almost like family: an audio portrait

This is the recording I made for the Michigan Theater screening of my IP project.

the third draft

the second draft

My professor Stephanie Rowden, a sound and story extraordinaire, asked me to write out the 5 things a listener should know about this story. She also suggested looking for the 7 best pieces of recordings. What do these recordings show? For example the New Years recording shows Mrs. Johnston's humor, that she's about to turn 100 years old, and that there are two people in this moment.

So I thought about these 5 things.

-There are two people in an intimate relationship, Brenda and Mrs. Johnston. 

-Mrs. Johnston will celebrate her 100 birthday.

-Brenda takes care of Mrs. Johnston in her hometown neighborhood, where her parents still live next door to Mrs. Johnston.

-Mrs. Johnston wants to live at her house. She doesn't always understand why she needs help, although she is grateful for it.  

So after Kyle Norris's visit I went back to writing another draft. I actually didn't change too much, but in the future I'll try to mix up the arrangement and choices of the recordings.  



Melissa Allison, a radio producer and another audio extraordinaire, spoke with me and my professor via the internet on Wednesday. She listened to my second draft for the audio portrait and responded to the work. She was concerned that Mrs. Johnston's voice was lacking in the draft. Some of the details in the recording was not necessary, such as the details of Brenda's injury. She thought I could  switch between the documentary moments and the descriptions of the story.

the first draft

Kyle Norris, a reporter and producer for Michigan Radio, visited the Sound and Story class and she listened to work made by my classmates. She also responded to my first draft for the audio portrait.





This was my first attempt at shaping the final portrait of Brenda and Mrs. Johnston.

I wrote this as a brief description for the Michigan Theater screening. Brenda cares for her 99-year-old friend Mrs. Johnston almost every evening. This nonfictional audio portrait reveals their intimate companionship and the challenge of transitioning from an independent to dependent way of life.

These are the images I want listeners to learn. It can be difficult to become dependent on others and the importance of companionship during these moments. Of course I also want to let everyone know how amazing Brenda and Mrs. Johnston. They allowed me to step into their lives at these intimate moments and grow in a friendship with both of them. Not only is their friendship quite special, but also all their families friendship, the Wiley's and the Johnston's.

Kyle Norris gave great advice on the first draft. There is really no story in this draft, although there are great moments. I believe she described a story as someone doing something for a reason and there was no tape in the draft describing the importance of their companionship. Norris said to think of a focus statement for your work and then try to support it with moments that possibly prove it. She also highly recommended thinking about what you want a listener to learn from the work. 

at last a NEW post

A lot has taken place since the last post on February 19th. Brenda is on bed rest from a foot surgery and so she can't help Mrs. Johnston for a while. I've finished all my recordings and now it's to the writing board. I need to assemble a story from the various recordings. For now here are some photographs for my presentation.

Brenda and Mrs. Johnston, an audio portrait

Brenda introduces herself as Vera's night helper and Doreen's sister; her parents live next door.

Doreen introduces herself as a Wiley and she tells how she keeps Mrs. Johnston company.

Mrs. Johnston says, "Somebody else will have to tell you how old I am because I don't even know."

Vera, Mrs. Johnston, will be turning a century old and the Wileys will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this July.

Mrs. Johnston talks about her next door neighbors the Wileys.

There is a gate between their two homes. It's almost like their houses are one instead of two.

Sounds of wind chimes and dogs barking.

Mrs. Johnston fell and she went to the hospital. Brenda describes how she began to work and care for Mrs. Johnston.

Mrs. Johnston sings Barnacle Bill the Sailor, a song her two brothers used to play around campfires.

Brenda describes arriving at Mrs. Johnston's house in the evening.

Mrs. Johnston's reads her schedule. She talks about going out to her daughter's house on Sunday.

"My daughter would have a hard time leaving me here by myself if it weren't for the girls", says Mrs. Johnston.

Mrs. Johnston says she doesn't want to live any where else.

self check 2/10/12

What I did:

I've been blessed to be able to spend time with Brenda and Mrs. Johnston. On Monday I realized how much time I'd spent when I revisited a lot of the recordings. Wow..... I didn't say that when I began to sort through them, but I felt a little overwhelmed. I wanted to make a short audio piece, around 3 minutes, for a small class discussion. I tried, but I wasn't happy with how the different parts of the recordings worked together. I decided to play an unedited part of the most recent recording. (2 hours)

Tuesday I went to Groundworks, an electronics media lab, to work on editing key moments from the recordings. (3 hours)

Thursday I began to list a few frames for stories about Mrs. Johnston and Brenda. Then I started making a short piece. (2 hours)

Friday I finished the audio piece. It is in the post titled Mrs. Johnston, Brenda, and Doreen. (2 hours)

What I accomplished/ discovered/ encountered:

This last Wednesday Kate Davidson visited the Sound and Story class. She talked about her work and she played some of her audio work. She gave us a piece of paper titled Sound Bingo and it is organized just like a bingo card. It gives many examples of sounds to gather in a recording: leaving in a pause, stand-up (describe where you are and who you are), vox-pop (a collection of sounds that give a sense of scope), and etc... I am gaining confidence in making audio pieces because of what I've listened to in that class. I think one element to a great recording is variety of sounds.

What I think I should do next:

Make 3 minute short vignettes around different themes.