Curious City

Wondering how AIR's national production evolved from a blue-sky idea to the ten evocative multimedia projects now animating public stations across the country? Grab a bucket of popcorn and lean back to watch This is Localore.

Filmmaker Josh Banville directed and edited this half-hour documentary stepping us behind the curtain with the producer-station teams—revealing how they have taken big risks to lead projects that grab the attention of communities across broadcast, digital and street platforms.

Current—the newspaper of record for the public media sector—has a running series of articles exploring how the Localore's teams are working with partner stations to invent new ways to connect with their communities. Catch up below, and bookmark this post to discover new pieces as they go up.

May 8: Planet Takeout Offers Menu of Stories
The Planet Takeout website was designed to emulate the experiences of customers who walk into these neighborhood restaurants to place an order, as well as of the employees working behind the counter. ...The cinema verité-style videography lends a feeling of intimacy to stories that can be experienced in a non-linear way.  

Early reviews of Localore.net have begun rolling in: fantastic transmedia voyages...very cool...beautiful...the new Localore site's going to blow your top.

Don't miss a chance to see AIR's revolutionary national production for yourself. Starting Saturday, Localore producers will hit the road to share what they've created and learned:

On April 22, AIR will present the full scope of its national Localore production with the launch of a new metasite and a public screening at Boston’s Brattle Theatre.

AIR's national Localore production team flocks to the east coast in April for a series of important events. We hope you'll come meet the producers and stations behind the revolutionary work being launched across the country.

In NYC on April 20? Come mingle with AIR's national production team at MEGAPOLIS Celebrates Localore: The After Party.

During the day of April 20th the Tribeca Film Festival spotlights all ten Localore productions as part of an exciting celebration of new, groundbreaking digital storytelling work. That night, the party at DROM will bring together Locolore participants and MEGAPOLIS attendees for a night of music, dancing, and merrymaking.

What can you get in Chicago that you can't from any other place?

This was the question that Chicago newcomer Brenda Guzman had for WBEZ reporters when they met her in an Albany Park laundromat called "Rags to Riches." The question "sang with possibilities," writes Localore producer Jennifer Brandel, "...what did she mean? Unique objects? Unique experiences? Maybe ... unique people? Brenda told us something like 'anything goes' — she’d be open to whatever we could find." 

Ever wondered how accents, neighborhoods or giant softballs formed?

Listen below for answers from Localore's Curious City team: Lead producer Jennifer Brandel, editor Shawn Allee, intern Logan Jaffe and a rotating cast of WBEZ reporters and inquisitive citizens.

Today, AIR and ITVS announced a partnership that will add fuel to AIR's producer-led teams at public radio and TV stations. 

As the Localore production cycle winds down, ITVS has invited the teams to apply for one more year of funding through their LINCS initiative (Linking Independents and Co-producing Stations). Those selected by ITVS will continue their groundbreaking projects, with AIR serving an advisory role. 

"It's all about the stance and style," Ignacio Gonzales told reporter Charla Bear.

Known to friends as "Notch," he builds hot rods for his shop, Top Notch Kustoms, and tiki bars on the side. Localore producers the Kitchen Sisters gleaned the best bits from Bear's interview with Gonzales for their project The Making Of... and worked with Bay Area illustrator Wendy MacNaughton to capture them visually. Then, they connected with Cowbird—an image-focused storytelling site built by digital artist Jonathan Harris—to post the finished product: a one-two storytelling punch.