell the story now. Why does this story merit a 20-minute audio feature? What does this story tell us about the changing American South? —A sample of previous audio work. This call is intended for experienced audio storytellers.

SFA provides the following resources to podcast collaborators: – Suggestions for research material and subject-area experts, upon request – The services of an audio engineer to mix and master each episode – Editorial services – Fact-checking – Subscription to an online transcription service for transcribing interviews – Subscription to Blue Dot Sessions for music selection, if desired – Online file storage via a shared Dropbox account – Host audio and a sound engineer to put together the final mix – Publishing, hosting, and promotion of the episode(s)

Complete pitches, as well as any questions, may be directed to [email protected].