Bronwyn Mauldin, LA Indymedia collective member and host of “Indymedia on Air” on KPFK FM, did a hands-on audio recording and editing training with the assistance of collective member Sasha Costanza-Chock. Sasha had also arranged for the use of the luxurious space, which afforded us the use of an 18 computer laboratory. Bronwyn spoke about various types of recording devices to collect sound, and explained the how-tos of transferring recorded media into a usable radio piece in a very clear and organized fashion.

Frank Stoltze, former KPFK News Director who currently reports for KPCC News in Los Angeles, followed with an informative lecture on the nuts-n-bolts of street reporting and interviewing for radio. Frank generously shared his knowledge in all aspects of interviewing covering everything from how to get the interview process to flow, to how to handle the microphone.

The purpose of the workshop was to train more independent reporters, and to encourage more people to get involved with the creation of media from the bottom up. Hopefully people who took part in the workshop will be encouraged to actively participate with the LA Indymedia collective.

LA Indymedia wants to thank the Institute for Multimedia Literacy for allowing us to use this wonderful space. Having the use of the 18 computer lab allowed us to do the largest hands-on training that we have done to date.

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Six hours zoomed by as the wanna-be-better-reporters and writers & interviewers who attended this freely provided workshop stayed focused and learned lots.

The 3 LA Indymedia teachers were very helpful and gave hands-on assistance to learn thebasics of an audio editing program and each one answered all questions with the generosity of dedicated people - who freely SHARE their knowledge and know-how. Bringing in "passion" to the reporting was an affirmative quality also emphasized for independent news reporters. Agreed !

KPCC's long-time professional reporter, Stoltze, gave good instructions and gave us tips for becoming both more ethical and practical interviewers for radio. He responded to the participants with his "frank" open attitude and his willingness to share his accumulated experience. He was responsive to the great variety of intense questioning of his techniques. Frank kept such cool under the barrage of questions confronting him !

The experience was special for us, the grateful participants, who were intensely interested in expanding our knowledge and skills. Coming from different experiences and wanting to produce good news products, this workshop was a gift to each in our own special areas of interest. And what a good gift this was.

We can only THANK those who gave us so much of their experiences and time by doing even more 'independent news' from now on. We plan on expanding & exposing all of our unique worlds into what is not just the common-main-street exposition and not letting information and 'news' be so exclusively the corporately-paid-media's viewpoints only.

Those who could not attend might ask if a recording of the basic information may be available to others also .

A wonderful introductory journalism workshop. Tough questions were asked and some answered; such as what is truth and where does integrity in the media lie?

The only drawback was the small number of participants since the free workshop should really have brought more interested independent journalist.

Nevertheless it definitely helped me get a more grounded approach and start on telling the stories that I passionately want to express as truthfully as possible.