Duh duh duh...

Interesting audio stories seem to possess a lot of the same elements that make for any sort of interesting story. I imagine the best audio stories show a change in one or more of the characters involved in the story. As part of that, I think an audio story that helps the audience learn something—large or small—about the human experience qualifies as interesting, even if the subject matter isn’t immediately appealing. Interesting audio stories are bound to focus on something specific which has enough personality to be entertaining, though…at least in my mind…

Moving forward, I want to avoid the pitfall of confusing listeners by not offering enough introduction to the material or to individuals in the segment. It seems like most of us get confused when something new is presented and developed without much introduction. I think the snippet we listened to in class about the radio swap ‘n’ shop show introduced the concepts and the main participants pretty well. These sorts of stories, about small-town, everyday sorts of things tend to resonate with me; I grew up most of my life in a small town with a unique history and lots of quirks, and I can connect well with stories and storytellers that convey their little brand of Americana.

I was really intrigued by this Radio Lab episode, entitled “Patient Zero.” The Radio Lab guys investigate the case of Typhoid Mary, who purportedly caused numerous outbreaks of typhoid fever in the Northwestern United States at the turn of the 20^th Century. They include two different experts in their investigation, as well as some dramatized readings of letters and (probably made-up) reenactments of dialogue and whatnot. It was really fascinating! They interweave narration, “interviews,” music, and dramatic noises to build up their story, first about Typhoid Mary and her quarantine, then about AIDS and the breakdown of the “Patient Zero” theory in light of AIDS history. The Radio Lab guys mix their narrations and the narrations of their guests in creative patterns, interspersing bits from several different people to form one chain of narration. It sounds like it might be confusing, but it really worked for me. Their dramatic music and sound effects built up suspense at just the right moments. And I think they introduced new narrators well. Pretty darn neat.

http://www.radiolab.org/2011/nov/14/