Saturday January 28th, 2012

Backpack Journalism Focuses on Cuban “Cigar Reader”

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)

Saturday January 21st, 2012

Backpack Journalist Documents Lifebuilding

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.

Saturday January 21st, 2012

Backpack Journalist Documents Work of “Critical Exposure”

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.

Wednesday January 18th, 2012

Backpack Journalism Workshop Video on YouTube

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.

Monday January 16th, 2012

Backpack Journalism Workshop Draws to End

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)

Sunday January 15th, 2012

Backpack Journalists on Final Stretch

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)

Saturday January 14th, 2012

Backpack Journalism Workshop Connects With Internet Marketer

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)

Saturday January 14th, 2012

Backpack Journalism Workshop Shifts to Post-Production — and Final Cut X

WASHINGTON, DC, 14 January 2012 — Workshop Assistant Nick Ray (standing) assists Peter Holley editing his workshop project with Final Cut X. General Assignment Reporter for the Houston Chronicle, Peter is one of the first workshop participants to use the new version of Final Cut. According to Nick, backpack journalists using the new program for the first time find it easier to use than do those of us accustomed to using Final Cut 7.

(Photo by Bill Gentile)

Friday January 13th, 2012

Backpack Journalist Takes Aim at Bodybuilding and Self-Renewal

ARLINGTON, VA, 13 January 2012 — Larry Roberts (L) takes aim at bodybuilder Sam Bridgewater in the Arlington Nutrition Corner. One of the participants in my Backpack Journalism Workshop in Washington, DC, Larry is doing a piece about one man’s use of bodybuilding as a tool for physical, psychic and spiritual self-renewal.

(Photo by Bill Gentile)

Thursday January 12th, 2012

Backpack Journalist Records Arrest at Occupy DC

WASHINGTON, DC, 12 January 2010 — Peter Holley, a participant in my Backpack Journalism Workshop, documents the arrest of a man accused of fighting with another man at the site of Occupy DC in downtown Washington. Holley is doing his project for the workshop on the Occupy movement. The workshop runs from Thursday 12 January through Sunday 15 January.

Below, participants in the workshop conduct a Skype interview with Internet marketer Bruce Jones.

(Photos by Bill Gentile)