Podcasts and audio storytelling have become important pillars of the media industry. Communicating stories verbally and with added sounds or music is an ever-evolving art form, but the best audio stories—and interviews—come to life through a set of core skills. In this introductory class we’ll learn those skills, including:
Writing for the ear: Audio stories and scripted podcasts rely on quality writing just as much as any novel or memoir. But writing for the ear is different than writing for the eye.
Narration strategies: How do you bring energy to your recorded narrations? We'll go over ways to become a dynamic narrator that people enjoy listening to—without being over the top.
Interviewing tips: There is an art to getting interview subjects to relax and relay compelling story points, especially when they know they're being recorded.
Recording and audio editing: We'll cover the very basics about how and where to record audio, as well as how to edit that audio and add music or atmospheric sounds around it.
The podcast industry: How do you get a show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? You'll learn a few different avenues for getting your work out into the world, and into the earbuds of listeners.
Participants will produce a couple of audio clips of their own during the four-week course. A laptop is necessary*, as is a smart phone, which will serve as microphones for recording.
*If you do not have access to a laptop and wish to take this course, please contact Lighthouse at [email protected] so we can help to make this class accessible for you.
Required text:
Out on the Wire, by Jessica Abel
