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

#24 - Cody Appleseed

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

One of the ways good radio stories paint pictures is with ambient sound and active tape. Ambient sound is the general, background sound of a place....

Bought by Radio Newark, WNJR, and PRX Remix

#23 - Sleepover!

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

Caption: The girls not sleeping at the sleepover., Credit: Maureen Wellner

Producers Hillary Frank and Jonathan Menjivar knock the rust off some pre-teen memories with "Sleepover!" On this Saltcast we talk with Hillary and...

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#22 - What If?

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

Radio producer Joe Richman says when producing a radio story you “cast” for characters. Here’s one thing to look for when “casting” your story: a c...

Bought by Radio Newark, WNJR, and PRX Remix

#21 - Silence Among Friends

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

Silence is radio’s worst enemy. Or so the thinking goes. In fact, some commercials stations have alarms that sound when the station goes silent for...

Bought by KPIP-LP, Radio Newark, and PRX Remix

#20 - The Angel Warrior on His Way to the Top

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

Caption: The Angel Warrior and his chariot. , Credit: Maisie Crow courtesy of the Salt archive

If you learn something about a character in a story that is unflattering, do you put it in your story? Even if it’s so loaded it may throw off the ...

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#19 - Studs, Natasha, and the Power of Sound

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

Caption: Studs Terkel waxing about “vox humana” in Storycorps’ mobile recording booth.

Here are a few thoughts I have on the power of sound. Studs Terkel offers his take on the human voice. And, Salt radio grad Natasha Haverty talks a...

Bought by Radio Newark, WNJR, and PRX Remix

#18 - The Sound of Democracy

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

Caption: Banging out a tune on the Portland Public Library piano., Credit: Cecelia Duchano courtesy of the Salt archive

Elizabeth Chur spent several weeks of her Salt semester hunkered down outside the piano room at the Portland Public Library, waiting for hours and ...

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#17 - Come Soul, I Have Need of Thee

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

Caption: Folk singer Kendall Morse woos his partner, Jacqui., Credit: Jen Leahy courtesy of the Salt archive

For this Saltcast, we present a new radio feature that I believe exemplifies intimate journalism for radio.

Bought by Radio Newark and PRX Remix

#16 - I'm Relatively Human

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

Caption: Marty Hagland, a transgendered woman, says it was a long time before her neighbors accepted her. “It took them a good three years to finally realize that I don’t bite. At least not very hard. And, if you stick a pin in me I bleed. I’m relatively human.”, Credit: Selena Simmons-Duffin

Scenic writing is visual. It’s active. And, it takes listeners on a journey. It’s also a great way to organize a radio piece.

Bought by Radio Newark, Radio Newark, and PRX Remix

#15 - Listening to the Northern Lights

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

Caption: United States Air Force photo of Northern Lights at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska , Credit: Senior Airman Joshua Strang

What’s it take to produce a radio piece that doesn’t have conflict, tension, or some universal we all can relate to?

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
	Shane Perry
	donna galluzzo Executive Director, the Salt Institute
	Christine Heinz
	Anna Pinkert
	Alix Blair
	Emily Baer
	Salt Staff
	Isaac Kestenbaum (Admin)

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