Podcasting

 Creating a podcast is a process that takes many class periods. Much work is put into the preproduction stage long before recording and editing. Below is the process we use in our podcasting sessions.

Begin by 1. **__Brainstorming__**. What is your topic, who is your audience, why are you podcasting, how long will it be?

Next, 2. **__Write your script__**. Make sure you write down everything you plan to say. Write in complete sentences instead of answering questions.

Then, 3. **__Practice__**. Read your script aloud. Have someone read your script to you aloud. Does it make sense? What needs changing?

Indentify 4. **__Sound effects and music__**. As you wrote your script, you were probably already thinking about this part. Now it's time to figure out which sound effects and music you want and where it goes in the script.

Download 5. Listen to lots of sound effects and music. **__Download__** and save the ones you plan on using ONLY the ones you plan on using.

Finally, 6. **__Record__**. Using Audacity and the microphone, record your script. Be sure to leave lots of space for your sound effects and music. Remember, it is MUCH easier to cut silence to fit your sound effects and music than it is to try to squeeze your sound effects and music into your recording. If you make a mistake, start over with a brand new recording rather than stopping and starting again. A brand new recording is much easier to edit.

You're almost there. Now you need to 7. **__Edit__**. Carefully import and place your sound effects and music. Carefully edit out anything you don't want from your recording. Save often! Use the Undo button if you make a mistake. Work in small pieces just in case.

Don't forget 8. **__Fair Use and Copyright__**. Be sure to place the Fair Use disclaimer at the end of your podcast. Make sure that you are not using more than the alloted amount of copyrighted music.

Be sure to 9. **__Review__** your final podcast. Listen to the whole thing from start to end. Make any final changes.

You did it. 10. **__Publish__** your podcast by exporting it as an mpg3 file. Congratulations on your completed podcast. We can't wait to listen to it!