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So, You Have To Make A Podcast?
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Final Exam Quiz
1.
What is the vertical aspect ratio used for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts?
1
9:16
16:9
21:9
4:3
2.
According to John Elias, what overrides every technical quality in a podcast?
1
The content itself; if the content is not interesting
The length of the episode
The lighting setup
The quality of the camera equipment
3.
A subject framed dead-center with a large gap above their head typically looks:
1
Correctly composed for all interview contexts
Professional and cinematic
Awkward
Properly framed using the Rule of Thirds
4.
How far in advance should you send a guest the specific questions you plan to ask?
1
Ten minutes before the recording starts
Two months before the recording
One week before the recording
Never send questions in advance; keep them surprised
5.
Why does radio producer Jason Rainey recommend using a pie chart for episode planning?
1
To track audience demographics across episodes
To rank questions by importance
To select the color palette for the show’s branding
To visually allocate time across segments so pacing is predictable and intentional
6.
What is negative space in a composed frame?
1
A section of the frame that has been edited to remove color
The space behind the camera where the crew stands
Empty area around the subject that gives the eye a place to rest and balances the composition
A shadow area caused by inadequate fill light
7.
Why is it critical to verify recordings before your guest leaves the building?
1
So they can watch their own performance
Because discovering a recording failure after they leave creates a nightmare scenario; they may be available to re-record if caught immediately
Because they legally own the recording until they leave
So you can get their approval on the edit
8.
Room tone is captured during which of the three timed pre-recording checklists?
1
24-Hour Before checklist
5-Minute Before checklist
Post-Recording checklist
30-Minute Before checklist
9.
According to John Elias, what is one major advantage of shooting in 4K for a solo podcaster with only one camera?
1
It records sound at higher fidelity than HD
You can crop into the wide 4K frame to produce multiple tight angles in post
It automatically fixes poor lighting conditions
It eliminates the need for any post-production editing
10.
A subject is positioned in the right third of the frame. Which direction should they generally face?
1
Toward the left side of the frame
Toward the floor
Directly at the camera
Toward the right edge of the frame
11.
What single upgrade moves you from Scenario 1 (smartphone essentials) to Scenario 2 (budget upgrade)?
1
Adding an external microphone that plugs into your phone
Switching to a DSLR camera body
Building a soundproofed recording booth
Purchasing a three-point lighting kit
12.
What habit does John Elias recommend to simplify multi-camera syncing in post?
1
Never record external audio; use only the camera’s built-in mic
Record reference audio through every camera’s built-in microphone
Start every camera recording at a randomized moment
Use only one camera whenever possible
13.
According to the Rule of Thirds, where should a subject’s eyes typically be placed in the frame?
1
In the exact center of the frame
Along the upper horizontal third line of the frame
At the lower horizontal third line of the frame
At the very top edge of the frame
14.
A subject framed dead-center with a large gap above their head typically looks:
1
Professional and cinematic
Awkward
Correctly composed for all interview contexts
Properly framed using the Rule of Thirds
15.
What is the default camera height recommended for interview recording?
1
At the subject’s eye level
Floor level
Overhead
Waist level
16.
A tabletop microphone should be placed how far from the speaker’s mouth?
1
Three to four feet away to capture the whole room
Twelve to eighteen inches away
Directly touching the lips for maximum signal
Behind the speaker at shoulder height
17.
Where does a podcast actually live in terms of file storage and infrastructure?
1
With the podcast host (for example
On Spotify
On the creator’s personal laptop hard drive
On Apple Podcasts
18.
What is a Frame Check, performed before hitting record?
1
Confirming the camera can hold a full memory card
Adjusting camera shutter speed to match the frame rate
Scanning the entire frame for distractions like objects growing out of the subject’s head
Verifying that the frame rate matches the editing software
19.
Balanced audio levels during recording should peak at approximately what level?
1
Positive 6 dB
0 dB
Negative 12 dB
Negative 60 dB
20.
John Elias warns new podcasters about their first three episodes for what reason?
1
They must be deleted before the fourth episode is released
They are the only episodes that generate revenue
They become historic episodes; new listeners often go back to them
They are the easiest to record and therefore the highest quality
21.
According to John Elias, what happens to audience numbers if a regularly scheduled podcast misses two release dates in a row?
1
The numbers drop noticeably; audiences lose the habit of tuning in
Nothing; audiences are generally patient about delays
The numbers increase as audiences build anticipation
Platforms automatically boost the next episode to compensate
22.
What is headroom in video framing?
1
The distance from the camera to the ceiling
The space between the top of the subject’s head and the top of the frame
The space between the subject and the microphone
The space behind the subject where a backlight is placed
23.
Which background choice is generally AVOIDED behind an interview subject?
1
A bright window with blown-out highlights
A subtle bookshelf with shallow depth
A plain painted wall a few feet back
Muted out-of-focus colors
24.
A subject is positioned in the right third of the frame. Which direction should they generally face?
1
Directly at the camera
Toward the left side of the frame
Toward the right edge of the frame
Toward the floor
25.
In the 5-Minute Before checklist, what is the final technical action taken immediately before beginning the interview?
1
A sharp hand clap to create a sync point visible and audible to every device
Rewinding the first camera to the beginning of the card
Asking the guest to state their favorite color
Turning on the overhead room lights