Podcast Project: Day 2

Podcast Project
Last class I asked you to listen to some model Podcasts. This is a good idea to do before you commit to your project. If you didn't listen last time, try listening to some of these podcasts now (or later on your own!) They are models:

• Welcome to Nightvale
• The HP Lovecraft Literary Podcast (podcasts about horror stories)
• This American Life (podcast about realistic stuff happening in America)
• Tales from the Tavern (fantasy podcast)
• S-Town (mystery podcast)
• Off the Ball (sports podcasts)
• Writers on Writing (writing advice with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett) [this is a must for serious writing students...]

Your Project:

• Your podcast should be between 2-3 minutes if you are alone, or 3-5 minutes if you have one partner, or 5-6 minutes if you have 3. Please do not go above 7 minutes in length.
• Please include a short music intro and outro. You can also use sound effects and music between segments or topics. You should include at least 2 different kinds of segments (see below). 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 an 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.

Rubric:

A: Podcast is recorded and is of adequate length. Project has a creative and interesting intro, welcome message, speakers speak with energy and interest on well researched and prepared topics or issues. Clear and creative segments enhance the enjoyment of listening to the podcast. Podcast is insightful and interesting to a listening audience. A conclusion and outro remind listeners to tune in next time for a specific reason. Project is turned in on time. A detailed and descriptive outline is turned in with no errors in formatting for outlines. Outline clearly represents what is discussed or covered in the podcast/sound file. Speakers were insightful and energetic, interesting, or spoke with confidence about their topic.
B: Podcast is recorded and of adequate length. Project has an interesting intro, welcome message, clear and creative segments, and an outro sound cue or theme. Project is turned in on time. Outline is turned in, with only minor errors or discrepancies to actual sound file. Speakers clearly understood what they were talking about.
C: Podcast is recorded and of adequate length. Project has a definite beginning, middle, and end. Outline is turned in, but may still have some errors in outline format. All members of the project spoke.
D: Project could have been scores above, but was late or incomplete, but turned in.
F: Project not turned in or completed.

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

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? What might inform my discussion? What details do I need to report to my listening audience?

After researching, write a general outline (it can be updated later with more details in today's class and next class). We will have one more class period to complete this assignment. If you are working alone, you may record your podcast at any time after you have completed your outline.

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.
• If you have segments, consider recording each segment of your podcast show separately. You will be able to combine these audio clips together using moviemaker. 
• 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... 
• Many people use the program: Audacity to record their podcasts. You can too, but you'll have to download it to your own computers at home or on your cell phone. 
• Once you have an MP3 file, you can share the file for our class, or upload your audio into moviemaker or other video programs or load it to UTube. 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. You may use your equipment at home if you have it. Otherwise, use what we have available.

HOMEWORK: None. You may record your Podcast, if you'd like or need to at home.