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Audio Stories

Audio Stories. Get Started on a 2 -4 Minute Feature Pitch Reporting Listening / culling / clip selection Script Draft (see David’s examples). Audio Stories. Newscasts & Spots – 45 secs to 1 minute Stations – very little script writing Features (3.5 – **7 minutes)

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Audio Stories

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  1. Audio Stories • Get Started on a 2-4 Minute Feature • Pitch • Reporting • Listening / culling / clip selection • Script Draft (see David’s examples)

  2. Audio Stories • Newscasts & Spots – 45 secs to 1 minute • Stations – very little script writing • Features (3.5 – **7 minutes) • 3 – 8 per month (depending on beat and depth) • Documentaries (30 – 60 minutes – Dan Falk) • Commentaries (2-4 minutes– not many opps) • Two-ways (interviews – 4 minutes for websites) • WMBR next week

  3. Listen to Audio / Read Print Story • Japan Nukes • Teen IQ Listen to these later • Botanical • NPR evolution • Baron’s DNA

  4. Natural Voice… Simple Sentences…. • Listen to features on NPR/CBC/BBC, others. • Note the simplicity, the conversational tone. The reporter is talking with you over coffee.

  5. Script Components • Actualities (Acts) • From “hot tape” to Actualities • Are they clear? Should you paraphrase instead? Are they natural or “scripted?” • Narration (Tracks) • Natural or Ambient Sound (Ambi) • Music, other audio, stock*

  6. The Process • Select 15-20 second clips or “hot tape” • Cut them or jot down mm:ss to mm:ss • (keep raw tape on one long track) • Write out each clip with its name and number ID • Line up chosen clips on second track • Don’t adjust volume or normalize – that’s later. Just listen. • Transcribe chosen clips. Write “around” those clips • Read your script out loud. Rewrite. Do again. • Organize script in Word. Print it out. Mark up script. Lay Tracks. Size 14 font/ 4.5 r-margin.

  7. Tips • In 4-minute story, listeners FORGET names. Repeat them.* • Avoid intellectual words & phrases. Sprinkle them in delicately.* • “Can” and “can’t” sound alike – avoid words like this. • Emphasize phrases not often used • “weak genetic links” *

  8. Tips • Read out loud before finalizing the script. • Try standing up. • If time, record yourself, listen, record again. • You may trip over some words, so replace them! • Editors sometimes add weird phrases that suit them, but not you. Same for reporter/host. Rewrite!

  9. Tips • Numbers can inspire listeners to stop listening. • Find other ways to present the numbers.* • Spread them out throughout script • Use words that inspire imagination, action, images.* • Words have rhythm. Some sound good together. Others don’t.*

  10. Tips • Forget the “inverted pyramid” • But don’t forget the “kicker” • Nutgraphs – try sprinkling seeds instead • Write to and from tape* – pick up on clip content. Keep it conversational. • .and that’s not all … and then things became really complicated…on the other hand… • “but” is OK! • Finishing someone else’s sentence…hmmmm..*

  11. Editing Tips • Know the script. • Imagine the story happening while you speak. You are there. • For live edit - read out loud • Outline sections that fit together • Underline words to emphasize while you read out loud • Drink water, not coffee / Stand up when you read • Practice each script before going into the studio. • PAPER shuffling • Tape script on wall if standing – lay out if sitting • Shuffle during editable pauses if necessary

  12. Timing • TIME YOURSELF • Editors don’t want to do this • If they want 4mm20sec – get as close as possible • Use IPhone, computer or an old-fashioned stopwatch to time your story. • Try adjusting pace – record yourself

  13. Format Tip • Use size 14 font • Generally limit graphs to 3 lines. 6 lines max. • One minute per page (depends on voice, pace, ambi, fonts…. • It’s a ballpark estimate..

  14. Samples • Evolving Culture: Where Do We Go From Here? • Un-Natural Selection: Human Evolution's Next Steps

  15. More Samples • NPR: Consumer-Driven: • NHPR: Robots • RadioLab: Style & “Writing in and out” or Acts (Krulwich) • Long long scripts / non-traditional /creative ambi / recreate scenes

  16. Homework! • Pitch due 10/31 (includes weekend) • Begin story after pitch reviewed • Line up recordings • Start culling for hot tape • Follow David Baron’s outline, draft, final suggestions….

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