Codes and conventions of podcast production

How familiar are you with podcasts?

I’m not hugely familiar as I only listen to a few podcasts on spotify whenever I have free time.

share your favourites

Hello from the magic tavern
Welcome to the night vale
The cryptid keeper
The NoSleep podcast

What do you enjoy about the podcast mentioned?

Hello from the magic tavern is a fantasy and its unique and funny as it is about a dude called Arnie who fell through a dimensional portal behind a Burger King into the fantastical land of Foon, but the catch is he still gets a slight Wi-Fi signal so he uploads weekly podcast from the tavern the Vermillion Minotaur. Welcome to the night vale is a small desert community in the town of Night Vale where every conspiracy theory is true.

what were the subjects?

what elements of the podcast do you remember, the interviews, conversation, music, sound effects or something else?

speech

The manner in which words are spoken
Enunciation, pitch, accent, timbre, clarity, etc.
Prevent popping, fillers (erm, huh…), cussing, being too close to mic
Usually formal language (audience)
Voice track should be equalised in post

Music

Highly important
Sets the mood, tone, and setting of a scene
Most consider the audience
Should not be louder than the speech (background audience), unless solo

sound

Ambience sounds
Special sounds effect (SFX)
3D perspective (surround system like we are there)
Aural signposting (set the scene via noise, sounds and voices.)

Silence

Dramatic effect
Accentuate a moment
Ending of scene or sections
Breaks the dialogue
Gives breathing break
Prevents from switching off
Thinking moment

narrative (story telling)

LINEAR: chronological evolution of events
NON-LINEAR: builds up argument without timeline
SINGLE-STRANDED: one individual presents/ analysis theme, can have temporary guest
MULTI-STRANDED: two or more presenters discuss theme

narration (Types)

First Person- Protagonist tells story; not objective, but reflective
Second Person- character speaks directly to audience, breaking the ‘fourth wall’
Third Person- omnipotent narrator tells story

First person narration

Bridget Jones is the perfect example because she talks to herself about her life. No one on the scene can hear her, only the audience

Sound design

Audiologo- It is used on its own to identify a product service
Intro – Musical welcome
Outro- musical farewell
Jingle/ Bumper- Slogan or vocal line set to an engaging melody

Foley – incidental or natural sounds added to create ambience.
Instrumental – music track without vocals
Loop – music track being seamlessly repeated infinitely

Points of view (POV)

Monologue – individual presents own views and thoughts of a theme.

Interview- 1 to 1 semi structure questions to understand the theme.

Panel- A group of people who discuss a theme of something.

Vox Populi- It is structure to aske different people questions so we can react to their thoughts and feelings.

Debate –discussion with opposing sides moderated by neutral person.