Audio reflections

The two audio pieces I created which include two topics, euthanasia and sustainability were successful in terms of research and news worth, however the actual quality of the pieces in terms of audio was not ideal.

I researched my pieces thoroughly by getting qualified and professional opinions to back my discussion. These opinions were in the forms of Dc Charles Shepherd whom has supplied evidence in court in many high profile euthanasia cases. He is also a friend of Tony Nicklinson, whom is the reason my topic was news worthy as Tony recently became the first person to have his case taken to a higher court.

Manmeet Kaur was my second professional as the interview involved her discussing her job and how it is important for her to perform her job to ensure a sustainable future. This was also a newsworthy topic as it concerns the new methods in which NGO’s and IGO’s can be persuaded to change to suit environmental and ethical concerns.

The problems with my audio came later, after I had recorded the interviews, which I did through the telephone-recording studio, as our equipment didn’t work and the University’s equipment loan shop had run out of the particular mic we were using.  These problems involved the levels in which Manmeet’s interview was recorded, which were very low and blotchy in parts, I don’t know the reason for this, perhaps it was due to the fact that I spoke to Manmeet from Delhi and therefore there was a greater distance between I and her.

The same problem occurred in the interview with some of the students I recorded, although not as severe as the last. However I was able to make them slightly better through upping the volume when editing in Audacity. I think the editing process was quite successful, in terms of giving the listeners the information they needed to understand the discussion, which was quite hard considering both interviews with the professionals lasted around 15 minutes. So I had to cut them down extensively.

If I had had more time I would have included some of the questions I had asked them, but to ensure both fitted into the designated time slots I found the most efficient way was to cut myself out and join the answers up so the flowed and made sense. Although in hindsight I would have cut their answers down as listening back I have let the interviewees ramble a little.

Podcast- Should euthanasia be legalised in the UK?

Everybody has an opinion on euthanasia, whether it be through personal, religious or ethical beliefs. In light of Tony Nicklinson‘s recent court hearing Suzie Shepherd discusses the pro’s and con’s of euthanasia legalisation in the UK with guest Dr Charles Shepherd and several students.

Audio Interview with Asia’s Advocacy Manager- How can IGO’s and NGO’s become sustainable?

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs.” In this short interview Manmeet Kaur- Advocacy Manager of Asia- discusses her role in persuading NGO’s and IGO’s to produce using sustainable methods. This subject effects you. It effects those you produce and the produce of those you produce. Hosting the discussion is presenter Suzie Shepherd whom asks; companies are often preoccupied with profit rather than sustainability, is that why it is so important for you to show them incentives to change to sustainable methods of production?

Audio production process

I recorded the interview below whilst producing my short documentary “This is Whitechapel”, however when it came to editing the documentary I discovered I had recored too much audio with Ian to include.

Which was a shame as I throughly enjoyed talking to Ian and am personally a great fan of his work. Therefore I thought this would be a great opportunity to broadcast some of the interview you hadn’t already heard.

I found using the program ‘audacity’ quite strange to begin with, especially as there are some fundamental problems with it, but after an hour or so of playing around I ended up becoming quite fond of the utility. I haven’t used the ‘zoom’ machine (which is an audio recording device) we were given yet as unfortunately mine and my partners was broken, but I have used the recording booth, which is great fun, although the sound for the receiver is a little blotchy.

Reflections on Documentations on Whitechapel

Looking back on my video project produces some fond memories, in fact it was possibly one of my favourite stories to document and was a catalyst for other projects since.

I think I managed to research my subject (Whitechapel)well, which isn’t surprising as I live there. But through setting myself this topic I was able to meet and socialise with my community in a way that wouldn’t have been possible had I not had a camera in front of me. In fact some of the locals I interviewed now come up to me in the street or offer me free bangladeshi sweets from their shops, which is extremely flattering.

I chose the subject when I visited my local gallery back in August, there was a repeated exhibition on by Ian Berry called “This is Whitechapel” which interested me whilst inspiring me. So when I was told to create a documentary I decided to get in touch with the Photo Journalist to interview him about his collection. Unfortunately Ian was about to go on a trip so I was unable to visit him and therefore capture video footage, which was disappointing as this had been my intention. However I was able to record a phone conversation with him, which I believe was very successful. Although half way through the interview my neighbours decided to pull the floor up (due to some seizable Whitechapel rats) which prevented me from being able to broadcast a few minutes of the interview… I’m moving out soon.

Originally my plan was to just interview Ian, so when this wasn’t possible I had to pull together another angle of the story, which lead me on to decide to basically ‘vox pop’ some members of the community. This included practically everyone, those employed in the area, including Nigel at the Bell foundry, as well as students and people walking past. This I felt created a balanced over view of the area and justified the point of the documentary.

Of course some people (mostly over 50′s) were a little nervous of being filmed and perhaps felt threatened by the idea, which was slightly disappointing at the start of the day. However as I proceeded I managed to find plenty of people that wanted to talk… some even approached me!

I feel the only negative issues, surrounding the video documentary, were in the editing, which I understand looks slightly amateur in parts. But this would be a reflection of me being an amateur editor and an issue that does not entirely bother me when viewing the finished piece, which I believe tells an interesting, original story that many of the viewers have found interesting and original to watch.

Phone interview with Photo Journalist Ian Berry

Here is the full version of the interview I conducted with Photo Journalist Ian Berry. The interviews purpose was to coincide with the short documentary I produced on Whitechapel, which is available to watch here.

In the interview I discuss with Ian his exhibition called ‘This is Whitechapel’ which was created 40 years ago, whilst conversing about what Whitechapel was like in 1972 and whether it has changed?

Enjoy.

Has Whitechapel Changed?

Above is a short documentary I have made exploring the works of Ian Berry (photo-journalist). In 1972 Ian was commissioned to create an exhibition called ‘This is Whitechapel’ by the Whitechapel Gallery.

During this project Ian photographed the immigration pattern of Whitechapel. 40 years on I discover whether Whitechapel has changed, and if so why?

Enjoy.