The document summarizes the planning and initial research for an audio story project. The student is considering telling the story of "The Grey Lady of East Riddlesden Hall" as a horror soundscape. They have researched existing audio formats and sound effects production. Their current plan is to open with a narrated telling of the ghost story and then transition into a soundscape as someone explores the haunted location. Potential sound effects are discussed. The student feels it will be a creative challenge but worries about recording enough sounds and mixing the atmosphere effectively. More research on plot layout and background music is still needed.

1. Audio Story
Task 2: Initial Responses

2. Initial Responses and Idea Generation
Log your initial thoughts regarding the set brief in this document
What stories could you use? How do you feel about the different potential
formats? What are the positives about this project? What could be some difficult
aspects? Etc
Use the format on this document to guide this response – some are set as a
question on one slide, but you should look to add further slides as necessary

3. Which stories have you researched and looked
as potential starting points?
• I looked at stories in York and surrounding areas. The most poignant story I
read was of a family at the time of the plague. The parents had contracted
the disease but the daughter remained unaffected. The parents died of the
plague yet the townsfolk would not let the daughter out of the house as
they didn’t believe she was clear so she starved to death within the house.
However, I don’t think this story would create a good horror audio as it
might become too sad.
• A story that I might be able to create a good atmosphere around is the
story of the Grey Lady at East Riddlesden Hall. Her husband caught her in
an affair, killed her lover and trapped her within the walls.

4. Which research into existing products has been the
most useful? Includes examples and explanations
• My research of the narration/interview style of audio was most useful
because when faced with the brief I immediately ruled against using that
style. However, after hearing some examples, I am open to using some
narration as it is helpful in setting a scene.
• The research of soundscapes has assisted me in how I can make mine
sound and different ways to create eeriness.
• The ‘Mince Pies’ audio was a good way of learning that my audio product
does not need to be overwhelmed with sound and sometimes less is more.

5. Which production format [drama, narration,
etc] do you feel fits your idea best and why?
• I feel a soundscape is my best fit. I think I may use some narration at the
beginning to set the scene but after that, the less dialogue I use the better.
• I want to use a soundscape as I think if I can do it well it will be a lot more
effective in creating a horror atmosphere than a drama or narration. it also
will be a challenge to create different sound effects.

6. Which story have you settled on and why?
• I have chosen this story because I think it will give me the most ‘fear factor’
and will allow me to explore sound effects and different atmospheres for
recording.
• I would like to be able to have more than one emotion brought out of the
listener. Fear being the main one but also sadness as the listener uncovers
the truth of the woman dying at her husband’s hand.

7. If you had to sell your story quickly, what is the
title and the logline?
• ‘The Haunted House’
• You hear stories of a haunted manor house and decide to explore for
yourself one night, when you start to uncover the true story of what
happened there centuries ago.

8. What ideas have you had for sound effects,
narration and storytelling?
• I like the idea of starting the audio with the narrator telling the story of the
ghost (based on The Grey Lady of East Riddlesden Hall) and it fades into the
soundscape of someone exploring this manor house.
• Foley
• Wooden creaks – Shipping pallet, old chair
• Bat/bird wings – Flapping gloves
• Thunder – Tin foil
• Rain– Bacon frying

9. Initial feelings…how do you feel about the
project currently?
• I feel like this project will give me chance to practice a side of media that I
am perhaps not wanting to go into but will give me experience at it. It will
be a fun challenge to attempt Foley sound effects.
• I enjoy the horror genre so I want to be able to create something that is
effective.
• I have tried to work my idea around only needing to use my own voice for
most of the piece and sound effects that I can produce without assistance
so I have more chance to record my clips whenever I have opportunity.
• A worry I have is that I will not record enough sound or the atmosphere of
the sounds will be out of place for the story.

10. What other research do you think you need to
do?
• I need to create a layout of what I am recording and the plot of the audio.
• I need to do some more practice with GarageBand to potentially create
some backing composition for the soundscape or even just as an
introduction to the project. Failing this, I think I should research some
royalty free classical music that I could use if I don’t have the time for my
own composition.