MediaStorm publishes Driftless: Stories from Iowa

Driftless: Stories from Iowa by Danny Wilcox Frazier Life in Iowa can be punishing. Many Iowans expend their lives sweating over soil and spilling the blood of livestock; they endure the hardships associated with a life inextricably bound to the ups and downs of nature. Today, those challenges and a shift in our nation's economy have pushed the youth of rural communities to migrate to the metropolises of America. Those left in the wake of this out-migration continue their lives, seemingly unchanged from the generations that preceded them, and entombed in obscurity. The tension of contemporary rural life plays out here: the struggle of a family farm to continue, disenfranchised youth, the slaughterhouse, migrant labor, and the aged fading from Iowa's mythical landscape. Through their stories we gain insight to a way of life that is disappearing, a culture that could be lost forever. As "community" continues to be homogenized in zones…

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Inspiration from Focus Awards Lifetime Achievement Award winner Eliane Laffont

The Griffin Museum's 2009 Focus Awards ceremony was held last week, recognizing "people who are not photographers, but who have been instrumental in increasing awareness of the photographic arts among the general public."  A well-deserved Lifetime Achievement award was given to Eliane Laffont, who has been a driving force in the industry for over 40 years. Those fortunate enough to be at the ceremony heard Eliane's speech, but for the rest of us, she has graciously allowed us to reprint it.  It's definitely worth a read: PHOTOJOURNALISM IS MY PASSION! “Photojournalism” is a word that evokes heroic stories and the call of adventure. It is a mirror of the world and a witness to its time. When Jean Pierre, and I — along with our French partners — created the photo agencies Gamma in 1968 and Sygma in 1973, we wanted to redefine the nature of photojournalism, reveal and explain the world's…

Continue ReadingInspiration from Focus Awards Lifetime Achievement Award winner Eliane Laffont

MediaStorm’s Multimedia Stimulus Plan

Given the tough economic climate and the critical need for multimedia training, MediaStorm will be holding a one-time, tuition-free Advanced Multimedia Reporting Workshop, in Brooklyn, NY from June 20-26, 2009. The MediaStorm Advanced Multimedia Workshops are designed for multimedia storytellers who want to get to the next level. It is not an introductory course. Students are responsible for their own travel, room and board. Reporters are expected to have a high level of competency with still photography, and be familiar with audio and video techniques. Editors are expected to be comfortable in Final Cut Pro. We only have spots for 8 participants as Multimedia Reporters, Editors or Observers so we are expecting a competitive process. Applications are due no later than Friday, May 15, 2009. Participants will be selected based on the content of their applications. (click here for application form) For more information, and to see work produced in previous workshops,…

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MediaStorm to screen premier of Danny Wilcox Frazier’s Driftless at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO

We are excited to announce a special premier of our soon-to-be released documentary Driftless: Stories from Iowa by Danny Wilcox Frazier. There will be a screening of the film, followed by Q&A with Danny and the team from MediaStorm, on Monday, May 18, at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Doors open at 7pm, the film will start at 8pm. Books and DVDs will be available for purchase, with signings both before and after the film. For guaranteed seating, RSVP to rsvp@mediastorm.org. About the Project: Life in Iowa can be punishing. Many Iowans expend their lives sweating over soil and spilling the blood of livestock; they endure the hardships associated with a life inextricably bound to the ups and downs of nature.  Today, those challenges and a shift in our nation’s economy have pushed the youth of rural communities to migrate to the metropolises of America.  Those left in the wake of…

Continue ReadingMediaStorm to screen premier of Danny Wilcox Frazier’s Driftless at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO