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Podcast Narration

Introduction

It is now time to record your narration. This will probably be the most uncomfortable part of this project.

 

Prepare Script

You should write your script out in advance. Just to give you an idea for the timing, one line of 12 pt text will take about 8 seconds to read, It helps to play the movie while you decide on the narration. Be aware that this process takes time. In fact, it will take several attempts to get the narration just right, so plan on a couple of hours to complete your narration.

 

Recording Narration

Find a quiet place you can stay for about two hours while you record your narration. Use the USB mic provided. This microphone captures quality audio. Here are a few more tips that will be helpful when recording your narration:
  • Find a quiet place with no background noise (ie. refrigerator)
  • Place the mic at a slight angle from your mouth
  • Stay at least 5″ away from the mic
  • Watch the monitor to make sure your loudest sounds don’t peak out
  • Place script between the mic and the monitor
  • Use nylons wrapped around a clothes hanger to use as a spit gaurd
  • Cover your head and mic to reduce echos
  • Avoid speaking in a high voice
  • Speak clearly, add pauses, and fluctuate your tone
  • Speak as if you are talking to a friend
  • Smile when you are recording your narration
  • Speak with confidence and enthusiasm
  • Turn your head when pronouncing letters with a hard onset (P, D, K, sounds)

Export a compressed video

Use the iMovie Podcasting tutorial (Last page) to export your project as a compressed mp4 file. This tutorial will walk you through how to compress your video under 5mb. This will act as practice for your final project that all needs to be under 5mb. Create a new Weekly Blog Post and hit the “Add Media” button in WordPress and upload your 5mb video. Then click the “Insert into page” button. This will give you a text link that will download/open your video podcast from your post.

 

Upload to YouTube

In addition to uploading your 5mb video to your WordPress, you will also be uploading a non-compressed version of your podcast to YouTube. This can simply be done in iMovie by selecting “Share” and then “YouTube.” Using the share feature in iMovie takes much less time then exporting a high quality video and then uploading it through the YouTube site. Once the video is on your YouTube account, embed the video in your Weekly Blog Post.

 

Saving and Transferring Project

iMovie automatically saves your video project as you are creating it. This is nice because you don’t have to remember to save it. It is bad because it is hard to transfer your project to another computer. When working with iMovie it is best to not jump from one computer to another. If switching computers is absolutely necessary, the following video tutorial will demonstrate how you can access the project files and transfer them to another computer. This might not always work.

Saving and moving an iMovie project