Media Curriculum with CCCHC and Beacon

High-Level Process for Working with Participants:

1. Topic Selection:

        - Initial meeting with Rashaun Chandler to review approved topics and select a suitable one for the recording.

        - For this production, the selected topic involved an on-site recording with museum curator Diane Rogers, focusing on a gallery tour format.

2. Project Planning and Organization:

        - A structured folder system was created to store project files, meeting notes, outlines, and management documents, providing a clear roadmap for Rashaun and other participants.

        - Coordinated schedules between Rashaun, Meg Hoerner, and Diane Rogers to align for the on-site recording at the Riverside Renaissance Center.

Production Workflow (Riverside Renaissance Center for the Arts Episode):

1. Recording Equipment and Setup: - The episode was filmed on-site using a smartphone with lapel mics to capture high-quality audio in a mobile setting.
2. File Upload and Initial Processing: - Raw footage was saved to Dropbox for centralized access and organization. - The video was then uploaded to *Riverside FM*, where the platform removed filler words and dead spaces, optimizing the footage for a smoother viewing experience.
3. Audio Processing: - With the audio volume needing adjustment, *Auphonic* was used to enhance audio clarity and reduce background noise. - The cleaned-up audio from Auphonic was saved separately for editing purposes.
4. Video Editing in Veed.io: - The processed video and audio files were imported into *Veed.io* for final editing. - In Veed.io, the audio from Auphonic was synchronized with the video, and additional elements such as intros, outros, music, and branding were added to complete the episode’s visual and audio polish.
5. Transcription and Tagging with Riverside FM: - The completed episode was re-uploaded to Riverside FM, where a full transcription and chapter tagging were generated. - Riverside’s automated summaries, keywords, and chapter breaks provided ready-to-use text, titles, and tags, streamlining content creation for social media and other promotional outlets.
6. Final Output and Distribution:

- The finished episode was stored in the project’s Dropbox folder, with copies uploaded to *YouTube* and *Spotify*. Scheduling on YouTube helped notify subscribers in advance, optimizing viewer engagement.

- For podcast distribution, Spotify handled syndication, and the episode, along with tags and descriptions, was published on the Bridgeton Beacon website for full accessibility.

Project Impact and Outcomes:

This production process not only showcased South Jersey’s vibrant art scene at the Riverside Renaissance Center for the Arts but also provided Ra'shaun Chandler and other young participants with a comprehensive view of the digital media production workflow.

From initial topic discussions to the final distribution, each stage was designed to be educational, preparing participants with skills in decision-making, technology selection, and project organization.

The episode was segmented into multiple highlight clips for ongoing promotion, enabling continued visibility for the Riverside Renaissance Center and the local art community.

This project established a repeatable framework, or “decision tree,” for future productions, making it adaptable to various recording environments.

It serves as a valuable curriculum foundation to teach local youth essential media skills, benefiting both individual participants and the broader South Jersey community.