Podcast Project: Audio File Tutorials

Please complete your recording and editing of your podcasts today.

Working with audio clips can be frustrating when using Windows Moviemaker--since the program is really meant as a cheap video program to make amateur "movies". It is not intended to create podcasts, in other words. This may cause you some frustration. But there's help! Here are some common issues/problems students encounter when working with audio and editing clips.

Since you will need to be able to learn this for our next unit(s) on photography, film, television, and advertising, it is best to learn it now. If you are not directly connected to the editing of your group's audio files, help your partners by learning about:

• Working with audio files for MovieMaker (video tutorial)
• Add/Edit audio (microsoft's intructions)
• Adding music (video)
• Extracting audio clips/files
• Splitting/splicing clips (video)
• Combining clips
• Export files
• Adding both music and voice over in Windows Movie Maker (video tutorial; addressing problems)
• How to add two layers of audio in Moviemaker (video)
• How to export files from Audacity to Moviemaker (video)
• Saving files to a MP4 format (video)

• Youtube audio/video file converter to MP3

HOMEWORK: Complete your podcasts if you did not complete them in class. I will collect these files when we return to this class on Feb. 28.

Podcast Project: Day 3

Please continue your podcast project today in the lab.

You should have completed your outline (make sure you turn in the final outline for participation credit) and completed your research on your topic. You should know what sections or topics you are going to speak about in your podcast. You may have already selected music as an intro and outro for your production.

Once you are ready (hopefully by the end of class today), please record your podcast. We'll do this in teams one at a time next door where it will be quieter.

For tips and the rubric for this project, please see the previous posts.

HOMEWORK: None.

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.

Radio Play Rough Cuts; Podcast Project

7th period:

Let's listen to the radio play Actor's Studio rough cuts of: 

• Reminiscence by Emani & Kaneil 
• Today's Date by Mariangelis & Faduma 
• Utopia by Genesis 
• Wed Lock's Plight by Dominique & Raina

8th period:

Similar to radio scripts, is the podcast. Let's listen to one sample concerning the 20th century horror writer: H.P. Lovecraft at the HP Lovecraft Literary Podcast.

In the lab:

Podcast Project
Start off by answering these quick brainstorming questions:

• What do you like to talk about? Do you have a favorite author or are a fan of a particular sports team or actor?
• 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 2-6 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 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. 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.

We'll discuss the rubric for this project next class.

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, books/author, 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? What might inform my discussion? What details do I need to report to my listening audience?

You should have brainstormed a topic, and begun your research by the end of class today. After researching, write a general outline (it can be updated later with more details). We will have one more class period to complete this assignment (i.e., outline will be due next class). 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.
• 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. 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.

Radio Script: Revisions

Please get into the following reading/workshop groups:

Group A: Dominique; Raina, Genesis, Fadumo, Tyler, Katrina, Delimar
Group B: Emani, Kaneil, Mariangelis, Faduma, Andrea, Asher, Jyeshia, James, Justice

Read each group's radio script (there will be two). Together as a group discuss the evaluation and give feedback to the authors.

When you are done evaluating/workshopping the scripts, please go next door to the lab and revise your scripts.

Turn in revised drafts by the end of class today.

Please note: YOU SHOULD FORMAT YOUR RADIO SCRIPTS ACCORDING TO PROPER RADIO SCRIPT FORMAT. SEE HANDOUT FOR DETAILS. FINAL DRAFTS SHOULD BE IN PROPER RADIO SCRIPT FORMAT!

HOMEWORK: None.

Radio Script: Day 5

Please complete your radio scripts by the end of class today. Turn in a draft of your script (with your names on it, and in proper formatting) to me at: bradley.craddock@rcsdk12.org. If you wrote the script using Google drive, please just share your document with me that way. Otherwise, please send an attachment.

HOMEWORK: None. 

Radio Script Project: Day 4

LAB: Continue writing your radio play scripts. Drafts are due Friday. If you are using Google Docs, please share your script with bradley.craddock@rcsdk12.org so that I can arrange copies for Mr. Fellows' class.

Advice:

• DIALOGUE: Writing good dialogue takes practice. Here are a few tips if this is troublesome for you:
• Read the dialogue you write out loud. This helps you "hear" your characters and how they speak. Consider HOW a character speaks and make sure (in a radio script) that the character's voice is unique in some way. (Ex. a character who stutters, a character who using famous quotes, a character that repeats a phrase or word a lot, a character who speaks quickly, a character who pauses a lot or speaks slowly, a character with an accent, a character who speaks in a particular verb tense or POV, a character who speaks in short sentences and fragments, a character who speaks in compound/complex sentences, etc.
• To sound real, dialogue can be fragmented (not in complete sentences), or characters can cut off other characters when they speak--or they can change their minds or digress. Listen to how people talk and try to model your character's conversation like that.
• Avoid boring small talk. "Hello. Goodbye. Nice weather. How's it going, etc. are boring. Good dialogue should move the story forward or characterize character. 
• Arguments or having characters saying surprising or revealing things helps build dramatic and interesting scenes in a story's plot. Characters don't always answer each other directly. Sometimes what is NOT said makes a difference and adds conflict to a scene.
• Remember: radio plays are meant to be heard. This isn't a movie or a book. If you don't say it, or it's not a sound cue, we don't know what's happening.
• PLOT:
• Plot is about conflict. If nothing is happening in your story, we're going to turn you off. 
• If you're bored writing it, we likely will be bored hearing it.
• Divide your story into scenes. Each scene should include a complication to the conflict.
• Character decisions (what they say or do) should contribute to the plot.
• Resolution of a plot does not have to be "wrapped up nicely" like a present. It can be untidy and frayed or raise further questions for a listener to consider.
• Scenes connect. Just like sentences you need to consider why one scene follows another. Sequence matters!
• Instead of saying "then this happens" in your story, each scene transition should answer "but", "therefore", or "as a result". Plot is built by writing causes and effects. Because X happens, Y happens. 
• WRITER'S BLOCK
• Common causes of block may include: lack of motivation, ideas need to "stew" a little longer, and, of course, fear or anxiety. 
• The only solution to writer's block is to work through it by writing. To break you from your malaise, try freewriting, sketch or doodle, stop fiddling with your headphones/music, stop avoiding the inevitable, stop self-editing your work before you write it. 
• Exercise, diet, having enough rest, and being ready to write (a routine or space/time to write) can all be helpful in small bursts. Reading also helps. Not only can it relax you, reading gives you ideas how you can write something better.

Watch these videos to help you...

Matt Stone/Trey Parker: from Stand In, Advice for Writers

Matt Stone/Trey Parker: Writer's Block

Now get back to work on your radio scripts!

HOMEWORK: None. Your radio script drafts are due (complete) next class.