reportercorps-blog

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK 10

Week 10, August 19

MEETINGS

- MONDAY: Preparing for final presentation.

ASSIGNMENTS

- DUE FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, AT 5 PM: Reporter Corps notebook

- DUE MONDAY, AUGUST 26 AT 12 PM: Learn part for the final presentation.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK 9

Week 9, August 12

MEETINGS

- MONDAY: Listening session. Brainstorming for final drafts.

ASSIGNMENTS:

- DUE FRIDAY AT 5 PM: Reporter Corps Notebooks

- DUE MONDAY AT 12 PM:

1) Second draft of audio scripts.

2) Any remaining edits for print stories.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK 8

Week 8, August 5

MEETINGS

- MONDAY: Listening session of interviews and neighborhood introductions.

ASSIGNMENTS

-DUE FRIDAY AUGUST 9TH AT 5 P.M.: Reporter Corps Notebook

-DUE MONDAY AUGUST 12TH AT 12 P.M.: 

1) Respond to edits on print story.

2) Event and In The News on Intersections.

3) Audio script for Ed story. Follow format that Molly showed in class.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK 7

Week 7, July 29

MEETINGS

- MONDAY: Molly Callister from Reporter Corps and Willa Seidenberg from USC will workshop audio and go over story updates.

ASSIGNMENTS

-DUE FRIDAY AUGUST 2ND AT 5 P.M.: Reporter Corps Notebook

-DUE MONDAY AUGUST 5TH AT 12 P.M.: 

1) First draft of ED story is due. Should be around 1,000 words. 

2) Intros to neighborhood complete.

3) Be ready for an "In The News" discussion. Be prepared to talk about at least two articles you read over the weekend.

4) Final evaluation signups.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK SIX

Week 6, July 22

MEETINGS

-MONDAY: Jesse Katz, former LA Weekly reporter and author, on the writing process at 5 p.m. at Mercado La Paloma; Mentor Mixer at Mercado La Paloma from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

ASSIGNMENTS:

-DUE FRIDAY AT 5 PM: Reporter Corps Notebook

-DUE MONDAY AT 12 PM:

1) Complete all deadlines on your Ed story Google Doc. (By now you should have at least two interviews completed and transcribed.)

2) Remember to be taking GOOD images for your stories!

3) If intro to neighborhood audio needs to be redone, redo.

4) Add a news story and event to Intersections.

5) Be prepared to discuss "What's in the news?" at the beginning of Monday's meeting. Which means to pay attention to what is going on in South LA and what important news is happening in your community.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK FIVE

Week 5, July 15

MEETINGS

- MONDAY: Intersections website with Willa Seidenberg, professor at USC.

- THURSDAY: Getting things Done with Nasrin Aboulhosn from Alhambra Source; Copy editing with Jen Hoche from the Hollywood Reporter.

ASSIGNMENTS:

DUE FRIDAY AT 5 PM: Reporter Corps Notebook

DUE MONDAY AT 12 PM:

1) Q&A with your expert. Turn in a transcription with notes on three key points what is important to your story. Get your questions approved by Daniela before you do the interview.

2) Add an event AND an "In The News" story to Intersections website.

3) Redo your audiovisual assignment if your audio is not high enough quality.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK FOUR

Week 4, July 8

MEETINGS

- MONDAY: Audio editing in Audacity with Kevin Ferguson from KPCC.

ASSIGNMENTS

DUE BY YOUR EDITORIAL MEETING: A revised pitch with your experts and data that you will look for.

DUE FRIDAY AT 5 PM: Reporter Corps Notebook

DUE MONDAY AT 12 PM:

1) Please re-do the assignment from last week as described below:

a) Ask at least three good people on the street the following questions: 1) Their name 2) What they like about your neighborhood 3) What they don’t like about your neighborhood. Take a photo of each person. 

b) Collect ambi sounds of your neighborhood. Cars/buses/trains. Parks where you spent time. You should be collecting any sounds that are associated with the positives and negatives that you have already identified.

c) Transcribe all of your audio, including your own voice. Then go through and pick out your favorite parts and make them bold. Also find a good place where you ask the questions “What do you like about your neighborhood?” and “What do you not like about your neighborhood?” and make those bold as well.

d) Upload your transcription and your raw audio to Dropbox.

2) Reach out to approved expert.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK THREE

Week 3, July 1

MEETINGS

- MONDAY: Visit to Alhambra Source. Meet Molly and Daniela at the South Pasadena Gold Line station at 4:30 p.m. We will be driving over to the newsroom. Speakers: Daniela Gerson, Alhambra Source Editor; Alfred Dicicio, Reporter Corps Alhambra participant; Jane Fernandez, Reporter Corps Alhambra participant.

- WEDNESDAY: Sarah Garland from the Hechinger Report at USC. Prepare your personal education story pitch.

  ASSIGNMENTS

- DUE FRIDAY AT 5 PM: Reporter Corps Notebook: Notes from each workshop that not only explain what you observed, but also what you learned and how it impacted you personally. Did anything surprise you? Did you relate to any of the presentations based on your own experiences? Did it inspire you to want to try out something new?  

  - DUE MONDAY AT 12 PM:

1) An audiovisual tour of your neighborhood. 

a) What are the things you like? Identify two examples and take pictures. What are issues? Identify two examples and take pictures. Get specific and descriptive about both your likes and issues. Don’t just say, “Prostitution,” tell us why that is an issue and how long it’s been there and how it affects you. 

b) Ask five people on the street the following questions: 1) Their name 2) What they like about your neighborhood 3) What they don’t like about your neighborhood. Take a photo of each person. 

c) Collect ambi sounds of your neighborhood. Cars/buses/trains. Parks where you spent time. Any sounds that are associated with the positives and negatives that you have already identified.

d) Transcribe audio. 

e) Identify 20 seconds that you think are good. 

2) Identify an expert for personal story.

3) Revisions on your pitch based on our conversation with Sarah Garland.

4) Bring computers and download Audacity -- download here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/.

[reportercorps-blog]

WEEK TWO

Week 2, June 24

MEETINGS

- Kerstin Zilm and Jacqueline Hamilton on Monday

- Police ride-alongs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

- Councilmember Bernard Parks of Los Angeles City District 8 on Friday

Meet Molly at the entrance to City Hall by the Docent Desk. City Hall is accesible via the Civic Center/Grand Park Red Line station. The address is 200 Spring Street.

- Launch Party at Mercado La Paloma on Thursday night RSVP!!

ASSIGNMENTS

Due Friday, June 28 at 5pm:

1) Reporter Corps Notebook: Notes from each workshop that not only explain what you observed, but also what you learned and how it impacted you personally. Did anything surprise you? Did you relate to any of the presentations based on your own experiences? Did it inspire you to want to try out something new?

Due Monday, July 1 at 12pm:

1 ) FOR THOSE ON  RIDE-ALONG: Notes & photo from ride-along, include four quotes from audio. Upload document and original audio file to Dropbox. Coordinate as teams -- and choose which moments to focus on.  

a) Write together at least three paragraphs about the experience. 

b) One person select the audio with the minute mark for three key moments/ quotes. Transcribe    audio. Should be submitted with the XXminute, XXseconds format. 

c) One person submits at least 10 photos. Try to make sure the photos line up with the key points in the paragraphs and audio. 

  2) FOR THOSE REPORTING ON CITY HALL VISIT: 

a) Audio person 1: recording of first half of meeting with Councilman, transcribe. Should be submitted with the XXminute, XXseconds format.  

b) Audio person 2: recording of second half of meeting, transcribe. Should be submitted with the XXminute, XXseconds format. 

c) Photo person -- submits at least 10 photos. Try to make sure the photos line up with the key points in the paragraphs and audio. 

3) Identify personal education story and write brief pitch. The pitch should be one paragraph summarizing what you will investigate and why you are the best person to write it. It should have 1) a personal angle of an education challenge or issue you have encountered. 2) outline the larger issue you are interested in exploring.

[reportercorps-blog]

Weeks 24 and 25

Week 24 and 25

MEETINGS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING - Monday, April 8 at 7pm

City Council agenda is posted on the Alhambra Source website the morning before every meeting. Please read agenda beforehand.

STAFF MEETING - Tuesday, April 9 at 2pm

Review final presentation

Review final project draft 

PRESENTATION REHEARSAL - Monday, April 15 at 6pm (Lizard Theater)

Please practice your script (will be emailed to you by Friday) and meet at Mosaic Lizard Theater at 112 W Main Street, Alhambra to run through the "Reporter Corps Experience." 

STAFF MEETING - Tuesday, April 16 at 2pm (Alhambra Source)

Review final presentation

FINAL PRESENTATION - Tuesday, April 16 at 5pm (Lizard Theater)

Please meet at Mosaic Lizard Theater at 5pm to prepare for the final presentation and to welcome guests upon arrival. We will need two people to manage check-in, and two people to greet guests and guide them to seating.

REPORTER CORPS DINNER - Wednesday, April 17 at 5:30pm

Please meet at VINO at Trio's 47 W. Main Street, Alhambra for a closing dinner  with your editors and in appreciation of your work with Reporter Corps.

EXIT INTERVIEW - Friday, April 26 9am - 1pm

Please be available for your exit interview between the hours of 9am and 12pm. You will receive your final paychecks following your evaluation.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Thursday, April 11 by 12pm.

Please write a page summarizing your experience over the past 12 months, and answer the following questions:

How did you feel when you started Reporter Corps?

Is it what you expected?

What did you learn from the experience?

What surprised you?

What challenged you?

What did you learn about your city, other people, journalism, yourself? Please provide specifics.

What do you think you will carry with you?

What are your next goals?

What could be done to further develop Reporter Corps?

What is your advice to the next class of participants?

2. REPORTER CORPS EXPERIENCE  - Monday, April 15 by 12pm

Practice your "Reporter Corps Experience" script as much as possible before Monday, April 15 rehearsal. We will email you a final script by Friday morning. 

Congratulations for completing Reporter Corps Alhambra! Your dedication and commitment to the program is greatly appreciated. We are very proud of you.

[reportercorps-blog]

Week 23

Week 23, April 1

MEETINGS

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR MEETING - Monday, April 1 at 7pm

Please bring a dish or drink to share!

STAFF MEETING - Tuesday, April 2 at 2pm

WORKSHOP: Piecing your story together, Eric Drachman

Listening: man-on-the-street audio edits. Provide feedback for each other.

Review poll responses.

Review final project draft 

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Friday, April 5 by 6pm

Summarize your experiences reporting, as well as lessons you may have learned about yourself, your work, and your community.

2. STORIES - Monday, April 8 by 12pm:

Summary of poll findings

FINAL DRAFTS of final project elements (expert interviews, poll findings, forum notes, man-on-street, data). Daniela will edit with you. You can find the template for this in your final projects/story Dropbox folder.

[reportercorps-blog]

Week 22

Week 22, Mar. 25

MEETINGS

CITY COUNCIL SESSION - Monday, Mar. 25 at 7pm

City Council agenda is posted on the Alhambra Source website the morning before every meeting. Please read agenda beforehand. http://www.alhambrasource.org/news/agenda-julio-fuentes-monument-free-summer-lunches

STAFF MEETING - Tuesday, Mar. 26 at 2pm

Review status of outstanding work.

Listening: man-on-the-street audio edits. Provide feedback for each other.

Review final project draft 

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Friday, Mar. 29 by 6pm

Summarize your experiences reporting, as well as lessons you may have learned about yourself, your work, and your community.

2. STORIES - Monday, April 1 by 12pm:

Second draft of final projects (incorporate expert interviews, poll findings, forum notes, man-on-street, data). Daniela will edit with you. You can find the template for this in your final projects/story Dropbox folder.

IF NOT COMPLETED: Second edit of man-on-the-street audio, one-page draft with data (do the research) and quotes from expert interview that might be useful for your larger story.  Transcript and audio file from expert interview. Audio edit and photos from man-on-the-street interviews. Upload to Dropbox final project folder. 

[reportercorps-blog]

Week 21

Week 21, Mar. 18

MEETINGS

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL SESSION - Monday, Mar. 18 at 5:30pm

City Council will hold a special session in the Alhambra Civic Library to discuss enhancing Alhambra's 4th of July celebration at Almansor Park. Tweet away! http://www.alhambrasource.org/news/improving-alhambras-4th-july-celebration-extending-act-service-south-valley

STAFF MEETING - Tuesday, Mar. 19 at 2pm

Review status of outstanding work.

Listening: man-on-the-street audio edits. Provide feedback for each other.

Review final project draft assignment

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Friday, Mar. 22 by 6pm

Summarize your experiences reporting, as well as lessons you may have learned about yourself, your work, and your community.

2. STORIES - Monday, Mar. 25 by 12pm:

First draft of final projects (incorporate expert interviews, poll findings, forum notes, man-on-street, data). You can find the template for this in your final projects/story Dropbox folder.

IF NOT COMPLETED: One-page draft with data (do the research) and quotes from expert interview that might be useful for your larger story.  Transcript and audio file from expert interview. Audio edit and photos from man-on-the-street interviews. Upload to Dropbox final project folder. 

[reportercorps-blog]

Week 20

Week 20, Mar. 11 

MEETINGS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING - Monday, Mar. 11 at 7pm

City Council agenda is posted on the Alhambra Source website the morning before every meeting. Please read agenda beforehand.

AUSD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - Tuesday, Mar. 12 at 7pm

AUSD School Board meeting agenda is posted online: http://alhambra.csbaagendaonline.net/cgi-bin/WebObjects/alhambra-eAgenda.woa/wa/showMeeting

STAFF MEETING - Tuesday, Mar. 12 at 2pm

Review status of polls, expert interviews and one-page data document.

Review week’s assignment: Man-on-the-street audio interviews and editing.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Friday, Mar. 15 by 6pm

Summarize your experiences reporting, as well as lessons you may have learned about yourself, your work, and your community.

2. STORIES - Monday, Mar. 18 by 12pm:

Man-on-the-street interviews. Edit each interview, create three-minute edit using all interviews. Upload original and edited audio and transcriptions.

IF NOT COMPLETED: One-page draft with quotes and data from expert interview that might be useful for your larger story.  Transcript and audio file from expert interview. Upload to Dropbox. Please create a separate Dropbox folder for this assignment.

ANY OUTSTANDING STORY YOU HAVE DUE

3. PITCH - Monday, Mar. 18 by 12pm:

One story on your beat.

[reportercorps-blog]

Week 19

Week 19, Mar. 4 

MEETINGS

ALHAMBRA COMMUNITY FORUM - Monday, Mar. 4 at 3pm

Meet at Alhambra Source offices at 3pm. Set-up and preparation will take place at 5pm at forum site: 101 S. Atlantic in Alhambra.

STAFF MEETING - Tuesday, Mar. 5 at 2pm

What you learned from community forum; how has this changed your perspective/story focus?

Review status of expert interviews and one-page data document.

Review week's assignment: Final draft of new poll, incorporating feedback from community forum.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Friday, Mar. 8 by 6pm

Summarize your experiences reporting, as well as lessons you may have learned about yourself, your work, and your community.

2. STORIES - Monday, Mar. 11 by 12pm:

Final draft of new poll, incorporating feedback from community forum.

IF LAST WEEK’S DEADLINE NOT MET: One-page draft with quotes and data from expert interview that might be useful for your larger story.  Transcript and audio file from expert interview. Upload to Dropbox. Please create a separate Dropbox folder for this assignment.

3. PITCH - Monday, Mar. 11 by 12pm:

Man-on-the-street to ask new set of questions based on what you learned at community forum and to dig deeper into the issue.

[reportercorps-blog]

Week 18

Week 18, Feb. 25 

MEETINGS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING - Monday, Feb. 25 at 7pm

City Council agenda is posted on the Alhambra Source website the morning before every meeting. Please read agenda beforehand.

STAFF MEETING / LESSON - Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 2pm

What you learned from expert interviews; how to edit down and incorporate into presentation.

Practice public speaking - introduce your story in two minutes. 

Set timeline and responsibilities for community event.

Review expert interview questions, if needed.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Friday, Mar. 1 by 6pm

Summarize your experiences reporting, as well as lessons you may have learned about yourself, your work, and your community.

2. STORIES - Monday, Mar. 4 by 12pm:

One-page draft with quotes and data from expert interview that might be useful for your larger story.

IF LAST WEEK'S DEADLINE NOT MET: Transcript and audio file from expert interview. Upload to Dropbox. Please create a separate Dropbox folder for this assignment.

[reportercorps-blog]

Week 17

Week 17, Feb. 18 

Goals: Public speaking practice and presentation/expert interviews

MEETINGS

STAFF MEETING / LESSON - Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 2pm

Practice public speaking - introduce your story 

Set goals for community event

Review expert interview questions, if needed.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 6pm

AUSD School Board meeting agenda is posted online: http://alhambra.csbaagendaonline.net/cgi-bin/WebObjects/alhambra-eAgenda.woa/wa/showMeeting

ASSIGNMENTS

1. REPORTER CORPS NOTEBOOK - Friday, Feb. 22 by 6pm

Summarize your experiences reporting, as well as lessons you may have learned about yourself, your work, and your community.

2. STORIES - Wednesday, Feb. 20 by 12pm: 

Revised version of poll/event questions/bio/story.

Monday, Feb. 25 by 12pm:

Transcript and audio file from expert interview. Upload to Dropbox. Please create a separate Dropbox folder for this assignment.

3. PITCHES - Monday, Feb. 25 by 12pm

One story within your beat. Beat stories should be produced monthly for remainder of program.