Out on the Wire: Uncovering the Secrets of Radio's New Masters of Story with Ira Glass

author: Jessica Abel
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/11/07
date added: 2015/11/07
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'Out on the Wire: Uncovering the Secrets of Radio's New Masters of Story with Ira Glass' by Jessica Abel is a graphic novel that ably illustrates (no pun intended) how the great radio stories I listen to are produced.

I've been a fan of "This American Life" for years. They can tell some engaging stories, and I am in awe of their ability. Along with TAL, this other NPR type story shows. Some are on air, some began life as podcasts. During the course of the book Jessica Abel acts as our guide along with Ira Glass as different subjects regarding story are discussed. The first thing you should know is that creating an engaging "driveway moment" story is not as simple or as quick as just grabbing a microphone and setting up a meeting with someone. A lot of though goes into what the story should say, or what the meaning of the story is. There are nods to music and sound used, and edits, which are basically meetings where the story is questioned and dissected by everyone involved. It's a crazy process, but brilliantly creative.

This book started life as an NPR premium comic book back in 1999 called 'Radio: An Illustratd Guide.' Parts of that book are reprinted here, but there is plenty of new material as bunches of these shows have cropped up since then.

Actually, a graphic novel is probably a perfect way to tell this story, because the book can do with pictures what the radio shows do with sound, and if the subject matter interests you like it does me, you should really enjoy it.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Crown Publishing, Broadway Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1XWTdEj