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Livecast #3 She Said

In this livecast we discussed narrative techniques in the award-winning She Said. In this investigative story two New York Times reporters break the Weinstein story that ignited the international #MeToo movement. Rebecca Corbett, investigative editor at the New York Times, guided and oversaw the investigation of the two reporters on the sexual harassment allegations against the Hollywood mogul. Together with Corbett and Xandra Schutte, lead editor at De Groene Amsterdammer we discussed which narrative techniques work in investigative stories that have to be so diligently yet intelligbly written.

Watch this True Stories Livecast here!

True Stories Livecast

Livecast #2 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Most journalists reporting on science can only dream of writing a story like Rebecca Skloot wrote, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. She researched the life (and death) of the forgotten patient and her famous cells for ten years. Together with science journalist Job de Vrieze and Skloot we discussed ways in which reporting on science can turn into a gripping story like this bestseller and the pitfalls of this technical genre.

Watch this True Stories Livecast here. Sharing or using this livecast is only permitted for educational purposes for Dutch or Flamish journalism.

True Stories Livecast

Livecast #1 Making For Sama

Covering conflict in the media can be very challenging. Compassion fatigue towards the media and their reporting on lasting conflicts unfortunately is a reality. People are often tired of the news coming from conflict areas and they have a hard time relating to the numerous victims. Last year the documentary For Sama made a huge impact and attracted a lot of attention and a large audience that got emotionally very affected by seeing the film. In this livecast we talk with journalist Fréderieke Geerdink and For Sama director Waad al-Kateab about narrative techniques in the award-winning documentary and how they benefit to reporting on war and conflict.

You can watch this True Stories Livecast now here from your own sofa

True Stories Livecast

Rewatch: True Stories 2020

On October 6th, 13th and 20th 2020 we presented three inspiring livecasts in collaboration with Pakhuis de Zwijger. During this series we’ll talk with the creators of impactful journalistic productions from all over the world. We discussed how they have used narrative techniques successfully, without losing their journalistic integrity. We talked about the narrative techniques with the creators of the award winning documentary For Sama, bestseller author Rebecca Skloot and New York Times and She Said editor Rebecca Corbett and many more!

Creating your own narrative photography project

Photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien, member of the internationally awarded collective VII Photos talks about her long term project Born Free together with Evelien Kunst. In this podcast Kunst and Njiokiktjien zoom in on what you need to create your own independent visually driven story that can be published on more than one platform. What do you need to organize for yourself before you can embark upon a long term project like Born Free?

Listen to the True Stories podcast here!

Podcast making - Behind the scenes with Andy Mills

How can talking in a “chipmunk voice” help to make a breathtaking, award winning podcast? Andy Mills, audio producer for the New York Times (works for the The Daily), shares strange and wonderful insights, and shameful mistakes, that led to the creation of Caliphate, winner of a Peabody award for best podcast.

Listen to the True Stories podcast here!

Anthology

Every year, a Flemish-Dutch editorial team chooses the top ten narrative journalists: the master storytellers, in Dutch Meestervertellers. In 2017 an all-English version was organized: Anthology.

Click, listen, watch and read here!

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Conference

Since 2011 we have organized an annual conference on narrative journalism in English, with hundreds of visitors and inspiring speakers from both home and abroad.

Gerard van Westerloo reading

The yearly Gerard van Westerloo lecture pays homage to one of the founding fathers of narrative journalism in the Netherlands by inviting one inspiring journalist.

Anthology

Every year, a Flemish-Dutch editorial team chooses the top ten narrative journalists: the master storytellers, in Dutch Meestervertellers. In 2017 an all-English version was organized: Anthology.

See all news

Update from Jair Stein on Caliphate

In May 2020, we interviewed New York Times audio producer Andy Mills about the award winning podcast Caliphate. What no one knew then, but has become clear over the last few weeks, is that the main character of the podcast fabricated most of what he told the producers of the show. We would like to stress that we think our conversation with Andy Mills is still relevant for podcast producers, as it deals with other important aspects of what it takes to make a narrative podcast. Read more…

Missed For Sama?

Have you missed For Sama? Don't worry, together with Pakhuis de Zwijger we organized that you can stream the award-winning documentary for free for 24 hours on dezwijger.nl. You can watch For Sama from October 6th 4pm untill October 7th same time. For Sama is also...

Livecast #3 She Said

In this livecast we will discuss narrative techniques in investigative stories. Together with Rebecca Corbett, investigative editor at the New York Times, and Xandra Schutte, chief editor at De Groene Amsterdammer we will discuss She Said. This award-winning book by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey was edited by Rebecca Corbett, who oversaw and guided the two NYT reporters during the investigation that ignited the international #MeToo movement. Tune in October 20th from 8.30 pm!