Sunday, September 7, 2008
Site is LIVE, you all . . .
So, finally our Thailand project site is live. Press release follows:
For immediate release—-
UNC-Chapel Hill journalism students debut multimedia documentary
website, http://www.AndamanRising.org
UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism & Mass Communication announces
the release of http://www.AndamanRising.org, a collection of 15
student-produced multimedia stories about life in southern Thailand
after the 2004 Asian tsunami.
The site’s debut follows a month-long foreign reporting assignment in
which 14 journalism students traveled to the province of Phang-nga,
Thailand to explore some of the most intimate corners of Thai society.
Based out of a village next to the Andaman Sea, students used photos,
audio, video, graphics and design to craft cultural snapshots of a
region that has risen above tragedy. Working with a team of Thai
translators, they documented the story of a teenage cross-dresser in a
traditional Muslim community, the narrative of an illegal immigrant
family from Myanmar, and the spiritual transformation of a young monk.
We welcome you to view these stories and more at http://www.AndamanRising.org
.
For immediate release—-
UNC-Chapel Hill journalism students debut multimedia documentary
website, http://www.AndamanRising.org
UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism & Mass Communication announces
the release of http://www.AndamanRising.org, a collection of 15
student-produced multimedia stories about life in southern Thailand
after the 2004 Asian tsunami.
The site’s debut follows a month-long foreign reporting assignment in
which 14 journalism students traveled to the province of Phang-nga,
Thailand to explore some of the most intimate corners of Thai society.
Based out of a village next to the Andaman Sea, students used photos,
audio, video, graphics and design to craft cultural snapshots of a
region that has risen above tragedy. Working with a team of Thai
translators, they documented the story of a teenage cross-dresser in a
traditional Muslim community, the narrative of an illegal immigrant
family from Myanmar, and the spiritual transformation of a young monk.
We welcome you to view these stories and more at http://www.AndamanRising.org
.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I am HOME!
It was bittersweet leaving, especially the orphanage. Those kids.
The last couple of weeks have been pretty intense. A few all-nighters. Some seriously hard work. A healthy smattering of good old-fashioned frustration. One minor breakdown and general questioning of my worth as a storyteller.
One great party to celebrate that we finished.
Pina coladas that I actually liked.
Last minute shopping for gifts.
Thai massage ($8 for an HOUR--so good!).
Cheap beer at the airport.
More than 30 hours of travel time to get home.
[Here's a tip: Thailand to Raleigh jet lag is way worse than Europe to Raleigh. Good Lord, that stuff is serious. Still kinda funky monkey.]
But I am home and I learned so much.
Although I did not get to ride an elephant or play with monkeys, I did get to swim in the Andaman Sea at night with the nearly-full moon above me and the Thailand crew.
I got to watch the kids of Home and Life watch my piece.
I got to do a lot of real life stuff that really does beat touristing any day.
And I got a load of killer photos . . . to come.
Our website is up but not at its proper URL (www.anadamanrising.org) just yet. There is some final tweaking still to come, but you can see my story at:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sorry. I am not supposed to give out the alt address. So you'll just have to wait until the official launch.
Like I said, more pix (and maybe some audio) to come. Later.
The last couple of weeks have been pretty intense. A few all-nighters. Some seriously hard work. A healthy smattering of good old-fashioned frustration. One minor breakdown and general questioning of my worth as a storyteller.
One great party to celebrate that we finished.
Pina coladas that I actually liked.
Last minute shopping for gifts.
Thai massage ($8 for an HOUR--so good!).
Cheap beer at the airport.
More than 30 hours of travel time to get home.
[Here's a tip: Thailand to Raleigh jet lag is way worse than Europe to Raleigh. Good Lord, that stuff is serious. Still kinda funky monkey.]
But I am home and I learned so much.
Although I did not get to ride an elephant or play with monkeys, I did get to swim in the Andaman Sea at night with the nearly-full moon above me and the Thailand crew.
I got to watch the kids of Home and Life watch my piece.
I got to do a lot of real life stuff that really does beat touristing any day.
And I got a load of killer photos . . . to come.
Our website is up but not at its proper URL (www.anadamanrising.org) just yet. There is some final tweaking still to come, but you can see my story at:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sorry. I am not supposed to give out the alt address. So you'll just have to wait until the official launch.
Like I said, more pix (and maybe some audio) to come. Later.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Under the weather
So, I've been a little bit sick. Nothing that won't pass. Spent a couple of days napping and transcribing interviews (my first on video, eegads). The head of my orphanage wanted to do his interview in English. I think he is proud to speak it and he knows that my piece is for an English-speaking audience. However . . .
More pix coming. I am trying to post only the ones I am sure I won't use in my story, so . . .
Oh, I got stung by a jellyfish. That sucked. I was swimming out to take a healing float in the ocean--five minutes in the water and some sucker got me. No healing floating for me. Enter healing beer.
Back to the orphanage in a little bit . . . wish me luck.
More pix coming. I am trying to post only the ones I am sure I won't use in my story, so . . .
Oh, I got stung by a jellyfish. That sucked. I was swimming out to take a healing float in the ocean--five minutes in the water and some sucker got me. No healing floating for me. Enter healing beer.
Back to the orphanage in a little bit . . . wish me luck.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Change in plans
So, I was supposed to work with the orphanage I mentioned before, but we ran into problems gaining access. Fortunately, we found another orphanage called Home and Life. It is small--about 13 kids--and run by a married couple.
I spent last night there and will spend at least two more nights. It is like hanging out in a really big family. I like it.
They are constantly struggling for funding--grant writing and plotting small business ideas. Right now they bake muffins and cookies for the kids to take to school and sell. The children also collect bamboo shoots from the forest and sell those.
The children range in age from five to 18.
I spent last night there and will spend at least two more nights. It is like hanging out in a really big family. I like it.
They are constantly struggling for funding--grant writing and plotting small business ideas. Right now they bake muffins and cookies for the kids to take to school and sell. The children also collect bamboo shoots from the forest and sell those.
The children range in age from five to 18.
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