NATURAL SOUND STORIES: A HOW-TO
GUIDE
Some of the strongest stories that ever make air rely exclusively
on pictures and sound, with no reporter track. Putting a great nat
sound story together isn't easy. If the result is to be more than
just a photo essay, you have to create a coherent narrative with
the sound you collect. That can require more planning and just as
much reporting as any other story. But the results can be powerful.
Here are some tips from experienced
photojournalists on how to produce compelling nat sound stories.
Know Your Story
- Know what your story is about and why it should matter to viewers.
Having a clear focus helps you decide what kind of sound (and
pictures) you need to tell the story. "The sounds you record
and the interviews you conduct are your only tools when you hit
the edit bay," says photojournalist Tim King.
- Think story structure from the start. Your story needs to introduce
the issue and the people involved, explain it, and demonstrate
its resolution. Listen for sound that will give you a strong ending
to tie up your story. "Within the first few seconds of your
story get the subject to tell you the basics," says former
NPPA president Dave Wertheimer, "who they are, what they
do, what is going on, where are they, and--most important--why.
The 'why' is the emotion and the 'what' is the set up."
Get the Sound
- Put a wireless lav on your subjects and let them get used to
it. Soon, they'll forget they have it on, and what they say will
be much more natural.
- Get close with a shotgun mic to pick up crisp natural sound
that will connect the elements in your story and move it forward.
- Carry and use a separate audio recorder to pick up "wild
sound." Photographer John Goheen says he'll often leave a
recorder rolling on the announcer or m.c. of an event while he
shoots the action. This "play by play" sound can help
in the edit.
Interview Differently
- Ask double-barreled questions. Example: Who are you and what
are you doing? "It's an easy way to introduce the subject
and the story," says chief photojournalist Bryan Barr of
WBFF in Baltimore. It's also a good way to get responses in complete
sentences, containing complete thoughts, which Goheen believes
are essential for nat sound stories.
- Don't ask questions, make observations. Instead of asking, "How
much damage did the storm cause to your home?" try saying,
"Wow, what a mess!" People tend to respond as they would
in a conversation, instead of providing one or two word answers.
- Seek active sound in multiple locations. Talk to people while
they're doing something, and repeat your questions at several
locations. "This gives me more options later in the edit
room," says photographer John Goheen.
- Get more sound than you think you need. Goheen often conducts
a more formal sit-down interview at the end of the shoot in a
quiet location, just for audio purposes. This gives him additional
sound he can use V/O.
- Don't be afraid to look like a moron. "If you ask someone
to re-explain something, they will usually be a lot more descriptive,"
says Barr. Playing dumb also elicits sound you'll need to construct
your narrative. "Make sure that you ask stupid questions,"
says Wertheimer. Go ahead and ask what the score is and how much
time is left in a game, even when the answer is obvious, because
you need that information on tape.
Put it Together
- Log all of your tape and sound before beginning to edit. Create
a story outline, and put your sound in order.
- Listen to your story without looking at it. Beware of "implied
content"--information you know because you shot the story,
but that viewers won't.
- Share before air. Have your favorite reporter or producer screen
the story to see if you've accomplished your goal. "They
weren't there, and if the story makes sense to them, you did it,"
says Barr.
These tips came from chief photojournalist
Bryan Barr and photojournalist Stan Heist at WBFF-TV in Baltimore;
freelance photographer John Goheen; Tim King, photojournalist at
KATU-TV in Portland; and Dave Wertheimer, former NPPA president.
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