Clotide’s Secret Life: A minimalist audio slideshow production
In this post we take a closer look at the elements which make the Simon Sticker’s production a success. I have chosen this audio slideshow because it represents one end of the production spectrum, a minimalistic approach.
Length: 4min30sec
Number of slides: 42
Colour: Colour
Narrative
The audio slideshow is based on Clodite’s life story, which is dominated by her past as a prostitute. The story is told using the recommended approach, to have a beginning, middle and end.
Clotide’s Secret Life audio slideshow begins with the description of her current status, which she describes as pleasant. This stage of the narrative is also supported by slides which depict her smiling, sitting in an airy and tidy home environment.
However, the remarks are quickly disrupted with an account of the difficult life she has endured in the past.
The middle of the storyline is a further narration of the events during the lowest moments of her life. This middle is also supported by tense photography.
In the later part of the documentary she relates how her fortune has taken a turn for the better because of the new job and a new home in a new neighborhood with helpful neighbours.
Production Techniques
The Pacing. The Audio slideshow is consistently paced with most slides lasting five seconds. The use of moving images on some points of the story momentarily lifts the pace and adds a surprise element which helps to maintain the viewer’s attention.
Transitions. The production uses straight cuts throughout. It uses ‘deep to black’ to mark the different segments of the story.
Subtitles. The subject speaks in vernacular and the subtitles have been used as interpretation. This is a simple alternative to voice-over interpretation.
Text Elements. Text was used at the beginning to provide the context of the production.
Audio Elements. The natural sounds combined with ethnic instruments are consistent with the setting of the story. Although the subject’s voice is not prominent it still sounds natural and unrehearsed.
Photography. The production consists of a balance of long and close-up shots. It has also made effective use of natural light to draw attention to the story e.g. 0:55. Depth of field has been also used to skillfully enhance the message of the story e.g. 02:12 and 02:19
Overall, I submit that it is the simplicity and consistency of the production which has contributed to its success. The audio slideshow has used transitions, all the slides are landscape, and there is one colour scheme.