Sound Stage: Podcast Arts Centre excursion

Through our study of Bert Coules’ Flowers for Algernon, Year 8 English students have become acquainted with the conventions associated with a radio play. To gain an immersive experience in this form, the girls were fortunate to attend a Sound Stage: Podcast workshop at the Arts Centre. This involved preparing a 500 word narrative or documentary radio play with a partner. The girls then had the opportunity to record their dialogue with accompanying music and sound effects. Here is an account of the excursion from two Year 8 students:

On the day, we caught the train into Flinders Street Station, where we proceeded to walk to the Arts Centre. We then made our way to ‘The Channel’, where we were spilt into two classes. Our class was in the yellow room. When we got into the room, we sat down (on spinny chairs!) and our wonderful leader, Rosalind, showed us how to use the software. She demonstrated how to make audio recordings, adjust the sound in our headphones, the sound in our microphones and even how to overlap. We were all super-excited to go to the computers and start working. At each computer, there were two pairs of headphones and a microphone. We used the microphones to speak into while recording our plays. This was fun and it made us feel like proper podcasters! Then, after a short break, Rosalind showed us how to use the sound effects. This was also a lot of fun. We got to play around with the different noises and to work them into our story. At the end, we had a fully established radio play. We really enjoyed the experience because it gave us an insight into what it is like to record a real radio play.

Georgia Stoupas and Eloise Rudge

Following the excursion, the recordings were made available to the students in class where they immensely enjoyed listening to their efforts. The value of the excursion was realised in the process of writing and producing a play from start to finish, drawing on their extensive language and creative skills.

Mrs Kim Waters

Year 8 English Teacher

Mrs Lisa Gionfriddo

Year 8 English Teacher