Local Artist Spotlight Overview

Overview

The Local Artist Spotlight is a 2:30 to 3 minute production that highlights bands from the St. Louis region. It is not necessarily meant to be a promotion for the band, but should serve to inform our listeners about local bands and music that they might enjoy. The focus of this piece should not be what benefits the band, but rather what benefits our listeners.

Pre-Production

1. Select a Band or Artist from Google docs. At least every other artist that you profile should come from the top of this list.
2. Research the Artist by reviewing their website, Facebook page, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, etc.
3. Write down questions as you prepare your research.
4. Check KDHX Studio Reservations to find an available time to schedule an interview.
5. Contact the Artist to schedule an interview, then request the studio reservation with Megan or Andy.

Production

Artist interview

1. Create a new ProTools session on the Mac's desktop.
2. Meet with Artist or Band and conduct the interview. Try to limit the interview to 20 minutes, coaching the talent to acquire short sound bites. See Local Artist Spotlight Interview Tips.
3. Print this Property Sharing release form
   1. Have the band's representative fill it out.
   2. Band photo - discuss obtaining an image of the band and note permission to use.
   3. MP3 - Request permission to distribute an mp3 of one of their songs.
4. Discuss the anticipated airdate, airtimes and podcast details with the band.
5. Acquire a CD of their latest material. Earmark 4 songs for use in the segment. Ask the band about a preferred starter, ender and other songs showcasing the band's range.
6. Jot down 3 or 4 main points of interest from interview while it's still fresh in your mind.

Post production

Creating a new podcast

1. Find the podcast image online or obtain it via e-mail and save it to your session folder.
2. Go to the folder ProTools Sessions/Local Artist Spotlight/LAS Standard Docs. Locate the LAS Standard Script and Save as into your new ProTools session folder, using the name of the band as the filename.
3. Review the interview recording and begin to mark and isolate the quotes that support your main points of interest. Title your clips by double-clicking the clip names with the hand tool.
4. Import the selected music tracks into the session. Place the opening and closing tracks into position, creating a 3:00 max timeframe. Consider how the additional cuts will fit within the earmarked quotes.
5. Edit selected quotes down to approximately 10-15 seconds each.
6. Compose and record your narration, using 10-15 seconds for each section.
   1. Narration should help to link the quotes together, or restate anything that you thought was a great idea in the interview that didn’t quite come across as a soundbite.
   2. Narration should identify the speaker who is opening the quote at a minimum. Avoid using “so and so says,” instead using a declarative sentence that sets up the quote. ex. "Steve Roberts is the singer and primary songwriter for X band."
7. Mix the audio and sweeten it with particular attention to the "featured" audio.
   1. Use subtle fading techniques to lead into and out of each section.
   2. Introduce music at full volume, dip the level to become a bed under the opening narration, then return the song to full volume until fading into the next passage, etc.
8. Bounce the final version to Stereo WAV and title it using LA1000x.wav, with "x" representing the file number, i.e., LA10003.wav.
9. Save the session and close ProTools.

Publishing to Wide Orbit

1. Move the session from the desktop to the designated server.
   1. Verify that the data made it to the server by opening the copied .ptx file and hitting Play.
   2. Close Pro Tools and delete the folder on the desktop.
2. Using Cyberduck FTP, transfer the final version to the Wide Orbit system.
   1. Use Wide Orbit Audio Finder to add a title and metadata information.
   2. Fill in the following;

Properties: Title, Artist, Voice only.

Restrictions: Start Date and End Date, for two weeks total, starting one day early and one day late.

Publishing to Podcast

1. Convert the final wav and the selected downloadable song from the band's CD into mp3s using iTunes 256kbps with 128/stereo channel. See KDHX.org Podcast Guide for details.
2. Import these new mp3s from the iTunes Media folder, found within Finder's Places in the left sidebar, into your session folder.
3. Upload these same mp3s to MediaCore, which serves as the file host, and publish the podcast. See KDHX.org Podcast Guide for details.
4. Notify the band with a link to the podcast and e-mail them a copy of the podcast mp3.
5. Update Google docs with the air date and band from your spot.