Module One: Audio Design I
Reading
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video
Sound
Objects vibrating in the surrounding air create sound waves which move outward spherically. For example, the air from our lungs vibrates our vocal cords as we speak, creating variations in voices and volume. More intense air pressure increases the size of sound waves, thus increasing audible volume levels. But, that doesn’t explain how we hear those sound waves—the human eardrum functions in reverse to the vocal cords. Sound waves vibrate the thin membrane that makes up the eardrum. These vibrations move the fluid in the cochlea, which then converts the fluid movement into nerve impulses. Those nerve impulses travel to the brain, where they are translated into sounds we hear.
Microphones have diaphragms that function similarly to the eardrum. Sound waves vibrate the diaphragm, which converts vibrations to an electrical signal to broadcast or record. Likewise, speakers use electrical signals to vibrate a diaphragm that creates sound waves.
Sound frequency is measured by the number of complete wave cycles per second, expressed as Hertz (Hz). Higher frequencies are shriller, while lower frequencies are deeper. The average person can hear sounds from 20 to 20,000 Hz.
Amplitude calculates the size of sound waves, which is affected by the intensity of vibrational energy. Sound intensity is measured in decibels (dB).
There are two main types of microphones used for audio recording: dynamic and electret condenser. With a dynamic microphone, the vibrating diaphragm moves a coil wire in a magnet, creating an electrical current that fluctuates based on the strength and frequency of sound waves. In an electret condenser, the diaphragm is one plate of a condenser or capacitor. The diaphragm plate and another plate hold an electric charge that creates an electrical current as sound waves vibrate the diaphragm, changing the distance between the plates.
Microphone pickup patterns indicate the area where the microphone has the highest sensitivity to incoming sound waves. Omnidirectional patterns pick up sound equally from all directions. Cardioid or “heart-shaped” patterns have the most sensitivity at the pointed end of the heart, directly in front of the microphone. Supercardioid (also referred to as shotgun) patterns only record sound aimed directly at the source, either directly in front of or directly behind the microphone. To reduce unwanted noise, aim the dead zone of the mic toward the unwanted sound.
There are three types of microphones most commonly used for film and video productions. The lavalier microphone is a small, lightweight electret condenser mic usually designed with an omnidirectional pickup pattern. Often shows will hide the mic under a tie or shirt, but any clothing movement across the mic will also be picked up, and anything covering the mic will block incoming sound waves. Since lavaliers were designed to be worn under the chin, they compensate for the lack of high-frequency voice tones. Thus, loose lavaliers will boost higher frequencies, making voices sound shriller than usual.
The all-purpose hand mic is versatile and can be dynamic or condenser with omnidirectional or cardioid pickup patterns.
Supercardioid or shotgun mic, named for its pickup pattern, is excellent for distant sounds, uncontrolled situations, or dramatic productions. However, they pick up a lot of traffic noise, machine rumbles, and other low-frequency sounds, as well as sound echoes.
Choosing the right microphone:
Lavaliers work best for clean sound from one person talking. If you choose to use multiple, try to have only one mic “open” at a time.
Omnidirectional hand mics work best for street interviews.
For uncontrolled documentary shooting, shotgun mics record usable sound from any distance.
Shotgun mics on a boom are also suitable for dramatic programs where several people are talking from known positions, but aiming the mic is crucial to picking up good audio.
Smartphone mics are usually electret mics with omnidirectional pickup patterns, but they’re designed to record human voices at close distances. So for clean and controlled recording, always use an external mic.
When there’s a noticeable sound effect, take some time to record the same sound closeup. Sync effects are recorded simultaneously as the video, but wild effects can substitute for sync effects that are low or muddled to add depth and texture to your picture. Always slate your wild effects vocally or visually for easier editing.
Sync sound refers to audio recorded with the video, like someone speaking on camera. Voiceovers are heard over the picture but not seen. If you have the same actor for both, try to use the same mic for recording in the same location at similar times of the day.
Ambiance refers to the sound of a location without a predominating sound. When you finish recording your last dialogue scene on location, leave the recorder at the same level, tell everyone to hold still, and record thirty seconds of ambiance after an audio slate. Background ambiance can ease transitions between locations or from sync sound to voiceover.
If you use a separate audio recorder, you should voice slate every recording to keep in your sound log, which lists everything you’ve recorded, scene and take numbers, equipment used, location, time code, and a brief description. It’s also good practice to mark the good takes for easy retrieval.
The Art of Creating an Invisible Podcast Episode Script
Some of our favorite podcasts flow so smoothly, we don’t realize they’re probably scripted. Pods are often planned-out with key points to touch on with complex sections scripted for clarity.
So, why is this important? Podcast scripts create a structure to keep the narrator on track and make sure the content engages listeners. It also eliminates opportunities for tangents, which reduces production time.
Suggested script elements for your podcast:
Welcome message, thank you for listening and rapport builder, episode topic introduction, any sponsor messages, guest speaker introductions, request for reviews, and a call-to-action closing message.
Your podcast should have a logical narrative flow with an attention-grabbing opening hook. Then, use three to five main points to cover in the episode, followed by a short recap for the audience. Keep in mind; the best podcasts are conversational, so write like you talk: use contractions, be plainspoken, limit jargon, and use short sentences.
Podcast Scripting: How Do I Write a Podcast Script?
The good news, though, is you can choose how detailed your podcast script will be.
Fully detailed, word-for-word scripts are effective for people who aren’t as confident speaking or for complicated topics. This option ensures you cover everything you plan to, but often leads to monotone readings so take care to write in a speaking tone.
Another option is a detailed episode plan that includes each topic you want to cover, so you have all the information you need with the flexibility to be conversational.
Some choose a rough bullet-point plan that lists short section headers as reminders of the episode’s subject. This option is the most conversational but has a higher risk of missing or incorrect information and going on tangents.
Hooks, Taglines, and the Power of Words
Regardless of whether or not you hate dad jokes, catchy slogans will always grab your attention. You might roll your eyes because they're dorky, but they still did their job: to catch your attention. Can't get that annoying jingle out of your head? The writer knows you'll never forget it, which is why hooks and taglines are so essential when creating your new podcast identity. They might be difficult for you to write, but they add priceless value to your branding. You can always look at taglines from popular podcasts to get a feel for what would work for you and consider podcasts with a similar subject matter.
Some tagline tips from the experts:
Short (10-20 words)
Simple
Clear
Direct
MEMORABLE
For your tagline, try to include the problem your listeners face, the solution you want to offer, and who you serve. Here are some tried-and-true approaches as well.
Simple introduction:
Formula: Welcome to The Podcast, with The Host
Example: Welcome to Steal the Show with Michael Port.
Two-step:
Formula: Welcome to [The Podcast], where [we have a solution to this problem].
Example: Welcome to the Smart Passive Income podcast, where it's all about working hard now so you can sit back and reap the benefits later.
Biography:
Formula: [The Podcast] with your host, [The Amazing You], former [what you did] turned [who you are now], and this is where we [offer the listener your solution to their problem].
Example: The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes, former pro-athlete turned lifestyle entrepreneur, and each week we bring you an inspiring person or message to help you discover how to unlock your inner greatness.
6 Tools for Podcast Planning Perfection
You have the ideas, inspiration, and imagination to create your podcast. How do you start? These are some tools and tactics to begin your first (or seventh) podcast.
Think of your podcast like a building. Without structure, it will crumble. You might not realize it, but people love structure. So when you create a sturdy foundation for your podcast, people will focus more on following you through your "building" than on whether they'll be crushed along the way. Planning your podcast and each episode will help you create the perfect blueprint for your story.
You know yourself better than anyone else (think about it, you're stuck in your head 24/7), so you understand what makes you most efficient. Here's where you decide what process works best for you. Can you think on the fly? Maybe a rough list of sections will be enough for your podcast script. Do you panic when speaking and forget all the answers? Try a fully-written script. Maybe you panic a little, so you need a detailed list, but you can ad-lib the rest.
If your thoughts are jumbled, this is the solution for you: mindmaps. Mindmaps, either drawn by hand or through a mind-mapping website (I used Coggle), help you form coherent collections of ideas. Take your big idea and divide it into smaller chunks until you run out of ideas.
Start with an outline to highlight the main points of your podcast. I like to start with an outline and slowly add more detail until I can form complete paragraphs. This brings us to:
Writing the first draft is a creative task, wholly unfiltered and with absolute freedom. If you're like me, you might have a truly awful pun to throw in there, and you should do it. You are the mastermind behind this script, and you can delete it later if it doesn't fit.
"To write is human; to edit is divine." - Stephen King (also frequently quoted by Grammarly). You've unleashed your inner thoughts onto the page (or screen, likely), so now you have to tone it back. Editing turns your overly punny and slightly nonsensical draft into a logical and legible script. I use Grammarly for proofing, but there are several editing resources out there.
Power of Narrative Flow
Back to structure, your podcast should flow logically. If you think about it as a building, again, you don't want to build your kitchen behind your bathroom. When your guests arrive, give them a linear tour. Well-planned narrative flow will hold your audiences' attention because they want to know how it ends.
How do you write a powerful story arc? Start simple: in the beginning. Your opening is essential to start on a good note. Introduce the topic, tell the listeners what they will get from you, and why you (or your guest speaker) are relevant.
Mosey to the middle: create three to five clear points to make. Then, organize them sequentially and take them step-by-step. It sounds predictable, but it helps your audience follow along.
Extraordinary endings: most people will remember the first and last things they learned from a hefty amount of information. Anything in-between must be exceptional, so make your ending as powerful as your opening. Add a short recap of the story highlights as a reminder, and circle back to the beginning.
Of course, you can experiment with different story structures; maybe an out-of-sequence storyline fits the plot best, but don't over-complicate it.
How to Inject Personality Into Your Podcast Script
There are millions of podcasts available, so why is yours any different? The answer: you. Showcase your personality because your authentic self draws people to you. Listeners can choose any podcast anytime with the same subject, but they want to connect with you, the host. Share your story, insights, and quirkiness. Don't be afraid to be your ridiculous self and tell humiliating stories; those make you human. But also be courteous and don't intentionally offend anyone.
How to Present a Perfectly Scripted Podcast:
Way back when I used to participate in pageants, we were told to think of the judges as our "admirers." Aside from a bruised ego, what I took away from pageantry is this: your "admirers" want your poise and presentation to match your personality. That is, a bedazzled magenta ball gown might work for someone with a bedazzled magenta attitude but looks awkward for you. Likewise, your delivery should match your content because it isn't about an over-the-top performance.
That being said, you should step away from thinking about your performance for a while. Take a break and come back with a new perspective. Then, review your plan with fresh eyes. Try reading your script out loud to find elements that don't quite fit. Like that bedazzled magenta ball gown, maybe you trip over a few extravagant words. (Or like me, you have a slight lisp and can't say words like "photosynthesis.")
Don't be afraid to rewrite or remove confusing bits of information. If something can't be switched or taken out, practice with it a few times. Keep in mind that you write the script for your convenience, so write out hard-to-pronounce words or names phonetically: "Foe-toe-thin-tha-thith." You can increase the font size or spacing to meet your needs, mark where you would naturally pause, or emphasize details with highlights.
With a podcast, the most distinctive element is your voice. Enlarging the font to make your script easier to read as you record might also help slow down your recitation. In theatre, we joke that "I can't hear you if I can't see you." Thinking about a phone call, it takes a little more time to process what you hear than talking in person. So if you know you'll get really into your podcast, find a way to remind yourself not to talk too quickly. Audio is essentially your only element, so make your voice more interesting by varying tone and adding dramatic pauses.
Research
Bizarre States is a popular podcast for peculiar news stories. The two hosts joke their way through wild and weird topics. The episode I chose to tune into was “Legend of the Winchester Mystery House.”
It began with intro music and a welcome message. The hosts immediately talked about a short animated video where Jess rides a dragon voiced by Bowser, followed by Bowser’s rant about the movie Mindhunter. The two hosts bantered for about 7 minutes and 30 seconds. Jess then segmented into the “Weird of the Week” introduction but was interrupted by a four-minute shit story from Bowser. Overall, the episode seemed almost entirely unscripted, but Jess might have had a shortlist of weird headlines to cover. Each article was met with sarcasm and quirky jokes, with most leading to wildly off-topic tangents.
Lore, hosted by Aaron Mahnke, is a show about the world’s folklore. The episode I chose was 151, “By the Book.” As promised in the episode description, Aaron told a fully-charted history of grimoires.
The episode began with piano music that soon faded out to background ambiance. Aaron used the story of Peter Lies and Abraham Fick as the opening hook. He shortly followed the story with, “I’m Aaron Mahnke, and this is Lore.” Again, piano music faded in and back out before he continued into the historical tales of grimoires. Overall, he had a friendly but informative tone that was neither monotone nor hyper-energetic.
Start with This is a podcast from the creators of the ever-popular Welcome to Night Vale series. The goal is to boost your creativity, so each episode gives you something to consume and something to create. The description states, “a podcast gone creativity playground designed to put your ideas in motion.” I chose the first episode, “Idea to Execution.”
The episode opened with, “Welcome to Start with This. Hi, it’s Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink from Welcome to Night Vale.” The topic to “consume” centered around natural talent versus practice in regards to career success. Overall, the podcast was conversational, with an emphasis on artistic collaboration.
Create
Tasked with creating a podcast script about a human interest topic, I first had to understand the purpose of human interest pieces. Then, I spent hours untangling a web of writer’s block searching for the right subject. During my procrastination distraction, I fumbled through my Facebook feed for inspiration. I read post after post about the recent Texas abortion ban, which led me to create a podcast to negate the stigma about Planned Parenthood and spread awareness of the variety of services the organization provides.
Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash
To do this, I read through nearly every page of their website and asked some friends if I could include their stories in the piece. Given the touchy subject, some politely declined while others were more than happy to help. Then, I used Coggle to convert my research and testimonies into an organized outline. Finally, with my outline, I had a sequential base to begin scripting.
Without further ado, here is my pre-production planning for the Planned Parenthood podcast episode.
For more information about the Planned Parenthood organization or to find your local health center, visit plannedparenthood.org. Donations and volunteers are always welcome, so if you're interested log onto plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/.