The creators of the wildly successful "Serial" podcast are taking a live audience behind the scenes of their award-winning, innovative journalism on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Weill Hall at Sonoma State University's Green Music Center.
After it launched in 2014, Serial became the fastest podcast to reach 5 million downloads in iTunes history, captivating an audience that downloaded the episodes more than 100 million times (and counting). The podcast presented a 12-part series centering on one legal case, proving that slow-motion journalism could fascinate and sustain a vast podcast listenership.
In this live presentation, co-creators Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder take the audience backstage in the creation of this cultural phenomenon. Using some of their favorite tape, they'll tell personal behind-the-scenes stories and allow the audience to follow the ups and downs of creating a new form of modern journalism.
The first season took a closer look at the 1999 conviction of Adnan Masud Syed for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, leading to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals filing a decision allowing Syed to appeal his conviction three weeks after the first season of Serial ended in 2015.
The podcast won a Peabody award in 2015 for its innovative storytelling approach. Following its runaway success, the series was renewed for two more seasons, with season three slated for release in spring this year.
Ticket prices vary, starting at $35 for general admission. For tickets or more information, visit http://gmc.sonoma.edu/event/2784339-binge-worthy-journalism-backstage-with-the-creators.