Project 1- Audio Story

Audio Story/Podcast

FORMAT:

The focus of this project is audio, but you can/may need to use some visuals as background in order for it to work on the class WordPress site.
To record, try Voice Memos app on iPhones or Easy Voice Recorder and Google Recorder for Android.

Audio files are typically in MP3 format.  While you can create, edit and export your audio using apps like Garage Band or Audacity to get an MP3, you should turn in an MP4 , uploading it to your YouTube account.

Here’s how:   MP3–>MP4: Open a program like iMovie (Mac), Clipchamp (Windows), or CapCut (Mobile/Web). Import your audio track and drag a static photo(s) or simple video clip into the timeline. Stretch the visual to match the full length of your audio, export it as an MP4 file, then upload it to your YouTube account.

Slow Media (Small & Slow Solutions)

• Principle: Use Small & Slow Solutions (P9)
• Skill: Audio storytelling / podcasting
• Task: Produce a 1–2 min “slow media” piece (soundscape, oral history, mindful narration) that promotes attention and rest. Focus is audio but you may use visuals as background.
• Tool: Audacity, Guide  OR Adobe Express Video (if you want to add images to your audio)
• Why: Podcasting and audio editing are in high demand across media industries. A polished short-form audio piece demonstrates technical skill, narrative pacing, and creative range—valuable for portfolios and careers in digital storytelling, communications, and marketing.
• Example: Sounds of Maine, Learning how to Meet Women (from 1 in 8 Million NYT), Calm Meditations

Prep Due Sun  9/13

1. Brainstorm a topic & list your ideas
2. Using the examples above and/or your own sources, scout out 1-2 good models that you can follow. List these with URLs if available
3. Draft a script for your audio piece, record a draft interview of a person whose story creates focus and calm, or record sounds that you can use to create a slow media piece. This is your draft material.
4. Add your draft material to your post.
5. Give your piece a title, find an image to use as featured image, describe your project and your materials and post this draft. Use category Project 1, Title Project  Prep 1-yourname

Project Due Sun 9/20

1. Take notes from class and/or lab feedback for your piece.
2. Revise, change or adapt your audio piece based on this feedback.
3. Export your audio file as mp3, and upload it ( via the media button). Add your 1-2 paragraph project description,  and your featured image in your post.  Use category Project 1,  Title Project  1-yourname.

For MP4 video–upload to your @maine.edu YouTube account–you can access this from the upper right checkerboard menu in Google Drive. Then just copy & paste the URL into your post in a Video block–the video should pop up (but may not work in the editor–try viewing the post).