Online 23rd TDF: The three-day workshop on podcasts was completed

Online 23^rd TDF: The three-day workshop on podcasts was completed

On Wednesday, March 10, the free three-day online workshop, dedicated to podcasts, was completed. The workshop was presented in the framework of the 23^rd Thessaloniki Documentary Festival and was addressed to people who are interested professionally in podcasts. Top professionals in the field, producer Delphine Saltel, audio engineer Peter Leonard and Gordon Firemark who has practiced media and entertainment law, talked about the basic principles of the digital archives that have taken over the world, while focusing on their technical characteristics. They, also, shared secrets for their success and efficiency.

On Monday, March 8, documentary producer Delphine Saltel discussed content and narrative techniques. Among others, she said:

• Sound is extremely important in a podcast. Make use of the sound and the sound environment where possible. This condition makes the subject, but also the language, immediately modern and attractive.
• Try to find stories everywhere. Real stories with you as a part, as an observer. Something like the film practice of “a fly in the wall”, but for radio.
• Give the possibility to the audience to think what they want, to let their imagination free. There is no need for a specific meaning or lesson. Everyone should be free to draw their own conclusions.
• Try to be as direct and honest as possible. Use first-person narration and seek to create a direct and intimate relationship with the audience. It is useless to try and “sell” yourself. And don’t forget: The best story always starts with the simple events in everyday life.

On Tuesday, March 9, audio engineer and educator Peter Leonard talked about technical issues, and especially sound engineering and production.

• When you are in the process of a podcast postproduction, don’t overdo it with sound effects or background music. It takes a bit of time, but you need to learn to use it properly. For example, it is wrong to have music permanently in the background.
• Decide which are the elements that will attract your audience. Often, even a simple pause could make someone pay attention. Contrary to cinema or television, a podcast does not have the ability to keep the listener’s attention undiminished, because usually he/she does something else simultaneously. Use the simplest way to attract attention. Usually, it is the most effective.
• In order to start podcasting, you need three things:

1. A digital recording device
2. A good software
3. A shotgun microphone

Don’t focus on the equipment, focus mainly on the story you want to tell. Many times, even a cell phone is enough.

• Try to create your own sound effects or buy them from a database, always making sure to have the rights for the sound you use. I would not suggest to use music or songs with lyrics.
• Use breaths and pauses in dialogues to be able to create the most "natural" human tone possible.

Finally, on Wednesday March 10, Gordon Firemark, who has practiced media and entertainment law, analyzed the legal dimension of podcasts, focusing on copyright issues.

• Podcast is a production similar to a film production. Unfortunately, legally speaking, many traditional media don’t take podcasts seriously. Even worst, a lot of podcasts do not take themselves seriously when it comes to copyright issues.
• Respect the right to privacy and at the same time pay attention to the disclose of personal information, without special permission from the person you are referring to. The same goes for using photographs, sounds or video.
• If you decide to invite someone to your podcast, it would be good to have some kind of agreement which would relieve you of any problems regarding the use of content from this podcast.
• By using any kind of music in a podcast, you should first obtain the license from both the composer and the music distribution company, i.e. the record company.
• Plan early on what you want to do with the podcast you want to create and make deals, with the platform on which the podcast will be, but also with the distribution company, through which one could download the podcast.
• Secure your intellectual property rights through a contract.
• Podcasts have flooded our daily lives. There are over 1.5 million active podcasts at the moment. So, remember: respect the work of others, work within the bounds of ethics and respect the privacy of others. But above all, have fun!

Soon the workshops will be available online, through the Festival’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/filmfestivalgr