Want to take the podcasting plunge but need a technical leg up? One of Australia’s leading creative schools is offering a six-week course with your name on it.
In 2019, 27% of Australian news consumers confirmed being podcast listeners. In 2020, that bumped up to 32%, according to Australia’s News & Media Research Centre. There’s no doubt that it’s one of media’s most steadily booming areas, and the drive is being led by creators.
If you’ve been an avid podcast listener but only an aspiring podcast creator, an online course being offered by the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School (AFTRS) could be exactly what you need to bridge the gap. It’s just six weeks long, being offered online so you can tune in from anywhere, and is tutored by 14-year Australian radio expert Madeline Joannou, Managing Producer of Podcasts at Mamamia.
“Why the sudden interest in long-form dialogue driven content?” Joannu shared when speaking to Mixdown recently.
“I think it’s always been there to be honest. We like to keep busy… sitting idle isn’t something that we do well anymore. We can listen to a podcast while we are doing something else – commuting, cleaning, working even! It gives us an opportunity to be entertained, inspired or educated and a great podcast will do all three in one.”
It’s a format that suits many media personalities; from investigative reporters, to comedians, to talent such as musicians or presenters. And with the format in a growth cycle, there’s always more room for new faces to stake their claim on a corner of the market.
Podcasting Fundamentals: what you’ll learn
The course is aimed at entry-level podcast creators. It’s a true ‘getting started’ experience that will outline the basics of audio production and editing, as well as some more conceptual points surrounding what makes great content, how to keep listeners engaged, and how to hone in on an idea that has legs.
If you’re looking into podcasting as a possible career choice (or career swing), you’ll need a basic understanding of computers and preferably, some audio literacy. To take part in the Podcasting Fundamentals course itself, you’ll need a computer with speakers plus an internet connection and webcam, a microphone for recording audio, and preferably, an idea for a podcast you can begin to workshop in the course sessions.
Throughout the six-week course, you’ll learn from Madeline Joannu, who currently serves as the Managing Producer of Podcasts at Mamamia, and comes from a 14-year radio career that stretches across The Kyle & Jackie-O Show as well as the 2016 rebrand of ABC Radio Sydney.
The finer details
AFTRS’ Podcasting Fundamentals course kicks off on June 21st, with enrolments closing on June 14th, so make sure you get in fast if you’re thinking it’s a solid fit.
Video chat sessions run every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm, so you’ll need to be available at those times.
Enrol in the course, find out more, or register your interest by clicking this link.
