Cinematic Nonfiction with Stacey Woelfel

In this episode, University of Missouri’s Professor Emeritus Stacey Woelfel discusses the formation of the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism, the evolution of journalism, and working with students on Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way. Finally, in today’s concluding thought, Edward discusses the workload that comes into being an independent film critic and podcaster. Guest bio: Stacey Woelfel (he/him) is a professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism and the founding director of the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism. He also serves as the school’s Director of Aerial Journalism, supervising a fleet of nearly a dozen drones and teaching students to fly and employ drones in journalistic pursuits. He is the former news director for KOMU-TV, the University of Missouri-owned NBC affiliate for central Missouri.  The commercial station serves as the teaching laboratory for the Missouri School of Journalism. Woelfel was the national chairman of the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Radio Television Digital News Foundation. He has also served as the president of the board of the Carole Kneeland Project, an organization focused on responsible quality journalism. He currently serves as a national trustee of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and president of the board of governors of the Mid-America chapter of the NATAS. Woelfel is a winner of the Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism, the Emmy, the Edward R. Murrow, numerous regional and local awards and was inducted into the Silver Circle of the Mid-America NATAS chapter in 2006 for 25 years of exemplary contributions to the television profession. Time codes:  1:15 - Stacey's first film memory and journalistic upbringings 7:45 - Stacey's role as news director at KOMU and noticing the evolution of Journalism 13:12 - Stacey shares his interest in long-form docs and forming the Jonathan B. Murray Center 20:10 - Stacey Woelfel on finding the center's filmmaker-in-chief in Robert Greene and working with him on Bisbee '17 and Procession 26:35 - Students coursework in the Doc-J program such as pitching their films in a forum(e.g. Hot Docs, CPH:DOX) 33:30 - Reflecting on Films featured at 2022 Stronger Than Fiction film festival and Workin on it Session at Museum of the Moving Image, and professional expectations from Pitch forum & Jury members  43:30 - Based on a True Story Conference 48:10 - Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way 57:50 - Stacey Woelfel on Aerial Journalism 1:06:18 - Stacey recs: Primary and The Endless Summer 1:08:53 - Concluding Thought: Edward's film criticism and podcast workload Show notes:  Method M Films/Jonathan B. Murray Center  Procession trailer Bisbee' 17 trailer Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way trailer & info Stronger Than Fiction showcase Based on a True Story conference Dronepocalypse NYT article