BIRMINGHAM– The second day of my experience working with the Woodlawn Summer Academy here on the east side of Birmingham was punctuated by a visit to a recording studio.
From poetry to song, the 20 students in the program took a sample of their creativity to the microphone. Some, who might not have thought of themselves as a singer at least ACTED like they could sing when they got in front of a microphone.
The goal today was to provide a real-world experience with the process producing a project that reflected great writing and allowed one’s talents to shine.
While many of the students were recording their own prepared projects, I took a half-dozen of them aside to another recording booth and worked with them in preparing elements for radio-style news reports.
I was amazed at how much I learned from these rising ninth graders. Some who thought they had the “talent” got nervous when the meter turned red and they were recording.
We talked about ways to improve one’s delivery and even the idea that some people think they just can’t talk the right way for radio.
Best of all, today’s visit was a warm-up for what I would will experience when I have the full group for a special video/digital presentation on Wednesday.
