As you plan your multimedia story, you have to decide which tools (video, audio, photos, graphics, etc.) would best tell each part of the story.
Good audio makes still photos and video seem more intense and real. Bad audio makes video seem worse than it is, and it detracts from the drama of still photos.
Here are some general guidelines for audio:
- Use only high-quality, clear audio. One exception: really old recordings. But, by definition, they have to be scratchy and tinny.
- Use subtitles with lower-quality audio if you have no other options or to reinforce an important point.
- If you are using audio with photos, especially for social sharing, add text as captions. Whenever possible, try to add the transcript of the audio.
- Avoid using background music unless it’s pertinent to the story.
Taken from Five Steps to Multimedia Storytelling, a self-directed course by Jane Stevens at Poynter NewsU.
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