Audio Storytelling for Storytellers

Thursday, December 16, 2010 Goto comments Leave a comment Blog

Storytelling just with the voice

A few years ago this would have been much more easily defined as storytelling on the airwaves or on the radio, however times change and now there is a whole new world open to storytellers, the world of the audio download. For the last year I have been dipping my toe in the great sea of Audio Books. I have had a number of collections uploaded and they’ve done relatively well. I’m about to really dive right in with a whole host of collections, which I’ve been recording over the last couple of months.

A different kettle of fish

It is, and let me be very clear on this, a different art. Audio Storytelling needs to be handled differently. I write my stories down when I record them, which I never do when telling. This is important because there is no room for error. You do not have your body to convey information so you must be precise in what you’re saying. I’ve found as well that there’s a lyricism that can come from writing, some very talented people can probably do this improvised – but I’m not one of them. Also, do not underestimate the power of the microphone to leave you stumped and your mind blank. With no audience I, personally, can stumble when telling and loose my way, a script in audio storytelling ensures that doesn’t happen.

Enriching your recordings

One of the best things about audio storytelling is that you can add effects, atmosphere, music and all sorts of sounds to really bring your recordings to life. I prefer to have these in the background softly adding a little atmos, but sometimes some good music can really change the energy to the recording – assuming you get the right kind. And you can use sound effects to say things, in the same way you might use your body on stage.

Organic

I like the idea of experimenting with this art form, I’ve tried different ways to make sounds and much prefer creating my own. If you record yourself making the sound effects you can lay these under your telling and get an organic “telling” feel into your recording, which – personally – I think adds that authenticity.

Why branch into Audio Storytelling?

Because you want to! I love it. It’s different, it’s fun and by working across two art forms I find my stories improve, the one informs the other. Looking at the bigger picture, I think storytellers would benefit from the exposure. Nothing can compare to a live performance, and nothing ever will, when you’re audio storytelling you’re not giving the same thing away cheaply, you’re doing something different. And if you’re worried – change your stories, or tell different stories, however there is a huge market out there and an audience who I think are in desperate need to hear tales told well.

Not a book read out

Audio books currently are written to be read and then recorded. Audio stories are crafted to be listened to.

I believe as a society we need to be listening to stories, good stories and who better to tell them than storytellers! Audio stories have the benefits of books – they take the listener on a journey into their mind’s eye – but not the drawbacks – i.e. you don’t need to be able to read and you can listen in cars, in the kitchen – wherever you are the story can be and you don’t have to stop what you’re doing. It may not be what everyone thinks is “right” but it’s the way the modern world works.

Audio Books are out there, it’s a growing market and I think it’s an exciting market to get involved in.

If we are involved at the start we can craft the art to our liking.

Just a little something for you to think about.