April 2003 RAP
April 2003 Highlights
Feature: Style and Myths
By Michael R. Lee, Ph.D.
Much has been written over the years (rightfully so) about how difficult
and under-appreciated radio production is as a craft. We have a decent body
of journalism about how to produce better spots, how to get voiceover gigs,
how to use equipment more efficiently. We have learned how to deal with
stupid salespeople, malevolent managers and uncaring engineers.
But it seems that we have missed out on a review of where radio production
is really at in terms of the style and substance of what is actually airing
in 2003.
That is the premise on which this article is based. With every good
intention to be objective, that is not entirely possible by a passionate
professional. Bear that in mind as we take a journey into reality.
Interview: Nick Michaels - "The Whisper That Screams"
By Jerry Vigil
Nick Michaels spoke at a recent Dan O'Day VO and Production Summit about
his unique approach to radio imaging. He is an incredible voice talent who
has managed to be in demand for over three decades. He's also a master at
writing copy that works. And when you put Nicks voice together with some
great copy, you have "the whisper that screams." In this months RAP
Interview, Nick explains his distinctive approach to promos as well as
commercials. He points out the mistakes too often made by radio and explains
why old approaches don't work anymore.
Test Drive: MBox, ProTools 6, and the CS-32 MiniDesk -
Big Production in a Small Space
By Steve Cunningham
When it comes to production facilities, space really is the final
frontier. This is especially true if you're setting up a room for yourself
outside the station maybe you've decided to take on a little freelance work,
or perhaps you're striking out completely on your own. Whatever your
situation may be, there are several new and recent products that let you
assemble a powerful recording and editing system that really will fit on a
desktop.
Library Review: Flies 2.0 from AVdeli
by Tom Richards
Production libraries are like cars they can give you a great sense of
power and control, while at the same time, have their little quirks. So it
is with Flies 2.0 not perfect, but mostly excellent.
Q It Up: The RAP Network Speaks - Checking In on the
Switch to Digital
Q It Up: This months Q It Up question is a two-part
question. 1) By some slim chance, is your station still using carts? If so,
why haven't you moved on to one of the many digital systems available? And
2), if your stations have made the analog to digital switch, what effect, if
any, did going to a digital system have on deadlines at your station? And
what are some thoughts you have on the overall effect of the transition from
carts to your digital system with regards to the process of getting spots
and programming material on the air? Has the digital system improved things?
Made some things worse? Any other comments you have on the subject are
welcome.
...And Make It Real Creative:
By Trent Rentsch
If I over-heard an absurd sentence come out of someone's mouth, in the
file it would go. Weird names, awkward situations, any off the wall human
foible, in the file it would go, ready to use when I was pressed for an
idea, any idea, thanks to a lack of information about the client. Id go
through the file and see if I could harvest one or two Brainsprouts for the
germ of an idea. Sometimes, Id just take the whole event and adapt it to my
needs. What I didn't realize when I started using the Brainsprouts was that
it was more than a quick reference to generate ideas. Because it was all
based on real, slice of life situations, the spot became something everyone
could relate too.
Radio Hed: Time Crunch
By Jeffrey Hedquist
30 or 60 seconds can seem like a short time to tell a complete story.
But, you have an advantage. If your story's compelling enough, the radio
listener will suspend disbelief and allow you to C-O-N-T-R-O-L T-I-M-E!
Small bits of information in a radio commercial can act as "seeds," each
representing an extended period of time. So, in the space of a commercial,
you can, with the help of the listeners imagination, have them experience
something which would take several minutes, hours, days, weeks, months,
years, decades, even centuries.
The Monday Morning Memo: What to Put on Which Screen
By Roy W. Williams
You've seen the screen of a television and doubtless will again. But
you've also seen the screen of the imagination. Deciding what to put on
which screen is a writers greatest challenge. And its also why the movie is
never exactly like the book.
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