Television Podcast Project

Podcast Project
Start off by answering these quick questions:

• Did you watch your TV program episode from last class? (If not, you have viewing to do!)
• 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!
• How long will your podcast be? [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 will add this after you have recorded your podcast. You can also use sound effects and music between segments. Might I suggest using the television episode theme song? 
• Research enough about the TV program to answer the outline questions (see below).
• Use your notes/research and outline structure to create your podcast. 
• Record your podcast today in class.

Podcasts are not generally scripted but may include scripted parts where needed. Since you are talking about an episode you watched, use your notes that you have taken to help you deliver the appropriate information (see below). 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.

Project 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. 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. Cornell notes are turned in. Notes clearly represent what is discussed or covered in the podcast/sound file. Speakers are insightful and energetic, interesting, or speak 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. Notes are turned in, with only minor 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. Notes are turned in, but may not be specific or detailed or do not appear in the podcast. 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 your Cornell Notes you took. It's also a good idea to create a basic outline of your various topics. Again, a sample outline might look like this:

Here is an example segment structure for a podcast:

1. Intro Theme Song

2. Welcome Message (Who are you? What is your Podcast called?) 

3. Introduction to the subject matter (What is the TV program, when did it air on TV? What might we need to know about the program, what interesting facts/details have you researched about the TV program?, etc.)

4. Episode summary (summarize the individual episode you watched; Who was in the episode? What happened in the episode? What was the beginning, middle, and end of the episode? What was the main problem or issue or subject and how was it resolved? Etc.)

5. Episode commentary: (what did you think about the episode? Was it good/bad/important/stupid, etc.and explain why you feel this way. Discuss and evaluate various aspects of the episode. Think about the writing, the acting, the plot of the story, the theme or message (if any), the style of the program (was this a game show or news program or western or sit com?)

6. Episode connection: How might this episode or program influence television programs today? What current/contemporary programs are similar? How are they similar?

7. Concluding Statements/Final comments on the episode: What is your final opinion or what should we know that you might have missed, or summarize your main points. Say goodbye to the listening audience. If you know what your "next episode" topic will be, tell your audience...*

8. Outro Theme Song

* = not required.

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... 
• Many people use the program: Audacity to record their podcasts. You can too, but you'll have to download it to your own computers. 
• 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 in the lab to record and upload your sound files. 

HOMEWORK:  None. If you did not record your podcast today for some reason, please do so on your own time outside of class. The Podcast program will be due Friday.