Here is my audio project for this week. I’m looking forward to your comments and feedback.
http://mschwind.podomatic.com/entry/2010-06-11T16_36_12-07_00
I started out by writing a script for my story which really was easier to do than I thought it might be at first. I had researched some of the resources that Dr. Howell has listed and decided the best approach was to tell a story that had meaning to me so I decided tell the story of my daughters and I getting a tattoo during our vacation this past month. I had initially thought of only having narration but then decided to add a few other sounds such as smooth, low level background music and the sound of a tattoo gun in the appropriate places throughout my story.
I used Soundbooth to record and edit my file.
I found the tattoo gun sound at http://soundbible.com/530-Tattoo-Gun.html which offers free sound effect files.
I found the background music from Video Helper which I have a copy of. I has several types of background music to choose from.
Great job! The audio was clear, and the sound effects really added to your story.
ReplyDeleteYour story was so personal, it makes me reflect upon my story. Maybe I need to make mine more personal....
Michael,
ReplyDeleteOverall, very nice job. I think it was good that you went with the background music and the tattooing sound effects. These added nice, subtle additions to the story. Without these, I think the story would have been a little dry. But you added just the right amount of effects to enhance the story without being overwhelming. Your voice quality was very nice too – very smooth, even and easy to listen to. I also think you made the right call in making your story something meaningful to you.
I also thought the story itself was nice. However, I think there are some opportunities for you to build anticipation. For instance, instead of starting the story stating that you decided to get a tattoo while on vacation, you could start in the middle of the story where your daughters are watching your face. “My daughters looked at my face for signs of pain and I did my best not to let them see the truth of how much pain I was in. I didn’t want them to be scared….” Or something along those lines. This would draw the listener in right away as they wonder why you are in pain and why your daughters are seeing this. Then the story “reveal” could be that you are having family tattoos. Just a thought.
Another thought I had is that this particular story could be told wonderfully with images. I know this assignment was an audio story, but down the line when we do a project with multiple pictures, you may think about re-visiting this story. You could show your shoulder with the eagle tattoo and then slowly have the American flag appear over it. You could show pictures of both of your daughters before and after tattoos. Then end the story with a group photo of all of you together to bring home the point of the family tattoos.
Charity,
ReplyDeleteThose are fantastic recommendations. I hadn't even thought about starting a story in the middle (I guess I'm such a linear person) but it makes perfect sense. TV shows do it all the time. I do have some photos of us getting the tattoos so I might use those to enhance the story down the road. I like the idea of the eagle head by itself and then the flag appearing with it. Thanks!
Thanks Becca. I was hoping I didn't overdo it with the music but I thought it needed something. I was suprised how easy it was to find the tattoo gun sound. I thought that helped with the story.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Your voice was very clear and easy to understand. The background music did not distract from the overall sound.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly, I thought your story was very interesting. One fear of doing something so personal is wondering if others will be interested. I found it very interesting, perhaps because I got my first tattoo when I was 40 and my oldest daughter who is in college has one now too. I agree that they should be in a place that can be covered up when at work. In fact one of my neighbors just saw mine today and had no idea that I had one before today.
Anyway, nice job.
You know, your voice is one of those that I could listen to and it doesn’t matter what you say. Just like listening to you talk. Of course, your tattoo machine noise was icing on the cake: I felt it!
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI was able to relate to this story easily, as I, too, was recently inked for the third time. I love the tatto gun sound in the background. The music was a bit too subtle- I didn't really notice it. I think it would have been cool if you had the perspective of your daughters, too. The narration was very clear and the project was well put together. Good job!
Great story!! It touched very close to home for me as this is kind of what happened to me and my two daughters!! They got their tattoos before I did because I was afraid (at age 47) that my mom would be upset with me!! lol Now I have 3 and when I do get one my daughters and I go together.. What a way to spend time with your family!!! Your story was funny and your voice made it even better. I could picture what you went through and that is the best part.
ReplyDelete