Translate your group's work into an individual project that explores the significance of a topic associated with your podcast. Unlike the live performance, this podcast will be edited to bring out key aspects of the topic and improve the production quality. There are three broad options you can pursue:
- Paring down and polishing the group podcast. For this variation, you will use the raw materials you have captured--both in class and in your practice session--to develop a shorter version of the conversational podcast your group has undertaken. Start by identifying the best segments of the conversation and strategies for editing that might allow you to cut out some segments and stitch together a shorter version. Length recommendation 12-15 minutes
- Reworking your group podcast with your own narrative thread. For this version, you will use the raw materials from your group, and then add your own introduction and narration that guides listeners through the materials. You will have more control of how you sample and stitch together segments, because you can write an introduction, segues, and a conclusion. Length recommendation 8-12 minutes
- Developing your own narrative thread using multiple sources. For this version, bring together audio samples and narration to deliver research and insights into your topic. Gather the most appropriate samples, from online audio sources (and your group's performances), and weave them together, using an introduction, segues, and a conclusion. Length recommendation 6-10 minutes
- Reflection on media and topic. Shift the focus to be about the podcast itself as a medium. Weave in reflections on both composing/performing podcasts with insights into your topic by mixing samples and narrative. Length recommendation 6-10 minutes
Regardless of the variation you choose, you will need to develop some key elements for the project:
- An introduction--likely with music
- Integration of audio samples
- transitions that "write into tape."
- Sonic elements--music, transitions, effects, etc.
If you choose option 2, 3, or 4, you will also need a script that includes narration. Narration segments should aim for tone that is not overly formal, but that also seriously takes listeners through the topic.
As you begin planning, you should also think about how you will make use of sound.
You will need to spend some time getting to know the Audacity audio editor. (You can use an alternate audio editor if you prefer.) Take time to read any overviews, help pages, or tutorials that can get you started with the program.
You will also need to spend some time working on your audio composing skills. As you discuss an audio sample, you will need to compose narration that situates, extends, or clarifies rather than repeats what has been said. Use your voice to help listeners through your materials. Edit the materials to fit with what you are saying, and zoom out to make connections with your topic.
Also, be sure to become adept with weaving audio materials into the piece. If you are paring down your group's podcast, you will need to replace any live audio that was played with clean samples. You may also want to add new openings, music, sound effects, etc. For options 2, 3, or 4 you will similarly bring in or edit samples to bring together the composition.
Make similar decisions about the ambient or background noises that you weave into the essay. You can use audio to create a mood, to deliver a message, to punctuate a statement, etc.
Although your project and your audio editor will influence your composing process, you can follow some general steps.
- Become adept at recording your own voice. Find a quiet environment where you can work. Experiment with your available microphones. (Built in laptop microphones often work fine; affordable USB microphones work well; more advanced microphones might be worth a look.) Try some practice recordings, working with your equipment and software until you get audio that is loud enough to be easily heard and that does not contain undue levels of background sound. The MRC has podcasting recording equipment you can use. I can check out some microphones as well.
- Get comfortable with your voice. Experiment with cadences, tempo, and pitch as you begin working. Don’t be shy about trying out new tones or giving your voice presence in your recordings. Use the audio essay as an opportunity to think about how you can use your voice as you communicate and about how you can develop a “voice” in both spoken and written contexts.
- Learn the moves needed to import audio files into your editor. You may also need to learn something about converting audio files. Experiment with cutting, copying, and moving segments of the audio that you import. Learn to fade clips in and out and to adjust the volume levels of clips.
- Ensure that you have an outline or plan for developing the essay. Import a clip and begin editing it and adding your narration. Check that you are writing into and out of the clips in ways that clarify and extend your topic.
- Continue tightening your script, reworking phrases as needed to translate them from page to microphone.
- Continue importing materials and adding narration. Add background sounds for ambiance as needed. Adjust and polish the composition.
Below find resources to refer to as you work:
You will need to download and install the Audacity audio editor to work with the sounds. (You will also need to download and install the FFMPEG library, which will let you import audio from video files) I will give you instructions about how to use the program.
You may also want to add interview clips. You can probably use the built in microphone on your laptop, or I have some microphones that you can use with your laptop to record people.
Be sure to save your files often and give yourself time to learn how to compose with audio. Most of the challenges should be conceptual; you'll need to learn to imagine how you can organize a project based in sound, create transitions, convey information succinctly, create a mood through audio, etc. There will also be content challenges. You will be working to deliver research, so concise writing, editing, and all the typical communication moves will be needed. Hopefuly the level of challenges will still allow the project to be creative and fun.
The draft is due on Tuesday, March 24th.