Creative current affairs for radio

Use your imagination

Stan Freberg

What’s unique about radio ?

No visual cues Easy to tune out Allows imagination Fleeting Intimate Listeners could be anywhere

Radio is theatre of the mind

Amelie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S0LNGA2hp8

Adding audio for impact

Cloudseeding Producer: Michael Kermode

Archbishop Desmond Tutu retires Producer: Matthew Knott

Election 2010: Why negative TV ads still work in election campaigns Producer: Catherine Zengerer

Anniversary of the birth of the nuclear age Producers: Annie Hastwell and Danni Gillard

Greens and Liberals unhappy about Arkaroola mining Producer: Richard Evans

Sources of audio you may not know you had

Free

sound fx

http://www.stonewashed.net/sfx.html http://www.pacdv.com/sounds/ http://www.mysoundfx.com/home/sound-effects.html

Sources of audio you may not know you had

Short news grabs

– ABC news 24 – Press conference– National Press Club address

Sources of audio you may not know you had

Youtube clips

Sources of audio you may not know you had

Film trailers

Sources of audio you may not know you had

Sounds and people around you

Putting it all together

Editing software

Wavepad sound editorhttp://www.nch.com.au/

Adobe Auditionhttp://adobe-audition.en.softonic.com/

Audacityhttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Setting up a story

What is the Story?

What’s the best way to tell it?

Who do I need to talk to?

What do I want them to say?

Get straight to the point in interviews

Out in the Field stories

Keep your ears and eyes open What sounds may add to the story?

What are you seeing, feeling around you ?

Dealing with audio

Listen Think Outline Decide

A word on intros

Entice the listener Use power words Avoid clichés Don’t pre-tell the story Keep it short and bouncy

A good story should…

Talk directly to the listener Have momentum A few surprises Create empathy

AND ALWAYS…

Leave the listener wanting more…