I taught an Audio Production class for six semesters. My primary area was Television Production, but when the economy crashes you take what classes you can get. As a project I opted to divide the class in half and each group was responsible for creating a "similar" situation like “War of the Worlds.” The projects required coming up with a sensational but plausible (at least to the common man) disaster that they are reporting on via radio.
The students were held to keeping it under an hour and the project had to occur in real time (something the students struggle to grasp). Hence it was a fast moving disaster. They came up with some creative ideas, an earthquake breaks off a portion of California and it begins sinking, Scientist attempt to create a more temperate climate in Las Vegas and overnight the temperature plummets (my favorite line; "I'm in a freezer..., it's the warmest place I can find"). In another project a radio station interviews a lawyer and other panel members regarding an escaped murderer. As a sub plot the A/C in the building is defective. In the end the station goes outside to a reporter talking to protesters at the station. Just prior we hear a door open and a pop sound. As the reporter throws the show back to the interview in the station she comments that things should be cooling down because she sees the A\C repairman has just left. He of course was the murderer posing as the repair man. The last sounds we hear are labored breathing of a dying person.
It was an enjoyable portion of my time teaching even if I was initially apprehensive about teaching a subject I was “lite” in background and experience with.
The students were held to keeping it under an hour and the project had to occur in real time (something the students struggle to grasp). Hence it was a fast moving disaster. They came up with some creative ideas, an earthquake breaks off a portion of California and it begins sinking, Scientist attempt to create a more temperate climate in Las Vegas and overnight the temperature plummets (my favorite line; "I'm in a freezer..., it's the warmest place I can find"). In another project a radio station interviews a lawyer and other panel members regarding an escaped murderer. As a sub plot the A/C in the building is defective. In the end the station goes outside to a reporter talking to protesters at the station. Just prior we hear a door open and a pop sound. As the reporter throws the show back to the interview in the station she comments that things should be cooling down because she sees the A\C repairman has just left. He of course was the murderer posing as the repair man. The last sounds we hear are labored breathing of a dying person.
It was an enjoyable portion of my time teaching even if I was initially apprehensive about teaching a subject I was “lite” in background and experience with.
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