Slug & Lede

Danielle Lierow’s story, The Girl in the Window, written by Lane DeGregory, told of a child neglected by her mother who finds hope and love in the care of her newly adoptive parents. The extremely poor conditions of which Danielle had lived in Plant City, Florida, kept her at age seven, from being able to go to the bathroom on her own or even feed herself. With the help of her adoptive parents, Danielle has made great strides in her abilities, she can now go to the bathroom, eat on her own and even convey emotions. This tragic story encompasses the many struggles Danielle’s journey has created in the hopes that one day she will be able to speak and function just as any individual would.

 In its entirety the story was quite compelling. This, for me, was an immediate strength. Although the story was rather lengthy, the in-depth details provided the listener with a knowledge and understanding of the complexities of Danielle’s situation.

 The story also provided the perspectives of various individuals connected to Danielle, from her adoptive parents to her speech therapist and finally to her mother. The story grasped each individual’s opinion, in turn creating an astounding depth to the piece.

 The reader’s voice throughout the piece was very pleasant. The reader was able to capture and convey the emotion presented by the different individuals in Danielle’s life, the way they have interacted with her now and the hope they have for her in the future.

 At times however, the reader would pause to swallow. These instances were made quite clear, as the action could be perfectly heard. I felt this issue distracted me, ultimately taking away from the vigor of the piece. If I were to re-edit this story, I would delete these areas, replacing the noise with a short pause. This would eliminate the distraction without creating an awkward transition.

 The natural sound of a silent room I felt was most appropriate for the piece. Being that this was a story being read, I felt any other sound would only have taken away from its gripping context. Within the background sound however, there were instances when the reader would turn a page. I really like this idea, as I felt it gave the immediate action depth, but her volume levels would fluctuate, making for an awkward few seconds. In order to fix this problem I would suggest a page turner, which would eliminate the reader’s need to shift her placement.

 Finally, I felt the media used for the piece was the most effective. The simple audio really allowed for the listener to focus on what the reader was saying. I felt anything added such as a slideshow would have taken away from the story itself. If only several pictures were added, demonstrating Danielle’s progress in the two years following her foster care, this could help enhance the audio.

 Overall, I felt the story was incredibly compelling, presented in an almost flawless manner.

The Girl in the Window is an audio and visual presentation of a girl named Danielle. She was 6 years old at the time she was discovered living in unsanitary conditions. Lane DeGregory and Melissa Lyttle, from the St. Petersburg Times, collaborated on this piece.

The beginning is a great explanation of what has happened and why this story is important. I really like how it jumps right into telling the story with Detective Mark Holste. This works very well as he has a firsthand account of how Danielle was discovered and just how bad the living quarters were.  It makes you want to listen and pulls you into the story, wanting to know more.

The only question I do find myself asking is why the conditions were so bad? How did it come to this point and why was she left in such a bad environment? This becomes the lingering question throughout the piece, as even her parents mention that they don’t truly know the answer.

The music throughout the piece works very well for it. It makes the transitions flow very nicely, and at the end it wraps things up better than words could have expressed. However when there is the mention of the Beatles songs as something that soothes her, this would be the place to put the clip of her being calmed by one of the songs. I think when this is mentioned briefly it may be overlooked, and obviously this is a something important.

The captions work very well with this piece. They explain who is talking when and it keeps the viewer on track.  Captions work better when they are within the video instead of underneath the video. This makes it easier for the viewer to watch the images and read the captions at the same time, and this was nicely done.

In the interview with her brother we learn that she has autism. I think that this information should be earlier in the clip. Danielle not only had to take care of herself as a 6 year old, but as a 6 year old with a disability. This is an even more amazing story, and it shows how remarkable and strong Danielle is.

 I think that with the audio from Danielle there should be video accompanying. In some parts it sounds like she is crying and I think that the emotion would be better captured with a visual other than a photograph.

There is also a part that goes from a still black and white image into a color video. I think this was a beautiful transition, however I would like to see either both in black and white or both in color. I did get a little distracted by the switch.

With the mention that her parents got her into horseback riding, I would like to see this explored a little further. Has this become something that she really enjoys or does it help with rehabilitation? It would also be interesting to know some of her favorite things to do with her family.

Overall I really enjoyed how this story was portrayed. The images used were very well selected; they really show Danielle’s progress. The audio was very well put together, background noise and silence were both used at the appropriate time, and the transitions made it flow all the way to a solid ending.

Lane DeGregory’s and Melissa Lyttle’s audio slideshow, The Girl in the Window, tells the story of a young feral girl named Danielle who was found severely neglected in a roach-infested, stench-filled house.

Black and white images scrolled across the screen while audio clips from Danielle’s adoptive parents, Diane and Bernie Lierow, as well as Plant City Detective Mark Holste played throughout the slideshow. The combination of photos and audio clips produced a moving story.

The slideshow published by the St. Petersburg Times reporters used black and white images as opposed to color images to illustrate the horrible conditions that Danielle had to endure. The choice to use black and white photos was effective in creating a serious tone and helped to evoke the viewers’ emotions.

Toward the middle of the slideshow there were a couple of color videos in which we got to see Danielle interacting with a speech coach. These videos gave a better sense of Danielle’s demeanor and social skills today; however, the videos seemed a bit random in the midst of all of these black and white pictures.

The audio clip of Plant City Detective Mark Holste at the beginning of the piece was very clear and was a great way to start. His descriptions gave the viewer background on the conditions in which Danielle was found. Unfortunately, the quality of some of the other audio in the slideshow, for instance Bernie Lierow’s, was not as clear.

The slideshow could have been even more effective if some of the audio had been clearer and maybe even expanded on. Some of the other audio clips available on the website could have contributed to a better understanding of Danielle’s life before she was rescued from her situation.

Text by itself could not have done this story justice. Using just text would not allow the reader to see any of the pictures of Danielle or to connect as much emotionally with the story. Additionally, if the creators had done only video we may not have gotten to see any images from the poor living conditions or her life before the Lierow’s since there is likely not footage of this.

Overall, the slideshow seemed to be an appropriate choice for this story because it allowed the viewer to connect to Danielle and her story through intimate photos and narratives.

In a touching story about the feral child, Lane DeGregory and Melissa Lyttle from the St. Petersburg Times presents an audio slideshow that depicts the life of Daniel. She was removed from her home at age six unable to speak and starving.

In the presentation I thought the stark contrast between the black and white photos and the video in color was a good use of showing how her life has changed. The video in color showed the audience how she is now and how her life is different. She had become a person who can enjoy life.

Another thing that I felt the audio slideshow did well was that it moved the pictures in a quick fashion during her temper tantrum which we viewed as it was happening in black and white. I also felt the emotion from her adoptive parents added a poignant tone to the story. I also connected with the mother when she said that she doesn’t know how someone could treat his or her kids that way.  

One critique that I have of the presentation was the matching of the voice over with the photos. At times I felt that what the people were saying on the tape didn’t connect with the photos on the screen. I also wished that there would be more pictures with the family together enjoying their life together. I would have liked to see the happiness and the hope of a better tomorrow.

One photo that I thought would have added to the presentation was of the cockroaches. Another sound bite they could have done was to add the crunch of the cockroaches as the police officer spoke.
One last suggestion that I would make to the audio slideshow was that a video segment earlier in the audio slideshow would have been a nice touch. Especially during the part where Daniel is giggling because it is the first time the audience starts to see her personality.

If I had done this presentation I would have added a video clip onto the part where she is giggling and become more curious because it would have been at a point where she was breaking through her shell. I also would have paced the photos a little differently because at some point the photos seem to linger too long or not enough which disrupts the presentation.

In the end I believe the use of audio slideshow with a few segments of video was a good choice for this story because it should how she is today and how she was before she had a family.

In Girl in the Window, Lane Degregory and Melissa Lytte reveal a both heartbreaking and hopeful story of a 7 year-old girl police found locked in a cockroach invested room wearing only a dirty diaper and lacking the ability to speak.

The short audio slide show published on The St. Peterburg Times website, is a successful compilation of black and white photographs and audio from various people in the girl’s life.

Through the use of black and white photos, Degregory and Lytte set a somber, serious mood for the story. The audio  complimented the photographs excellently, telling the story perfectly in-sync with the pictures and maintaining a steady mood and flow throughout the piece.

In addition, the authors placed noise fillers of the child’s laughter and cries in various points of the story. While the laughter successfully transitioned between pictures well, the painful shrieking noise we hear the child make at school is definitely held too long. If I were editing this piece, I would make that segment shorter because It is too painful on the listeners ears to be held for such a long time.

Another aspect of this piece I would edit out were the two moments when it became a color video. Rather than adding anything, these two images disrupted the overall flow of the black and white slide show and seemed to not fit in.

Despite these problems, “Girl in the Window” maintained success through the narration. The authors constantly, and obviously, changed the speaker while telling the story. This kept the readers attention while making it a very well rounded story.

The concluding scene of the father and child looking out the window, with “I Will” as the audio, was a perfect way to end the story. The whole piece centers on her potential to lead a healthy life with her loving family. That last lingering scene relayed hope for the child’s future, as well as the parent’s determination to help her.

Three years ago Plant City Police officers witnessed the most extreme instance of child abuse they had ever seen.  Seven-year-old Danielle had been living in a house infested with urine, feces, and cockroaches and had suffered severe neglect for most of her life.

Lane DeGregory and Melissa Lyttle’s audio piece The Girl in The Window captures Danielle’s story through a series of photos and testimonials that bring her experiences to life.

Before watching the video I listened to the audio version of the story; however, I was disappointed.   The Girl in the Window is a unique and moving story that, in my opinion, cannot be fully understood without the pictures, sounds, and testimonials from Danielle’s family that the video provided.

In general, the authors of this piece did an excellent job of bringing Danielle’s horrifying story to life.   The black and white pictures really worked well for this piece because it made them easy to relate to as if you were looking at your own family album.  I also found that the pictures were well choreographed to the voices and various testimonials from Danielle’s family members and teacher.

The use of sounds such as laughing and crying provided a good break between pictures; however, they were slightly overused.  Specifically, during the series of pictures when Danielle is at school, the crying sounds were distracting and set a very negative tone.  With everything that she has overcome, I would have liked to have seen a more positive spin put into the piece.  While it is clear that Danielle still has a lot of progress to make, the video seems to dwell on the fact that she will have a very hard time recovering from her past.

This piece definitely evoked many emotions and it was very moving to see and hear the wonderful things that the Lierows’ have done for Danielle. Hearing the family’s voices rather than reading them or hearing someone else read them took the story to a new level.  Overall, the author’s use of sound paired with the pictures and testimonials depicted the story of The Girl in the Window in a strong and moving way.  I was, however, disappointed with the way the video ended.  While the words of the song may have been relevant, it would have been more effective if it had ended with one of her family members talking about Danielle or talking and laughing with her.

Lane Degregory and Melissa Lyttle’s audio piece The Girl in the Window, features the unique story of Danielle, a feral child who was severely neglected for the first six years of her life.  This documentary, which takes place two years later, shows how Danielle is adjusting to her new life after being adopted by the Lierow family.

One thing that I thought was done really well in this piece was the photography.  The pictures are beautiful, and the viewer can really get an image of Danielle and her family in his/her mind.  The use of black and white pictures also seems to make the piece more effective.  Degregory and Lyttle did a great job of matching the pictures up with the audio clips as well.

One other thing I noticed that was really effective and kept my attention was the use of background noises.  Things like Danielle crying or laughing or the noises from her learning game in the car helped to bring the pictures to life.

One minor detail I noticed that I think could’ve been done better was the length of time a couple of the pictures were shown for.  For example, I feel like the final picture that shows Danielle being held by her dad was shown for too long.  I think the editors could’ve easily squeezed one more picture into the slideshow while still giving the viewers enough time to take in the photos. 

One other slide in particular that I felt was too long was the title page.  I felt like I was looking at the words “the girl in the window” for an excessive amount of time before anything happened.

If I had edited this piece, I wouldn’t change too many things because I think overall it’s very well put together.  One thing I might change would be to give the viewers a bit more detail and information about Danielle’s life before she was rescued.  Possibly a little bit about who could do such a thing to another human being.

I think the use of an audio slideshow was the perfect type of media to use for this story.  The still pictures allow the viewer to form a connection with Danielle and her family as opposed to a faster-moving video piece.  Also, I don’t feel like using print to tell this story would really do it justice, and the impact wouldn’t be nearly as great.

Lane DeGregory and Melissa Lyttle’s audio piece The Girl in the Window documents the rescue of Danielle, a 7 year-old feral child neglected since birth, and her eventual adoption and transition into the Lierow family.

What I thought was particularly well done within the piece was the use of Danielle’s noises as a sort of transition between speakers. These noises can be described through text, but only to an extent. By including these sound bits, the audience can better grasp how Danielle communicates and expresses herself. Likewise, the use of video dramatically enhanced the piece by giving the viewer insight into her movements and reactions. The way the single picture merged into video was also an interesting approach for a transition.

I also found that the pictures coincided with the audio content really well. In most instances the speaker was usually shown in picture at the same time. Some viewers, like myself, connect better with lots of visuals rather than strict audio, therefore being able to match faces with voices was helpful in identifying key individuals.

Yet not all of the noises used within the piece were necessary. One in particular was about midway through. All that was heard was a game being played, but just that. Nothing coming from Danielle is audible, just the noises of a loud game I couldn’t help but wonder what the purpose of including this specific sound bit was therefore I found it a little distracting. Secondly I didn’t like how the piece ended. I could see why the song “I Will” would be chosen. The lyrics make that obvious. Yet to me it just felt a little out of nowhere and awkward.

If I could have done things differently I probably would have changed the ending. Towards the very end Danielle’s adoptive father Bernie Lierow had a wonderful quote where he says, “it’s all about the hugs and kisses.” As he says this, one can detect his voice start to break with emotion. I believe that using this audio would have been a better choice as an ending rather than the song. It’s much more personal, summarizing the way this father feels about his daughter.

Overall I think the format of an audio slideshow was effective for this story. As I stated before, I thought that the inclusion of bits of video was a brilliant move. One thing that I would have liked to see more of was Danielle’s life before the Lierow’s. There was a brief bit in the beginning that described the rancid conditions that Danielle suffered in, but it definitely could have been expanded on a bit more.

The Girl in the Window

The stench of urine, cigarette smoke and the crunch of cockroaches underfoot highlight the beginnings of Danielle’s life. Her adoptive parents know little of her past, but the damage it caused is manifest, impeding every facet in their lives.

The St. Petersburg Times has covered the story, combining testimonial with candid shots of Danielle and her family. Most prominently, the narration of Sheriff Mark Holste compels the audience, pushing the seemingly horrid stench of Danielle’s childhood home right under your nose. An ubiquitous cockroach infestation adds a new dimension to the disgust.

Lane DeGregory and Melissa Lyttle, the slideshow’s producers, illustrated this level of disgust well through black and white photos. Utilizing Black and white allowed the pair to employ busy photos, accentuating the contrasts of feces, urine, and cockroaches against the mundane and expected aspects of the home.

Breaking from this, a color video explodes in the middle of the show, shattering the monotony and humanizing Danielle. However, the issue lies in this monotony. Each picture sits on the screen far too long, inciting restlessness and a yearning for the video to end. Sadly, this detracts from the incredible tale that is Danielle, the feral child.

On the other hand, doing the piece as a slideshow retains a certain timelessness and pace that works for the story. These contribute to the power of black and white and as video there could have been a multitude of other issues. For instance, the piece may have been too loud with Danielle’s outbursts and lack of social skills detracting from the gripping commentary.

However, the story’s commentary could have been better. In hindsight, an emphasis on Danielle’s past could have further vested the audience’s interest, broadening the story’s pathos. Pictures of Danielle with audio accomplished this to an extent, but so few pictures of her childhood home left a want for more. Additionally, the audio of the sheriff was easily the warmest so extending that entire section would have been an excellent improvement.

by Kevin Rutan

The Girl in the Window  tells the story of Danielle, a young florida girl who was neglected and had little contact with humans for the first six years of her life. Considered to be feral, Danielle is currently unable to speak or act as other children her age do. Lane DeGregory and Melissa Lyttle of the St. Petersburg Times spoke to Danielle’s adoptive parents about the struggles they face to raise Danielle as their own and show her the love she has never known. 

In my opinion, Lane DeGregory and Melissa Lyttle did an absolutely wonderful job in making this audio/slideshow. I was immediately drawn into the piece as you hear the description of the home in which the little girl was born and lived. Detective Mark Holste’s insight into what he saw, felt, and smelled when he entered the house where Danielle was found allowed me to place myself into the scene and to feel the disgust that he felt. I believe that the choice to place his audio first was wise because it allowed me to become invested emotionally in the story and to truly want to know what happened to the little girl that lived in such deplorable conditions.

The photographs from the scene of the home also were extremely powerful as Holste explained the background information about Danielle that the viewer may not have been aware of. The home looked terrible, and paring the photographs of the home’s boarded windows, dirty dishes piled in the sink and filthy bathroom made me cringe. The mere fact that Danielle was able to survive on her own in the conditions is a story that is worth telling and also extremely interesting. 

I also loved the fact that DeGregory and Lyttle paired Danielle’s adoptive family’s audio clips with the sounds of her crying and acting like an infant. It allowed me to see that the family is patient with her, and also gave me greater insight into the obstacles they face. I believe that without this audio the viewer may not have a complete understanding of how prominent the neglect that Danielle experienced was.

One of the few suggestions that I would make to the producers of “The Girl in the Window” is that I think it would have been nice to have more photographs of Danielle when she first was taken from the home so that they could be compared to how she looks. The single photo that  showed the transition from starving feral child to a healthy and happy 8-year-old was powerful, but I believe that being able to witness Danielle’s development would ultimately evoke a more emotional response from the viewer.