Soundslides Storytelling

Mindy McAdams

Overview

1. Story idea2. Photos3. Captions4. Audio5. Story structure6. Making the story7. Final assembly

1. Story idea

• Is your story visual?• Will you be able to get a lot of DIFFERENT

shots with your camera?• Does your story have a character, an

interesting person?• Do you have access? Can you complete the

interview and shoot all the photos – and still make your deadline?

2. Photos

• First, observe the activities or actions.• Take some time. No hurry.• Then use the camera.• Shoot things that are interesting to SEE.• Get a lot of CLOSE-UP SHOTS!• Get low, get high, find a unique angle.• VARIETY. Many different shots.

Photos

• The time of a Soundslides = the time of the edited audio file

• Number of photos in the slide show = time of audio (in seconds) divided by 5– 60 seconds = 12 photos (minimum)– 120 seconds = 24 photos (minimum)

• For 20 good photos, shoot 200 photos!

3. Captions

• Collect all the information you will need for the captions …

• At the same time when you are shooting the photos!– People’s names– Names of places, buildings, streets, etc. – Dates– Other names

Caption details!

• People: Be sure to identify ALL significant people in EACH photo.

• Places: The exact location of the event or events must be given in the caption on the first or second photo.

• Dates: The complete date(s) of the event or events must be given in the caption on the first or second photo. That includes the YEAR.

Caption details! (2)

• Other names: If your story concerns a named event, a company, a nonprofit organization, NGO, etc., make sure you include the complete name of all of those.

• Correct spelling and correct capitalization are very important! ASK.

• WRITE EVERYTHING – CAREFULLY!

4. Audio

• If there are interesting sounds at the photo location, RECORD THEM.

• The interview should be done in a QUIET place.

• You may do the interview on another day.• It is best to record the interview AFTER you

shoot the photos.

The interview should beabout feelings,experiences,

not about facts.

The reporter’s voicewill not be heard

in the edited audio.

5. Story structure

• Strong beginning: Catch the attention!• Satisfying ending: The viewer should feel some

emotion at the end.• Decide on the ending BEFORE you start to

work in Soundslides.• The ending is the “destination.”• Everything in the story is leading us on a path

toward the ending.

(1)What is my close?

The “climax”?

(2)What is my open?

How do I grab theirattention?

(3)How do I move the story

from my open to my close?

6. Making the story

• Look at your photos. Listen to your audio.• Think about the ENDING (ending first).• Look at your photos. Listen to your audio.• Choose photo(s) and audio for the ending.• Think about the opening.• Choose photo(s) and audio for the opening.• Be flexible. Maybe you will change it.

You must edit ONE audio file

to use in Soundslides.

Make sure you are looking at your photos

while you make choicesin the audio editing.

7. Final assembly

• Edit the audio and export an MP3 file.• Select the final photos and edit them (JPG).• Write a caption for EACH photo.• Open Soundslides.• Import the photos and the audio.• Make adjustments so that the audio and

photos work well together.• Save and export.

http://bit.ly/fikom_ss

Final advice

• Before you leave the photo location …• Be sure you HAVE a STORY!• While you are interviewing, REMEMBER your

PHOTOS …• Ask about the activities in your photos, or the

story behind them!• Make sure it is interesting!

Review

1. Story idea2. Photos3. Captions4. Audio5. Story structure6. Making the story7. Final assembly

Soundslides Storytelling

Mindy McAdams