Audio Journalism

JRNL 10

Prof. Vaccaro

Hofstra University

Reminders/Updates

• Class Blogs: Update with your notes from each class. Think of it as a digital notebook. Link to the class site, take notes, blog your thoughts, share examples. I will look for at least 10-15 entries on your blog at the end of the semester.

• Fan vs. Fan Extra Credit: See me after class if you’re interested in doing a weekly Hofstra sports blog for extra credit.

• On the spot check: Who is doing something outside of class work to propel their career? Internship? Freelancing? School paper, radio station, website, TV?

Benefits of Audio Reporting

• Presence: A reporter can bring readers to the scene. Being there boosts credibility.

• Emotions: Tone of voice, expressions, pauses … all help to enhance a message.

• Atmosphere: Natural sound - almost always necessary if it applies. Just words and voice don’t cut it all the time. Bringing in that natural element is key.

How Digital News Organizations Use Audio

• Reporter Overview: Newspapers offer simple audio overviews to accompany a story or gallery.

• Podcasts: Regular and consistent episodes on a topic of subject area. More later on this.

• Audio Slideshows: Self explanatory, but always helps to add a voice to photos and spice things up a bit.

• Breaking News: Depending upon your content system and site set up, you can add a quote voice over to report on news … with a mobile device, or just a regular computer mic (external or internal).

• Voice Over: Adding your voice to any video is audio journalism.

Video on Audio Journalism

• If we can figure out how to improve the sound quality in the class room, I’d like to watch a video with a multimedia producer from The New York Times discussing some basic audio reporting tips.

• To view the video, click this link.

Audio Reporting Tips• 1. Make your script clear. What is the story? Tell it as clearly as

you can.• 2. Be yourself, use your own words and your own language.• 3. Record your item in interesting places - you will be amazed

what a difference background noise (or atmos) can make.• 4. Keep the clips you are using short.• 5. Try to get lots of different voices in your piece. You don't just

want one person with a boring voice droning on and on.• 6. Use man on the street - this means asking people in the street

for their quick opinion on an issue.• 7. Once you've mastered the basics, think about how you can

experiment.• 8. Use music.• 9. Use sound effects.• 10. Finally, think carefully about how are you going to finish your

piece.

Tips to Using Recording Equipment

• Check that your recording machine works properly before taking it out.

• Use ear headphones while you are recording so you can hear immediately if there is a problem.

• Check that your interview has been recorded before parting from your guest.

• Take a note of your track numbers and what is on them. Knowing where your material is will save time when it comes to editing.

• Label all your tapes, soundcards or minidisks. • Most machines have automatic recording levels. However,

it is a good idea to keep an eye on them to make sure that they are not too low or too high. Moving the microphone a little bit nearer or further away from your guest can make a difference.

Tips for Recording Voice

• Slow down. Your natural speaking speed will be too fast for a listener to take in everything you are saying.Make every word matter.

• Read a script with confidence and say every word evenly. Don't trail off at the end of a sentence or swallow the ends of words.

• Pretend you are talking to one specific person.Avoid nervous giggling. It sounds really odd.Smile. This may sound odd, as no-one can see you, but it makes you sound more friendly.

• Re-record your opening line once you get to the end. By this time you should have relaxed and it may sound better the second time round

• Remember that your voice is as good as anyone else's. Anyone who can speak slowly and clearly can present, no matter what your accent or pitch (high or low).

Recording Audio Interviews

• Choose location

• Gather natural sound

• Prepare interview subject

• Watch what you say

• Mark the best spots

Recording Voiceovers

• Write a script

• Warm Up

• Find Operative Words

• Write to video if it’s there

• Hit your spots

• Do it over if you have time

Podcast Basics

• In essence, a podcast is a radio show on the web. It does not have the restrictions of standard terrestrial radio.

• Tips for producing a good podcast:– Get a real microphone– Get close, but not too close (sound is key!)– Prepare, but don’t script– Reduce background noise– Come up with a format, be organized– Stay consistent and find your audience

How to End a Story?

• Significance: Write a line that says why this story matters. Put the story in context.

• Circular: Write a line that refers back to the lead. It ís often effective to use some of the same words.

• Future: Write a line that says what happens or may happen next.

• Inverted pyramid: Reminder to never end with most important info. Start with that!

Next Class

• For March 26, we’ll be going over video, which is a very important class.

• Please read: – Journalism Next, Chapter 8 (Video

Journalism)– Online: Shooting Video for the Web– Online:†Using Video on the web