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Audio Projects

Project - Game Show Podcast

This project may be completed by the following students:

M1 1st Year Media Arts Majors.

M2 2nd Year Media Arts Majors.

M3 3rd Year Media Arts Majors.

TC Technology Concepts Students.


Directions

Pre-Production

  1. This project is designed with the idea that the submitted recording is just one episode in a longer running series, but note that only one episode should be handed in for a grade.
    1. You will need at least two guest contestants and a venue where you and they are able to be recorded at the same time. If you cannot do this, select different contestants or a different project.
  2. Before recording, you'll need to create a game that others can play.
    1. This is an audio recording, which does limit the nature of possible game styles. Suggestions include:
      1. Trivia quiz show, possibly with a specific topic theme
      2. Riddle or other verbal problem solving activity, where players may ask questions and/or be given hints
      3. Information scavenger hunt where players search for the answer to a question using the internet in general, a specific website, or an offline resource
      4. Other (If you have an idea that doesn't fit neatly in the above categories, it may still work well for this assignment. Pitch your idea to your Media Arts teacher if you're not sure.)
    2. With the style selected, write up the rules and challenges in your script as if you are announcing them to an audience hearing your game show for the first time. (Because on Critique Day your audience will be hearing these rules for the first time.)
      1. Create at least 5 challenges for the contestants to complete. Yes, the rubric requires 3, but you might need extra to hit the time requirements. If you go over, you can always cut one of the challenges out.
    3. You should be able to determine a winner through some process at the end of the game. Have a prize that can be awarded to the game winner.
      1. Winners are usually (but not always) determined by a point score. Decide in advance how things will work for your game.
      2. Your prize does not need to be real. Be as creative as you want to be while still staying within the Student Code of Conduct.
  3. With the style and challenges complete, find or make a theme song that can be played at the beginning and end of your episode.
    1. Remember that copyright is a big deal. Better to use the resources provided for this class than to grab something online without clear permissions and lose 25% of your grade.
  4. Secure permission from the selected contestants to record them for this project.
    1. Be up front in regards to the kind of game the contestants will be playing. A blindsided contestant will not perform as well, and this can make the experience awkward for them and your audience.
    2. If the interviewee is a student, a signed Publicity Release Form is required to be on file for them. If you cannot verify this in a timely fashion, select someone else to interview.
    3. Staff and other adults can give permission themselves, so they do not need to have a form on file.

Production

  1. Record your game show in an area as free from background noise as possible.
    1. A specific app is not required for this assignment, but WeVideo, SoundTrap, Audacity, and GarageBand are all programs that have been used to produce school podcasts in the past.
    2. Mr. Smith has at times recorded video just for the audio content, because at that moment all he had was a camera. A dedicated audio recording device or app is usually better, but video recorders can work in a pinch so long as the final product is an .mp3 file.
    3. If you are recording from home, make sure no one is playing audio loud enough for your microphone to pick it up. (YOUR audio should not have an NFL game's audio in the background. The NFL is very particular about their broadcasts being reused.)
    4. Some professionals have had success with placing a comforter or other large blanket over their head and recording equipment to dampen room echos. In some cases, recording from inside a closet can help to muffle background audio.
  2. Stick to your script as much as possible.
    1. Reading pre-planned dialogue leads to a lack of verbal filler (um, uh, etc.) and makes you sound more professional.
    2. Students have, in the past, scripted important things that they forgot to read. Save time in post-production by covering everything in your script now.

Post-Production

  1. Edit out any bloopers, flubs, long pauses, or other content that would distract from the purpose of this assignment.
    1. This includes off topic discussion. A side conversation on interesting facts a player remembered because of one trivia question might be really engaging, but if the choice is to leave that in or cut one of the challenges, keep the challenge.
  2. Look at the total length of the game show at this point. If it is longer than 4:30, consider removing a question to make the TRT a bit shorter. If the TRT is over 5 minutes, this is a requirement.
    1. If you're down to 3 challenges remaining and you're still over 5:00 TRT, you'll have to find parts of the questions, answers, and/or banter that can be removed without drastically changing the nature of the game.
  3. Add in your chosen music to play at least at the beginning and end of your recording. (You DID read your citation out loud, right?)
  4. Export your edited work as an mp3 file and submit it along with your script.

Rubric

Standards

Resources


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