I'm in Jersey this weekend writing a piece for Visit Jersey's magazine Pure Jersey. They've also asked me to record a podcast of a guided walk I'm going to be doing. I've done some TV work before, but this will be the first time I've done pure audio. I'll have a Blue Badge guide with me and they've given me some helpful pointers:
It seems obvious but it’s vital to establish where you are, where you are
going, what you intended or hope to do there and who are you going to meet
along the way.
going, what you intended or hope to do there and who are you going to meet
along the way.
1. Descriptive text
It seems obvious but it’s vital to establish where you are, where you are going, what you intended or hope to do there and who are you going to meet along the way. We can’t see, so you say.
2. Character
Local characters and experts you meet on your journey. They help animate a piece, they add voice, warmth and reassurance that a local insight or sense that a ‘real’ experience of that attraction has been imparted.
3. Textural sounds
Record anything that adds texture to the locality or attraction. Use the recording device to take audible snap-shots. You can’t overdo this! – don’t worry we’ll edit out what we don’t need.
All well and good, but I think there's probably far more to it than that. Ideally visitors to Jersey will download this podcast and use it as a guided tour. Clearly, walking the route first and working out key areas of interest to describe will be very important indeed.
Anyone got any other hints or tips for recording a great guided tour podcast? I'd love to hear them.
2 thoughts on “Top tips for guided tour podcasts”
Comments are closed.
I've got a ton of tips for field recording. Some of the practical ones you've already listed (there's one to add. Batteries! Batteries never last in the field as long as they do back home. Always have spares.)... but the top one is 'control'.
You need to manage events rather than be managed by them. There's still room for spontaneity, but find out before you start what your guide is going to show you, what the highlights are and when they are coming.
Is it just you and him? Or will there be a group of walkers? If it's a group, make sure you are close to him. Get him to warn you when he's going to start talking. That way when he stands in front of the group and delivers the funniest joke of the day, you are standing next to him, with the recorder running - not at the back of the group fumbling for the rec button and wondering if you could ask him to repeat it!
Hi Alastair
Thanks.. much appreciated. It's just me and him which is cool. I think I'm actually going to either walk the route without him first if I can find out what it is. Or get him to walk me round it once quick-time and then go back and do it slower and record the second time. Like you say... control. Feels a lot like TV which is exactly what I'd have done too.
I'm assuming they will give us some headphones too!!! That would be the absolute must-have that along with batteries people seem to ignore sometimes! So important. That and ambient sounds to add atmos.
Cheers
Jeremy