Interesting and informative words by influential composer John_Cage. Think about some concepts he discussed in this video when you go out on your soundwalks.
More on Soundwalks...
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Inspiration for audio storytelling
Podcasts are a relatively new medium that builds off of the form of radio. These can be a great source of inspiration for new ways of telling a story with audio only.
Here are some examples of podcasts that you may find inspirational for your Audio Interview piece:
This American Life - this is kind of the standard bearer for radio/podcast journalism these days. Hosted by Ira Glass.
RadioLab - another heavy hitter in the audio world - they generally have one theme per show and explore it in various different ways. It started out as more science based topics, but they definitely have expanded and explore lots of different "big" topics. They are known for their extensive sound design (Host Jad Abumrad even won a MacArthur Genius grant for it). Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich.
Serial - You probably have at least heard about this one in passing last year when Season 1 was blowing up late 2014. Hosted by Sarah Koenig, it is a long form journalism piece told week to week investigating the murder of a high school student Hae Min Lee in Baltimore in the late 90s. But it's really a study of memory and ideas of subjective truth. This season looks into the story of officer Bowe Bergdahl who walked out of camp in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held as a prisoner by the Taliban for 5 years.
99% Invisible - hosted by Roman Mars, this show is all about the things we see all the time but don't think about. It's really great.
Started in mid-2014, Gimlet Media is a new specifically podcast based company. They have been producing top notch audio ever since. They even got super meta and created a podcast about starting a podcast company (which is actually really good. It's called Start Up) Here are some of their other shows:
Mystery Show - Hosted by Starlee Kine, she solves a mystery week to week of varied subjects. Lots of fun and takes you in many unexpected directions.
Sampler - each week host Brittany Luse chooses some parts from her favourite podcasts and talks about them.
Places to go for good interviews:
Another Round - Hosted by Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton (from Buzzfeed), this is a kind of variety show that includes commentary on pop culture and politics and really great interviews with writers, thinkers, artists, creators etc.
Women of the Hour - Hosted by Lena Dunham, it's only five episodes but there are some gems in here. I particular like the episode about work and Dunham's interview with Zadie Smith
WTF with Marc Maron - Started as a series of interviews with comedians in his garage, Marc Maron is now nearing 500 episodes of longer form interviews, with tons of different people (including President Obama). He's a bit obnoxious, but can get some real great stuff out of people. Also great for shop talk if you're a comedy nerd.
Longform - these are generally with writers and scholars, but some of their conversations are really great. If you are into books and reading, you will probably find your favourite writer on here talking about their craft.
Death, Sex and Money is hosted by Anna Sale (of WNYC fame) and she does interviews with cultural icons and regular folks about "the things we think about most but need to talk about more" - death, sex and money.
She Does is hosted by Elaine Sheldon and Sarah Ginsburg. It is more shop talk with women who are media makers and asks them how they got to where they are. It can be incredibly insightful and interesting.
Thanks to Lab Instructor Kaija for compiling this list!
Here are some examples of podcasts that you may find inspirational for your Audio Interview piece:
This American Life - this is kind of the standard bearer for radio/podcast journalism these days. Hosted by Ira Glass.
RadioLab - another heavy hitter in the audio world - they generally have one theme per show and explore it in various different ways. It started out as more science based topics, but they definitely have expanded and explore lots of different "big" topics. They are known for their extensive sound design (Host Jad Abumrad even won a MacArthur Genius grant for it). Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich.
Serial - You probably have at least heard about this one in passing last year when Season 1 was blowing up late 2014. Hosted by Sarah Koenig, it is a long form journalism piece told week to week investigating the murder of a high school student Hae Min Lee in Baltimore in the late 90s. But it's really a study of memory and ideas of subjective truth. This season looks into the story of officer Bowe Bergdahl who walked out of camp in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held as a prisoner by the Taliban for 5 years.
99% Invisible - hosted by Roman Mars, this show is all about the things we see all the time but don't think about. It's really great.
Started in mid-2014, Gimlet Media is a new specifically podcast based company. They have been producing top notch audio ever since. They even got super meta and created a podcast about starting a podcast company (which is actually really good. It's called Start Up) Here are some of their other shows:
Mystery Show - Hosted by Starlee Kine, she solves a mystery week to week of varied subjects. Lots of fun and takes you in many unexpected directions.
Sampler - each week host Brittany Luse chooses some parts from her favourite podcasts and talks about them.
Reply All - Hosted by PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman, it's a podcast about the internet. But really interesting weird stories.
Surprisingly Awesome - Hosted by Adam McKay and Adam Davidson (of Planet Money fame), they look at something that on the surface seems boring and find the ways that it is surprisingly awesome. (i.e. adhesives, broccoli, interest rates)
Places to go for good interviews:
Another Round - Hosted by Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton (from Buzzfeed), this is a kind of variety show that includes commentary on pop culture and politics and really great interviews with writers, thinkers, artists, creators etc.
WTF with Marc Maron - Started as a series of interviews with comedians in his garage, Marc Maron is now nearing 500 episodes of longer form interviews, with tons of different people (including President Obama). He's a bit obnoxious, but can get some real great stuff out of people. Also great for shop talk if you're a comedy nerd.
Longform - these are generally with writers and scholars, but some of their conversations are really great. If you are into books and reading, you will probably find your favourite writer on here talking about their craft.
Death, Sex and Money is hosted by Anna Sale (of WNYC fame) and she does interviews with cultural icons and regular folks about "the things we think about most but need to talk about more" - death, sex and money.
She Does is hosted by Elaine Sheldon and Sarah Ginsburg. It is more shop talk with women who are media makers and asks them how they got to where they are. It can be incredibly insightful and interesting.
Thanks to Lab Instructor Kaija for compiling this list!
Project #2
FILMP/MEDP 160
SPRING 2016
Assignment 2: Audio Portrait of a Person
Your second assignment for the semester is based on an interview with one of your
classmates. First, you will pre-interview a classmate in order to define a theme for your piece. As you listen to your classmate, try to identify something unique about their story that “grabs” you. The following week, you will interview the person using questions you have written up before the interview, recording the interview with the Zoom recorder. Finally, you will create a multi-track audio piece in Premiere Pro based on the interview.
SPRING 2016
Assignment 2: Audio Portrait of a Person
Your second assignment for the semester is based on an interview with one of your
classmates. First, you will pre-interview a classmate in order to define a theme for your piece. As you listen to your classmate, try to identify something unique about their story that “grabs” you. The following week, you will interview the person using questions you have written up before the interview, recording the interview with the Zoom recorder. Finally, you will create a multi-track audio piece in Premiere Pro based on the interview.
When you do your recording, record ample material, but try not to go overboard. 15 minutes worth should work. The final piece should be 3 to 4 minutes in length. Your audio portrait should mix elements including the voice of the interviewee, your voice (if you choose to include it), ambient background sound, music, and other sound effects as you see fit. When you have a finished piece you will upload it so it can be accessed through your blog site.
Remember to identify a theme that will make your piece say something special about the
world, or the “human condition.” A story becomes compelling when it communicates
something unique that others can relate to.
DUE: Lab 9 (April 4)
Remember to identify a theme that will make your piece say something special about the
world, or the “human condition.” A story becomes compelling when it communicates
something unique that others can relate to.
DUE: Lab 9 (April 4)
Blog #2
FILM/MEDIA 160
Spring 2016
Thakur/Anderson
Blog Assignment #2: “What I Hear”
This exercise has 2 parts.
Part 1. The Soundwalk
Spend an hour doing a “Soundwalk” around a particular neighborhood in NYC.
“Soundwalk” is a term invented by R. Murray Shafer, a musician and professor at Simon
Fraser University. Shafer noticed in working with his music students that most of them
couldn't remember even five sounds they had heard earlier that day. He created the
soundwalk, a kind of walking meditation, as an “ear cleaning exercise,” a way to
increase sonic awareness.
In An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology, Kendall Wrightson writes, “In order to listen we
must stop, or at least slow down – physically and psychologically. We need to try to be
human beings, instead of “human doings.” So – during your sound walk, do not answer
your phone, text, browse, read or do anything but be, and listen.
The goal of this exercise is to “open your ears.” New York offers a rich sound
environment. Close your eyes and listen.
Part 2: The Blog
What is the texture of the sound? What are the specific instruments in the city symphony?
What sounds are clues to a specific neighborhood? A specific time of day? What are
sounds that are unique or meaningful to you? Expected or unexpected?
Some of Shafer's terminology might be useful to you in writing about your experience on
the soundwalk:
• Keynotes: background sounds
• Sound Signals: foreground sounds intended to attract attention.
• Soundmarks: sounds particularly regarded by a community or its visitors
(analogous to visual “landmarks”)
250 words. Due in Lab 7.
Spring 2016
Thakur/Anderson
Blog Assignment #2: “What I Hear”
This exercise has 2 parts.
Part 1. The Soundwalk
Spend an hour doing a “Soundwalk” around a particular neighborhood in NYC.
“Soundwalk” is a term invented by R. Murray Shafer, a musician and professor at Simon
Fraser University. Shafer noticed in working with his music students that most of them
couldn't remember even five sounds they had heard earlier that day. He created the
soundwalk, a kind of walking meditation, as an “ear cleaning exercise,” a way to
increase sonic awareness.
In An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology, Kendall Wrightson writes, “In order to listen we
must stop, or at least slow down – physically and psychologically. We need to try to be
human beings, instead of “human doings.” So – during your sound walk, do not answer
your phone, text, browse, read or do anything but be, and listen.
The goal of this exercise is to “open your ears.” New York offers a rich sound
environment. Close your eyes and listen.
Part 2: The Blog
What is the texture of the sound? What are the specific instruments in the city symphony?
What sounds are clues to a specific neighborhood? A specific time of day? What are
sounds that are unique or meaningful to you? Expected or unexpected?
Some of Shafer's terminology might be useful to you in writing about your experience on
the soundwalk:
• Keynotes: background sounds
• Sound Signals: foreground sounds intended to attract attention.
• Soundmarks: sounds particularly regarded by a community or its visitors
(analogous to visual “landmarks”)
250 words. Due in Lab 7.
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