Week 5 Lecture - Sound

Sound is something I think I have underestimated for a long time when it comes to ways of telling a story. I am naturally a writer and therefore the majority of stories I tell are written with perhaps a few photos. This weeks lecture really changed my perspective of the significance of sound and the way it can be used to create a powerful story for listeners.

Richard made a really good point that radio (which is the main way we use sound to tell stories) is much more intimate than TV, and includes you rather than coming at you. I found myself nodding as I listened to this, noting that while I was sitting listening to this interview I was also having a cup of tea and munching on a biscuit. It feels very noninvasive and captures more of my attention than TV. Maybe this is because there is no picture to distract me.

Richard also mentioned that often the best people to interview in fact just ordinary people like you and me. People who are not necessarily famous but who have interesting stories and who can evoke emotion from the listener. I took note of this too because we will soon be beginning our Factual Story Telling assignment. Bruce also mentioned something along the same lines in one of our first lectures: You can tell an amazing story from anyone if you know enough about them.
I guess the trick is to make them feel comfortable and that they can trust you.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that radio is in fact not in decline but increasing in popularity. As mentioned in the first interview it is one of the oldest media forms but it is keeping up in our 'new media' world of today. With technologies like podcasts and the fact that people can multitask really easily while listening it sounds like radio is a form of story telling not to be underestimated!

Finally here are some notes of interest that I took down while listening to this week's lecture:

- The interviewer should be genuinely interested in the story
- The way you ask questions is very important
- Give guests space and time to speak
- Don't be afraid of silence
- Listeners can tell if you're lying or being fake on radio
- Enunciation matters
- Don't do anything on radio that you wouldn't do in real life
- A good radio story creates emotions and responses
 - DON'T GIVE UP IF YOU REALLY WANT IT!!!