“Exploring the space between the ears” Radio/ Digital Stories/ Podcasts

Characteristics of Radio Radio is a blind medium. Radio is a blind medium. Weakness – in one ear and out the other! No rewind. Weakness – in one ear and out the other! No rewind. Works on the space between our ears: imagination. Works on the space between our ears: imagination. Radio is personal and intimate. Radio is personal and intimate. Radio allows you to multi-task. You can listen to the radio whilst doing other things. Radio allows you to multi-task. You can listen to the radio whilst doing other things. Radio can function without electricity grids. Radio can function without electricity grids. Radio is cost effective! The equipment is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Radio is cost effective! The equipment is relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

“Stories told in the dark” Radio draws on our earliest forms of storytelling – stories told around a fire. Stories about a journey, a hunt, funny stories, sad stories. Radio draws on our earliest forms of storytelling – stories told around a fire. Stories about a journey, a hunt, funny stories, sad stories. An issue is not a story. A story is built on actions: someone doing something… An issue is not a story. A story is built on actions: someone doing something… The limitation of radio is also its strength: there are no pictures. The limitation of radio is also its strength: there are no pictures. What radio does best is stimulate the imagination. What radio does best is stimulate the imagination.

The power of sound

The sound of life  Radio communicates directly through sound – the sound of life the sound of the human voice “A voice can sneak in, bypass the brain, and touch the heart.” - Jay Allison, independent radio producer

Radio formats News report News report Interviews Interviews Conversation / Debate / Discussion /Phone In Conversation / Debate / Discussion /Phone In Features & documentaries Features & documentaries Audio postcard Audio postcard Radio Diary Radio Diary Commentary – a story with an opinion in 1 minute! Commentary – a story with an opinion in 1 minute!

A selection of audio stories King’s story (telling your own story) King’s story (telling your own story) Child Soldiers in DRC (report for news magazine program) Child Soldiers in DRC (report for news magazine program) Another day at the biggest hospital in the world (documentary feature) Another day at the biggest hospital in the world (documentary feature) Children’s Hospital Radio (audio slideshow) Children’s Hospital Radio (audio slideshow)

When to use radio… Radio is accessible – portable & cheap Radio is accessible – portable & cheap Radio speaks my language Radio speaks my language Radio is immediate Radio is immediate Radio is intimate Radio is intimate Radio is a friend Radio is a friend  News, information, adverts/public service announcements.  People from all walks of life, talking to me.  Questions, answers & arguments – LIVE.  A first person story.  Radio dramas; health & women’s programs.

Doing it yourself… What is the story you want to tell? What is the story you want to tell? Who do you want to talk to? What radio station/programmes do they listen to? Who do you want to talk to? What radio station/programmes do they listen to? What are the different ways (formats) to tell your story? What are the different ways (formats) to tell your story? Build relationships with radio stations – facilitate broadcast of your stories! Build relationships with radio stations – facilitate broadcast of your stories! Radio & the new media – podcasts, digital stories, audio slideshows. Radio & the new media – podcasts, digital stories, audio slideshows.

Show, don’t tell “When you tell people something they forget it. When you show it to them, make them imagine it in their own minds, they remember it.” – Scott Carrier (radio producer)