Joe Bahr February 3, 2014 Audio Narrative Essay Reflection Being my first ever audio essay, the production

process involved in the creation of Welcome to the Blue Hell proved to be new, sometimes treacherous territory. After a very poor first draft, I decided to venture to the writing center, where I received pieces of advice that turned out to be invaluable. For one, my tutor suggested the abandonment of dictating the story chronologically. This was a major change that led to increased tension and a curiosity boost for the listener. Furthermore, it was at the writing center that I decided to feature Hector as the centerpiece of the Cauldron. I remembered from our readings that character development was crucial for an effective narrative, and I saw Hector as a perfect fit. Furthermore, it was also during this visit that I decided to abandon the use of the word computer until the very last paragraph. I found the image of a window transformed into a lifeline to be far more compelling to the listener, while not losing any clarity. Following the writing center visit, I went through several handfuls of revisions, taking advantage of peer editing. My biggest issue was condensing the material down to a suitable length, and through this process I discovered the importance of making every line count. After eventually producing what I thought was a final copy, I began the recording process. I used the built in microphone on my Bose headphones to record directly into GarageBand in the isolation of a classroom in Debartolo Hall. This setup provided a very convenient and clear method of production. It was actually while I was recording that I made the most

significant changes, for after hearing the narrative aloud it was very apparent what sounded good and what needed to go. Essentially, the recording process was just another step in the drafting process. When I finally began to record the final draft, I broke the essay down into sections, recording one section at a time. This made editing a bit trickier, however the actual recording phase was much easier as a result of this. Following the recording, I began to incorporate the sounds of the Cauldron. I actually found a site online that had nearly a dozen recordings of Cauldron chants, and was able to download and embed these audio clips. The positioning of these sounds were very strategic, for I did my best to form a sharp contrast between the feelings of separation in contrast to the times when I felt the spirit of the Cauldron. Overall, I think these sound clips made a profound impact on the narrative, for I was able to avoid attempting to describe the sounds with words and instead could physically give the listener the real deal. This assignment definitely presented some difficulties, however the freedom and the distinct features it presented made it a fairly enjoyable experience.