Somebody had to say it, and it's said clearly here. I can't decide if I like this or not, which to me is a sign of clear originality. There would have been a bigger payoff for me if at somepoint there was a line about why people don't have anything to say, but perhaps it would defeat the purpose.
Jake's piece is rich and flavorful. It moves well and offers us a collection of instantly relatable and understandable characters without getting bogged down in tangents or details. Plus, it's a really funny piece.
This piece works where most other montages fail: it doesn't sacrifice vivid images and a common thematic thread by trying to offer too much variety. Great balance here.
Some other random thoughts: Respect: It's easy to make fun of people in a piece like this. Jake manages the humor well--he highlights what's funny without making the subjects look like idiots. Excellent editorial judgment. Music: When I first heard some music underneath this piece, I thought I'd regret its presence. However, Jake uses it lightly and only to help the piece's pacing. It works. Fund drives: It was mentioned that this piece could be useful in fund drives. I thought the same thing myself while listening, but I think it would have to be reedited to be truly useful in that context. While Jake presents us with perfect characters from which we can build fundraising messages--we would need for them to reveal a bit more about their motivations in order for this to become a fundraising pitch. A little more about "why" they do what they do. Even though their behavior seems odd, their motivations are probably no different than most core listeners'--which makes the connection for a fundraising appeal. Uses: This piece would be a good drop-in during a larger program and offers lots of possibilities for thematic connections (public radio, fans, embarrassing admissions, etc).
What the heck was that? Hard to categorize, offbeat topic, onbeat music... A musical look behind the magic of the otherwise energy-less public radio v. author/poet chat. I think.
Good tidbit, might be used in a call-in show setting as a discussion point. The wrap-around is a bit formal for that though. Ending felt abrupt, with speaker doing his own back intro. -JA
A mother’s interesting and most thoughtful commentary as she looks at the complex identity concerns facing children whose parents are from different countries, and surmises that her child’s appreciation of democracy will be all the deeper for his mixed-nation origins. sl
This is a decent portrait of a hard-against-it juvenile in a special program, struggling with two distinct strains in his personality, the poet and the hooligan. We’re brought close enough to hope he makes it for his sake, though we’re not given enough background on his wrong-doings to hope he makes it for society’s. sl
Post-9/11 many immigrants have a world of new concerns and fears, their continued existence in America precarious, their future often resting in the hands of the law. This piece brings us close to one man’s experience and anxiety as he awaits his deportation hearing.
Wonderfully creative treatment of diaspora around the world, humankind, and the power of art. Full of moving voices, powerful stories, enlightening conversation. Lydon's terrific writing and delivery sweep us along on this well-produced journey that carries us far from North America while leading us deep into its heart. An important piece of work.
Fast-moving, well-narrated, lots of good voice clips and a general feeling of immediacy promise to bring this amazing historical event fully to life in future episodes. A timeless series, because always there are people struggling for equality.
Engaging and full of great details –– funny, surprising, even useful ones. Takes you on a fun trip and next hotel you hit, you'll hear this housekeeper's voice in your ear.
A HILARIOUS and upfront profile . If ALL profiles could come in this diary-esque format, there's so much dimension. You get: a good determined writer story with plenty of personality, a tour of the publishing world, a persevering female/mother story and all of it spiced with the larger issue of immigration. If only there'd been a little more of her writing.
interesting editing - humorous, transparent weave between the narrator and protagonist.
Interesting and well-paced report on how the government's leaning on local merchants actually plays out in one community, followed by a very brief report on Mexican ID cards. sl
Earnestly straightforward report on the paradox of a traditionally democratic Native American tribe's effort to be recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. sl
an inspiring NEWS FEATURE that is also a reminder of the possibilites human collaboration can bring to bear on local politics, for ALL citizens. Nice ratio of engaging voices (with great translations) to narration. A good solid piece for the multi-colored chorus of Whose Democracy ? but also for a local series about citizen alliance, immigrant integration, community participation. There are a myriad of canopies this piece could be included in.
A throwback in more ways than one. Crumb's quirky expression and presence itself is from another era. When he speaks about the music he's not so much erudite as knowledgable out of pure and intense passion. The music (Crumb's personal collection) is wonderfully recherche, the format companionable. Excellent tribute for this official year of the blues and beyond. vm
Immigrants contrasting American and other democracies makes for a thoughtful example of seeing the inside more clearly from the outside. The multi-colored "voice of the people" would make for a good drop-in under the canopy of Who's Democracy Is it? - (nice embedded moment about how some Ghanians get their news..)
Wonderful montage of one candidate going door to door: her thoughts, the voices of those who find her at their door, lovely music rivering beneath the voices. I have a particular fondness for non-narrated pieces that allow us to just feel and think and experience with only the subtle direction of the producer to guide us. This piece made me smile and think about how wonderful people are, and about how one-on-one, campaigning can be a deeply human activity. sl
A look at third party movements in Minnesota,
from state fair level to state government, providing some historical national context, and discussion of the multitude of obstacles standing in the way of third party successes.
The concerns translate to the national platform, so this could be aired anywhere.
I'm not a technical whiz myself, so I hate to even mention the sound feeling a little too compressed (if that's even the right word), but for me it detracted slightly from my enjoyment of this piece. sl
Unusual and interesting angle on how
democracy is reflected in our social ways of being, about what kind of person democracy creates. It's great to hear the kids in a family talk about democracy at work in their personal context. This report feels more relaxed and personable than a standard NPR report, while feeling no less credible. I will definitely carry something away from this and at least in the immediate future, being looking at social interactions with this report in mind.
sl
All Comments
Comment on piece: People Don't Have Anything to Say
Amy O'Leary
Posted on October 05, 2003 at 09:37 PM | Permalink
Review of People Don't Have Anything to Say
Somebody had to say it, and it's said clearly here. I can't decide if I like this or not, which to me is a sign of clear originality. There would have been a bigger payoff for me if at somepoint there was a line about why people don't have anything to say, but perhaps it would defeat the purpose.
Comment on piece: NPR Geeks
Eric Nuzum
Posted on October 05, 2003 at 03:37 AM | Permalink
Review of NPR Geeks
This piece works where most other montages fail: it doesn't sacrifice vivid images and a common thematic thread by trying to offer too much variety. Great balance here.
Some other random thoughts:
Respect: It's easy to make fun of people in a piece like this. Jake manages the humor well--he highlights what's funny without making the subjects look like idiots. Excellent editorial judgment.
Music: When I first heard some music underneath this piece, I thought I'd regret its presence. However, Jake uses it lightly and only to help the piece's pacing. It works.
Fund drives: It was mentioned that this piece could be useful in fund drives. I thought the same thing myself while listening, but I think it would have to be reedited to be truly useful in that context. While Jake presents us with perfect characters from which we can build fundraising messages--we would need for them to reveal a bit more about their motivations in order for this to become a fundraising pitch. A little more about "why" they do what they do. Even though their behavior seems odd, their motivations are probably no different than most core listeners'--which makes the connection for a fundraising appeal.
Uses: This piece would be a good drop-in during a larger program and offers lots of possibilities for thematic connections (public radio, fans, embarrassing admissions, etc).
Comment on piece: People Don't Have Anything to Say
Jake Warga
Posted on October 03, 2003 at 03:26 PM | Permalink
Review of People Don't Have Anything to Say
What the heck was that? Hard to categorize, offbeat topic, onbeat music... A musical look behind the magic of the otherwise energy-less public radio v. author/poet chat. I think.
Comment on piece: Democracy, American-Style: "Democracy Doctor"
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 10:28 PM | Permalink
Review of Democracy, American-Style: "Democracy Doctor"
Good tidbit, might be used in a call-in show setting as a discussion point. The wrap-around is a bit formal for that though. Ending felt abrupt, with speaker doing his own back intro. -JA
Comment on piece: American or not?
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 02:48 PM | Permalink
Review of American or not?
A mother’s interesting and most thoughtful commentary as she looks at the complex identity concerns facing children whose parents are from different countries, and surmises that her child’s appreciation of democracy will be all the deeper for his mixed-nation origins. sl
Comment on piece: Wisdom vs. Test
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 02:23 PM | Permalink
Review of Wisdom vs. Test
This is a decent portrait of a hard-against-it juvenile in a special program, struggling with two distinct strains in his personality, the poet and the hooligan. We’re brought close enough to hope he makes it for his sake, though we’re not given enough background on his wrong-doings to hope he makes it for society’s. sl
Comment on piece: Deportation double whammy
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 01:44 PM | Permalink
Review of Deportation double whammy
Post-9/11 many immigrants have a world of new concerns and fears, their continued existence in America precarious, their future often resting in the hands of the law. This piece brings us close to one man’s experience and anxiety as he awaits his deportation hearing.
Comment on piece: Fresh Pond Trees
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 01:23 PM | Permalink
Review of Fresh Pond Trees
Nice interstitial piece that gives us a break from the chaos of daily life by placing us next to two trees in communication. Good sound.
Comment on piece: Refugia
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 12:43 PM | Permalink
Review of Refugia
Wonderfully creative treatment of diaspora around the world, humankind, and the power of art. Full of moving voices, powerful stories, enlightening conversation. Lydon's terrific writing and delivery sweep us along on this well-produced journey that carries us far from North America while leading us deep into its heart. An important piece of work.
Comment on piece: The '63 March: Going to D.C.
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 12:03 PM | Permalink
Review of Going to D.C.
Fast-moving, well-narrated, lots of good voice clips and a general feeling of immediacy promise to bring this amazing historical event fully to life in future episodes. A timeless series, because always there are people struggling for equality.
Comment on piece: Housekeeping: Behind the Scenes
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 11:42 AM | Permalink
Review of Housekeeping: Behind the Scenes
Engaging and full of great details –– funny, surprising, even useful ones. Takes you on a fun trip and next hotel you hit, you'll hear this housekeeper's voice in your ear.
Comment on piece: Laughing without an Accent
Transom Editors
Posted on October 01, 2003 at 06:40 AM | Permalink
Review of Laughing without an Accent
A HILARIOUS and upfront profile . If ALL profiles could come in this diary-esque format, there's so much dimension. You get: a good determined writer story with plenty of personality, a tour of the publishing world, a persevering female/mother story and all of it spiced with the larger issue of immigration. If only there'd been a little more of her writing.
interesting editing - humorous, transparent weave between the narrator and protagonist.
Comment on piece: NCM news: Korean grocers enlisted in war on terror
Transom Editors
Posted on September 30, 2003 at 03:32 PM | Permalink
Review of NCM news: Korean grocers enlisted in war on terror
Interesting and well-paced report on how the government's leaning on local merchants actually plays out in one community, followed by a very brief report on Mexican ID cards. sl
Transom Editors
Posted on September 30, 2003 at 03:17 PM
Review of Lenape Democracy (deleted)
Earnestly straightforward report on the paradox of a traditionally democratic Native American tribe's effort to be recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. sl
Comment on piece: Finding a Voice
Transom Editors
Posted on September 30, 2003 at 09:32 AM | Permalink
Review of Finding a Voice
an inspiring NEWS FEATURE that is also a reminder of the possibilites human collaboration can bring to bear on local politics, for ALL citizens. Nice ratio of engaging voices (with great translations) to narration. A good solid piece for the multi-colored chorus of Whose Democracy ? but also for a local series about citizen alliance, immigrant integration, community participation. There are a myriad of canopies this piece could be included in.
Comment on piece: Chimpin' The Blues
Transom Editors
Posted on September 30, 2003 at 05:25 AM | Permalink
Review of Chimpin' The Blues
A throwback in more ways than one. Crumb's quirky expression and presence itself is from another era. When he speaks about the music he's not so much erudite as knowledgable out of pure and intense passion. The music (Crumb's personal collection) is wonderfully recherche, the format companionable. Excellent tribute for this official year of the blues and beyond. vm
Comment on piece: By the People
Transom Editors
Posted on September 30, 2003 at 04:48 AM | Permalink
Review of By the People
Immigrants contrasting American and other democracies makes for a thoughtful example of seeing the inside more clearly from the outside. The multi-colored "voice of the people" would make for a good drop-in under the canopy of Who's Democracy Is it? - (nice embedded moment about how some Ghanians get their news..)
Comment on piece: The Pol Walk
Transom Editors
Posted on September 29, 2003 at 12:45 PM | Permalink
Review of The Pol Walk
Wonderful montage of one candidate going door to door: her thoughts, the voices of those who find her at their door, lovely music rivering beneath the voices. I have a particular fondness for non-narrated pieces that allow us to just feel and think and experience with only the subtle direction of the producer to guide us. This piece made me smile and think about how wonderful people are, and about how one-on-one, campaigning can be a deeply human activity. sl
Comment on piece: The Rise and Fall of Third Parties
Transom Editors
Posted on September 29, 2003 at 12:36 PM | Permalink
Review of The Rise and Fall of Third Parties
A look at third party movements in Minnesota,
from state fair level to state government, providing some historical national context, and discussion of the multitude of obstacles standing in the way of third party successes.
The concerns translate to the national platform, so this could be aired anywhere.
I'm not a technical whiz myself, so I hate to even mention the sound feeling a little too compressed (if that's even the right word), but for me it detracted slightly from my enjoyment of this piece. sl
Comment on piece: Small Stuff Democracy
Transom Editors
Posted on September 29, 2003 at 12:17 PM | Permalink
Review of Small Stuff Democracy
Unusual and interesting angle on how
democracy is reflected in our social ways of being, about what kind of person democracy creates. It's great to hear the kids in a family talk about democracy at work in their personal context. This report feels more relaxed and personable than a standard NPR report, while feeling no less credible. I will definitely carry something away from this and at least in the immediate future, being looking at social interactions with this report in mind.
sl