Body Politic Behind-the-Scenes Photos, 2008

>> Monday, June 9, 2008

The Body Politic: World Views of USA, June 2008

A discussion with Stephan Haggard and Karen Ferree on how the American presidential campaign is being viewed in Europe, Africa and Asia followed by an interview with Philip Gourevitch on US soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.


Producer Shannon Bradley discusses topics for
the show with host Peter Gourevitch and guests Karen Ferree and Stephan Haggard.
Photo by Juanita LaHaye



Peter Gourevitch, Karen Ferree, and Stephan Haggard get acquainted on the set of The Body Politic.
Photo by Juanita LaHaye



Camera operator Harry Caruso readies the camera and teleprompter for the day's shoot.
Photo by Juanita LaHaye



UCSD-TV crew member Alan Thwaites checks the microphones before taping begins.
Photo by Juanita LaHaye



A camera operator's view.
Photo by Juanita LaHaye

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Interview with Body Politic Program Host Peter Gourevitch, 2008

>> Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Since 1996, The Body Politic has been examining the issues creating local, national, and international news. After a brief hiatus, the series has returned with a new, yet familiar, host: Peter Gourevitch, professor of political science at UCSD . We asked him to tell us a bit more about the series and what we can expect to see in the future.

UCSD-TV: Welcome back to The Body Politic! What prompted you to return to television?

Peter Gourevitch: I had a great experience hosting the show ten years ago and with so many important things happening now in the world and in the U.S. it seemed a good opportunity to discuss important issues with the public.

UCSD-TV: Why is it important for UCSD faculty to participate in televised discussions about issues of the day?

PG: An informed citizenship is vital to a healthy democracy. Anything the faculty can do to help inform people we should do. My colleagues know lots of valuable things and I'd like to help them communicate it to the general public. You can read about these issues in the newspapers or online but there is something more direct about hearing from someone who is part of our community.

UCSD-TV: The Body Politic premiered on UCSD-TV in 1996. How has the political climate changed since the show began? Or has it?

PG: The political climate seems even more polarized than it was ten years ago. The difficulties we face in the U.S. and in the world have gone up - Iraq, the economy, the environment, inequality, infrastructure in the U.S., education - these have all increased as problems of concern.

UCSD-TV: What topics can the audience expect to be explored on upcoming episodes of the show? Immigration? Health care? Foreign policy?

PG: Yes, all of these issues: foreign policy, immigration, the economy, health, the environment. It is a matter of matching expertise, availability and the topic. Our constraint is time!

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Behind the Scenes Photos from Writer's Symposium By The Sea 2008

>> Saturday, April 5, 2008

Enjoy these photos from the 2008 season of Point Loma Nazarene University, Writer's Symposium by the Sea.


Anchee Min discusses her bestselling memoir, Red Azalea,
with host Dean Nelson.
Photo by Bronson Pate, Bauman Photographers


UCSD-TV's Alan Thwaites adjusts Jon Foreman's mic
before his unplugged performance.
Photo by Bronson Pate, Bauman Photographers


A view from the stage.
Photo by Bronson Pate, Bauman Photographers


American icon Gay Talese talks about his life as
a writer with host Dean Nelson.
Photo by Bronson Pate, Bauman Photographers


The audience listens intently for tips
on the craft of writing.
Photo by Bronson Pate, Bauman Photographers


The UCSD-TV crew is on hand to capture all the literary goodness.
Photo by Bronson Pate, Bauman Photographers


Dean Nelson and author Philip Yancey having an animated
conversation about writing and faith.
Photo by Bronson Pate, Bauman Photographers

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Interview with Dean Nelson, Host and Director of Point Loma Nazarene University's Journalism Program 2008

>> Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Photo of La Jolla Nazarine UniversityFor more than a decade, the Point Loma Nazarene University Writer's Symposium By The Sea has become a great resource to learn about the craft of writing from some of the country's premiere authors. We asked host Dean Nelson to tell us a bit more about the series.

UCSD-TV: How did the Writer's Symposium by the Sea begin?

DEAN NELSON: Many schools and regions have what are called writer's workshops, and we thought we could do something that would attract great writers, but didn't want it to be about "how to write," or about "getting published," or filling would-be writers with false hope. There is a place for those kinds of gatherings, and we didn't want to duplicate what was already out there. So we thought we'd try to focus on bringing in role models who could enlighten, encourage and inspire great writing.

The interview format was something we did from the beginning, but we did it as sort of a fluke. I was begging Joseph Wambaugh to come, and he refused,saying that he didn't give lectures. But he added that if I wanted to ask him questions, he would come and answer them. His interview was such a smashing success that we stuck with it, and many writers actually prefer this format, because it takes the pressure off of them to try to prepare something profound.

UCSD-TV: How did the partnership with UCSD-TV come about?

DN: I met Shannon [UCSD-TV Producer Shannon Bradley] when I was a reporter for The New York Times, and she was running a UCSD summer school program for high school journalists during the Republican National Convention here 1996. I contacted her about the symposium and she was interested in working with me to turn it into a series of programs for UCSD-TV.

UCSD-TV: How do you prepare for your role as host? Does being an author yourself help?

DN: It helps that I am a writer because I can ask about technique and craft a little more pointedly. The secret to the interview is that I try to read as much as I can of what they have written, but I try to read their stuff in chronological order so I can see how they have changed over time. So I usually can point out some examples of how I think they have evolved. I don't pay much attention to what other interviewers have asked them.

UCSD-TV: What insights have you gained on the writing process after picking the brains of so many authors?

DN: One of the recurring themes of virtually all the speakers has been in regard to how hard it is to write well. I take perverse pleasure in hearing them say this year after year, because it's still hard for me, too. Every writer has his or her quirks, some have gotten a little lucky, but most great writers have become great writers because they were willing to commit to it and pay the price. Students don't get that because they're young and used to abandoning things that are difficult.

UCSD-TV: The past year has seen the demise of several magazines championing long-form journalism. How do we get people excited about the craft of writing again when technology seems to demand sound-bite simplicity?

DN: People will still read good writing. My daughter eats bowls of Froot Loops for a few days, then decides what she really wants is a great salad full of all sorts of stuff that's good for her. Readers do similar things when they come across something good. I am not worried about the future of long-form narrative, as long as it's well done.

UCSD-TV: The Writer's Symposium gives the live audience a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite authors. Each session generally ends with a question and answer session. Any memorable interactions with the audience?

DN: The Q&A with Anne Lamott usually turns into a love fest. Other writers say some profound things about writing during those interactions. Probably the best was Ray Bradbury telling everyone to go home and write a story. It wasn't a suggestion. It was a demand. I think everyone did it, too.

UCSD-TV: What is your current favorite book? What book could you read over and over again?

DN: This is going to sound like a cop-out, but it's usually true -- my favorite book is usually the one I am reading right now. So that would be The God of Small Things by the Indian writer Arundhati Roy. There is also one book that I find myself re-reading whole sections of, so maybe it's my favorite as well, and that is Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. He's one of the most profound, elegant craftsmen I have ever read.

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Bonus Videos from SummerFest 2007

>> Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Extended interviews and additional performances from selected shows.

Summerfest 2007: An Evening with Cho-Liang Lin:

Christopher Beach Interview


Cho-Liang Lin Interview


Summerfest 2007: Premieres & Reprises:

Joan Tower Interview


Marc Neikrug Interview


Real Quiet Interview

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SummerFest 2007: Interview with Executive Producer John Menier

>> Wednesday, January 2, 2008

La Jolla Music Society and UCSD-TV have forged a unique partnership to share the magic of Summerfest with television and web audiences. We asked executive producer John Menier to tell us a bit more about the history and making of the series.

UCSD-TV: How did UCSD-TV's partnership with La Jolla Music Society's Summerfest begin?

JOHN MENIER: The exact details are shrouded in the mists of time, but I first made contact with La Jolla Music Society in 1993. At that time I was interested in one particular event, an appearance by composer Bright Sheng at the Athanaeum Music Library in La Jolla. The resulting program turned out very well, and over the next few years we gradually developed an enduring partnership with the Society.

UCSD-TV: What are some of your favorite moments from past Summerfest seasons?

JM: I’m fascinated by rehearsals, and I love documenting the creative process...

Read the Entire Interview

La Jolla Music Society Summerfest Web Site

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