Donny and the Ghost
Posted by dogtrax on February 3, 2007
“Donny and the Ghost” is about a boy so involved in his computer games that he is oblivious to a ghost haunting his bedroom. This podcast is based on a short story I wrote in the mid-90’s.
This year’s class (2006 – 2007) is a collection of especially talented writers and oral readers. Last Fall it occurred to me that this would be the perfect group to turn “Donny” into a theater podcast. Tyler, a 5th grader, volunteered to rewrite the short story as a script–which was no easy task. The class then revised and edited that script (revising and editing are a vital part of the writing process even with theater podcasts). Using the vocal talents of (4th grader) Jacob as “Donny,” (5th grader) Denise as “Donny’s mother,” and an assortment of other character actors and narrators we began recording in late November 2006. It wasn’t until February 2007 that all the voices were recorded, music and special sound effects composed and the pieces assembled.
For this tale I needed to write music which imitated the style of music I’ve heard used in arcade-style video games. After I completed the music and played it for my students, they asked if the music could be available separately from the podcast. Of course! Kids (and adults) should feel free to dowload it (below) to their iPods or other .mp3 players. (Nearly all the special effects were created by us. Even the moaning, gurlging, growling ghost sounds were made by me with the help of a little digital magic.)
TIP: Our podcast is recorded using high quality stereo sounds. For maximum enjoyment, listen with headphones.
Click on the title to download the file to your browser (if you’d like to download it for your iPod or other mp3-player) or click on the right-pointing triangle below the title to play it from this webpage. Sit back, relax and enjoy “Donny and the Ghost.” — Mr. Bledsoe, 4th-5th grade teacher, Molalla Elementary School, Molalla, Oregon.
Podcast: Donny and the Ghost (19 minutes – 21.8 MB)
Music to “Iron Fist Combat of the Golden Temple of Death 7” (2:48 minutes – 3.2 MB)
Mack!! said
Dear Mr.Bledsoe and class,
Great job! I liked how the ghost vioces and sound effects set a spooky mood in the story. Keep up the great work!
FROM,
Mack!!
youthradio said
Thank you, Mack. The special effects do add to the story, but we actually spent a lot more time on writing a good story than adding effects. Concentrate and the writing and the effects will make your story more interesting. If you don’t have a good story to begin, then special effects won’t help much. — Mr. Bledsoe.
youthradio said
Hi friends in Oregon
Yesterday in class, we listened to your amazing story. This morning, I had our students write out some comments and now I am posting them for you.
The sound effects were so cool! Good job! — Pia
I liked the story because it was creepy and I love creepy things.
I liked the sound effects, just like Pia — Missy
It was scary – Bruce
It was very scary — Kathryn
I liked the music — Scott
It was funny because I watched other people get scared — Josh
It was interesting — Hannah
The sound effects were great. The storyline was good, too. — Olivia
The story was awesome — Tyler
The audio story showed a lot of thought and a lot of work on your part. I was really interested in how you used your voices to move the story along and how your characters really came through through the piece. Excellent job all around. Thanks for sharing with Youth Radio. — Mr. Hodgson
Gail Desler said
Hello to Mr. Bledsoe and Class,
What a great production! I am very sure an enormous amount of time and effort went into the final podcast. Of course, it helps when you start out with such an entertaining story as “Donny,” but I am wondering about the actual process of moving the podcast from an idea all the way to production. If by any chance Mr. Bledsoe took photos or video of how you worked in groups, for example, or any part of the process, I would love to see it!
In California, we have the Student Technology Showcase, a place to submit student-created technology projects. I certainly hope the state of Oregon offers some multimedia competitions or showcases! I’m on my feet right now, clapping for your performance!
Jim Faires said
Excellent job! I am thoroughly impressed with your script and the quality of your production. This is language arts instruction at its finest! Keep up the great work. Can’t wait to hear what’s next!!!
Knoble said
What a great story! The voice effects made the podcast realistic! Want to hear more!
youthradio said
My students and I would like to thank everyone for their kind remarks. Mrs. Desler asks questions which many people ask (including my wife): how did we do it? Unfortunately we didn’t take videos or photos of our working process on “Donny and the Ghost.” We grabbed odd moments here and there. Worked sometimes as a whole class and at other times in small groups.
My students are pretty pumped about our Donny story and want to do a second one. I wrote a series of Donny stories so we have plenty of material to work with. This time, however, we are planning to make a documentary video about the process of making our podcast. We have state testing for reading, math, social studies and writing starting next week which will keep us occupied for a couple of weeks. After that, we will begin the process again, but this time we’ll have a camera rolling. I haven’t made a documentary before. Even adults learn new things.
Hoa said
Hi, I like your story, but some of the characters sounded like reading a paper then acting, but the podcast was marvelous. It must’ve been a long time to finish the podcasting.
Keep up the good work!
P.S Hi 😛
Hoa said
Almost forgot, when is the rest of the story coming out? I can’t wait to hear more.
Mathias said
Hello, I love your story with marvelous sound effects that can put chills down your spine. 🙂
Vinnie said
The special effects were very good. Our class listened to it in the dark with the lights off, it was pretty scary.Keep posting podcasts!
PS 🙂
Trevor said
that was a great pod cast i loved the sound effects were great i would love to here more
P.S. HI
Trevor said
that was great i would love to hear more
victoria said
THAT WAS THE COOLEST THING I EVER HEARD. You guys had great sound effects, great story, the ghost was a little hard to understand though. Any way you guys have a cool podcast.
Sincearly,
Victoria
samantha said
I just loved the sound affects especially the computer noise. I loved the fathers voice and the mother’s voice. Ican’t wait to hear more of your class’s stories Mr. Bledsoe!!!!!!
Crystal said
Great sound effects! I LOVE your podcast! It was so cool to listen to!
P.S. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!!!
erika said
Hey guys and, girls… it’s erika from California. I just wanted to let you know that i really liked your podcast. I loved the different voices and sound effects; they were really cool!!!!!!
*bye 4 now!*
Ryan said
That was a great podcast!!! I really liked it and enjoyed listening to it. The kind of scary parts were cool. I really liked the sound effects. How long did it take you to do that whole podcast??
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!
Johanna said
Hi there! wat a great story! I loved the special effects you use!
P.s. keep up the good work!!!!
Anjanette-Joyce said
Hello Mr. Bledsoe’s class! I really liked the podcast. It was really interesting. Well, I was impressed with all of the work your class did in this. Keep up the good work! 😀
-Anjanette-Joyce
Alexis said
I loved your podcast. It sounded realistic when the sound effects were put on the podcast. Please listen to our next podcast which is called “The Sugihara Story”. Thank you if you listen to our podcast. Keep up the great work.
Sean(sounds like Shawn) said
The stroy was kind of cheap I mean the dude didn’t even noticed the ghost but the sound of effects was fantastic and the story line was great but the end. Can you continue the story?
Alyssa said
You guys did a wonderful job on the podcast. The sound effects were set up like a spooky mood which made the whole entire thing even better than it was! Great job!
Katie said
I loved this storyline! It really kept me at the edge of my seat! The sound effects made me feel like I was really there!
Frank said
I think it was great it probably inspired the whole class the only thing that i was mad about was you didnt continue the story and please make the sequel before i go crazy thinking of the next one well yeah and HAPPPY Valentines DAY!!!!!
Sean(sounds like Shawn) said
Oh ya I almost forgot HAPPY VALITINES DAY….I guess
Crystal said
Great sound effects! I love your podcast because it was so cool to listen to. Keep up the good work!
P.S. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Trevor said
I love ur story it was great the thing that would be great is if u made another part ;p
Josh (Sean(sounds like Shawn) and Josh was here) said
The story was cool. The music for the game was tight. If you saw me right now I would be headbanging with my friend Sean (sounds like shawn) Rock on!!!!
P.S. Josh was here!=D
Crystal said
Make An ENDING to the story….I need you guys to finish the STORY!!!! It Was great! Are you guys going to make an ending? PLEASE! If you finish the story keep on using the great sound effects!
-Crystal from Elk Grove
😀 :{)
Hurley said
CLARET rocks!
excellent!!i wish that u can keep it up cool sounds i spooked when i heared it u gave me some creeps!that was very cool.I really appreciate ur web.2 thumbs up to this web.!!keep up the excellent work..!
1-sah
hurley
bulkhia1sjt05 claret said
Dear mr bledsoe
u hit my feelings of enjoyment….i relly love ghost stories
especialy about spirits……and i also love computer games and all…thats why i love your work because ur story is all about computer games and ghosts…and love them both thats whyu i love ur work
By:bulkhia1sjt05 claret
rhett SAH claret school of Quezon City said
Hello! I want you to know that I like your podcast. The sound effects were cool because it made the story very realistic. Great job!
victor said
the effects are so cool. it is realistic. i simply love it. is the production of this difficult? ROCK ON!
xoxo
victor cruz
riya_09
ii-sam
victor said
ROCK on. cool. rock. love it. simply in-love.
xoxo
cruz, victor
ii-sam
riya_09
victor said
the effects are so fantastic. hope that you can make a new one. a one just like it.
xoxo
cruz, victor
riya_09
ii-sam
victor said
i love the music.
xoxo
riya09
cruz, victor
ii-sam
noelle said
hey there! i saw your article about the ghost… it’s really cool with the podcast 🙂 it really gives me the shivers! keep it up and you will raeach the top!
II-SAM
Noelle20
Emjay SAM Claret School said
The story was creeping me out as every second passed by while listening to it. Nice!!!
bada said
You guys did a wonderful job on the podcast1! The sound effects were cool. Keep it up guys!
SAM
BADA04
steven II-SAM 19 said
wow!! nice story, great sounds… two thumbs up… really creepy…
bada said
I loved your podcast. It sounded realistic when the sound effects were put on the podcast.I really appreciate ur web. Rockz!
von said
It was great
Michael Angelo 2 - sam said
Hey there…
I listened to your story. I thought it was great! Having those
sound effects gave me goosebumps… never tought i would be
scared! ROFL
great work though keep it up!
-rOk On! \m/
marvin said
hey guys!!! the story was cool!!! keep it up!! and nice sound effects!!
from,
marvin(I-SAP)
Ivan Matala said
” A warm greeting from the PhIlIpPiNeS”
Dear Mr.Bledsoe and class,
GrEaT JOB.
I listened in your podcast. I loved it so much and the spectacular sound effects was great. It also make the story more realistic and make it more lively. It was best suit in your story. And that’s the reason why i give you a very good job ideal
Keep it UP… the GoOd WoRk…
Ivan Matala 12
1-SAH
CLARET SCHOOL OF QUEZON CITY
ken - 2 stm said
nice work! it’s very very good..
cute voices too.. LOL..
keep up the good work!
Jerome said
The story is great! The sound effects were realistic, scary, creepy, and I felt that I was a part of it. I’m looking forward to see more of these spooky, ghost stories.
Keep up the good work!
Jerome, cn:18,2-SBG
Ivan Matala said
GREAT JOB
KEEP IT UP
JUST KEEP AN STERIORICAL SOUND EFFECTS IN THE INTROS…
IVAN MATALA
1-SAH
CSQC
jan said
very very good story . good JOB
from
JAN martin andes
5
1sja
gabriel said
hi there….
great…
keep up the good work…
this story is great…
cool…
6
gabriel basila
I-slg
Lance said
Bonjour!
I really liked the sound effects!
Really disturbing yet intriquitive
Story was great and all the effects are wonderful
Love it!!!
Lance
I-SLG
Lance said
Bonjour!
I really liked the sound effects!
Really disturbing yet intriquitive
Story was great and all the effects are wonderful
Love it!!!
Lance oLIVER
I-SLG
paolo said
Hello!
I heard the music and it is really great.
The music is great for your theme.
KEEP IT UP!
paolo
I-SLG
Xyrelle said
Hi
A job well done. It’s awesome
Claret Lives!!!!
1-SLG
Francis said
Hey guys. Nice sound effects! The story’s cool.
John,Sio said
Nice, I like how you made the voice creepy , scary and realistic
John Benjamin S. Sio
CN:36
II-SBG
Claret School of Quezon City
23 gino 1-SLG said
wooooo….. cool…. nice sound effects… keep it up.. 🙂
yeah!
chino said
very good special sound effects and music!!!
i must say its a job well done………..
two thumbs up for that!!!!!
– Chino
(cn:33)
I – SLG
Brian said
hi! i would like to say that it is a very interesting story. nice sound effects, it made the story realistic and gave more impact to the listener. good job!
brian
37
i-sja
1sjt24 said
That was amazing the music with the sound really fits with it. I like the way you did it. Its a two thumbs up and a job well done!!!
brian c 1-sja 18 csqc said
its pretty good nice effects too.
well make another one its really great thanks for posting this i like ghost stories
nice story too its pretty creative
well keep it up you’re doing great
Chino Nicanor said
Nice…very nice…sound effects were nice…it was scary too even though it was from a video game…keep it up!!
YEAH BABY!!
Severino Sancho DL. Nicanor
CN #36
1-SJT
Claret school of Quezon City
albertisjt17 said
I really liked the podcast.I love the special effects and it so cool.It was very realistic and spooky……..very interesting!!!!
raymond said
the music is so cool!
It has a very nice effects and has a wonderful story.
Keep up the good work.
I hope 5can make that one.
CN:40
SECTION:1-SJB
ian said
Hey!!!
that’s really nice….
I appreciated it so much specially with the sound effects!!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
People will totally freak out when they hear the story…
bye!!!
Ian
28
CSQC
MIchael said
GReat JoB,
keep up the good work.
I love the sound effects especially the intro.
CN.4
Mchael
I-SJT
CSQC
tj said
Nice sound effects.Nice story.Nice everything especially the intro
-Tanney Jiro
1-sjb
dakota said
Hi I really enjoid your podcast I felt it had a good theme and I enjoyd how I always was wondering what might happen next.
Dakota:)
james said
nice… Pretty nice
You just keep it up!
And it’s a lil’ bit spooky too!
Nice sounds too!
Grace said
That was a great podcast! the sound effects were so realistic. The speakers spoke very clearly and fluently. The story was really interesting .
~Grace~
Jun Jeffri said
Hey!!!
I liked the video very much
I liked it so much with the sound effects!!!!
Keep it up!!!
People will be so scared when they hear this!!!
Bye!!!
CN 29
I-SJA
CSQC
Tyler said
That is what i call a GREAT podcast. It really was worth 19 minutes!It also kept me thinking what would happen next.I LOVED the music.The storyline was GREAT too!
– Ty1er =)
the 1 in my name is an 1.
myranda said
Mr.Bledsoe + class,
I think you did a great job on this podcast and I hope to here more of it.:)
p.s. I’m coming up in may. So I hope to see you soon.
Mikayla said
Hi the sound effects for the ghost is so creapy it sent thorns down my spine!!! Also can you tell me what happens next?
By
Mikayla
armando C.E Jr said
grrrr…. I’m having a goose bumps. I’s chilling me out. So scary since it’s my first time to hear it.
Armando C.E Jr.(II-SAM)
Dominic said
Reviving this story is cool but scary
but I enjoyed the flow of the story and
the music. Well done guys.
-Dominic
II-SBG
Jeff said
Dear Mr. Bedsoe and Class
Hi nice job in the sound effects
The sound effects give life to the story
Nice Job
-jeff
-II-SAM
Geardi said
Cool sound effects!! Made it hard for me to sleep!!
Geardi said
It made me feel like that story may come to reality!!
bc said
WOW!
THAT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST PODCASTS I HAVE EVER HEARD!plus some of the greatest sound effects ever! i do not think i will sleep well after that. congradultions.
bc
sage said
the music was like a arcade game.Iow did you make the sound efectes?
Chloe@jason.com+ said
That was an amazing podcast! I dont mean some parts were amazing, I mean it’s all amazing! The story was great! The story was well told ( I loved the different voices fore each character )! But my favorite part was the special efects ( they were awasome! )! All that ( and more! ) make this possibly the best podcast that I ever heard!
Jennifer Raethke said
My class loved the story… They wanted to share some of their comments!
“I love the insanity of the game. Its like being in a kaledescope that’s on fire! Plus, I love the ending too! Its very funny.” -Tony
“I think this story is really funny! Really, really funny. I like it.” -Tristan
“I liked the story, it was funny and the music was cool. That was a good story, you guys should do a Part 2.” -Yomaira
“That was cool!” -Johnny
“It was awesome and funny too. I like it, I hope you make a part 2!” – Cassie
“ I like the sounds, they are cool and funny. I like the music. “ – Ashley
“ I like the part when Donny went to the bathroom.” – Kirik
“It sounds scary and creepy!” – Brittany
“ It was cool. I liked it very much!” – Victoria
“That was so, so, so, so, so cool and spooky!” – John
“I think it was cool. I like the ghost.” – Reed
“I like the sound of the game.” – Elizabeth
shannon said
Wow that was so good. I have so maney questions to ask you like how did you make the car noise at the begining, and how did you make the sound of the compuoter. I thought that you did a really nice job on the sounds. The thing I liked the most about the podcast is all of the words that just fit just right into the podcast.
max said
Hi I really liked the music I thought it went with the theme really well
Max
Keyin said
I think it was very interesting and fun. Even though it was long it was worth it. I really liked the part when the ghost got in the game.
From Keyin.
sam said
This story was great! I loved the effects,but if I talked to my mom like the way Donny did I would be in so much trouble.
Christian1sja25 said
The story is nice and well told, but it’s too slow to buffer. I hope that they would post more stories and more responces. Sory if my respone is short.
concorde said
WOW! What a good story. I loved the way the effects carry the story. But I can’t talk to my mom like Donny did because it would lead me in a very big trouble like a war.
26
Concorde
1-SRA
ashlyn said
Hi i really liked “Donny and the ghost” it was an interesting story!! Was it fun telling the story and coming up with it?
ashlyn 🙂
Jose said
I like how your podcast was done, the sound effects were very realistic. It must of been very cool being part of the project.
Jose
Helen said
That was so cool! I loved the story and the special effects. I felt like I was watching a movie andnot just listening to a podcast! I can’t wait to listen to The Mummy and Donny Altman!!!
shyanne said
GREAT JOB! I have to say, from alot of posts i have herd, this has got to be one of the most exciting ones! The sound effect and music put me into a spot where i felt like i felt i was listening to a movie! It was awsome! Keep up the good work! Hope to hear more from you soon.
Shyanne:)
victoria said
hi i think that “donny and the ghost” was really interesting and it was cool! well enjoy youthradio! :-p
– nadine 🙂
Richard said
This was a great story you made me feel like i was actually in it
Brian said
Nice sound effects i wonder how u guys come up with these stories its great! 🙂
Keep on going as well.
Brian
Mira said
Wow! I listened to the second group, “Iron Fist Combat of the Golden Temple of Death 7.” I loved the music!! It was so awesome. Keep up the good work. 🙂
Melanee said
This was a really good podcast. I like the way you guys spoke clearly.
victoria said
that was great! i loved it! you did a great job! cant wait to here more!
victoria
victoria said
i loved the music to ”IRON FIST COMBAT OF THE GOLDEN TEMPLE OF DEATH 7”. I couldent stop listening to it !
Ashley K. said
This is a really great podcast!!!! I thought I was in the story!!!! I can’t wait to hear The Mummy and Donny Altman!!!!
nadine said
wow u guys did i really great job i love the donny and the ghost and the sound effect is cool in the background well keep it up;)
– nadine
Samantha Damm said
I can’t wait to hear the sequel to this story. I loved the different voices and could almost picture begin in the room. Great job!
Samantha