Audio Content: Interview
Before you ask the person for an interview, identify: Why would you interview this person? What would be interesting to listeners? Keep it Geocaching focused or something obviously related and relevant.
Plan to make it succinct. Get to the main points, and find a good balance. Planned yet spontaneous: Planned out with points of spontaneity (i.e. clarifying questions).
Have a direction and FLOW from beginning to end (doesn’t jump around)
Ask questions that encourage a reply more than just “yes” or “no”.
Have bullet / talking points and share with your interviewee before recording
Opener: Handoff: “Thanks Sonny and Sandy! We are here at … “
Have a descriptive opener. An “establishing” shot. Explain what you’re going to talk about and why the listener should listen. Introduce your guest and HOOK the listener: “Why am I listening to this?”
(EXAMPLE “We are here at the Going Caching event in Georgia. It’s a beautiful day with lots of geocachers all around the large park, where the event is being held, and today we’re talking with _____. Now the reason we’re chatting with ____ is that they … “)
Working with your interviewee:
Let the interviewee be the main talker. It’s NOT about you. You should be the lesser presence..
Guide your guest. Interject, but don’t take over.
Closer: how can the audience get in contact with the guest? Thank the guest for the interview. Then ...
Handoff: “Alright Sonny and Sandy, back to you at PodCacher studios”
Some people will need more guidance, others can run (maybe too long?) on their own.
Audio Content: Audio Tour (sound-seeing)
Plan your storyboard.
Handoff: “Thanks Sonny and Sandy”
Have a descriptive opener. An establishing shot. Explain what you’re going to talk about and WHY the listener should listen.
Pretend that you’re talking to someone next to you who is blind … and can’t smell … and can’t feel (the warm sun, the breeze, etc.) … How would you describe your experience to them? Be VERY descriptive.
Talk about how being there and your experience makes you FEEL.
Edit out gaps in post production to make it flow.
Get sound samples when you can. (kids playing, surf sounds, birds, a street musician, etc.)
Wrap it up then Handoff back to PodCacher Studios
Audio Content: Story
Plan it out. Write it out.
Write it for a LISTENING audience. Not a reading one.
Audio Content: News
Trim it down to the essentials
What is and is not relevant to a world wide audience?
Audio Editing / Post Production
Here are a few tips and key points:
Post production editing can save an audio file
You might be able to boost the audio
Cut out sections, mercilessly. Leave only the good stuff. Avoid filler. Trim away the fat like a steak.
Bonus Fine Tuning:
Practice cutting down on filler sounds (ums, uhs). This is hard and takes practice. Also known as a pause filler or hesitation form. Few people are perfect, BUT you can get better.
- Slow down
- Think about what you are going to say before you say it
- Practice and listen to your recordings (you might be surprised how much you pause fill)