|
   |
 |
“Lady Porcupine” Arts Journalism Workshop
Newtown, Johannesburg 24-28 August 2009
This workshop forms part of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. It celebrates Women’s Month in Gauteng and the legacy of women journalists in South Africa’s popular media, by offering media skills to aspiring and practising women arts writers. The workshop title honours Johanna Pahlane, who wrote for Bantu World under the pen-name ‘Lady Porcupine’ in the 1930s while also directing the Merry Makers vaudeville troupe.
What the workshop covers:
The 5-day, full-time, highly practical course surveys the full toolkit of skills needed to produce punchy, accurate entertaining arts & culture stories for print and online media. You’ll practise:
- How to pitch a story idea to an editor and plan the work
- How to interview specialists about their field
- How to write publishable reviews, profiles and more
- How to use the conventions of arts writing and make them accessible to readers.
In addition you’ll explore
- Your voice as a woman writer
- The ingredients of jazz
- The legacy and role of women in SA music
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz provides our subject matter, so jazz is the content focus. But the skills are transferable; you can use what you learn to write about any arts genre. The curriculum is based on the Specialist Journalism Unit Standard (117541) of the SAQA-accredited Level Five National Certificate in Journalism; if you’re a learner, cadet or intern at a media house you’ll be able to add arts stories to your assessment portfolio.
Trainers:
The course director is Gwen Ansell, jazz journalist and media trainer, author of “Soweto Blues”, a history of South African jazz. Guests include international media trainer Fiona Lloyd, poet Myesha Jenkins, and historian of women in jazz Ceri Moelwyn-Hughes. There will also be opportunities to interact with Standard Bank Joy of Jazz role-players.
Who can apply:
Applications are invited from women aged over 20 and based in Johannesburg who are:
- Journalists, or media students, cadets or interns
- Musicians or music students
- Working in the publicity, NGO or heritage sectors and dealing with arts, culture or music
- Aiming to work in these areas
NOTE: The course assumes some familiarity with journalism basics
Fees:
Fees are R1 200 for the week, including tuition and materials
If you are a student, cadet or intern, a freelance or community media worker or unemployed, a scholarship may be available: see below. The scholarship covers course fees; you will need to cover your own transport to and from the course.
How to apply:
Please send:
- A short CV, including your ID number, full contact details and at least two current, contactable references
- A personal motivation letter saying why you want to attend the course, how you hope to benefit, and what you think you can bring to the course.
- A letter of support from your lecturer or supervisor (if you are a student) or from your employer (if you are employed) agreeing to release you for the full period of the course.
- Please advise who will be paying your fees and provide us with personal or employer billing information.
- If you need a scholarship add a short essay (no more than 500 words) on the following topic: "Are the South African media fair to female performers ?
Please do not include any other certificates, testimonials or documents. Send your application by e-mail to course supervisor Gwen Ansell at sisgwen@iafrica.com to arrive not later than 5pm on Wednesday, 5 August. Put the words ‘Women writers’ workshop’ in the subject line.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 5 AUGUST 2009
|
|
 |
|
|