Wednesday, October 11, 2006
I'll begin by going over the next two out-of-class
recording projects you should be preparing.
NEWSBRIEF RE-RECORDING PROJECT
You should complete "prepping" your news script ASAP and find time to
re-record it in room 105. I have moved the due date back to next Thursday, but if you need an extra week that will be OK as
long as you notify me in person or by e-mail before October 19. I will demonstrate in class on Thursday (October
12) how to go about recording your project.
You have five news stories to re-record. You will add/write a sixth
story, which I call a "kicker," referred to as a "zinger" on this Web site. You can use Dan O'Day's Web site to find "sources" for your story. Go here and under "Features Links," click on "AP Kickers via KINY" or "Oddly Enough Summary" or "Odd News." You must use a
story that really happened, do not make one up. Your kicker should be at least three sentences in length; try to keep
it to a maximum of five sentences.
There is a handout ("Writing For The Ear") you received in class that's
also available on this Web site's "Links" page you can download and read to help you with the writing aspect of this project (and of audio productions in general).
So I can see for myself how well you edit/write your kicker –
and reward you accordingly – I have asked you to provide me with a copy of the "original" story you use so I can see
the particulars of your re-write.
You also need to choose an appropriate song – a commercial release,
as opposed to library music* – to play after your kicker, as you close the Newsbrief. Just like the in-class recording,
you start the music under your sign-off, unless the song begins "cold" with lyrics; in that case, you wait until after you
say "Rock Hits 95 WTEM" to start the music. Pick a song in/from your personal music collection (you'll need it on an audio
CD to play in room 105) that "goes along with" – because of the artist or the song title or the lyrics – or "feeds
off" of your kicker story.
(* Note: This is the semester's only project where you
can use a "popular," copyrighted song.)
You will need to turn into me: your script, which will include the kicker
story; the "original" copy of the kicker story you used to edit/rewrite; and your audio CD, which will have one audio track
– your new and improved Newsbrief; new and improved because you were able to incorporate some of the voice "tips and
tricks" we've been discussing.
You also should write down the name of the song you use to follow your
kicker, and if it's not obvious (assume it isn't) why (be brief) you chose to use that song. Please, if you
use something other than a "rock" song, change the sign-off to the appropriate genre: e.g., "Pop Hits 95," "Country Hits 95,"
"Hip Hop Hits 95," etc.
In your open and your close, be sure to enunciate the letters W ("double
you"), T, E (and) M. Be careful not to slur the T and E together, and the last letter needs to be heard as an M and not an
N.
PERSONAL STORY #2 PROJECT
Similar to Personal Story #1, this is a 60-second voice
recording project. But you must work off a complete script that you've written – and rewritten! – and you will
have the opportunity to edit your audio.
Go here to reveal or – if you've been to this page before – to refresh yourself on the "Secrets of Great Storytelling."
Your edited audio is not due until November (check
the online schedule!), but you should begin brainstorming/writing/editing/re-writing NOW.
Here's your topic/motivation:
On the liner notes to the soundtrack audio CD for "Legends of the Fall,"
a movie starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Aidan Quinn, director Ed Zwick writes the following about James Horner's audio
(Music) work on the film:
"At the heart of every story is a sound –
something so deep that it resonates like a pressure in your chest."
Your story should revolve around or evoke a memory of a single sound.
This sound (NOT music) will be at the heart of your story. And you will need to include this sound – which you may be
able to find on one of La Salle's sound effects CDs, or which you'll have to record on your own – in your recording
session/audio production.
I'm trying to get one-and-a-half weeks' worth of questions/available
points included in this one update, and you'll have until next Tuesday (October 17) to respond.
First, three (3) questions
about writing for audio.
1. Of the following two sentences, which is the
better-written one for audio?
A: "The policeman arrested the suspect"; or
B: "The suspect was arrested by the policeman."
Explain your choice. (Correct
answer is worth two points.)
2. What is the (same) problem with the
phrases "fatal death," "new innovations," "cooperate together" and "fully engulfed"? (Correct answer is worth two points.)
3. What word can/should
you delete from the following sentence: "The police chief says
that all of his officers are first aid experts." (Correct answer is worth one point.)
Next,
on Tuesday (October
10), we talked a little about equalization as we discussed the functions of the Mackie® console
in room 103. I provided you with a graphic picture of the range of frequencies in the audio spectrum of human hearing and
what "sounds" occurs at the lows (bass), midrange and highs (treble). At the bottom end (in the first and second octaves),
the cloud/lightning/rain picture is meant to depict thunder (which we can hear, but not see) and the word that goes along
with that EQ range is "power." There is an "item" on this (my) Web site that also uses "thunder" to
convey "power." Where/what is that "item"? Be specific. (Correct
answer is worth four points.)
Finally,
the Audio Publishers Association (APA) recently released (September 12, 2006) a major consumer study that profiles audiobook
customers to help better understand their behavior. The report is titled "Audiobook Market Survey: Customer Profile, Usage
Patterns, and Experiences."
The new data indicates that how many Americans (a percentage) have listened
to an audiobook in the past year? (Correct answer is worth two points.)
What is the most common reason given for listening to one's
first audiobook? (Correct answer is worth two points.)
What are the five (5) most important factors for consumers
when selecting audiobooks? (Correct answer is worth two points.)
E-mail me (Jim) the correct answer(s) by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17, to earn up to fifteen
(15) points on your "Homework" grade sheet.
Remember ...
Your 10 statements on "The Art of Narration" are due tomorrow (Thursday, October 12). These statements should be 10 "highlights" or 10 "important
points" that you glean from listening to the audio CD. Be sure to explain your main point for each statement so I know
you understand what you're saying. Write conversationally. Support what you've heard with other sources/research if/when possible.
As always, please be sure to let me know (phone call, e-mail, in person) if you have any questions
or concerns.
Jim Templeton
P.S. You can access earlier "editions" of this
semester's "Latest News" by clicking on the appropriate date/link:
