Week 10

Oct. 25 * * *

TOPIC: Audio storytelling; writing for the ear; narration (voiceovers)

Prep for Photo 2 and Audio 2!

DUE at 9 a.m.: Soundslides 1 (see assignment)

READ: Tom Priddy's Soundslides Tutorial (PDF, 1.2 MB); Tom is a photojournalist at The Spartanburg (S.C.) Herald-Journal (GoUpstate.com); tutorial used with his permission. On page 3, he starts showing you his work process. Very useful!

WATCH AND LISTEN: “Ira Glass on Storytelling” (all four parts = 17 min. 30 sec.); PLEASE take notes! Bring your notes to class.

BLOG: (1) Post link to your Soundslides, as explained in the assignment. (2) Post notes and/or links relevant to the four Ira Glass videos (optional post; will not be graded).

Notes * * *

Ira Glass is the host and executive producer of This American Life, originally (and still) a one-hour weekly radio show, and now also a TV documentary series (on Showtime). You can download their weekly podcast free -- but only for the week of its broadcast. (You can subscribe at iTunes.) You can also download the TV episodes (for $1.99 each). I think this is worth mentioning because these stories are all true stories. Are they journalism? Well, you can decide for yourself.

In Class Today * * *

After the Riots: A Soundslides about the housing projects in Paris, from the excellent British newspaper The Guardian. Exceptional storytelling and great use of sound. In particular, we will discuss the use of narration.

About Next Week * * *

You have exactly ONE WEEK from today to get both photos and audio for Soundslides 2. These will be graded next week!