Bonus episode of âLights Outâ explores behind-the-scenes path from award-winning story to narrative podcast
In December 2019, NJ.com published an exhaustive, 8,000-word story about the legendary 1990 state championship game between Montclair and Randolph — a matchup billed as the “Game of the Century.” It was an all-encompassing, engrossing examination of the monumental game, the fallout from the devastating loss, and how the lives of the players that took part in the matchup were affected.
Then, we thought we were done with the “Miracle at Montclair.”
But in many ways, we were just getting started.
The story drew interest from production companies looking to purchased the rights to the story and turn it into something else. Perhaps a documentary. Maybe a film. Or how about a podcast?
Four years later, “Lights Out: The loss of a lifetime,” came into the world with a multi-part series. And it’s that journey — from print story to podcast — that’s explored in episode eight through a conversation between NJ Advance Media VP/Content Chris Kelly and enterprise/projects reporter Matt Stanmyre.
Kelly was the editor on the original, award-winning feature story, “The day that changed everything” that the podcast is based off. And during the final, bonus episode of the podcast, he leads a discussion with Stanmyre about how they reported the original piece, the challenges they faced and how it morphed from print production to audio podcast.
You can listen to the final episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And you can now download and binge all eight episodes.
Lights Out is a production of Campside Media and Entertainment One, in association with NJ Advance Media and XTR. The podcast is based off NJ Advance Media’s 2019 award-winning feature story, “The day that changed everything.”
You can listen, rate and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes will be released every Tuesday.
Our journalism needs your support. Please consider subscribing to NJ.com.
Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook.