AUDIO SLICE – WEEK 3

Ethics, Structuring Stories, Pitching,

Scriptwriting Basics

Jeff Young
jryoung@gmail.com
SXSW Interactive
Multimedia News of the Week
 AudioBoo helping revolution in the Middle East
Multimedia News of the Week
 AudioBoo helping revolution in the Middle East

Abigail Sawyer, BBC World Service:

“I love AudioBoo.
…Colleagues were telling me that the audio they
were getting out of the Middle East was actually far
more powerful than the video, and I think that’s a
real testament to the power of it.”
Citizen Journalists  Citizen
Editors
SXSW Interactive
Person-on-the-Street Critiques
Person-on-the-Street Critiques
 Work in pairs – give feedback on each others’
work.
Person-on-the-Street Critiques
 Work in pairs – give feedback on each others’
work.

 Send e-mail to me, and the person you’re

critiquing.
Person-on-the-Street Critiques
 Work in pairs – give feedback on each others’
work.

 Send e-mail to me with your results. Talk briefly

with your partner about them as well.
Person-on-the-Street Critiques
 Work in pairs – give feedback on each others’ work.

 Send e-mail to me with your results. Talk briefly

with your partner about them as well.
Include:
at least 1 comment on content
and rate the project 1-10, with 10 being the
best
Person-on-the-Street Critiques

 Send e-mail to me with your results. Talk briefly

with your partner about them as well.
Include:
at least 1 comment on content
and rate the project 1-10, with 10 being the best
at least 1 comment on technical proficiency
and rate the project 1-10 on that, again 10 being
best
Microphones Everywhere!
Audio Ethics
During the Interview:
 It’s not ok to tell someone what to say.
Audio Ethics
During the Interview:
 It’s not ok to tell someone what to say.

 Get permission from the interviewee.

Audio Ethics
At the Editing Suite:
 Rule #1: Never change the meaning of what the

interviewee said.
Audio Ethics
 Rule #1: Never change the meaning of what the
interviewee said.

Um, cut out ums and ers though

Audio Ethics
 Rule #1: Never change the meaning of what the
interviewee said.

Um, cut out ums and ers though

And it’s ok to cut out extra words

Audio Ethics
 Rule #1: Never change the meaning of what the
interviewee said.

Um, cut out ums and ers though

And it’s ok to cut out extra words

And re-ordering is usually ok

Anyone Get Any Good Tape?
 Highlights from your Man-on-Street pieces?
Story Structure
Story Structure
Building Blocks of a Story
 The anecdote – sequence of actions

 The hook (bait) Raise and answer questions

 Moment of reflection – point of the story

Story Structure
Profile Stories
Profile Stories

Example:
 Dumpsterologist Radio
Documentary
Profile Stories
Profile Assignment
Homework assignment:

Yep, make a profile piece of a person, place, or

event.
At least 2:00, up to 3:30.
Must include at least 2 ambient sounds.
Must have hook and story arc.
Must include at least 2 interviews.
Pitching the Story
Pitching the Story
 Focus statement… say what story is about in one
sentence.
Pitching the Story
 Focus statement… say what story is about in one
sentence.
 “So what” factor.
Pitching the Story
 Focus statement… say what story is about in one
sentence.
 “So what” factor.
 Who do you imagine will be main character in your
piece?
Pitching the Story
 Focus statement… say what story is about in one
sentence.
 “So what” factor.
 Who do you imagine will be main character in your
piece?
 Think about where the story will be reported.
Pitching the Story
 E-mail pitches to jryoung@gmail.com
Scriptwriting Basics
Scriptwriting Basics
Do’s
 Say your sentences out loud.
Scriptwriting Basics
Do’s
 Say your sentences out loud.

 Don’t use words you wouldn’t otherwise use.

Scriptwriting Basics
Do’s
 Say your sentences out loud.

 Don’t use words you wouldn’t otherwise use.

 Don’t use syntax that doesn’t occur naturally.

Scriptwriting Basics
Do’s
 Say your sentences out loud.

 Don’t use words you wouldn’t otherwise use.

 Don’t use syntax that doesn’t occur naturally.

 Keep sentence structure simple.

Scriptwriting Basics
Do’s
 Say your sentences out loud.

 Don’t use words you wouldn’t otherwise use.

 Don’t use syntax that doesn’t occur naturally.

 Keep sentence structure simple.

 Keep sentences short.

Scriptwriting Basics
Dont’s
 Avoid generalities and platitudes.
Scriptwriting Basics
Dont’s
 Avoid generalities and platitudes.

 Don’t use long formal titles.

Scriptwriting Basics
Dont’s
 Avoid generalities and platitudes.

 Don’t use long formal titles.

 Don’t use awkward phrases.

Scriptwriting Basics
Dont’s
 Avoid generalities and platitudes.

 Don’t use long formal titles.

 Don’t use awkward phrases.

 Avoid needless repetition of words.

Scriptwriting Basics
Dont’s
 Avoid generalities and platitudes.

 Don’t use long formal titles.

 Don’t use awkward phrases.

 Avoid needless repetition of words.

 Don’t use too many stats or names.

Scriptwriting Basics
Dont’s
 Avoid generalities and platitudes.

 Don’t use long formal titles.

 Don’t use awkward phrases.

 Avoid needless repetition of words.

 Don’t use too many stats or names.

 Avoid jargon and acronyms.

Scriptwriting Basics
 In audio, sometimes you want to avoid the inverted
pyramid.
Example
Example
Profile Piece
Homework assignment:

Yep, make a profile piece of a person, place, or

event.
At least 2:00, up to 3:30.
Must have at least 2 ambient sounds.
Source must be identified with first and last name.
Must have hook and story arc.