On March 17, freelance journalist Gabriella Spielberg visited Professor David Alm’s feature writing class. Spielberg works with More Perfect Union, a non-profit news organization focused on unpacking economic policy, corporate power and accountability, and she shared her journey and advice on freelancing with aspiring student journalists.
During her visit, students watched her piece on the conspiracies behind BlackRock, an investment management company, in which she examines the firm’s practices and their impact on everyday life.
Spielberg said her projects for More Perfect Union, like this one, begin with extensive research, often starting with books that help her understand the broader economic or political context of her project. From there, she builds an outline, conducts interviews, and shapes the material into a script.
Spielberg said strong storytelling starts with clear structure and purpose.
“The biggest thing is structure and flow,” she said. “I go about it like a teacher and ask myself, what are the fundamental things I need to explain? Why is it important, what does it affect, and who cares?”
She said her scripting process is highly structured, pairing narration with visuals to guide editors and ensure the story flows clearly for viewers.
“My script uses a T-chart style, one side is the narration and the other is the visuals,” she said. “It’s color-coded so editors can easily find footage, whether it’s interviews or news clips.”
Spielberg emphasized the importance of writing for a general audience, especially when covering complex topics. She said journalists should prioritize clarity and accessibility so their work can reach a wider audience.
“The average American reads below a sixth-grade level,” she said. “Big words need defining, and explanations should be simple enough for everyone, while still satisfying experts.”
She said staying open-minded is key when reporting.
“I make sure to interview people with different perspectives, even those who don’t support my argument,” Spielberg said. “It helps me understand the topic better and strengthens the story.”
Spielberg said her interest in politics drives much of her work.
“The world is on fire, and media shapes how people see it,” she said. “I want my reporting to be hopeful, showing solutions that exist, even if political will is lacking.”
Her path to journalism was unconventional. She majored in theater and minored in political science, and she said her background in performance now informs her work as a freelance journalist.
She encouraged students to follow their curiosity.
“Let the things you find interesting guide you,” Spielberg said. “It’s not always convenient, but it’s how I got here, and it’s who I am.”
For more of Spielberg’s work, watch her video McKinsey: The Group Secretly Running Every Company (And Government?) on More Perfect Union’s YouTube channel.
