August 29, 2024

So you want to start a podcast?

An interview with Sunday Times Best Selling Author Kate Thompson…

Podcasting has become ‘all the rage’. Covering every possible topic, they are an excellent tool for exchanging ideas, networking and and an ideal way to engage with your audience or customers on a personal level.

Starting a podcast series may seem daunting but for the past few months I have been working with Sunday Times best selling author Kate Thompson (The Little War Time Library, The Wartime Book Club) on her podcasts series ‘From The Library With Love’.

Kate was starting from scratch, a complete novice and she contacted me asking to edit her interviews and provide audio files for loading on to the various podcast platforms. It was a steep learning curve for us both and below I talk to Kate about all she has learnt from the experience and to impart any wisdom and advice to anyone who is thinking of starting their own podcast series but are yet to take the plunge.

I begin by asking Kate why she decided to start a podcast series…

“I was given a piece of advice recently by a female writer far wiser than me. We all need a full portfolio. By that she meant, have lots of strings to your bow, diversify from books, use as many mediums as possible to get your stories out there.
With that in mind, I decided, in the spirit of nothing ventured, to set up a podcast. I’m laughing to myself as I write that line, because back then I was so naïve, how hard can it be? I thought to myself. It’s only talking. Nearly a year on, it’s the backdrop of my daily life. Checking downloads is utterly addictive, as is dreaming up new episodes.
The seed of an idea had been rattling around inside my mind for many years. Ever since I wrote my debut novel, Secrets of the Singer Girls for Pan Macmillan in 2016, I have been pounding the streets of London in search of social history.
It started out as research, but if I’m honest, it’s now become something else. I love sitting on the sofa of a 90 something woman, cup of tea in hand, listening rapt to the unfiltered gush of history. I love interviewing our wartime generation. The more I listen, the more I hear. It can start off about the day-to-day stuff, tea dresses and Spam, Victory waves and vermillion, but then it graduates to the guts of wartime life, the pain and the loss, the hopes and the dreams. When I start a conversation without knowing where it will lead, the past is no longer dusty and sealed off behind a door, but bright, fantastic and vividly real.
The urgency to document the stories of our wartime generation grows daily. In five years’ time there will be no more lively reminiscing. ‘Primary sources’ as I believe proper historians call it, will no longer be around to tell us their tales.
History books will only tell you so much. Oral history is a different beast. It’s in these conversations, in the spaces between the reflection, the best china cups laid out on saucers, the framed photos on the wall, the body language and gestures, that you really get to explore and crucially understand history.
It’s the 94-year-old Blitz survivor you interviewed who insists on sitting near the door because, ‘it’s funny ain’t it, but all these years on I still have to know where the exit is.’ (You later discovered she was buried alive in an Anderson shelter for three days.) Or the Auschwitz survivor who absolutely insists you must eat the shortbread she has laid out for you. “My grandmother has a few issues around food”, explained her grandson after the interview. Or the 88-year-old gentleman who collects half-used miniature pots of marmalade from hotels because he can’t stand to see waste. Turns out he nearly starved to death during the Occupation of Jersey, in the six month period known as the siege.
These tiny details are the sinews and connective tissue that bring alive the extraordinary stories of ordinary people.
I began recording these conversations and by last spring realised I had amassed a large amount of material. It occurred to me as I listened, how wonderful it would be to share these unique voices with other people, to have a central place, a library of interviews if you will, where I could document these stories. And that’s where the idea for a podcast came from.”

The technical practicalities of producing and hosting podcasts can be daunting so I asked Kate what tips and advice she has for someone just starting out …

“Coming up with ideas for episodes is the easy part for me, the technical side less so. I knew I needed to use a hosting platform and after a lot of research chose Buzzsprout as they seemed to be the one most podcastors recommended. Ben at Mediacrews does the hard part, editing each episode, smoothing over the cracks, the coughs, the barking dogs and on one occasion, the bleeping smoke alarm and blends it into something far more harmonious and easy on the ear. He then sends me the finished episode and it’s very easy to upload it to Buzzsprout, You can schedule in advance, they will then release to multiple streaming platforms and allow you to share and promote, as well as suggest possible ads to stream on your site. I went for a basic, reasonably priced package but more expensive ones have more sophisticated add ons, but for a new starter the basic platform is perfect. I record either over zoom, using a plug in mic, or on my phone, using a Shure recording app. You really don’t need to spend a lot of money to get reasonable technology for podcasting, That’s the beauty of it;”

Creating a strong brand identity is extremely important - good graphics and a suitable sound track can give you that professional edge - I ask Kate how she went about creating her podcast identity with a graphic and intro music - and was this something she realised was needed by researching other podcasters?…

“Yes, I did a lot of research and realised that people have to get instantly what it is they’re committing their time to listening to, but also the ‘feel’ of it. I wanted to wrap people in the warmth and escapism of reading. I am lucky enough to have a painter friend who came up with this illustration for me. I wanted to summon up the warmth, magic and possibility that a library contains. I love it. On reflection, as I scroll through Apple Podcasts, I can see now the name doesn’t stand out enough. Most other podcasts are far simpler with bolder, easier to read names, but I hope the image is intriguing enough to make people pause. Still, lessons learned, so if you are considering a podcast, learn from my mistakes.”

Kate tells me about the positives of podcasting and how it has enhanced her professional life…

“The best thing to have come out of it is the connection I’ve made with other authors, so it’s a good networking tool. I also love the amount of new book ideas I’ve come across as a result. Creativity breeds new creativity.”

Kate concludes with her plans for the future…

One year on I’m on series three and I really need to set some time aside to work out more monetisation for the site, perhaps in the form of sponsorship, For now though, I’m enjoying making it, finding a new way to be creative and expressing myself on my terms.

Good luck if you’re considering starting a podcast. You won’t regret it!

Listen to Kate’s podcasts here

June 21, 2024

Ai in photography

The second in a short series of blogs looking at Ai and how it can help small businesses by enhancing your brand, reducing mundane, time consuming tasks and also a taking a quick look at any ethical concerns.

It’s well established that including images in your social media posts guarantees extra views but how can Ai help?

I began mulling this subject recently when I updated Adobe Lightroom – an app I use regularly to process photographs for my Instagram account. Adobe has added Ai features to help erase unwanted objects in a photograph – e.g a nice street scene ruined by an awkwardly parked delivery van, a strangers face directly behind your own in a family photo – you get the drift.

But how could this benefit individuals and small businesses?

Well, as we know social media posts are vital in raising brand awareness and basically the more professional an image looks – the better. So you may post a picture of yourself – a business portrait – but you need to remove that unwanted plant pot in the background. You may want to promote a car but there’s a street sign behind or an advert for another company on a wall – Ai can easily remove these items in seconds – saving time and expensive retouching charges.

Original shot

Ai removed the lamp post, shop sign and black car in less than a minute!

In a creative studio environment – a photographic re-toucher for example working on a large fashion account could use Ai responsibly to cut a huge amount of man hours on laborious tasks – such as correcting images of a model where the sleeves are too short on a dress – the dress may come in multiple colour ways – all the images would need correcting – Ai generative fill can fill in patterns within minutes so multiple e-commerce images can be quickly corrected. New Ai programmes can help restore old pictures that are faded, stained or blurred.

Image noise (grainy shadows) on underexposed photography can be corrected in no time as can extending backgrounds on multiple images – all time saving on dreary tasks.

The ethics of Ai generated images and the publics perception.

However, Ai used in image creation is eyed with far greater suspicion than when used to simply erase. We all shudder when we hear the words ’deep fakes’ – basically images that are lies – spreaders of mis-information. And we are left to wonder if Ai created images are really photographs at all – or just soulless computer generated outputs. And what about a photograph that uses part Ai to create certain elements within the image? The ethical questions are endless.

A recent exhibition in central London hi-lighted the suspicion some people have when they heard Ai had been used for image creation. In this case images were exhibited where an art director had used Ai as a tool to create his vision – in the same way he would have directed a photographer or an illustrator. Ai offered a style and an output but not the concept, idea or more importantly – the creativity… that was the human input – the soul, Ai was simply the means to an end.

The reaction was mixed – postcards of Ai generated images were snapped up by members of the public in their thousands – but others boycotted the show saying the gallery should be supporting ‘real’ artists not computers – perhaps using their fears and suspicion to misunderstand the creative processes involved or out of a genuine concern of where we are heading? It depends on your viewpoint.

Honesty and trust.

Ethically Ai in photography is down to the individual to decide – Ai obviously has no place in photo journalism where trust is key (look what happened to Princess Kate when she retouched her family portrait) but for personal use and your business it’s up to you. I would never go further than the odd removal of unwanted objects. I would never create an entire photograph using Ai unless I was using Ai as a tool of my own creativity and the end ‘photograph’ was clearly captioned as such.

As a tool to reduce laborious re-touching tasks and to give a more professional edge to your imagery I’m a big fan – and have no qualms in its use… but at the end of the day we have to remember the whole point of humanity is to emote, explore and create – and I think many people see Ai as a danger to these basic human traits.

June 4, 2024

Should we be afraid of Ai?…

Well, it’s a very wide topic with countless possibilities for an answer. But in an office or studio environment, apps that are Ai based can help speed up and even remove the most mundane and time consuming tasks.

We work regularly with Times best selling author Kate Thompson providing editing for her ‘From the Library with Love’ podcast series. Kate recently contacted us about a new book she’s writing and needed hours of recorded interviews transcribing into Word documents. A quick search on google and we discovered an Ai based app that transcribes both live conversation and recorded files.

Over 20 hours of interviews were transcribed, saved and exported in a single morning – rather than weeks if created in the traditional listen and type way. It’s not just about speed though – with a headline 95% accuracy rate this almost certainly matches or exceeds human action.

AI for Subtitling

We soon realised Ai could make the job of subtitling videos for social media a whole lot easier as well. Running a recording through the app and then simply copying and pasting the text rather than sitting laboriously listening and typing it out will make the process fast and more importantly – less tedious.

Even though we have only just dipped our toe into this brave new world, the benefits of Ai are already clear. With both speed and accuracy improving all the time – confidence in Ai’s abilities also grows.

Happily at the moment we seem to be in control of the app – but we remain vigilant, if it makes a power grab to run our office and oust us – it will be unceremoniously deleted… if we are able!

January 19, 2024

Film making by phone

As a cameraman I have been brought up using professional cameras, lenses and microphones to achieve good quality video content for my clients. But increasingly we are filming not just on larger pro equipment but also with smaller hand-held devices and even smart phones. Many mobile phones today have the ability to shoot very good video and some phones now have small editing apps allowing you to cut your clips, add transitions and even put on a music track. So with this in mind I thought I would put my iPhone 14 to the test.

Shooting a short video on my iPhone

I decided to shoot a short video to promote local artist Gina Pipet in and around her studio in East London. Everything was shot on my iPhone and we even manage to record a voice-over so that Gina could narrate her own story. Then I brought all the footage into the iMovie app on the phone and cut up the shots and added transitions (cuts) and music etc.

Filming with a mobile phone isn’t straightforward

Firstly, holding it steady isn’t easy; so investing in a grip that mounts the phone is a good idea. Also, getting the focus correct requires some practice as the phone lenses do not work the same way as camera lenses and I sometimes had to tell the phone (by tapping the screen) exactly what part of the shot needed to be sharp. But with some work the end results can look quite impressive. The main thing to remember when shooting with a mobile phone is that while you can get good quality video images the phone won’t create a story for you. Every good video should tell a story and that is something you will have to plan for yourself. A series of shots, however well edited, don’t create a strong narrative. My advice would be to plan your story in advance; ask yourself who is your audience and what exactly is it that you want to tell them? Then get some practice with your phone, maybe even buy yourself a phone grip, and finally decide what shots you are going to use. Editing on a mobile phone is fiddly but that is mainly because you are working with a small screen and you have to drag and drop things using your fingertips.

All in all the end result with my video was pretty good and you can see it here. Everything you see (and hear) was shot and edited on an iPhone 14. If you would like some tips on improving your video skills with a mobile phone we run bespoke half or full day courses and we even will give a few hours tuition if that is what you need.

November 22, 2023

Getting Better Sound Quality in Mobile Phone Video Recording

Mobile phones have become indispensable tools for capturing high-quality videos. But while modern smartphones excel in delivering stunning visuals, achieving good sound quality can be a challenge. Poor audio can significantly detract from the overall impact of your videos. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to enhance sound quality when recording video on mobile phones. Here are my top tips for better sound.

Choose the Right Location

The environment plays a crucial role in recording quality audio. Opt for quiet locations to minimise background noise. Avoid busy streets, crowded spaces, or areas with loud machinery. If possible, use a quiet room with minimal background noise.

Use External Microphones

Invest in external microphones to up your audio game. Mobile-compatible microphones come in various types, including clip-on lapel mics and shotgun mics. These devices can significantly improve the clarity and richness of your recordings, especially in outdoor or noisy environments. Different microphones will work with specific mobile phones so do some research on your particular phone to make sure they are compatible with each other.

Clean the Phone's Microphone

Over time, dust and debris can accumulate around the phone’s built-in microphone, affecting its performance. Use a small, soft brush or compressed air to gently clean the microphone openings. This simple maintenance task can make a noticeable difference in audio quality. Also remember to keep your fingers away from the mic when you are recording otherwise you will get a horrible scratching noise dominating the soundtrack.

Adjust Settings and Monitor Levels

Explore your phone’s settings and third-party camera apps to optimise audio recording settings. Some apps offer manual control over audio parameters such as gain and equalisation. Experiment with these settings to find the best configuration for your specific recording needs. Keep an eye on audio levels while recording. Avoid letting the audio clip, which occurs when the input is too loud and results in distorted sound. Most recording apps display a visual representation of audio levels; adjust the input volume accordingly to prevent clipping.

Use Windshields for Outdoor Recording

Finally

Enhancing sound quality in mobile phone video recordings is a combination of choosing the right equipment, optimising settings, and being mindful of the recording environment. Sound recording is sometimes seen as the poor relation to video quality but in fact the audio track will often contain much more useful content. By implementing these tips, you can raise the audio quality of your mobile videos, creating a more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience for your audience. If you want more information on improving your sound quality or just want to discuss your video content in general then please contact us here.

October 25, 2023

Polishing your Podcast

Podcasts are all the rage today and many people seem to have a favourite one that they download or stream either weekly or monthly. But putting a Podcast together; recording it and then editing it into a professional audio file can be daunting. We have recently been working with journalist and author Kate Thompson who has written a book, The Little Wartime Library, detailing the public library that was hidden inside Bethnal Green Underground station during the Blitz in World War Two. Kate came to Mediacrews as she wanted to start a series of Podcasts where she would interview both bestselling authors and inspiring wartime women as a way of bringing their unique stories to a wider audience. Firstly we gave Kate some advice on what microphones to use for her interviews as they were often recorded over the Internet on Zoom and we needed both sides of the conversation to be heard with good sound quality. Then once recorded she sent them over to us for our editing process to begin.

Podcast Sound Quality

We can do all sorts of things to improve the sound quality of a Podcast including: balancing sound levels, removing ‘umms’ and ‘errs’ and also taking out pauses or gaps in the conversation. Not only that we can also add sound intros (or stings) or even add a music track throughout the Podcast. This process tightens up the final audio file and can often take minutes off the final running time. Kate said “Sourcing interviewees and talking to them was the easy part. The editing is less so! Anyone who knows me, knows I struggle to send a text so technology is not my strong point. Finding Ben and Dave was what transformed those long (often rambling) interviews into slick, edited podcast episodes. Editing is such a unique skill, what to take out is as important as what stays in. Ben sculpts my interviews into something far more defined, fresh and focussed, I also collaborate with him on themes for each episode, tone, structure, ideas and teaser videos. He’s an amazing sounding board.” To find out more about our podcast services, please click here.

July 10, 2023

Podcast editing

Podcasts can play an essential part in your social media presence. An interesting podcast can help engage your audience, provide great content and a series of podcasts can help build you a loyal following. Podcasts are relatively easy to produce, but a little editing – removing ‘umms and errs”, adding an introduction and even music can create a cohesive, professionional sounding series.

We have recently been working with author Kate Thompson on a series of podcasts titled ‘From the Library With Love’ where Kate interviews leading authors, librarians and other guests in a series of fascinating talks. Kate will host these interviews on her website – publishing a new podcast twice monthly – this is a great way to keep your website updated with fresh content.

March 31, 2023

Attended the opening of our client Freeweaver at their new studio

Attended the opening of our client Freeweaver at their new studio in very fashionable Deptford Market Yard. Looking forward to working on more photography and video work with Janine in the coming year.

May 20, 2022

The Japanese Textile Exhibition

It was great to be involved with the Japanese Textile and Craft Exhibition 2022. Focusing on the artists and craftsman, we created a video that captured the essence of their craft and work. We worked closely with Erna Janine – the exhibitions curator and organiser and created content for website and social media channels.