Summary: On December 13, 2005, the state of California executed a man named Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Voice of Youth was there that night, outside San Quentin, among the crowd of thousands, and 19 year old Greg Shimada narrates his experience of the last four hours of Stanley Williams' life
"Standing Outside An Execution" instantly caught my eyes, because one of the Directors of Radio Rootz actaully interviewed, Stanely 'Tookie' Willaims on that very day inwhich he was executed. This story is about a 19 year old boy, who narrates his experience of standing outisde of the prison where Tookie was to be executed within four hours. He does this from a present tense perspective.Giving in detail what he's thinking, as they drive to San Quentin.There he got to hear several arguments about redemption, the bible,and whether or not Tookie should be executed.Many believed that a miracle would happen to save Tookie's life. The narration was very important to this piece because it helped the listner in terms of visualization,by actually being inside his mind.This makes me feel like I am standing outisde the prison, awaiting Tookie's execution. Pacing was another wonderfully used element.A timeline format was used,it carries you step by step through the piece,making it flow terifically. In the intro it was stated that the 19 yr old was not political, and cannot give a reporters break down of the issues surronding Tookie's death.This makes the piece authentic, because we know he is just covering the story from an average person's point-of-view. The mood was important to the piece because at first everyone was full of hope and faith. This gradually fades as the time drew nearer to Tookie's death. When he died the mood changed from hope to sorrow. The outro leaves the listner wondering if Tookie's execution could have been prevented. Overall the piece was touching and informative.
?As we get to the exit I?m feeling weird ?cause someone will die tonight,? writes 19-year old Greg Shimada on the night of Stan ?Tookie William's? death last year. He and his friends are driving to San Quentin, to join the crowd outside protesting Tookie Williams death by lethal injection. This piece gives the sounds of the night and the thoughts in Shimada?s head as the execution goes down.
Much has been written about Tookie Williams? and his death and death penalty.
I was interested in seeing how this would stand up. But Shimada is disarming and vibrant as storyteller and channeler of this unusual event, where vendors sell cocoa and socialist newsletters to the crowd. He and his young friends are the ideal interpreters of this Deathapalooza.
Shimada does a great job gathering interesting and well-recorded sound. The tight mix and his casual read bring the carnival atmosphere outside San Quentin to life. The anticlimactic offset of Williams? death is also done well.
This would make a great one-year anniversary piece on Williams? death ? December 13, 2005. It could be used as a cutaway or as a topper in a magazine format.
Anthea Raymond
Editorial Board
Los Angeles
July 30, 2006
Comments for Standing Outside An Execution
Produced by KRCB Voice of Youth
Other pieces by KRCB Voice of Youth
Rating Summary
2 comments
Kyra Joseph
Posted on October 27, 2006 at 07:23 PM | Permalink
Review of Standing Outside An Execution
"Standing Outside An Execution" instantly caught my eyes, because one of the Directors of Radio Rootz actaully interviewed, Stanely 'Tookie' Willaims on that very day inwhich he was executed. This story is about a 19 year old boy, who narrates his experience of standing outisde of the prison where Tookie was to be executed within four hours. He does this from a present tense perspective.Giving in detail what he's thinking, as they drive to San Quentin.There he got to hear several arguments about redemption, the bible,and whether or not Tookie should be executed.Many believed that a miracle would happen to save Tookie's life. The narration was very important to this piece because it helped the listner in terms of visualization,by actually being inside his mind.This makes me feel like I am standing outisde the prison, awaiting Tookie's execution. Pacing was another wonderfully used element.A timeline format was used,it carries you step by step through the piece,making it flow terifically. In the intro it was stated that the 19 yr old was not political, and cannot give a reporters break down of the issues surronding Tookie's death.This makes the piece authentic, because we know he is just covering the story from an average person's point-of-view. The mood was important to the piece because at first everyone was full of hope and faith. This gradually fades as the time drew nearer to Tookie's death. When he died the mood changed from hope to sorrow. The outro leaves the listner wondering if Tookie's execution could have been prevented. Overall the piece was touching and informative.
[redacted]
Posted on July 30, 2006 at 09:43 PM | Permalink
Review of Standing Outside An Execution
Four Stars
From KRCB Voice of Youth Radio.
?As we get to the exit I?m feeling weird ?cause someone will die tonight,? writes 19-year old Greg Shimada on the night of Stan ?Tookie William's? death last year. He and his friends are driving to San Quentin, to join the crowd outside protesting Tookie Williams death by lethal injection. This piece gives the sounds of the night and the thoughts in Shimada?s head as the execution goes down.
Much has been written about Tookie Williams? and his death and death penalty.
I was interested in seeing how this would stand up. But Shimada is disarming and vibrant as storyteller and channeler of this unusual event, where vendors sell cocoa and socialist newsletters to the crowd. He and his young friends are the ideal interpreters of this Deathapalooza.
Shimada does a great job gathering interesting and well-recorded sound. The tight mix and his casual read bring the carnival atmosphere outside San Quentin to life. The anticlimactic offset of Williams? death is also done well.
This would make a great one-year anniversary piece on Williams? death ? December 13, 2005. It could be used as a cutaway or as a topper in a magazine format.
Anthea Raymond
Editorial Board
Los Angeles
July 30, 2006