This week’s workshop was cancelled, so we have to complete the set work from home. It’s a little challenging, seeing as we didn’t have a lectorial either this week due to the ANZAC day holiday, but I’ll try my best to keep on top of the work.
The focus this week from what’s being posted on the media one blog seems to be around the group assignment. Again, I’m not too clear on the details of what’s required for that yet, so I think I’ll focus on the activity of discussing audio essay techniques in the Radiolab podcasts.
I’m listening to the most recent podcast titled ‘On the Edge’ which is about figure skating. The podcast begins by asking the audience to fill out a survey, which I assume are not in every episode, but shows how podcasts can be used to speak directly to the listeners. Then it goes into the shows opening, a combination of voices, music and sound effects that act much like opening credits might in a TV show to signal the start of the podcast.
The editing is really interesting. The start and the end of two different conversation have been placed over the top of one another, so while you can only clearly hear the new conversation that’s being introduced as the old one fades out, the audience knows that that the person speaking earlier hasn’t quite finished what they’re saying. In a way, it’s nicer than a clean cut that leaves the audience feeling as though the person finished speaking abruptly, but it still seems strange to know there’s something you’re not hearing.
As the story begins, sound effects are introduced. The audience can hear the not only those telling the story of the figure skater, but also the commentators from the olympics at the time, and eerie bell music which suggests that this story will not end well.
Then an interview is with Surya, the skater is incorporated into the podcast. It cuts between Surya, the interviews giving context and music. Sometimes this cut in and out abruptly, and then other times they fade in and out, layered over one another, and these techniques are used throughout the podcast.
Much like a TV show, the podcast finishes with closing credits. Again, this was accompanied by sound effects and music, creating a sense of multiple layers to the sound.