Freelance Committee offers practical programs, entertaining speakers; Next meeting April 16

Freelance radio journalist and new NPC member Martin DiMarco had the freelance committee spellbound with his audio story-telling skills March 26 in the Truman Lounge.

DiMarco explained how he developed his career into three high-quality, profoundly professional-and-personally-fulfilling “permalancer” gigs with National Public Radio, The Associated Press and a new local radio station in DC, after working as a staff radio journalist in New York City with ESPN and AP for several years.

DiMarco shared techniques for creating compelling and professional audio reporter pieces complete with audio clips (quotes to a print journalist), background sounds that enhance the story and sharp visual radio journalism narrative. Martin also takes photos and video to accompany his stories on web sites.

“Writing for radio is conversational,” he said. “You have to tell the story as if you are telling it to a friend. You use short sentences, vivid words amid walk the listener through the story with a background of sounds of the place and of the people involved in the story. You make them feel as if they are there with you. “

The Freelance Committee will meet Monday, April 16 and will feature a conversation with the director of the Fund for Investigative Journalism about applying for a $5,000 to $10,000 grants for investigative projects.

Lorna Aldrich, an NPC Wire editor said the Wire is seeking volunteers to cover NPC Newmaker press briefings and other Club events. Interested freelancers should contact Aldrich at [email protected].