July News — CAC Is Now a Non-Profit
We've incorporated as a non-profit, Audio Flux in Chicago is coming up soon, and the talent directory is growing! Plus, Jesse Betend shares his work on the podcast 'Where I Stay.'
Here's what we've got for you in this month's newsletter
- More news from the Chicago Audiomakers Collective
- Audio Flux in Chicago is coming up this month
- CAC is now incorporated as a non-profit
- Our Talent Directory and Event List is growing
- Notes from this month's CAC meeting — thank you Jesse Betend for sharing your work!
- Lastly, a couple audio job postings here in Chicago
CAC and Rivet360 Presents: Audio Flux in Chicago
Special thanks to Audio Flux in Chicago's new sponsor, Rivet360: Rivet360 is a trusted audio production partner for companies seeking to expand their reach through smart, high-impact storytelling.
When Serial debuted in 2014, in the early days of podcasting, it captivated audiences and ushered in a new age of creative storytelling. The possibilities for audio-driven narratives seemed endless.
Now, more than ten years later, podcasting is generally seen as a mainstream medium, populated by influencers, celebrities, and large media corporations. Still, there are vibrant pockets of independent production, narrative innovation and experimentation dotting the podcast landscape. And one of those spots is Audio Flux.
Julie Shapiro, audio icon and co-creator of AF, will share past winners and introduce Circuit 06 at Sleeping Village in Avondale, on July 31.
Julie will be joined on stage by longtime friend and fellow co-founder of the Third Coast International Audio Festival, Johanna Zorn. Presenting together for the first time in a decade, they’ll talk about the roots of Audio Flux and reflect on the podcast medium that they helped shape.
The evening will culminate with a special guest and sneak peek of the Audio Flux Circuit 06 open call theme and prompts, one day before the rest of the world learns about them!
After the program, stay to mingle and network with other local audio creatives in the Sleeping Village bar.
What are the details?
- Venue: Sleeping Village at 3734 W Belmont Ave
- Date: July 31st at 7pm (doors at 6:30pm)
- Tickets: $15 online (plus ticket fees), or $20 at the door that evening.
- Note: this venue and event is 21+
CAC Incorporates as a Non-Profit
In a few short months the Chicago Audiomakers Collective has built up a lot of momentum with our April event: The View From Here, our monthly meetings, our talent directory, our event list, and our upcoming Audio Flux in Chicago event.
In order to support that momentum, we have incorporated the Chicago Audiomakers Collective as a non-profit. This will enable us to build resources, and explore new ways of supporting the audio and podcast community in Chicago.
CAC is co-founded by Ian Mandt, Johanna Zorn, and Eliza Lambert-Arnold. All three of us are working on a volunteer basis.
Our Talent Directory and Event List is growing!
Since we announced the talent directory just over a month ago, it's grown to include 35 producers and companies based out of Chicago. Looking for a chance to network or some new podcast friends? Check it out and add yourself if you're not already on it!
We've also continued to build on our CAC event list with a public calendar you can subscribe to. Shoot us an email if you've got an event to share: info@chiaudiocollective.com.
CAC Spotlight: Jesse Betend
In this months CAC meeting, we heard two clips from CAC member Jesse Betend. Jesse is a broadcast journalist, and radio and podcast producer dedicated to creating story-driven, unconventional and addicting audio. He shared a couple clips from a show he produced at Rivet360 called “Where I Stay”.
Where I Stay was designed to change the way people think about homelessness by spotlighting the plight faced by these often-overlooked communities, who mostly consist of “doubled up” families, adolescents, and other at-risk groups.
Angelica became homeless at age 12, but she never lived on the street. Instead: Prisons, Vegas condos, the living room of an Iowa drug queen-pin, and an inpatient facility for adolescents. This is Where I Stay – a serialized audio documentary exploring "invisible" homelessness and housing instability in America through the lens of Angelica’s life.
We had an interesting conversation about the "infernal question" of how to start telling a story. In this case the obvious approach would be to frame the drama around whether or not the subject, Angelica, would find stable housing. Jesse and his colleagues at Rivet took a different and more interesting approach. Instead, they framed the story around the question of how a 12 year old can become homeless to begin with when her mother is just a phone call away. Check out S1E1 to see how they approached opening the series.
We also heard a clip from S1E5 where Jesse had to navigate the complicated relationship between reporter and subject. As producers and reporters we have a significant amount of power over the way a story is both reported and told. Jesse had to work hard to both build trust with Angelica and to maintain that trust as he worked to fact check and fill in gaps in the story.
Want to share your work?
Send us an email at info@chiaudiocollective.com!
Chicago Audio Jobs
This is a non-exaustive list of audio related job postings in the Chicago area. If you've got a job to share, shoot me an email at ian@chiaudiocollective.com