Backpack Journalism Blog

WASHINGTON, DC, 7 February 2012 — We’re just over one month away from my Backpack Journalism Workshop in Washington DC, scheduled for 8-11 March 2012. For more information, see this piece on Vimeo.

WASHINGTON, DC, 5 February 2012 — Register today for Backpack Journalism Workshop With Bill Gentile on 8-11 March 2012 in Washington, DC. See http://vimeo.com/11084225.

WASHINGTON, DC, 1 February 2012 — In response to queries, we’ve scheduled another Backpack Journalism Workshop With Bill Gentile in Washington, DC, for Thursday 8 March through Sunday 11 March 2012. Register today.

WASHINGTON, DC, 28 January 2012 — Here are a few preview shots of a story that we’ve been working on about a Cuban “Cigar Reader” at the La Corona cigar factory in Havana. The cigar readers are the men and women who read out loud to cigar rollers in factories across the island. “The Cigar Reader” is just one of a number of stories that Esther and I produced during our four-month stay in Cuba, from where we returned in December. We’ll advise as the stories are published, so stay tuned.

(Photos by Bill Gentile)

WASHINGTON, DC, 21 January 2012 — During our most recent Backpack Journalism Workshop, Larry Roberts documented a young man’s journey to rebuild his life through weightlifting. You can see it here.

WASHINGTON, DC, 21 January 2012 — Nick Dua produced this video of Critical Exposure during our recent Backpack Journalism Workshop in Washington, DC. Critical Exposure is a non-profit organization that teaches youth to use the power of photography and their own voices to become effective advocates for school reform and social change. You can see the piece on Vimeo here.

WASHINGTON, DC, 18 January 2012 — “Agent of Change,” a piece done by Peter Holley during our most recent Backpack Journalism Workshop, now is on YouTube. You can see it here: http://tinyurl.com/6lo8rux.

WASHINGTON, DC, 15 January 2012 — Our latest Backpack Journalism Workshop ended with this group photo (after workshop participant Larry Roberts already had headed home.) From left to right are Nick Dua, Peter Holley, Assistant Esther Gentile (seated), Assistant Nick Ray and me, Bill Gentile. Ours was a small group this time, allowing me to spend significant amounts of time in the field with the participants as they generated media for their final projects. This was one of the most gratifying workshops we’ve ever conducted, as we all got to know each other on a level not common with a larger group.

(Photo by Bill Gentile)

WASHINGTON, DC, 15 January 2012 — Participants in my Backpack Journalism Workshop head down the final stretch of the four-day event, finishing up the edits on their respective projects. These include a piece on “Occupy DC,” another on the NGO “Critical Exposures,” and another on a young man who has restructured his life through bodybuilding.

(Photo by Bill Gentile)

WASHINGTON, DC, 14 January 2012 — Participants in my Backpack Journalism Workshop connect via Skype with Internet marketer Bruce Jones, at his home in Boston. We’re in the third day of the three-day event.

Below are some of the participants.

(Photos by Bill Gentile)