The Audio Slideshow

1. The Audio Slideshow Multimedia Storytelling Spring 2012

2. What is an audio slideshow? • The term specifically refers to a series of still images arranged to appear on screen over the duration of a piece of edited audio. • In the world of journalism and the Internet, audio slideshows are a new type of storytelling medium– a hybrid that falls somewhere between still photography and video.

3. Advantages to journalists • Once you’ve learned the skills they’re fairly easy to apply. • Reach new audiences. • The longer form gives life to visuals and audio outside of traditional print and radio medium.

4. Audio slideshows vs. video • Still photographs, in general, capture a single moment in time, freezing the “decisive moments” of a story, which would otherwise be lost when seen in motion. • Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima photo vs. video • So unlike video, a good audio slideshow can extract just the key moments from an event or story and present those with time to digest each moment, rather than showing everything in motion. • One in 8 Million vs. David Lynch Interview Project

5. Choosing a good story idea • There is activity and/or people doing something observable (e.g., it is not a meeting story). • It is visually rich (e.g., lots of color, decoration, contrast, rhythm, motion, scenery, etc.). • There are lots of different situations taking place and/or a variety of interesting moments (i.e., not a bunch of different people repeating the same thing). • The idea is emotional and/or humorous. • It features rich character or personality.

6. How audio slideshows can fail • Boring content • Redundant content • Unbalanced images and audio • Disconnected photos and audio • Awkward transitions • Too long • Too short

7. Common audio slideshow types EVENTS • The event speaks for itself • 1 subject, 1 experience • Multiple subjects, 1 experience FEATURES • Self-narrated profile • All-around profile • Narrated reflection piece • TV style package

8. Photography 101: General • Composition • Viewpoint/angles • Motion • Direction

9. Photography 101: Composition • The “Rule of Thirds” ; example • Balancing elements • Layering • Repetition • Framing

10. Photography 101: Viewpoint • Eye level: Shows subjects exactly as they are in real life • High angle: Shows subject(s) from above • Low angle: Shows subject(s) from below • Bird’s eye: Shows subject(s) from directly above • Slanted: Shows the horizon on an angle

11. Photography 101: Motion • Adjusting the shutter speed allows photographers to capture motion • Frozen • Blurred background, subject in focus • Blurred subject, background in focus

12. Photography 101: Direction • Every photo moves in a certain direction: left to right, right to left, forward, backward, diagonally, etc. • Left to right • Right to left

13. Preparing for your shoot • Brainstorm what content you might get by writing out a shooting script. • Visualize what the photographs might look like by creating a storyboard.

14. Life Magazine: “The Shooting Script” • Life magazine was best known for nailing down the photo story first. With a “mind-guided camera” approach, Life staffers, from editorial to art departments, would collaborate on story ideas, select a topic, and research it to the fullest, thinking ahead to what images they thought the story might bring. • The script encouraged a photographer to prepare for what content they might come across while shooting, so that they could better find the unusual or unique pictures. • Don’t force anything you script to happen. This is simply meant to prepare you for what might happen.

15. Exercise: Shooting Script • Take 10 minutes to make a list of pictures you anticipate taking when you shoot your subject(s). • Consider what might best tell the beginning, middle and end of the story. • Consider what objects need to be included to tell the story. • Consider what actions need to be shown to tell the story.

16. Storyboarding • Storyboarding forces the photographer to visualize what each frame of their photo story will look like. • Key shots in “every” photo essay: • An introductory shot or overall shot, such as a wide angle or an aerial. • A middle-distance or “moving in” shot, such as a sign, street, or building • A close-up, usually hands, face or detail. • A sequence, or how-to shot. • A portrait, usually environmental. • An interaction shot of persons conversing or action portrayed. • The signature picture- the decisive moment, the one picture that conveys the essence of the story. • The clincher or goodbye shot, signifying the end of the story.

17. Exercise: Storyboarding • Draw out or describe the visuals of between 7 and 10 frames you plan to use in your photo story • Focus on how things will be placed in the frame visually • Incorporate some photography techniques as described during today’s class • Incorporate some or all of the photo types listed on the “key photos” slide

18. Audio 101: Types of audio • The best audio slideshows weave different kinds of audio in and out of the soundtrack • Narrative • Natural/ambient/background • Interview

19. Audio 101: Preparing • Make a list of background sounds you might be able to gather for intro, transitions • Have a detailed interview planned • Make sure your equipment is charged • Clear off your audio recorder

20. Audio 101: Recording • Use an external mic!!! • Choose your location carefully • Brief your interviewees before the interview so they know what to expect • Learn to nod and gesture instead of “yes” or “mmhmm” • Don’t interrupt your subject • Pause between Q & A’s • Record any interesting sounds you hear that could act as an intro or transitions between speakers • Record one minute of dead air in case you need to fill in some gaps

21. Audio 101: Choosing Clips • Listen to all of your recordings before selecting your clips • Find natural sound to open the slideshow, • Listen for a good quote to transition from background noise to the subject • Listen for details that might serve as good transitions • Include memorable quotes/colorful phrases • Listen for a good “kicker” quote to round out the story

22. Audio 101: Editing • Cut out verbal stalling • Cut out words that don’t add to the story: like, kind of, you know, etc. • Cut out reiterations • Cut out coughing, long pauses • DO NOT take out words that change the meaning of what was stated

23. More tips… • Use passionate subjects for your story • Shoot wide, medium and tight shots at high, low, eye-level, aerial, and tilted angles • Pace your photos, between about 5 and 8 seconds per image • Connect your audio and images • Let your strongest shots linger • Open up your slideshow with natural sound instead of someone talking • Consider using a subtitle to introduce the speaker • NEVER have dead air sound gaps in your audio narrative • Layer your sound, weaving natural and narration throughout • Avoid music unless the narrative truly calls for it