DETROIT SPEAKING
FOR ITSELF
When Spencer Millsap and I were assigned the multimedia companion to the "Taking Back Detroit" feature story for National Geographic Magazine, we immediately recognized the city must speak for itself, literally. Detroit's coverage had focused mainly on 'ruin porn' or a 'devastated city' narrative. But what was the Motor City saying about itself? How was it trying to rise despite what outsiders were saying?
Scope: Multimedia Producer, Videographer
Publication: Taking Back Detroit, National Geographic Magazine • May 2015
Detroit's well-known hardships conjure images of collapsed buildings and empty homes, symbolizing the fall of the automotive industry and American poverty. Detroit's renaissance, primarily in the art community, is an often-overlooked dimension of the famed city.
STRATEGY
We heard and saw Detroit through the voices of Detroit. Leveraging leads I developed from producing the photographic story and new contacts in the field, we collected interviews and vignettes of Detroit's residents –contributing multimedia texture to the feature story package.
THE DETROIT VOICE
We layered several elements to achieve story texture: a Detroit Symphony Orchestra cellist arranged and performed the soundtrack; a Detroit native spoken-word artist recited her work; character interviews and vignettes structured the story with perspectives; interstitial city scenes provided a sense of place. The effect created an overarching driving narrative about the revitalization and renaissance of Detroit.
Third place for Best Multimedia Package – 2016 Eyes Of History: Multimedia Contest
White House News Photographer's Association
