The Switchback Podcast (2023)
Role - Editor
The “Switchback Podcast” is a podcast that I worked on in a group of 3, and is a news podcast about the Formula 1 Racing. We chose this approach because the host of the podcast was very knowledgeable about the topic, and we felt it would be more effective if the host made the podcast about something they were passionate about because it will improve the quality of it if its about something they are knowledgeable with.
I think that this was overall an effective podcast, and does its job in informing people of the most recent news in Formula 1.
I like how we used our own jingle in our own work. Very rarely in group projects do we ever create our own jingle, especially speaking from the projects I have collaborated on, so it is refreshing and ambitious to see us go out of our way for this, and enhances the production value. It gives the podcast its own identity and aesthetic to have an original jingle for it.
Additionally, I think that basing the podcast on something the narrator is passionate about was effective because if we enjoy making a project, then that will shine through and enhance the quality of the podcast, as opposed to doing the podcast about something the presenter has little knowledge or interest in.
I do think the sound design could have been enhanced. For the news segments when the presenter is talking, there is no background music, and so the narration feels quite dry and empty without any additional sound design.
Similarly, it would have been more effective if we sourced a guest or second speaker, even if that involved utilizing another group member or member of the course, as it would make the narration a bit more engaging if there were two voices having a conversation. From my own experiences with podcasts, I prefer podcasts with multiple speakers, so it would have been effective to have brought in a second speaker.
Overall, it is an interesting, professional podcast which is clearly well-researched, following the conventions of other news podcasts in terms of the tone of voice, and being informative. The presenter is clearly passionate about Formula 1 and the use of our own jingle was professional and gives the podcast its own personality. However, the podcast could be improved by utilizing background music throughout the podcast to enhance the sound design, or by introducing a second presenter or a guest to make the narration more interesting and engaging.
