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In-class assignment:

Partner up and record brief interviews, taking turns asking each other to tell a funny or interesting story you don’t mind sharing with the class. It can be between three to five minutes. Find a quiet place to record. Ask open-ended questions to get the best responses. (“Tell me about a time when you did something really spontaneous.” “What’s the craziest thing that ever happened to you here in New York?” etc.) Feel free to jump in to get more details or provide a prompt. (“What did the guy look like?” “So you were stranded at a gas station in New Jersey…” You can cut out these little interruptions when you edit.

Before you put the recorder down, record yourself introducing yourself and your guest. Something like: “Hello listeners! I’m your host ___ ____ and I’m here with ___ _____, who’s going to tell us a story about _____.” Record a brief outro as well. “Thanks for listening! This has been a Baruch College production.” (Or something similar.)

Next, import the audio file into Audacity and edit it in the same way you will edit your first full-length podcasting assignment. By that I mean very little major editing is required for this—mostly just some trimming and tightening to make it flow well. You can get rid of ums, long pauses, tripped-over words, and tangents to keep the story moving—but make sure not to cut things too aggressively! This may be simple and straightforward editing, but it requires you to be exact and precise, so you’ll want to zoom in close on the waveform when you make any cuts. You want it to sound natural. Let the story breathe. (I mean this literally as well… careful not to cut any breaths too short! It’s jarring to the ear.)

Find and download some music that works well to introduce your story by setting the right tone. This can also be used as the outro music. Let the intro music fade down after you finish the host intro and the story begins. Let it fade up as you give your outro.

Export and post it on SoundCloud. From there, embed it into a post on the blog.

Sound resources:

https://freesound.org
http://soundbible.com
https://www.audioblocks.com
http://freemusicarchive.org
https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music
http://dig.ccmixter.org

I was am planning to do my podcast about books turning into movies. There are a lot of movies coming out based on books, but as we know the movie doesn’t compare to the book. I would want to invite random people who obviously read the book and watched the movie and for them to tell me their opinion about both. Maybe which one was the worse movie based on a book and which one was head on head with the book.

Working Title: In the Studio With Neckbeard

Inspired by In the Studio with Redbeard and This American Life, my podcast would take a look at the various local musicians that can be found all across New York City. With a city as diverse as ours, a wide variety of musicians doing various genres of music is bound to flourish throughout the five boroughs. Rather than just talk about the work they’ve put out, the podcast could also talk about their creative process, how their experiences in the city inspire their music, and maybe some anecdotal stories from the studio and stage.

doodles4change is a nonprofit aiming to improve the way patients in underprivileged countries are treated in health care facilities. The lack of physicians and supplies in rural villages of Bangladesh lowers the standard of health care provided to patients. The founder is Raeqa Mahmud, currently attending Stony Brook University. I’d love to interview her to find out how she came about starting the organization, obstacles she’s faced / is facing, and also to talk more about the situation in Bangladesh. Not everyone knows a lot about Bangladesh and I also think the founders story is interesting because she’s relatively young but still trying to make a big impact.

Assignment #1: Host interview style podcast

Requirements: 15+ minutes in length, with intro music, accompanied by clear and complete title and summary both at hosting location and embedded on class blog. (Make sure it’s music that’s free to use, or be prepared to shell out for a licensing fee!)

Next week: Editing tutorial/workshop

Completed podcast due by class time on Monday, Sept. 18

Announcement: Reporting trip Friday Sept. 15 in Sunset Park.

 

I would like to interview a few New York City residents, past and present, from different boroughs, to discuss the negatives and positives they’ve experienced  while living in what is known to many as the “Capital of the World.”  For the residents that have fled the scene I would like to know why they left, do they regret it or would they like to return to this city.  Or, I would like to interview Denzel Chisolm, a back-up dancer for performers like Demi Lavoto, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and  is currently in rehearsal with Janet Jackson for her upcoming tour.  Denzel is also a dance teacher and choreographer.