Unit 6 - Audio Project - Evaluation

1. FMP Evaluation
Will Stewart

2. Production Process Evaluation

3. Research
• The greatest strength of my research would have to be how in-depth it
goes into the inner workings of the researched materials. From the plot
developments and minutiae of The Magnus Archives, to the personalities
and demeanour of the hosts of AfterbuzzTV, my research covers
extensively how these shows are outwardly presented. If I could improve
it, I would probably cover how the show was made, not how it was
presented. By including this aspect, the research would cover both
aesthetic and technical qualities, including specific programs or
equipment used to make it, and the way in which it is presented or
marketed to the target audience.

4. Planning
• The conception of multiple ideas, including the eventual end result of the
project, gives greater scope to the amount of options that were available,
even if none of them were ever elaborated on. The planning of the
necessary sound effects needed to complete the audio had to be done so
that the perfect sounds could be found, and if it was done casually or at
the last minute, the result wouldn’t have nearly been as good as it was. If I
could improve, it would be focusing on the time management of my
schedule overall, and better scheduling of when I would record my audio.

5. Time Management
• Better management concerning my schedule, mostly based on how much
work could fit into a single day. Despite a few minor setbacks however, I
still managed to complete the project on time, and to a comfortably
satisfactory standard of quality in my personal opinion. While there were
difficulties actually scheduling an appropriate time to record the audio,
that was mostly because of reasons that were beyond my control, and I
was able to record it on time anyway.

6. Technical Qualities
• The topic and main elements of my audio is extremely similar to
supernatural podcast Welcome To Nightvale, with only the people, events,
and locations changed, but with the overall feel and atmosphere. The
same technique of satirising terrible and unnatural things is probably the
biggest similarity between the two. Another supernatural podcast it is
similar to is The Magnus Archives, the focus on the creepiness and hidden
fear of the supernatural being a shared motif. The difference between me
and the other presenters, is that while I use a more casual tone of voice,
the other two use an effected speech to convey a sense of calm or
foreboding. This works to create the appropriate atmosphere the show
needs, as well as establishing the character of those featured in the
content.

7. Aural Qualities
• I personally find the sound quality to be very good for my first serious
attempt at sounding good on audio, if slightly clipped and flat due to me
trying to achieve that ‘new anchor’ unplaceable accent. The audio comes
in clear and the words are easily distinguishable against the sound bed,
the sound effects and audio synchronising well together, creating
something very good that I honestly wasn’t expecting to turn out as well
as it did. The tone of voice is usually calm, but prone to emotion when
reporting particularly intriguing stories, similar to real-life newscasters. In
order to stick to the time limit, the pace of the audio was somewhat
rushed, but also clearly enunciated and lacking any distracting elements. If
I could improve, I would try to maintain a calm breathing rate, and make
sure my tone is less flat and more characterised.

8. Audience Appeal
The aesthetic of the audio appeals to the target audience by calling out to the
part of them that is intrigued and hypnotised by the unknown. The incidents
reported within the audio triggers an investigative and curious response in
the listener, pulling them towards something that they find to be exotic or
wondrous, if even horrifying. The sound bed acts to relax the audience, and
set the appropriate location, effectively creating the atmosphere needed for
the project. The stories featured focus on what is considered taboo by society,
and the rebellion against social norms is a favourite research topic of mine,
the pros and cons of such a situation intriguing me greatly.

9. Peer
Feedback

10. Feedback 1
• What did you like about the product?
– The music bed works really well within the audio piece, it gives it an
upbeat theme. The pace and flow of the piece work really well also
and the pause for the sound effect is very good and you (the
presenter) pick up well after this. It is very well put together and you
have made good choices in extra sound clips to include.
• What improvements could have been made to the product?
• More sound effects could be used to illustrate the stories as you are
going along just in the backdrop. I really like the music but as you
pick up on each story for future reference change the music bed so
the audience knows the talking subject has changed.

11. Feedback 2
• What did you like about the product?
I love the background music. It is so chilling. I like that
your voice is so calm when you are talking about those
murders. Love the radio story. It is very different to other
radio stations. I love the sound effects of the clapping and
then how your like ‘Thanks everyone’. Its good.
• What improvements could have been made to the
product?
Maybe add some more sound effects to it. Otherwise it’s
good. Maybe have a beginning and ending music or
something.

12. Feedback 3
• What did you like about the product?
– Effective dialogue and presentation
– Interesting and creative subject matter
• What improvements could have been made to
the product?
– How do you know the third member of the Trinity
is female?

13. Peer Feedback Summary
• What do you agree with from your peer
feedback?
– The story and sound effects work really well together, the overall
composition is good, and I sound amazing on record, with a standard
for respectable quality.
• What do you disagree with from your peer
feedback?
– It probably could’ve used something more, like a few extra sound
effects to alter the atmosphere slightly, or a greater amount of
inflection and emotion in my voice.

14. Peer Feedback Summary
I would try to create a greater presence for the stories told, probably by
trying to add more sound effects or inflection to the audio. I also would’ve
tried to convey some kind of personality in my voice, to add a certain
entertainment value, such as a penchant for melodrama or campiness while
still being monumentally disturbing.