Module Code and Title:        CMS204 Digital Storytelling and Audio Lab

Programme:                          BA in Mass Communication

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       New #2

General objective: Following from the initial introduction to broadcasting provided in the Introduction to Broadcast Journalism module, this module aims to provide students with the requisite practice with an important communications medium (audio). The module allows students to develop an understanding of the basic techniques and concepts involved in executing effective audio production, using the concepts of ‘digital storytelling’. The module formally introduces students to audio equipment and the situations that different equipment and techniques will be most conducive in. The module also aims to inculcate sufficient skill in audio editing for students to be able to make successful mini projects on features. These skills will also prepare students for taking on the video format in later modules.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Explain the elements of good digital storytelling.
2. Plan a digital storytelling production.
3. Write a digital storytelling script.
4. Operate a digital recorder and accessories for recording in both indoor and outdoor settings.
5. Edit audio at an intermediate level.
6. Apply theories/best practices in audio production to create a compelling digital audio story.
7. Produce a short feature podcast.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. Pair Podcast creation: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

Students will be in pairs and compose a feature podcast to be broadcast locally, on a tutor approved topic. The podcast should be between 5-10 minutes in length.

3%       Comprehensive proposal on topic development with tutor

5%       Quality of preparation on topic

4%       Quality of recording

3%       Successful upload and broadcasting

B. Individual Digital storytelling audio project: Portion of Final Mark: 30%

Student will be responsible producing a 3-7 minute individual digital storytelling video on a self-selected and tutor-approved topic.

3%       Project pitch to tutor

5%       Complete script

5%       Complete storyboard

6%       Recording of good quality audio

6%       Effective editing of audio

5%       Creativity in digital storytelling production

C. Midterm examination: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

Students will be required to sit for a written midterm examination of 1.5 hr duration proving their theoretical grasp of the concepts, as well as their ability to apply the concepts using practical examples.

D> Individual Peer reviews for constructive criticism: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students must individually contribute meaningful constructive criticism for their classmates after they present their pair podcasting projects. This will come in the form of one 750-1000 word written review and response that will be done on the presented podcasts (2 students to do peer reviews per podcast as assigned by the tutor).

3%       Ability to identify and discuss storytelling concepts and best practices in action

4%       Ability to identify and discuss audio concepts and best practices in action

3%       Capacity to discuss aspects of work constructively, including providing suggestions

Pre-requisites: BRD201 Introduction to Broadcast Journalism

Subject matter:

1. Unit I: Introduction to Digital Storytelling
   • Principles of digital storytelling: combining short personal/community narratives with digital content
   • Values of digital storytelling
     • Finding strong stories from the mundane to communicate
     • Researching a story; listening carefully
     • Diversity and creativity
     • Sharing stories for a variety of purposes
   • Types and examples of digital stories
   • Elements of good storytelling: clear purpose, story arc, emotion, authenticity, relatability
   • Digital storytelling process
   • Deciding what story to tell: Selecting a topic and defining a purpose
2. Unit II: Scriptwriting for digital storytelling
   • Approaches to scriptwriting for digital storytelling
     • Rapid drafting of a story in a short format
     • Writing exercises based on prompts
     • Developing a story from a visual cue such as a photograph
     • Standard story arcs: Beginning (drawing in an audience), problem (tension), middle (conflict), solution (resolution), end (closure)
   • Digital storytelling scriptwriting elements
     • Point of view: Drawing from the 1^st person point of view to clarify the purpose/message of the story, then imbibing this into the story to shape it (e.g., deciding/prioritizing what to include, what to leave out)
     • Dramatic question or ‘hook’: drawing in the audience, establishing suspense, creating a question in the mind of a listener/viewer
     • Emotional content: Attraction of ‘real’ stories; genuineness; authenticity
     • Economy/judiciousness: keeping it short; importance of editing; using visuals that ‘say it all’ in place of long descriptions
     • Voice: Recorded narration
     • Soundtrack: Effective use of music or basic audio effects
     • Pacing: Maintaining a compelling rhythm in the narrative; keeping natural variations in tone and tempo
   • Refining a draft script with story circles (sharing the stories with others and incorporating feedback)
3. Unit III: Fundamentals of digital audio recording
   • Recording equipment: different microphone types and purposes
   • Digital audio formats: essential characteristics, features, important considerations
     • Sampling rate and bit depth
     • File formats
     • Compression
   • Considerations, requirements, and practice of voice recording in a sound lab environment
   • Considerations, requirements, and practice of voice recording in a field environment
   • Basics of recording narration with a portable recording device
   • Essential practices for recording audio
     • Mic selection and placement: capturing useful sound while minimizing noise
     • Assessing the acoustics of a recording area
     • Choosing appropriate digital recording formats
     • Informal vs. formal audio recordings

4. Unit IV: Editing Audio
   • Transferring audio to a computer workstation
   • Introduction to audio editing using Audacity (or equivalent) audio editing software
     • Recording (importing) and saving (exporting)
     • Basics of interpreting audio waveforms (time, frequency, amplitude)
     • Cutting / copying / pasting audio; awareness of zero-point crossings and wave direction to avoid clicks/pops
     • Mixing multiple audio streams
   • Essentials of editing, with particular emphasis on editing for voice recordings
     • Digital noise reduction to remove background noise, static, or buzz
     • Amplifying vs. normalizing to adjust volume
     • Truncating silence / audio gaps
   • Effects
     • Fading; uses in integrating musical or voice introductions or conclusions
     • Breaking segments in a broadcast with music or sound effects
     • Background music or ambient environmental sound elements to create atmosphere for vocal narratives
     • Adding detail to narratives using complimentary sounds
   • Useful practices
     • Importance of starting with the best possible source recording, without compression
     • Saving multiple versions and documenting edits
     • Avoiding over-editing/over-processing

5. Unit V: Options for publishing/disseminating an audio/video digital story
   • Creating files for direct transfer to others or posting online
   • Platforms for online self-publishing, such as Youtube or Facebook, etc.
   • Comprehensive online platforms for digital storytelling – production and publication
6. Unit VI: Podcasting
   • Standard elements of audio broadcasts: opening, intro, topics, interludes, closing
   • Use of music and sound effects in addition to monologues and dialogues
   • Typical outlines and show formats
   • Recording podcasts; audio best-practices and pitfalls
   • Uploading podcasts; creating RSS feeds
   • Features of successful and popular podcasts
   • Brief overview of vodcasting / video blogging
     • Features and considerations viz. podcasting
     • Use of standard webcams vs. dedicated video recorders
     • Online platforms for vodcasting

Reading List: (A course-pack of the shorter reading materials will be made available to students)

1. Essential Reading
   • Felix, L., Stolarz, D., & Jurick, J. (2006).Hands-on guide to video blogging and podcasting. Amsterdam: Focal/Elsevier.
   • Hirsh, S. (2016). Best practices for recording great production sound. Retrieved from https://www.lynda.com/Audition-tutorials/Best-practices-recording-great-production-sound/176757/482958-4.html
   • Lambert, J. (2010). Digital Storytelling Cookbook (ebook). Berkeley: Center for Digital Storytelling.
   • Meadows, D. (n.d.). On Writing the Script for a Digital Story. Cardiff University School of Journalism. Retrieved from http://franklinds.wikispaces.com/file/view/dst_script_writing.pdf
   • Robin, B. (2017). The Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling. University of Houston College of Education. Retrieved from http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/
   • Schroder, C. (2011). The Book of Audacity: Record, Edit, Mix, and Master with the Free Audio Editor. San Francisco, CA: No Starch Press.
   • Wilson, C. (n.d.). What is digital storytelling and how to get started. Athabasca University. Retrieved from http://elab.athabascau.ca/workshop/digital-storytelling
2. Additional Reading
   • Beaman, J. (2000). Interviewing for radio. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
   • Craig, R. (2005). Online journalism: reporting, writing, and editing for new media. Belmont, Calif: Thomson/Wadsworth.
   • Formats Group, Deep Blue. (2006). Best practices for producing quality digital audio files. University of Michigan. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/40248
   • Liestøl, G., Morrison, A., & Rasmussen, T. (2003). Digital media revisited: theoretical and conceptual innovation in digital domains. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
   • McInerney, V. (2001). Writing for radio. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Date:  May 14, 2018