Better Than “Good:”Critiquing Work

2011 NYC Digital Waves Youth Media Festival

Working Backwards

• Your name in lights!

• Your name…on the radio

• Getting your piece heard

• Getting your piece good

• Taking creative risks

• Establishing a supportive network

• Being true to your voice

We harness technology

to enable a diverse range of talented

creators

and engaged institutions

to bring significant stories

to millions of people.

Network of stations

Curatedshows

Public Radio REMIXApps

HUGE catalogue of

work

What Does PRX Do?

Generation PRX: The youth radio producers’ hub

Youth radio groups in GPRX

Generation PRX

• Place to share work, questions and ideas

• Connect with other youth producers

• Find teaching resources

• YouthCast podcast

• The GPRX Youth Editorial Board

• Build a portfolio

• Connections to PRX and beyond

WHJE Radio:Different, Not Disabled: The

Perception of My Mind

• Class elected Ian’s piece for PRX profile• Developed language, image for profile• Licensed 4 times: SF, NH, YouthCastpodcast, REMIX• Appeared on school station, website, blog, FB, Twitter

Where can your radio stories go from PRX?

Blogs and websites

Facebook

Theme-based

youth radio specials

Why give feedback? Why ask for it?

• Being heard, personally and publicly

• Building a network

• Making better radio but also…

• Making BETTER radio: being the guides and shapers of your own voices

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word...'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” -- Mark Twain

Getting Past “Good,”Two Approaches

For I am a bear of very little brain and long words bother me.

-- Winnie the Pooh

It is easy. You just chip away the stone that doesn't look like David.

-- Michelangelo, explaining how he made his statue of David

Getting Past “Good”

Say what you hear, two examples:

1. Visual

2. Audio Sample

Getting Past “Good,” Part 1

Say what you hear• Scenes

• Music

• Technique

• Tone

• Intro/Outro

• Writing

• Tape

• Universal/Specific

• Pacing & transitions

Getting Past “Good,” Part 2

1. Check for C.A.T.s (Character, Action, Tension)

2. Try a focus sentence (Someone does ___________ because __________, but _______)

3. Notice when you stop noticing

4. Try on different ears

5. Look for an arc: Beginning, Middle, End

6. Pitch it back – the elevator pitch

7. Check yourself: What stuck with you?

Making it safe

• Praise-Critique-Praise

• Be specific

• Honesty and respect

• Be an ally

• Give your full attention

Jones (Johanna) Franzel

jones@prx.org

Generation.prx.org

Facebook.com/generationprx