On the small screen 📺
How to up-skill in video podcasting
I know I’m not the only one who’s noticed the increase in video podcasts in our feeds recently. Or maybe you’ve had a client ask if you’re editing video now. I chatted to film-maker and educator Jason Osder to hear how audio producers can get started in video.
Jason is the director of the award-winning documentary Let The Fire Burn and Associate Professor of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University. He has over 20 years’ experience as a media educator, producer, and instructional author.
What tools and platforms do you recommend for audio producers getting started in video editing?
The industry standard is Adobe Premiere Pro. This is what I teach at the university as well as in workshops. To be versatile and compatible, it’s recommended, but not cheap. The free version of DaVinci Resolve is probably where I would go next on a budget. That being said, many video podcasts do not require extensive editing. There are many inexpensive and even free alternatives if you look around and are less worried about features and compatibility.
What advantages might audio producers bring to video editing?
There’s an old saying that audio is video’s unloved stepchild. Teaching beginning editors, they often under-appreciate the importance of audio in video pieces – both in terms of a storytelling device, and they way that audio issues are extremely distracting when viewing video content. Our eyes are actually much more forgiving than our ears. I doubt people coming from an audio background would be nearly as susceptible to these beginner mistakes.
…and what blind spots might they have?
Visuals are also storytelling devices – they “speak.” Part of the process of becoming a video editor is “trusting” the images, i.e. having the confidence that images are conveying information and emotion. Not everything has to be spelled out or explained. Someone doesn’t need to be talking the whole time.
Why do you think video podcasts are gaining in popularity?
That’s a good question, and I’m not sure I have a good answer. Many video podcasts seem to simply be a video of an interview or discussion. I guess one can gain insight from that (expressions, body language, etc.). In other cases, there is something visual going on: make-up tutorials, cooking demonstrations, technology or tool reviews. These may be better (or only work) in the video format. It’s not clear to me if there is a difference between a video podcast and a YouTube series. As always, media is always evolving both in convention and terminology. I’m not sure where “video podcasting” fits in just yet.
Exactly – I’m wondering what role video podcasts really fulfill. Are they a sort of bridge between podcasts and documentary film, or do you see them as separate? And are there any video podcasts that you think are a good example of this medium?
First, to me what is special about the podcast is the RSS feed - the idea that content is “cast” to you on a regular basis. It lands in your feed - no need to search for it or keep track of a schedule. I think this can apply to video as well as audio, and does make a distinction with a YouTube series (though, if you follow a channel it might be similar.)
The major podcast apps support video as of the last couple of years, so this “feed” idea does apply, and to me, it’s what defines the video podcast.
In looking at some of these, one that caught my eye was on creative make-up tutorials. The video is a static shot, close up, of a woman’s face as she does a different make-up application in each episode, and talks through it. This makes total sense to me as a video podcast.
I could imagine a cooking show that would be similar - a recipe a week or whatever.
I also saw church services that are podcast in this way. They also included a picture-in-picture with an ASL interpreter. Not something I’d watch, but I get it.
I do a lot of video training on software that features screen captures. I could imagine a “tip a week” kind of series. However, when it comes to instruction, I think a library (like a YouTube channel) probably works better. You want instruction when the need strikes, but some people might want a steady stream of tips as a way to keep learning.
I also like movie trailers a lot. I could imagine these coming down my feed. I might like that, but not sure how the licensing would work. I could imagine a Siskel and Ebert type movie review podcast that includes clips. This would probably work in audio, but video would add something.
I do think a video of an interview doesn’t add much in most cases to the audio format (though we are seeing more of this.)
Overall, I just think things are constantly evolving and this is a relatively new idea. The make-up thing seems to really make the most of the medium. Perhaps we will see more good applications as things evolve. I could see ESPN casting out sports highlights, for instance.
Jobs
🎃 Japan Podcast Manager ~ Apple Podcast ~ Tokyo, Japan
🎃 Project Lead ~ JAR Audio ~ Remote, Canada-based
🎃 Senior Producer ~ Impact Theory ~ Los Angeles, California
🎃 Education Reporter ~ KTOO ~ Juneau, Alaska
🎃 Producer, Nashville ~ City Cast ~ Nashville, Tennessee
Training and events
🧹 2024 AIR Audio Community Survey ~ deadline 4 November (AIR membership discount code available if you complete the survey!)
🧹 Podcasting 101 ~ editaudio workshop ~ 7 November ~ Brooklyn Public Library
🧹 Video podcasting ~ editaudio workshop ~ 14 November ~ Brooklyn Public Library
🧹 Storyteller Initiative ~ fellowship program from Voice of Witness supporting BIPOC, LGBTQ+ storytellers ~ deadline 1 December
🧹 Silver Sound Biannual Sonic Dash ~ 48-hour audio storytelling competition ~ registration now open for the Winter 2025 sonic dash on 3-5 January
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