Kennedy Park Audio Storytelling Assignment

S-Town 
Chapter 1
https://stownpodcast.org/chapter/1

Context: 

From Serial and This American Life, hosted by Brian Reed

7 Chapters with 50 minute episodes

Content:

John hates his hometown of Alabama, Woodstock, and despises how the wealthy people of his town can sweep the "dirt" under the rug and not be held responsible. He complains that his town has 95 churches no places of secondary education. He is disturbed by the small talk of murder and the absence of justice, so he contacts a reporter to get to the bottom of it.

Form:

Teaser-  A small excerpt about the upkeep of clocks and their necessary functions.

Act 1- Introduction of the unfortunate story of Dylan Nichols and the many other side stories happening in Woodstock that deserve justice. John also explains his lonely lifestyle of depression and isolation. Brian Reed can't find any evidence of the murder, or really any information on Bibb County at all. 

1st Turning Point- Brian Reed goes down to Woodstock, Alabama to check it out for himself.

Act 2- John gives Brain a personal tour of his home and his maze. Brain searches on the internet for information on Dylan. John and Brain search John’s ledger for any clues on pinpointing the time period of this “murder.” They go to the library to search through the records, and find nothing.

2nd Turning Point- John is starting to change his behavior. He is more aloof now and is showing no interest in the murder anymore. Brian is now concerned that John has made this whole whim up.

Act 3- John shows Brian his home-made clocks, making a full circle back to the teaser. Skylar, Jake Goodson’s wife, admits to the same story John has been constantly saying: someone has been murdered.

Storytelling Elements- 

• Orchestrations of southern instruments like the banjo further establish the setting and ambience of the story
• Phones calls between Brian and John illustrates their personalities and develops their relationship 
• Recordings of real-life encounters serve as the fundamental medium for the story