Friday, March 30, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Friday, March 23, 2012
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.
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