Making an audio documentary

To start with, Anupamaa made the groups introspect about what they would like to communicate and to whom. She emphasized that a documentary is just another way to tell a story, and they should be aware as to why they are choosing this medium. Through playback of a few audio documentaries, Anupamaa discussed various formats of making a documentary, such as a ‘typical’ documentary which has a narrator giving the introduction, proceeding to point no. 1, point no. 2….and then conclusion; or telling a story by tracking a day in the life of….; using case studies etc.

She enumerated the following aspects of ‘audio’ that are available to the communicator:

	Spoken word (Narration, sound bytes)
	Music
	Sound Effects
	Silence

She then emphasized the following points for writing a script:

	Make a rough plan: Make a list of all the points that MUST get covered
	Visualize your listener as you write
	Avoid difficult words; use conversational language
	Read out what you have written
	Use short sentences, keeping one idea per sentence
	The first sentence must interest, the next must inform

Anupamaa also spoke about the mechanics of making an audio documentary briefly, such as labeling and timing all the inputs correctly, planning the soundtracks etc. She said that though the sound recordist at the studio would operate the machines, the group as communicators must know how they want it done.

She also shared some of the mishaps to be expected in the technology-dependent world of media, and highlighted the need to have alternate plans for the script and narration.