The cigarette discussion right at the beginning was a good idea. Makes it hit home how tough this is. (and throwing in a cut from him in the middle "going to the car for cigarettes." ) Then there's a double-whammy of getting that idea at the end when, after all this trouble, he says he actually isn't worried about anything because he's just happy to be alive. Great piece. Great mix- of sound as well as what cuts you chose to use.
It could use some music at the end to give it a conclusion but I'm guessing that's not on there because it was produced for an hour-long show -and a station can easily add that.
It would be good to add to a show about reflection or storms or New Orleans or personal struggle. It's heartfelt- that's also why it's good. You feel lucky to hear this guy's intimate thoughts.
This is a gorgeous piece. It's very hard to write a piece about a topic that every journalist in the world is going to write about and be authentic and unique. And I think that you have achieved that in this piece. I have not heard or read the side of a reporter before, and it gives me another view on how someone else might feel. But on the same token since your interview with the reporter was as important in telling your piece the recording of the interview should be done in a more quieter place. Radio especially radio journalism is only heard not seen, so what the listener is hearing is most important whether it be ambient sound or the interview. But if there is something that distracts the listener while listening the goal of your story might be lost, because they may have missed something that was said and if its being heard on the radio there is no rewind button. I really appreciated you piece, I especially liked the fact that you made the reporter more human by mentioning that he smoked half a pack of cigarettes. Peolple look at katrina victums as refugees which they are not but by you putting his smoking habits in the story that has othing to do with the topic, it lightens it. It made me realize that this person still has a personality that it could be me tomorrow, just by you mentioning something as small as cigarettes. So I commend you.
As a New Orleanian I thought this piece was very touching. I have felt the same feelings as John McCusker. If you ever lived in New Orleans you would have had these feelings as well. We all want to be part of the rebuilding but being here and surviving day to day is much harder than we thought. John was very truthful in his observations and I found myself crying at the descriptions of his thoughts.
This piece is, for lack of a better term, SO COOL.
The producers set of a great sense of place in the beginning, which continues throughout the piece with the sounds of crunching food and motorcycles revving outside the restaurant.
At first, the interview takes a more general tone, with McCusker talking about the things he saw and did (listen for the explanation of "ant balls"). But throughout the piece, McCusker's story gets more specific, first focusing on the specific problems that journalists dealt with and finishing with his own family's reaction to Katrina and the indefinite future they face. The piece has a moving finale, which serves as the portrait of an ordinary man caught up in one of the biggest natural disasters our country has known.
This piece is long enough to stand on its own, and would serve as a much-needed reminder that the effects of Katrina are still being felt all across the South.
Comments for Katrina Photojournalist John McCusker
Produced by Adeline Goss
Other pieces by BSR Radio
Rating Summary
4 comments
Sara Lerner
Posted on December 14, 2006 at 12:55 PM | Permalink
Review of Katrina Photojournalist John McCusker
The cigarette discussion right at the beginning was a good idea. Makes it hit home how tough this is. (and throwing in a cut from him in the middle "going to the car for cigarettes." ) Then there's a double-whammy of getting that idea at the end when, after all this trouble, he says he actually isn't worried about anything because he's just happy to be alive. Great piece. Great mix- of sound as well as what cuts you chose to use.
It could use some music at the end to give it a conclusion but I'm guessing that's not on there because it was produced for an hour-long show -and a station can easily add that.
It would be good to add to a show about reflection or storms or New Orleans or personal struggle. It's heartfelt- that's also why it's good. You feel lucky to hear this guy's intimate thoughts.
Jaimita Haskell
Posted on September 18, 2006 at 12:28 PM | Permalink
Review of Katrina Photojournalist John McCusker
This is a gorgeous piece. It's very hard to write a piece about a topic that every journalist in the world is going to write about and be authentic and unique. And I think that you have achieved that in this piece. I have not heard or read the side of a reporter before, and it gives me another view on how someone else might feel. But on the same token since your interview with the reporter was as important in telling your piece the recording of the interview should be done in a more quieter place. Radio especially radio journalism is only heard not seen, so what the listener is hearing is most important whether it be ambient sound or the interview. But if there is something that distracts the listener while listening the goal of your story might be lost, because they may have missed something that was said and if its being heard on the radio there is no rewind button. I really appreciated you piece, I especially liked the fact that you made the reporter more human by mentioning that he smoked half a pack of cigarettes. Peolple look at katrina victums as refugees which they are not but by you putting his smoking habits in the story that has othing to do with the topic, it lightens it. It made me realize that this person still has a personality that it could be me tomorrow, just by you mentioning something as small as cigarettes. So I commend you.
Nancy Hebert
Posted on August 09, 2006 at 03:15 PM | Permalink
Review of Katrina Photojournalist John McCusker
As a New Orleanian I thought this piece was very touching. I have felt the same feelings as John McCusker. If you ever lived in New Orleans you would have had these feelings as well. We all want to be part of the rebuilding but being here and surviving day to day is much harder than we thought. John was very truthful in his observations and I found myself crying at the descriptions of his thoughts.
Emily Raymond
Posted on August 08, 2006 at 08:31 AM | Permalink
Review of Katrina Photojournalist John McCusker
This piece is, for lack of a better term, SO COOL.
The producers set of a great sense of place in the beginning, which continues throughout the piece with the sounds of crunching food and motorcycles revving outside the restaurant.
At first, the interview takes a more general tone, with McCusker talking about the things he saw and did (listen for the explanation of "ant balls"). But throughout the piece, McCusker's story gets more specific, first focusing on the specific problems that journalists dealt with and finishing with his own family's reaction to Katrina and the indefinite future they face. The piece has a moving finale, which serves as the portrait of an ordinary man caught up in one of the biggest natural disasters our country has known.
This piece is long enough to stand on its own, and would serve as a much-needed reminder that the effects of Katrina are still being felt all across the South.