March 2000 RAP
March 2000 Highlights
Feature: The Dream Gig
By John Pellegrini
Many people have asked me, since I came to the Big 89, "how did you get
that DREAM GIG?" Simple, I didn't think I was going to get it. Ill explain:
When I was still in Grand Rapids, at WKLQ, I realized that, after 6 years at
KLQ, and 2 previous years at another GR station, Id pretty much done all I
could do with the "standard" Production Directors gig in that market. My
wife and I spent a few long nights discussing what we thought would be good
places to live, seeing as how we probably were going to have to move in
order for me to get ahead. We settled on Los Angeles or Chicago. Chicago
because my family is in Wisconsin and her family is in Michigan; the perfect
halfway point. Los Angeles, because we have friends out there, and we love
the town. So I put together a demo, and mailed out 20 copies to stations in
each city (40 total). Three months went by, no calls. So, I decided to think
of other options. I was working on some ideas that I thought would be
exciting, and was in the process of putting it together when WLS called the
only response I got from the 40 tapes.
Interview: Peter Barnes, SpotTaxi.com
By Jerry Vigil
It was just a matter of time before someone took spot delivery to the
Internet in a big way. At this point, it looks like SpotTaxi.com is poised
to antiquate other existing methods of spot delivery as more and more radio
stations production studios plug into the Internet. Seattle-based
SpotTaxi.com, a product of Central Media Incorporated, is currently in
operation in Seattle with plans for a full-blown launch in time for NAB in
April. If all goes according to plan, very soon well get to work each day,
log on to the computer in the studio, check e-mails, and download the days
dubs. Join us for an interesting look at technology's latest tool, and check
out SpotTaxi.com on the Web for more details.
Radio HED: Idea File
By Jeffrey Hedquist
Run out of ideas for that spot you're trying to write? Just go to your
idea file. You know, the place where you store those discarded concepts,
parts of campaigns, spec. spots that never aired, random thoughts, tangents
you go off on while writing for other clients. You do have an idea file
don't you?
Test Drive: Denon DN-C680 Professional CD Player
By Steve Cunningham
There's an old saying about choosing the right tool for the job, and
that's as true in the production room as anywhere else. Were all doing more
production work on tighter schedules than ever before, and our equipment has
to be able to handle the abuse. As do we, but we aren't always, and besides,
thats a topic for another article. Denon's flagship product for the
production arena is its DN-C680 Professional CD Player. The DN-C680 is not
only a robust player, but it includes all the features, functions and
interfaces needed for the broadcast production environment.
Feature: It's Time to Laugh Again
By Michael R. Lee, Ph.D.
One of the great strengths of radio production over the years has been
its awesome irreverence. No person or institution has escaped the satirical
efforts of radios best producers. From the clever to the hilarious, this
represents radio at its best.
While recently conducting production workshops and seminars in Australia and
New Zealand, I compiled a lengthy series of radio promos and liners that
were funny and memorable. They came from many different countries and
formats. They used a myriad of techniques. And they consistently made the
listener smile or laugh.
Q It Up: The RAP Network Speaks - Where Do You Go For
the Creative Juice Flow?
By Jerry Vigil
We visited this question several years ago, but there's a lot of new
blood in the RAP Network and plenty of new ideas to share. So lets get an
update! We get part one of your responses this month, and part two next
month.
Q It Up: You've been asked to write and produce a
"creative" promo or commercial. You have the copy facts in hand. What do you
do to get the creative ideas? Where do you go? How do you conjure up the
creative wizard inside? What new sources for creative input have you
discovered?
...And Make It Real Creative
By Trent Rentsch
We are so limited, its little wonder that the problem exists. I mean,
look at how few letters make up our alphabet! I mean, how many words can you
make out of 26 letters anyway? Restraints like that make Creatives nuts.
Look what happened to the Artist formerly known as Prince. He had to come up
with a 27th just to avoid the sameness and cause some talk.
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