The 10 don’ts of Audio slideshows
I always find it useful when learning a new art form to start with the obvious things that I need to avoid, before exploring the virtues. Therefore I have drawn a list of sins that I know would easily annoy your audio slideshow audience.
- Don’t be stuck with one favourite shot. Spice up your slideshow with a variety of long, medium, and detail shots. The long shots give a sense of setting and context, while the detail shots provide an intimate treatment to the narrative.
- Don’t trust your memory. You need some kind of a storyboard and shot list. This can only be achieved after a recce.
- Don’t use your phone to record unless it is the only tool and the only opportunity you have. Most phones will not give you the option to record in a higher quality audio format. However there are some solutions for mobile phones, like the Tascam iM2 Stereo Microphone for Apple iOS Products, that promise to rival some of the professional audio recording gear.
- Don’t waste your time with a monotone subject unless the story is so powerful that it can compensate for the dullness
- Avoid ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions. Try to frame your questions in a way that will draw more information from your subject e.g. What was your most touching experience?
- Don’t interject with umms and errs. A successful story will let the subject carry on without the help of the interviewer’s isms and emphasis. Try to remove yourself from the show as much as possible. Warn your interviewee that you will be silent and use gestures instead to encourage them.
- Don’t centre your shots as amateurs have already done a good job in that. Practice the rule of the thirds all the time unless if strongly compelled to shoot dead centre for a particular creative outcome, like symmetry.
- Avoid taking photographs during day time . Aim for the few hours after sunrise and the few hours before sunset. However the keyword is avoid, because it is still possible to shoot during the day especially under the shade, indoors or by using appropriate camera filters.
- Avoid a noisy place when interviewing your main subject. Record the ambient sounds and add them on a different track on the editing software.
- Don’t go on forever. KISS (KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET) is your mantra. Be ruthless by throwing away redundant information.