Salt Institute for Documentary Studies

Since 1973, the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies has taught students from all over the United States and around the world to become skilled documentarians and storytellers. At the core of Salt is a 24/7 15-week experience. Motivated individuals from all walks of life come to Salt to focus on documentary storytelling, develop new skills, and build expertise. Our faculty members are working documentarians and teaching professionals who help provide a strong foundation for students to make their best work.

SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

59 Pieces

The SaltCast was a bi-weekly podcast produced from 2008-2010, aimed at pulling back the curtain on radio storytelling. From fieldwork and recording techniques to narrative and ethics, Saltcast explored the ins-and-outs of radio production. If you want to hear more Salt radio work, including that produced by more recent students, check out http://www.prx.org/group_accounts/1185-salt !

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Updated: Jan 07, 2013

#34 - Swing Free

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Caption: Dining at the swingers party. , Credit: Jessica Sheldon courtesy of the Salt archive

I just shake my head sometimes. At least once a semester, usually more, Salt students find themselves in the most out-of-the-ordinary places. It bo...

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#33 - Waiting for Jarod

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Caption: Breakfast with Margery Richard and her “flat son” Jarod. , Credit: Kristin Wright courtesy of the Salt archive

How close to a story can you get? When should you take yourself off a story? When should your editor? How emotional can you get — with your class, ...

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#32 - Fifty-Four Years

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

This may seem a bit obvious, but timing is really important to reporting a story. You can have the best story in the world, full access to sources,...

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#31 - Why Is It So Hard to Read Aloud?

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Caption: “When this modern monster talks through the loudspeaker installed in its chest, its lips move in time with its speech.”

On this Saltcast, it’s all about narration. I offer a few tips for improving narration and we listen to two pieces.

Bought by Radio Newark, WNJR, and PRX Remix

#30 - Look Me In the Eye

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Caption: Bill Buffard races across the court in a game of quadriplegic rugby., Credit: Judy Beedle courtesy of the Salt archive

On this Saltcast, producer and former Salt student Sarah Reynolds offers up a few interviewing tips to help with the production of non-narrated sto...

Bought by Radio Newark, WNJR, and PRX Remix

#29 - The Rolling Diamonds

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Caption: How do they do it? The Rolling Diamonds. , Credit: Stephanie Ewens

What if, to get the best sound, you have to hand your recording gear over to a circus act who’s roller skating ten feet off the ground on a six-foo...

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#28 - No Praise, No Blame, Just So

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

How do you say to someone “I’d like to interview you about a traumatic, horrendous event from your past”?

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#27 - Mei Mei, A Daughter's Song

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Caption: Dmae Roberts and her mom during their trip to Taiwan in 1989.

Independent producer Dmae Roberts produced “Mei Mei, A Daughter’s Song” in 1989. It was cutting edge then and it is, unfortunately, cutting edge now.

Bought by KUER, Radio Newark, and PRX Remix

#26 - Tending the Barter's Island Bridge

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Caption: Duane Lewis (foreground) and his twin brother Dwight operate Barter’s Island Bridge, Boothbay, Maine., Credit: Rebecca Stewart courtesy of the Salt archive

Amanda Davis produced “Tending the Barter’s Island Bridge” in two weeks. That’s close to the shortest production time of any Salt piece.

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#25 - Dyana, Goddess of the Moose Hunt

From: Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Series: SaltCast: the Backstory to Great Radio Storytelling

Hope you enjoy this startling piece about a moose hunt gone sour — “Dyana, Goddess of the Moose Hunt.”

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

	Amy O'Leary Editor
	Sarah Buckingham
	Jamie Yuenger Independent Producer
	Selena Simmons-Duffin Production Assistant at NPR's Morning Edition
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	donna galluzzo Executive Director, the Salt Institute
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