Reminder on Upcoming Dates:
Scripts for the radio piece will be due Tuesday, March 24, when instead of class as usual I will have everyone sign up for an in-person script editing session (or over the phone in the event that school is closed at that time).
Final produced radio story will be due Thursday, April 2.
In-Class Exercise:
Pair up with a classmate and spread out to find a good interview spot. Take turns interviewing each other about how the coronavirus has impacted them so far and/or how they feel about it. Remember to ask open-ended questions. Interviews should be about five minutes long. Make sure you also record 90 seconds to two minutes of room tone before or after the interview. Make sure you also record some natural sounds that tell you something about the environment: street noise outside making it clear we’re in NYC, or the sounds of student voices showing we’re in a college, etc.
When you’re finished, come back, save your sound files to the computer and make them accessible to yourself remotely, whether by email or Google Drive or WeTransfer. Transcribe your interview. Pick out your top three sound bites and write a short script following this format:
—
Host intro: (Here, the host will give background info on coronavirus and introduce you, the reporter. You can have a classmate or friend/family member record this voiceover.)
AMBI1: (This is where your scene-setting natural sound will go, and it will fade down under your track.)
AMBI2: (As the nats fade down, this is where your room tone will come in. You’ll keep it at a normal volume behind all of your narration.)
TRACK: (Describe where you are and introduce the person you’re interviewing.)
ACT: (Sound bite #1.)
TRACK: (More background info, set up next sound bite.)
ACT: (Sound bite #2.)
TRACK: (More background info, set up next sound bite.)
ACT: (Sound bite #3.)
TRACK: (Use your narration to wrap things up, often by looking towards the future in some way, and then sign off. “For Baruch College, this is __ ___ in New York City.”)
Post your script to the class blog at the end of class (you may continue updating it any time before Thursday’s class). We will use them for reference when it comes time to edit this practice radio story that day. If you plan on working on your own computer, please download Audacity before class.
Refresher on Zoom Settings:
Set it to XY. Bring backup AA batteries if you’re not conducting the interview in a place where you can plug it in. Hold it 1-2 feet from the interviewee’s mouth. Don’t let them hold it. Use the handle to reduce handling noise. Highly recommended to you use your own headphones to monitor sound levels while you’re recording. Please format the card before you return it. MENU –> SD CARD –> FORMAT
I highly recommend that you check equipment out sooner rather than later in case campus is closed.