As I was searching for a documentary to review, I came across several interesting and controversial topics. I stopped and listened, but I didn't find them as interesting as I wanted them to be. I kept searching until I found a catchy description, and an even catchier radio story, and that's how I landed on Kohn Ashmore's story and realized it was what I'd been searching for.
Documentary Title: Kohn
Produced and Narrated by: Andy Mills
Hosted by: Third Coast International
Documentary Length: 8:05
Want to listen the documentary?
The documentary is about a man named Kohn Ashmore who was hit by a car when he was young. He survived the accident, but with consequences. His movement and speech were both affected, causing him to move and speak very slowly and with difficulty.
However, this is not the focus of the story. No, the story is about the fact that Kohn had no idea that his speech was affected. He thought he sounded normal. He had two deaf parents, so they had no idea, and his friends and colleagues assumed he knew what he sounded like.
Kohn found out what he sounded like one day when he recorded a mix tape for his crush and heard himself. And it was a life-changing moment for him.
In my opinion, the documentary was successful in its quality, content-wise and technically-wise. First, let me tackle the content.
The documentary was very interesting and extremely touching. This is because its idea is so new; we usually never think about how we sound like and how that would compare to how others hear us. It's a subject most -if not, all- people take for granted. The fact that it affected a person this much is an eye-opener.
Even though the documentary was only eight minutes long -which is short compared to others, it wasn't too short; Its length was appropriate for the story. All that needed to be said was said in those eight minutes. It reaches your heart in those eight minutes and ends when there is nothing more to be said, just the thoughts within the minds of the listeners.
Both the beginning and ending of the documentary were the strongest and most effective points. When the documentary starts, you hear Kohn and you don't quite understand why he's speaking like that. You feel sympathetic for him. And when it ends, you hear him proudly and confidently singing, and you no longer feel sympathy. You admire him and wish that you were as brave as he is. This dramatic turning point is what gives this documentary so much value and uniqueness.
As for the technical issue and the quality of the story as a radio story, it was also pursued in a way to reach the listeners as more than just the average radio story.
The quality of Andy's voice is appropriate for the story because of the honesty I mentioned above. He doesn't speak with sympathy, which is how most narrators would sound in such a case.
The audio quality was excellent and clear. Kohn's voice was delivered in a very clear way and the natural sound was implemented beautifully. At first the sound is designed to confuse you, and in the end it is designed to inspire you. The sound changes from the beginning until the end, even though practically it sounds the same. Some light music in the background gives a nice effect to keep the audience involved. Also, there's some natural sound here and there to help you envision what's going on (Kohn putting a tape in a tape recorder and girls giggling when his crush is mentioned). Andy also calls two of Kohn's friends in the middle and its sound is also very sincere and real.
Finding and accessing the story was very easy, and the website is very easy to navigate. The file loaded very quickly
I think this is the type of documentary that not all people will fully appreciate. Some people will listen and just sympathize and not give it a second thought. But others will understand the purpose and remember it years later.
Another thing I loved is that most feature documentaries include those picture perfect "poster" people who are unreal and make listeners feel inferior. However, this documentary helps listeners relate and feel inspired. The documentary ends and you suddenly feel the strength of another human being consume you.
One thing is for sure, I'm keeping this documentary to listen to again during difficult times.
Andy Mills won the Best New Artist award for the "Kohn" documentary.
Documentary Title: Kohn
Produced and Narrated by: Andy Mills
Hosted by: Third Coast International
Documentary Length: 8:05
Want to listen the documentary?
The documentary is about a man named Kohn Ashmore who was hit by a car when he was young. He survived the accident, but with consequences. His movement and speech were both affected, causing him to move and speak very slowly and with difficulty.
However, this is not the focus of the story. No, the story is about the fact that Kohn had no idea that his speech was affected. He thought he sounded normal. He had two deaf parents, so they had no idea, and his friends and colleagues assumed he knew what he sounded like.
Kohn found out what he sounded like one day when he recorded a mix tape for his crush and heard himself. And it was a life-changing moment for him.
Image from: http://www.prx.org/pieces/64576
Image by: http://jacobbollphoto.blogspot.com/
In my opinion, the documentary was successful in its quality, content-wise and technically-wise. First, let me tackle the content.
The documentary was very interesting and extremely touching. This is because its idea is so new; we usually never think about how we sound like and how that would compare to how others hear us. It's a subject most -if not, all- people take for granted. The fact that it affected a person this much is an eye-opener.
Even though the documentary was only eight minutes long -which is short compared to others, it wasn't too short; Its length was appropriate for the story. All that needed to be said was said in those eight minutes. It reaches your heart in those eight minutes and ends when there is nothing more to be said, just the thoughts within the minds of the listeners.
Both the beginning and ending of the documentary were the strongest and most effective points. When the documentary starts, you hear Kohn and you don't quite understand why he's speaking like that. You feel sympathetic for him. And when it ends, you hear him proudly and confidently singing, and you no longer feel sympathy. You admire him and wish that you were as brave as he is. This dramatic turning point is what gives this documentary so much value and uniqueness.
As for the technical issue and the quality of the story as a radio story, it was also pursued in a way to reach the listeners as more than just the average radio story.
The quality of Andy's voice is appropriate for the story because of the honesty I mentioned above. He doesn't speak with sympathy, which is how most narrators would sound in such a case.
The audio quality was excellent and clear. Kohn's voice was delivered in a very clear way and the natural sound was implemented beautifully. At first the sound is designed to confuse you, and in the end it is designed to inspire you. The sound changes from the beginning until the end, even though practically it sounds the same. Some light music in the background gives a nice effect to keep the audience involved. Also, there's some natural sound here and there to help you envision what's going on (Kohn putting a tape in a tape recorder and girls giggling when his crush is mentioned). Andy also calls two of Kohn's friends in the middle and its sound is also very sincere and real.
Finding and accessing the story was very easy, and the website is very easy to navigate. The file loaded very quickly
I think this is the type of documentary that not all people will fully appreciate. Some people will listen and just sympathize and not give it a second thought. But others will understand the purpose and remember it years later.
Another thing I loved is that most feature documentaries include those picture perfect "poster" people who are unreal and make listeners feel inferior. However, this documentary helps listeners relate and feel inspired. The documentary ends and you suddenly feel the strength of another human being consume you.
One thing is for sure, I'm keeping this documentary to listen to again during difficult times.
Andy Mills won the Best New Artist award for the "Kohn" documentary.
