CiTR PSA. Group 1 due Feb 5. Group 2 due Feb. 13. Email me your mp3. 5% of final grade.

PSA ad copy is available here: PSA Copy

Free sound archive resources: Free Sound Archive Resources

For this assignment, with a partner, you will create a short public service announcement (PSA) for CiTR using the skills and tools they provide during your training session. Ad copy for the PSA will be provided by your instructor and will be relevant to upcoming events in the First Nations and Indigenous Studies Program. PSAs should layer music and copy, be easy to listen to and to understand, with balanced levels and no dead air. More details will be provided during your training session.

Submit your PSA to me by emailing me an mp3 with the subject line: FNIS 401W PSA

Learning Outcomes: The goal of this project is to familiarize students with recording and editing principles in preparation for the audio storytelling assignment.

Audio Storytelling final project due March 5.
Email me a link to your Soundcloud file. 10% of final grade.

Based on Siobhan McHugh’s Emotional History (EH) Model for audio storytelling, this assignment requires students to interview a 401W classmate. Interviewees are asked to share a story about themselves that conveys a certain emotion (anger, sadness, happiness, surprise, etc.). Having recorded the interview, the interviewer must combine the story a non-verbal secondary sources (creative commons music or ambient sound) to create maximum narrative and affective impact. In order to simplify narrative coherence, the maximum length for the story is a hard three minutes. Some editing of the recorded interview may also be required.

We will be working with CiTR, UBC’s campus and community radio station to provide professional training in audio recording, engineering, and editing. One class will be devoted to training under the guidance of CiTR staff. At the end of the training, in groups of three, you will be required to produce a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the station (details on the PSA will be given in class). The PSA assignment is designed to get you comfortable with the equipment and techniques you will need for the interview.

After training, students are then responsible for booking their own studio time at the station and recording, editing, and producing their interviews. A CiTR membership is required for access to the station and the archives. Memberships are $10 for students.

For storytellers: the stories you share with your partner can be about anything: a hike with a friend, your first day at UBC, a favourite pet, an afternoon spent with your grandmother. Grades for this assignment will be based on your partner’s ability to edit and design around the story you tell, not on the story itself, so don’t spend too much time worrying about content.

If you need inspiration, I recommend listening to the Moth. They have an amazing collection of live, personal stories, told without notes.

Each student is responsible for:

  • Recording the interview to high technical, ethical and editorial standards, incorporating deep listening, empathy and respect for privacy.
  • Logging the interview, identifying the parts that are most affective (have emotional impact) and effective (supply necessary information and are concise).
  • Locating a second (non-verbal) sound source that will enhance/illustrate the emotional moment.
  • Locating music (non-copyright) if desired.
  • Crafting the elements of voice, sound (and music) together to optimum narrative effect and maximum affect, up to 120 seconds duration.
  • Uploading the file to Soundcloud 

Reflection Paper: For this assignment, each individual is also responsible for submitting a 250-500-word reflection on the project. What went well? What didn’t go so well? What are you most proud of in your audio piece? What would you have liked to have been stronger? The reflection is also a place where you can share the work flow of your group. Did someone put extra effort into this assignment? Did someone not put in enough effort? These reflections are private and will not be shared with your partner. I will be considering them when I determine your grades for the project.

Assignment Objectives: This assignment is designed to familiarize students with the technologies behind broadcasting/podcasting, particularly recording software and hardware and dissemination methods. Emphasis is on communicating story and connecting to listeners through layered sound and subtle audio design. This assignment also connects students to resources and support communities for producing their own audio content or working with an Indigenous podcasting unit.