Podcasting Project

Please turn in your homework! See previous post for details if you didn't know you had homework.

Podcast Project
Start off by answering these quick brainstorming questions:

• What do you like to talk about?
• Many podcasts are either news-centered, political, revolve around an author/artist/director/actor or address a fan base of some sort (like Game of Thrones or My Little Pony), but they could also be broader topics like sports, westerns, Legos, board-games, Dungeons & Dragons, karate, haiku, fashion, bands, films, your favorite author, your favorite foods, your favorite teachers, the Illuminati, etc.
• Brainstorm in your journal/notes topics that you would want to speak about for 2-10 minutes (see below!)
• Will you be doing the podcast solo or will you have other hosts? (you can have up to 3 speakers/peers working on this project, but the more hosts the longer your minimum requirement!) All members of a group MUST speak during the Podcast Program!
• What segments do you want to do (e.g. tip of the day, reviews, reading a selection from text, breaking news, advice, interviews, etc.)?
• How long will your podcast be? [your podcast should be between 2-3 minutes if you are alone, or 4-5 minutes if you have one partner, or 5-10 minutes if you have 3. Please do not go above 10 minutes in length.
• Please include a short music intro and outro. You can also use sound effects and music between segments. Music cues should be part of your outline for your program. 

Podcasts are not generally scripted, but may include scripted parts where needed. If you are reading a text to comment on it (for example a news article, or a short story, or a poem excerpt) you will need a copy of the text. Otherwise you are engaging in conversation--this should, however, be informed conversation. Podcasts that just "wing it" by blabbing a lot generally are not popular. Podcasts that have a point, or where speakers know what it is they are talking about are more popular.

Instead of a script, you will be required to turn in an outline of your podcast. Again, a sample outline might look like this:

Here is an example segment structure for a music podcast:

1. Intro Theme Song

2. Welcome Message

3. Announcements

4. Song Intro

5. Song

6. Song Intro

7. Song

8. Music News

9. Final Comments

10. Outro Theme Song

Here is an example segment structure for a tech news podcast:

1. Intro & Welcome

2. Announcements

3. Top 10 Tech News Headlines with Commentary

4. Tech Quick Tip

5. Outro

Here is an example segment structure for a review show (movies, food, etc.):

1. Intro Theme Song

2. Welcome

3. Announcements

4. First Review

5. Second Review

6. Interview

7. Third Review

8. Final Comments

9. Outro Music

NOTE: Your outline should be a little more detailed than this by including what your topic of discussion is (what are you reviewing, or what is your tip, or what headline or text are you using?) You may find it useful to write down as many of the details you need on your outline so you can use this outline to guide your podcast and keep you on track. You may also find it useful to research your topic a bit. Ask: what might listeners like to hear or know about my topic?

You should have brainstormed a topic, written a general outline (it can be updated later with more details), and completed your research by end of class today. If you are working alone, you may record your podcast at any time (it will be due just after Midterms).

TIPS when recording:

• Record your podcast in small bits. It's harder to speak for 3 minutes without screwing up or losing track of what you're doing.
• Shorter audio clips are easier to work with and edit.
• You will want to create an MP3 or MP4 of your voice. Use a recording device to save your audio file in this format. There are a variety of converters you can use online, or ask a tech savvy friend, or, if you have an iPhone check out this short tutorial video; or instructions on how to record audio with a smartphone... 
• Once you have an MP3 file, you can upload your audio into moviemaker or other video programs. After creating a black screen, you can select the AUDIO track and use the video editing tools to edit your lovely voice. 
• NOTE: If you are terrible at tech, partner with someone who can teach you how to do this sort of thing. That person might be in a different class as well. Choose someone you like to learn from. The internet also has great sources. I'm not a great source for this sort of thing since the programs I learned and know are either outdated, or were Macs when we had those. Windows & PC's are clunky for this sort of thing. You may use your equipment at home if you have it. Otherwise, use what we have available. 

HOMEWORK:  Start working on your podcast project.