READING & WRITING
Summary of Chapter Eight, Sound, from The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel
Before reading chapter eight of this book, I definitely did not have much an appreciation of sound in terms of how it is produced, how it relates to how microphones or loudspeakers work, or anything of the sort. While I won’t be a sound engineer anytime soon, Mr. Schroeppel, as promised, delivered on his “bare bones” book title. Within the first few pages I had the basics down, including insights into the technical terms of frequency and amplitude and how these factors affect the sounds, including human speech, that we hear daily. The drawings that were provided were simple, almost child-like, but were effective in reinforcing the “bare bones” concepts presented.
I enjoyed the very relevant enlightenment that I received on types of microphones and how to select microphones. I posted, for example, an equipment question to professor Golden and the purpose of the lavalier microphone came up. Thanks to chapter eight I now understand the purpose and workings of the lavalier better particularly as to how it relates to the hand mike and shotgun mike. The smart phone microphone discussion was informative. Good stuff should I elect to upgrade my smart phone equipment! Reverberation, wild effects, syncsound, and ambience are terms that I little understood, but better understand now.
The thing that I learned and appreciated the most about Tom Schroeppel’s narrative in this chapter was the couple of times he would drop some “sound” advice. I thought, for example, his advice on deciding what sound to record and when was a gem! Chapter eight, and I think the book as a whole, will be a good reference. Overall, the sound chapter will help remind me that I don’t want to underestimate the aspect of sound in terms of how it contributes to or distracts from a quality podcast or video production.
Planning for a Podcast
Colin Gray seems to be smart. He is a former Astrophysicist, and an international speaker, who is geeky about podcasts. He is the co-founder of The Podcast Host. Colin literally has a PhD related to bite sized learning. Speaking of bite size, I gleaned the following summaries from Colin, Robert Cudmore, Colin’s content manager, and other associates. I learned some good planning points as I delve into the new realm of podcasts!
How to Write an Invisible Script
- Here freelance writer Kevin Anderson shares that almost always you should write a script for the entire show, even if it’s just bullet points. Some sections might be fully scripted for clarity and “slick delivery”. If is the type of professional podcast that has a host, they will script the “set piece” elements such as the intro and call to action. Other script elements include the ‘Welcome To’ Message and The ‘Thanks for listening, hope you’re well element to build rapport.
- I once did a video script on the Canadian interior designer, Candice Olsen. With that project I used a combination of bullet points and more fully developed, annotated, highlighted script. Therefore, fully scripted scripts resonate with me. The essence of writing an invisible script that I took away involves understanding this. That writing to be read and writing to be heard require a different thought process. You need to strive to write like you talk in everyday life. Some specific suggestions for sounding more natural include using contractions, being plain spoken, and using short sentences.
Podcast Scripting: How Do I Write a Podcast Script?
- Colin tells us that scripting can be viewed as a spectrum. Scripts can range from fully scripted to somewhere in between. I agree as it reinforces that latitude that I give myself on such writing tasks. Here Colin’s dives in a bit on what he describes as the three scripting options. Option 1: The Word-By-Word Podcast Script. Option 2: Writing a Detailed Podcast Episode Plan. Lastly, Option 3: A Flexible, Rough Bullet Point Podcast Plan.
- The “Word-By-Word” approach can help with confidence but can come off as stilted. A “Detailed Podcast Episode Plan” which involves writing a plan rather than a script is a good, flexible alternative. You can have the flexibility to be conversational yet add some of your personality. Following “Option 3’s” near the make-it-up-as-you-go-along approach you use basically use headers to represent topics. Here you rely on your expertise and ability to talk on the fly, but one main risk is that you are more prone to miss something.
Hooks, Taglines, and the Power of Words
- Robert Cudmore, Collin’s content manager and new host is admittedly obsessed with taglines. Taglines are part of your personal brand. They can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be long or short, simple, or cryptic. There is no prescribed formula for taglines. Taglines can be fun to create, A key take aways here is the best way to get started is to research some taglines from popular podcasts.
- Simple taglines work Robert informs, then there’s the two-step tag line. For example, Smart Writer’s Podcast. Kevin Pointer. Robert goes on this audio clip to literally give voice, emphasis, and examples of various taglines and hooks. I learned that hooks, as Robert intends, are repeatable, recognizable elements in a podcast. Hooks are navigational tools, like a kind of familiar branding that can help your listener know where you are in your broadcast. Know that the hook and taglines examples can be best appreciated by actually listening to Robert deliver them.
Tools for podcast planning perfection:
- In this episode of the Robert offers some approaches, and eventually electronic tools, to plan out your podcast. These approaches involve being a better podcast planner and an efficient writer. Being better in these two areas we learn, can increase your podcasting productivity dramatically.
- This podcast host allows that however you write your podcast is a totally personal decision – use whatever method works for you! You could use a word-for-word script, a detailed bullet point structure, or a set of topic headers. Outline, Write, Edit. was a key point. Ignore the temptation to edit as you go. From Robert’s point of view writing is the most critical stage of the process.
- Some of the note talking and outlining apps you can use include Evernote, a Mind Mapping tool, or even the old fashion pen and paper or index cards. When it comes to writing your scripts any word processing software like M.S. Word will do. Scrivener is another writing tool. Editing?: Consider Grammarly or Hemingway.
How to present a perfectly scripted podcast:
- Presentation Matters. And it’s the same for podcasts. More specifically podcast content and delivery matter. That’s how you’ll be judged we are told. The central question?: Once you have created a good, “invisible” script how do you produce a podcast performance that matches your carefully crafted words?
- In this podcast episode the narrator Robert Cudmore a few techniques to answer that question. For example, he explains that you need to set aside your podcast plan and script for a while – it could be for a hours or day or two. The point is you’ll come back with fresh eyes. Rehearse out loud. This may seem obvious but is never-the-less important to identify any stumbling blocks. Rewrite or Remove. Identify tricky words and write them out phonetically.
- Mark up you script. Highlight words that need to be emphasized or natural pause points. Increase font size and space things out. And so on. What learned the most in this episode was the various techniques that can be used – all in one place. Last tip that I gleaned. At least practice the most important sections, even once. That will sure help especially if you are pressed for time!
RESEARCH TO INFORM
Best Audio Clips
We have all experienced audio, music, or sounds that have moved us in some way. The following soundtracks are recordings that resonated with me. I hope that you will appreciate them, on some level, as well.
I begin with three podcast tracks that I reviewed and really liked for their variety and ability to evoke a positive reaction from me. In fact, the very first of these audio tracks inspired me to re-up my Envato Elements subscription.
Envato Elements is a paid site where you can purchase all manner of audio, photo, and video assets and services to use in your creative projects. Envato offers these soundtracks in a MP3 and WAV audio formats both of which have some level of compression. When files are compressed. there is some negative tradeoff of sound quality and fidelity. The podcasts were part of You Tube’s “10 Best Podcast Music tracks”.
1 ——- Selected audio from You Tube’s “10 Best Podcast Music Tracks” —–
1a —- “No 10 on the countdown” (first track) Crazy Fiesta by Studio Monkey.
No 10? If that’s how they are rating this track, I just crossed out number 10 out and put it at number 1! Want to get the party started? Have a project that needs a lively, upbeat flair with an ongoing, non-stop flow and beat? Consider Crazy Fiesta! When I played Crazy Fiesta on the commercial Envato site, I realized the lack of tonality and fidelity playing it on You Tube’s site. You Tube’s quick preview was just a tease in terms of both the length and quality of sound. It did not do the Crazy Fiesta track justice! Since I plan to do an eclectic music playlist podcast, I can see this Latin gem of a lead-in really getting my audience jazzed!
1b —- “No 6 on the countdown” (1.50-minute mark) “Vaporwave Aesthetic” by Lucafrancini. The vibe that this track gives off is exactly the kind of vibe that I envisioned opening my music podcast playlist with! Woah! . . . I’m already learning new podcast music vocabulary as I didn’t know that there was a genre called vaporware. Based on this smooth, sultry sound vaporware is actually what I would call smooth jazz. At any rate, I love this entry for its smooth flow and its unobtrusive, cosmic energy. I could see some like this being my podcast’s opening, standard “set-piece”!.
1b —- “No 4 on the countdown” (2.48-minute mark) “Cute Robot Theme” by AGsoundtrax. This soundtrack evokes a whole new vibe as compared to the first two. I love and watch a fair amount of animal wildlife shows. One animal show in particular is narrated by a venerable British broadcaster. I wouldn’t be surprised if his show did not have this very track as it is precisely the kind of music that is played when his company is filming the awkward, funny movements of some curious, little bear or lion cub. I like the track because it effortlessly and effectively evokes a feeling of playfulness and fun. This track would be compatible with projects that feature the movements of young children or animals.
Reviewer’s Note: In fairness, and even though I do not like them all, I can understand why all of these tracks made You Tube’s top ten list. It all depends on the particular need, mood, or emotion being targeted and your individual sensibilities. If you’ve got 5 minutes to spare, I suggest listening to all 10 of the tracks. It’s likely worth it to new and professional audiophiles alike to continually realize how such audio files, if integrated thoughtfully and well, can contribute appreciably to the quality of an audio or video project.
Go Compare Radio Advert —– I like this radio advertisement for its kind of in-your-face, but funny and engaging content. It humorously manages to combine a joke with exaggerated wording and a quick pace. Add multiple outbursts of unabashed and very confident singing and I stopped figuring out what was being sold and just enjoyed audio on its own merit. BTW I think some type of insurance is being sold.
CREATE
Creating a Pre-Production Planning Document for my upcoming podcast was fun and exciting and most importantly, useful. I chose to do a music playlist podcast. I chose this topic because it will allow me to curate and share particular songs that I have some definite passion for, in a variety of genres. Importantly, I plan to share why I like a particular song. Although it seems that every other person has a podcast, it will still be cool to apply the lessons and experiences in this class to edge out my niche and see what I can do. I also chose to do a music podcast because it inherently has element of audio built in which is a creative area that I want to improve in. I like culture and history, so I can also see those elements playing a role.
I will finally be able to use to the mike, pop filter, and other podcast equipment that I have invested in. If somehow it happens that I take my podcast further, I can see myself growing and learning together with my audience. Challenges might include time management and potential song copyright issues. I understand that I should generally be ok with sampling artist’s songs under the Fair Use Act, however, as long as I’m using them for educational purposes.
In summary, I thought the process of creating such a planning narrative in a single document was very useful as it allowed me to round up, sort out, and begin to formalize important podcast planning topics, ideas, and approaches. Ideas and approaches that I only previously had in scattered notes, or in my head. The planning document forced me to codify my thoughts and think about my audience, my intentions, and practical specifics such what my initial podcast title and my tagline would even be. Creating a mind map was also very useful as well creating an actual sample mini-script. Somehow, I didn’t think a sample script would come so soon in the planning process, but I’m glad that it did!
Attached is a PDF of my “Kevin Pointer Music Podcast Pre-Production Document” for your “viewing pleasure”!
