Friday, September 8, 2006
I again invite you to visit The Sonic Memorial Project as our nation commemorates the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
Of particular listening interest might be the 58-minute "The Sonic Memorial
Special" or the 22-minute "September Stories," which both build upon the introduction piece I played in class on Thursday.
The voices, sounds and stories you'll hear are, ultimately, compelling.
Some are difficult to listen to ... others can make you smile. I, personally, am fascinated by them, and especially when listening
to the more emotionally-riveting audio segments, I remind myself that the people I'm listening to need
to tell their stories. It validates their – and possibly their friends', family members',
acquaintances' – lives! It reaffirms, for me, that at the heart of audio production is human communication.
PERSONAL STORY #1
Please begin thinking about/plotting out (the beginning, middle and
end) your first recording. You can TELL whatever story you want (and notice I said "tell" instead of "write"). The main criteria
are that your story should focus on ONE thing and you need to DESCRIBE IN DETAIL (and in 60 seconds) the "scene" and what
happens.
What story should you tell? Award-winning comic artist Chris Ware says
you need to "mine (consider, explore) ... your obsessions and desires and traumas." Your story may be one
you've "used before" in conversations with families and friends. Often, we "collect" stories and tell them when we meet new
people and/or encounter similar situations in our lives.
I expect to go over the logistics of the audio recording – explain
and show you how to prepare and record your story – during our classes this week (September 12 and 14).
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK
Here are two more chances for you to add points to your "Homework" grade
sheet:
First, on Thursday, you heard legendary record producer Sam Phillips
say "There is nothin' even close to being as intimate as a person's voice ... as, you know, I mean, even the picture of
a person. Listen to this, talkin' about sound: that, to me, lets you into the soul world."
I mentioned in class that Phillips is credited with "discovering"
Elvis Presley and he's associated with several other noteworthy musicians of that era (1950s), including Carl Perkins, Johnny
Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. Phillips also is "widely acknowledged" (a phrase used by the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame) as having recorded the first rock and roll record. Name the song (Correct answer is worth two points) and
the title's meaning (there are two possible answers, worth three points).
Second, as you begin "brainstorming" for your first personal story
recording, there are five "secrets" to effective storytelling, according to author I.J. Shechter. What are they? (Hint: The answer can be found somewhere on this – Jim Templeton's – Web site; correct answer is worth
three points.)
E-mail me (Jim) the correct answer(s) by 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13, to earn up to eight (8) points
on your grade sheet.
LISTENING ASSIGNMENT
The audio CD I handed out on Tuesday is a "live" presentation given
and recorded at one of Dan O'Day's International Radio Summit sessions in 2000. O'Day's Web site is www.danoday.com. Dick Orkin's audience is radio production people. When he talks about "AE"s, he's referring to "account executives," which
is the fancy title for the sales people at radio stations. Orkin's Web site is www.radio-ranch.com.
"Storytelling: The Path To Powerful Radio Images" is to help you think about where
story ideas come from and how language/dialogue in audio productions need to be believable to be effective and to keep the
listener interested in what you're saying.
Your job is to write a reaction paper to what you hear. In your paper, you want to include
specifics from the audio CD, coupled with your relevant experiences (personal and "professional") and how you can see yourself
applying some of the information you pick up while listening to Dick Orkin's ideas. Remember, details and concrete examples
give your paper/writing veracity. Write conversationally, using clear, concise sentences and "colorful" descriptions.
Try to complete this task by Thursday, September 14, and turn in your reaction paper to me at the start of
class that morning. The points you earn from this exercise will be added to your In-Class Group/Homework Grade Sheet.
Finally, remember that your second journal entry/essay
is due Tuesday (September 12).
Enjoy the weekend.
Jim Templeton
P.S. You can access earlier "editions" of this
semester's "Latest News" by clicking on the appropriate date/link:
