First Voice Apprenticeship is an apprenticeship program at KPFA 94.1 FM in Berkeley and is designed to provide comprehensive broadcast, technical, and administrative skills training in radio. First Voice also aims to build and strengthen community and empower our participants to find their voice and tell their stories.
The First Voice program is based on community building, a collaborative work environment and passing on our skills and stories. We focus on bringing women and people of color into media and work in partnership with Pacifica community radio station KPFA and other community media outlets, both locally and nationally.
First Voice Apprenticeship Mission
To fulfill the missions established by the Pacifica Foundation in 1949 by fostering & promoting media access, opportunity and equity to women, people of color and underserved communities.
These can be summarized as community building and working to build peace.
First Voice has 2 options for Group 45 participants, a 12 month basic curriculum and an advanced curriculum of 18 months [which incorporates full participation in Full Circle, the apprenticeship's weekly broadcast program.]
Basic Curriculum:
GROUP AGREEMENTS/GROUP DYNAMICS - 6-8 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS:
- TO BUILD INTER GROUP BONDS AND COHESIVENESS
SOUND FORGE BASICS – 8-10 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS:
- TO LEARN HOW TO USE THE SOUND FORGE APPLICATION TO PROPERLY RECORD, SAVE, EDIT AND PLAYBACK SOUND FILES.
PRODUCTION CONSOLE BASICS – 2 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVE/GOALS
- TO LEARN THE BASIC OPERATION & USE OF THE AUDIOTRONICS 210 PRODUCTION CONSOLE TO PLAYBACK, RECORD & SAVE STANDARD AUDIO SIGNALS
COMMENTARIES - 4 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
- TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE & OBJECTIVE OF COMMENTARIES
- TO WRITE & RECORD A PERSONAL COMMENTARY
ADOBE AUDITION BASICS – 8 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
- TO LEARN HOW TO USE ADOBE AUDITION FOR MULTI TRACK SOUND MIXING
- TO CREATE AN ADOBE AUDITION PROJECT USING NARRATION, SOUND EFFECTS
AND MUSIC
PSA PRODUCTION - 4 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
- UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT & SIGNIFICANCE OF A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
- LEARN THE KPFA PSA GUIDELINES
- WRITE AND PRODUCE A PSA WITH A MUSIC BED
WRITING BASICS - 4 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS:
- TO LEARN THE BASICS OF RADIO WRITING, INCLUDING AN UNDERSTANDING OF
THE DIFFERENT TYPES [SCRIPT, COMMENTARY, FEATURES, NEWS]
- TO UNDERSTAND AND STRENGTHEN YOUR PERSONAL VOICE
-TO COMPLETE A SCRIPTING ASSIGNMENT
VOX POP PRODUCTION – 4 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
- TO LEARN THE NATURE OF A VOX POP
- TO PRODUCE AN AIRABLE VOX POP, INCLUDING GATHERING & ASSEMBLING AUDIO FILES
FULL CIRCLE TECH ASSISTANCE – 24-26 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
- TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE FULL CIRCLE SHOW BY HELPING TO BURN CD'S FOR ON AIR PLAYBACK, CUEING CD'S AS NEEDED DURING THE SHOW, ENTERING INFORMATION IN THE CONFESSOR REPORTING SYSTEM, POSTING DATA TO KPFAAPPRENTICE.ORG WEBSITE
INTERVIEWS – BASIC – 4-6 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
- TO LEARN THE COMPONENTS TO PRODUCE AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW, INCLUDING
INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES, AUDIO QUALITY, AND EDITING.
- TO PRODUCE AN INTERVIEW [15-20 MINUTES] THAT IS SUITABLE FOR BROADCAST
AND PLAYBACK ON FULL CIRCLE.
NEWS PRODUCTION BASICS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
- TO LEARN THE COMPONENTS NEEDED FOR COMPREHENSIVE BROADCAST NEWS STORIES.
- TO LEARN THE TECHNIQUES FOR RECORDING NEWS STORY COMPONENTS OUTSIDE OF A STUDIO SETTING
- TO PRODUCE AN AIRABLE NEWS STORY.
FIELD/REMOTE PRODUCTION – 2 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
– TO PARTICIPANT IN & LEARN THE BASICS OF A FIELD/REMOTE LOCATION PRODUCTION
FULL CIRCLE SHADOWING – 14 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVE/GOALS
- TO GAIN A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW A WEEKLY BROADCAST PROGRAM IS
PRODUCED BY ATTENDING & OBSERVING EDITORIAL MEETINGS.
USING SOCIAL MEDIA - 2 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS:
- TO GAIN FAMILIARITY WITH THE CURRENT POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS, HOW TO ACCESS THEM AND HOW TO POST TO THOSE SITES.
- FORMULATE A GROUP PLAN FOR ONGOING POSTING DURING THE GROUP'S FIRST VOICE PARTICIPATION.
Advanced Curriculum:
FULL CIRCLE PRODUCTION - 24-26 SESSIONS
OBJECTIVES/GOALS
-TO PRODUCE, HOST, AND ENGINEER A WEEKLY LIVE RADIO BROADCAST
FIELD/REMOTE PRODUCTION – Additional Opportunities as they occur
The First Voice Apprenticeship Program has a 12 months basic skills option and an 18 month graduate level option during which participants produce, engineer & host Full Circle. Everyone is required to spend one business day each week working at KPFA, as well as two class nights. The dayshift is a three hour shift and apprentices do administrative and production tasks. The dayshift runs on an intergenerational group learning model, with each phase teaching the next, and integrates service to the station, skills acquired in classes, motivation and leadership.
Tonight on Full Circle we are sharing some sounds from the UFW and their march/pilgrimage to the governor’s office. To demand his signature on AB 2183, CA Ag Labor Relations Voting Choice Act. The right to unionize without fear of intimidation.
On tonight’s show we’ll hear an interview with United Farm Workers Union President, Teresa Romero. We’ll also hear from UFW veteran Dolores Huerta and some sounds from the event kick-off from the 40 acres site in Delano CA.
On tonight’s show First Voice travels to Santa Cruz, California to attend a Gathering To Free Leonard Peltier at the world renowned Barrios Unidos. We’ll hear sounds from the event, including music and interviews. We’ll speak with past Presidential candidate for the Peace and Freedom Party, Gloria la Riva of the Answer Coalition; and we’ll hear from two other Leonard supporters, Jean Roach and Carol Gokee.
LINKS:
To find all the information about Leonard’s case and to see the film “Warrior; The Life of Leonard Peltier” go to the official International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee website https://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/
Tonight on Full Circle, First Voice takes it to the streets of Antioch in East Contra Costa County. On tonight’s show, we’ll hear sounds from a housing rights protest at the Delta Pines apartments in Antioch. We’ll also hear a conversation I had with Jose Cordon of Monument Impact of Concord. He is the special projects organizer and they are presenting a play in Antioch about housing and gentrification called, Nosotros, and we’ll be asking for you support as part of the summer fund drive. All that tonight on Full Circle, I am your host Freewillin Franklin.
Tune into Full Circle this Friday July 22nd to hear sounds from a recent protest at Delta Pines Apartments in Antioch. Residents of the Delta Pines Apartments and their supporters along with ACCE. Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment and ECRG, East County Regional Group marched to the managers office of the Delta Pines Apartments. There they were confronted by private security who threatened to call police and have people arrested. The protest had 3 demands. 1 rent control as many residents have had increases up to 700 dollars a month.. 2. Just cause for eviction and 3. anti harassment protection for renters. They also demand that the apartment complex bring the living conditions up to livable standards and called out the city council for their lack of meaningful action. Tune in Friday to KPFA Radio 94.1 FM or kpfa.org at 7pm to hear the voices of the residents and supporters. We’ll also hear an interview with Jose Cordon of Monument Impact of Concord as they bring “Nosotros” their play about housing and gentrification to the Nick Rodriguez Community Center in Antioch. Just a reminder. This show will be a fundraiser for KPFA Radio. If you appreciate this type of reporting, Please make a donation at kpfa.org
Tonight on Full Circle we’ll hear about the CA Reparations Task Force. What’s happened in the past year, and what’s ahead of us. You’ll get a chance to submit testimony to the CA Reparations Task Force as the Interim Report released a couple months ago begin its final revision, centered around community testimony. And you’ll get a chance to hear stories and experiences from another Anchor Organization for the Taskforce. Chris from CJEC, will be joining us at the end of the show.
Tonight on Full Circle First Voice Apprentices and KPFA staff share personal stories and discuss the impact, past and present of ROE V WADE. On tonight’s show we’ll hear
Sounds from a Bay Area protest the day the decision was dropped.
We’ll also hear a conversation between First Voice graduate Sharon Peterson and current producer Pamela Lyons on the recent Supreme Court decision. Later in the hour we will hear a feature story looking into travel to safe states for abortions. We’ll also hear a personal story from KPFA Program Director, Laura Prives.
Tonight Full Circle celebrates the West Oakland Juneteenth Celebration organized by B-H Brilliant Minds Project. On tonight’s show we’ll hear interviews with community organizations that were recipients of the Huey P. Newton Trail Blazer and Legacy Award. We’ll also speak with Barbara Howard the founder of the B-H Brilliant Minds West Oakland Juneteenth celebration and her plans to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders. And we will also hear from some of those young folks. All that tonight on Full Circle.
Happy Pride month people, as the month comes near its end there are festivities planned around the bay area. On tonight’s show we’ll hear an interview with the Executive Director of the Rainbow Community Center of Concord, Kiku Johnson. Kiku will share his story about growing up and coming out. He’ll also bring us important information about Rainbow Community Center, And he will share some of the music he loves. That’s tonight on Full Circle.
Tonight on Full Circle we bring you voices from the community. On tonight’s show we’ll get some news on an upcoming event in support of Leonard Peltier at Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos, folks from the Apprenticeship Program and the La Onda crew will be there. We’ll also hear some voices from the Interrupt Violence Vigil held in Antioch Sunday June 6th. And we’ll hear from youth activists as they speak with our own Joy Moore and Ms. M at an Environmentalist Community Convening of Youth hosted by Moving South Berkeley Forward. All that tonight on Full Circle.
LINKS AND INFORMATION
Follow the links below for information about organizations featured on tonight’s show.
Tonight on Full Circle we bring you sounds from the Eastside Arts Alliance 22nd Annual Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival. On tonight’s show we’ll hear interviews recorded at the festival by First Voice apprentices, including Uncle Bobby aka Cephus Johnson. We’ll also hear some live music performances recorded at the festival and we’ll hear from the man of the hour himself, Malcom X in a short clip from his 1964 speech the Ballot or the Bullet.
Follow the links below for information about organizations featured on tonight’s show.
First Voice Apprenticeship 