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Sound · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Podcasting and Audio Storytelling

“The theatre of the mind.” This course explores the explosion of on-demand audio. Moving beyond simple “two people talking” formats, students will learn the craft of narrative audio. The curriculum covers the full production lifecycle: concept development, technical recording (remote and studio), scriptwriting for the ear, immersive sound design, and the business of distribution via RSS feeds and monetization.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Differentiate between podcast formats: Interview, Narrative Non-Fiction, and Audio Drama
  2. Master recording techniques to ensure broadcast-quality audio (Signal-to-Noise ratio)
  3. Edit dialogue for flow and clarity using DAWs (Audition, Reaper, or Descript)
  4. Create immersive soundscapes using music beds and sound effects (SFX)
  5. Understand the RSS ecosystem, hosting platforms, and monetization strategies
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01History of Audio: From Radio to Podcasting
  2. 02Developing a Format & Niche
  3. 03Microphone Science: Dynamic vs. Condenser
  4. 04Remote Recording: Zencastr/SquadCast
  5. 05The DAW: Editing Basics & Cleanup
  6. 06Narrative Structure in Audio
  7. 07Voice Performance & Microphone Technique
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09The Art of the Interview: Eliciting Stories
  10. 10Scriptwriting: Writing for the Ear
  11. 11Sound Design: Music & Pacing
  12. 12Intro, Outro, and Sonic Branding
  13. 13Hosting: RSS Feeds & Aggregators
  14. 14Marketing: Audiograms & Social Promo
  15. 15Monetization: Ads, Sponsors, & Patreon
  16. 16Final Project: The Pilot Episode

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Pilot Episode

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio by Jessica Abel
  2. Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production by Jonathan Kern
  3. Podcasting Marketing Strategy by Daniel J. Lewis
  4. Introduction to Podcast Technology by Tee Morris
  5. NPR’s Podcast Start Up Guide by Glen Weldon
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