Real-Life Communication
Reading, writing and listening are three key skills in radio production.
"The chief skill you need is listening -- listening on your feet
and really following what someone is telling you, and picking up on the interesting
parts of it and guiding the conversation," says independent radio producer
Sean Cole.
Imagine you are the producer for a medium-sized rock radio
station. The station provides free commercial airtime for nonprofit organizations
like the Red Cross and the Cancer Society.
AIDS Awareness, a local
nonprofit organization, has asked you to produce a 30-second ad promoting
the AIDS Red Ribbon Campaign.
Volunteers will be distributing red ribbons
for the next month. An excerpt from the group's press release is below. You
have to write the commercial script and decide if and where you want music
or background sound. You can use as many announcers as you like, but the ad
can't be any longer than 30 seconds.
Excerpt from AIDS Awareness's press
release:
"The red ribbon, the AIDS logo, symbolizes my
awareness of this disease and communicates my compassion for those who suffer
from it. Worn on my lapel, close to my heart, it is a tribute to those who
are or were afflicted and expresses my empathy for their family and friends.
Every time I wear the ribbon, it activates public awareness of this dreaded
disease and encourages sympathetic understanding and contributions for AIDS
research, prevention and patient care. I constantly remind myself and others
of the necessity of generous regular donations so the world may be free of
this scourge."
AIDS Awareness Campaign 212-AIDS
Remember,
this is a rock 'n' roll radio station, so you will want to stay fairly upbeat
in your message. Read your script out loud to determine its length. If you
read under your breath, you'll read too quickly.