JournalismNext (7): Making Audio Journalism Visible
21 03 2011Audio journalism — a microphone, recorder and free software (plus a computer and internet, of course) are the only tools needed to create an audio form of journalism.
Why is audio journalism important?
It has characteristics that cannot be matched by other forms of media such as:
- Presence
- Emotions
- Atmosphere
How do news organizations use audio?
- Reporter overview
- Podcasts
- Audio slideshows
- Breaking news
The basics of audio journalism:
- Interviews and voice-overs
- Natural or environmental sound
- Imported sound clips, including music
Get started with audio:
- Recording interviews
- Choose your location
- Gather natural sound
- Prepare your subject
- Watch what you say
- Try delayed recording
- Mark the best spots
- Doing voice-overs
- Write a script
- Warm up
- Find operative words
- Keep it conversational
You can use a digital recorder, your computer or an external microphone to help.
Editing digital audio:
- Understand digital formats
- Get ready to edit
- Editing with audacity
- Try advanced editing techniques (fade, cross-fading, established music, segue, transition)
