Unit 5: Podcasts
This Unit is part of the coursework for the final BTEC Grade.
Unit introduction
Audio products can be used to change an individual’s mood, from the extremes of reducing them to tears to making them smile. Many companies now routinely use digital audio products, such as adverts on the TV, music, computer games, mobile phones and audible alerts or warnings. Mobile devices allow us to listen to audio at any time, so we can listen to a podcast on our MP3 player whenever and wherever we want. Job roles which use the creation of audio include sound designers, sound engineers and music artists and producers.
You will plan, record and edit digital audio products in a similar way to how it is done in industry and be introduced to the technology and techniques used by professionals. You will be given a brief that will need to be fulfilled. You will also need to think about creative aspects of the project as well as technical skills. You will need to record original audio and combine this with imported audio files to create an audio product. Once finished, you will review the products, having obtained feedback from others, and evaluate possible improvements.
In particular, this unit develops skills from Unit 1: The Online World and the following optional specialist units: Unit 4: Creating Digital Animation, Unit 6: Creating Digital Graphics and Unit 7: Creating Digital Video. In addition, it supports the content of Unit 8: Mobile Apps Development and Unit 13: Website Development. In this unit we were assigned the task to design 2 radio podcasts. The themes that were chosen were sports and science.
To gain full marks for the podcast it needed to be a minimum of 3 minutes long and contain a script.
Applications and purpose including:
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a range of different existing audio products or clips (e.g. podcasts, radio adverts, news, plays, comedy shows, live music, speeches)
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the effect (e.g. evoke emotion, educate) they have on different audiences (e.g. age, gender, interest, need).
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Features of digital audio products
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Features, e.g.:
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file types (e.g. .mp4, .wav, .wma, .aac)
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file sizes
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timing and length
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quality
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codecs
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platforms and compatibility
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special effects (e.g. echo, fade, distortion, change of pitch or tempo)
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voiceovers
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soundtracks
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layering
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transitions/mixing
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multi tracks.
Pass 2: Purpose and Audience
Science Script
Target Audience:
The podcast is intended for adults and the content is suitable for the audience as it is really detailed. The details in the podcast are suitable for the target audience which is adults. The music and sound effects are suitable for the audience, and are easy to understand why they have been used.
One disadvantage of this would be younger audiences will not find this podcast interesting as it gets confusing at curtain points of the podcast.
Purpose:
The podcasts purpose is making sure the audience fully understands everything being presented and this has been achieved.
The secondary purpose is to provide entertaining topics to ensure it entertains the audience. Another thing the podcast does is giving as much information about the topic as possible in the amount of time.
Effect on the audience:
The background music is scientific and which catches the listener’s attention and draws them in to listen. An echo effect had been used on the word “Cloak”; the reason for this is so the word remains in the listeners head.
Sports Script
Target Audience:
The audience of the podcast is of all ages and people who like a wide range of genres. The podcast is intended for fans, the information is suitable for the audience.
The podcast is suitable for the audience as the information is basic which is good for the younger ages and those who don’t understand the topic, however this could cause the problem of not being detailed enough for those who understand and they then might lose interest in the podcast.
The sound effects are suitable to all age groups with no disadvantages.
Purpose:
The purpose of the podcast is to give information about the Olympics 2012 also while maintaining its entertainment aspect and this was successful. The secondary purpose is to persuade the audience into attending the Olympic Games 2012.
Effect on the audience:
Giving the audience information about “potential suicide airplane attacks” makes the reader feel shocked; this is used to get a reaction from the audience. However this doesn’t persuade the audience after hearing about potential suicide airplane attacks.
Merit 5: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses and explanations
Science Script
The main strengths of my science podcast are, the podcast is 3 minutes long, it contains sound effects appropriate for my audience and the voice over is at a good speed and good clarity. I have used a sound track for the intro and competition which tells the audience that it has changed sections of the podcast.
The main weaknesses of my science podcast are, at certain points of the podcast there is background noise from the voice over. If I had more time I would remove the noise. If I had more time I would also make the podcast longer than 3 minutes as it could use some more voiceover or music.
The podcast meets my intended audience which was adults and purpose which was “making sure the audience fully understands everything being presented and to give as much information about the topic as possible in the amount of time. The secondary purpose is to provide entertaining topics to ensure it entertains the audience.” And this was achieved with the topic choice and details in the script.
Sports Script
The main strengths of my sports podcast are, speed and clarity of the voice over, the use of sound effects and sound tracks.
The main weaknesses of my sports podcast are the length of the audio and the use of effects like echoes and fades.
The podcast meets my intended audience which was fans; the information is suitable for the audience. The podcasts purpose is to “persuade the audience into attending the Olympic Games 2012.” This is not achieved because of a set direction in the script that is meant to worn the audience of “suicide airplane attacks”, but then goes on to how they prevent that. The secondary purpose is “to give as much information about the topic as possible.” This is achieved in the script.