Research into production techniques

Running order

Every radio station has different radio presenters, for different shows . In order for their shows to run smoothly each DJ needs their own running order , so they know when to speak , when to play a song, when to play a feature, what topics they need to talk about , and when guests and interviews are played. When producing our radio show for children in need, we will make sure that we have a running order and a schedule so that we can allow ourselves to keep on track. The running order needs to list all the timings for each topic of conversation , each song and each feature , so that the presenter can see how long the radio show lasts and make sure that it doesnt over run.

Transmission

We are transmitting our radio show , live on our college internet , www.stratcast.co.uk , via Ustream . For children in need , we have decided that the radio will be broadcasted online before the actually television programme .

Playlists

A playlist in radio is set between 3 lists, these being the A list , B list and C lists. The reason for the different type of lists is because the radio station play out the mainstream songs , in the a list, which means that the songs within the A list are played up to 25-35 times a week . The mainstream songs , mean that the songs are the most popular songs at that present time and are usually found on the charts on itunes or even on the official chart show on radio 1.
The B List are songs which have been in the charts for a few weeks and are then over taken by new artists or new songs that are recently come out. The B list plays the songs on the playlist about 10-20 plays a week.
The C list is the list of songs which aren't particuarly popular , or artists which aren't yet popular with the audience but are hoping to climb the charts. This way , artists are discovered, however , the songs which lie within the C playlist are only played about 5 times a week and they choose between 10 songs.
Radio stations have music producers to come in and promote their artists songs to get them on atleast any of the playlist , however they need to get a yes from the radio station in order for them to get on any of the playlists or at least a chance to .

Schedule

The schedule is a bit like the running order , however it basically has the schedule of the entire day , showing the different shows at different times . For example , on radio 1 ; they have a schedule throughout the whole day , from early to morning to afternoon to evening to the late show and what times each of those are broadcasted on air. When we start to broadcast our show , we need to produce a schedule to show the order of shows being played throughtout the thursday before Children in need.

Analysis of Rich Clarkes radio show on Capital FM (B'ham 7-11pm)

This show has a completely different sound and feel to the one i analysed on Radio 1. They are playing softer music which is far more easy to listen too. The show also features current releases, such as music from Kelis and Keri Hilson. The show features competitions, and games involving celebrities who compete over the phone. The huge downside of Capital FM is that it is a commercial radio station - which means that it frequently features adverts from the likes of insurance companies, and furniture shops.

The play list for Capital FM features tracks that aren't unique - as they only play popular tunes due to the large amount of time taken up by the adverts they play. Celebrity endorsements are common like the adverts they have on the television.

This show has a target audience that encircles younger ages (15-30) as the majority of the music it plays is POP music, or similar.

Analysis of scream & benga's Radio 1 show - 1900-2100

This radio show is aimed at a young audience, with majority of the audience being male. It features new-age rap and mainly house and electrical music. It gives off a 'rude vibe' with comments on air being made such as "if you don't like this go and listen to something else'. Moat of the music is new, and has been performed by artists that are un-heard of. It is well know that if you are able to get your music on this show then you may well be on the road to success. The slogan for this show is - 'In new DJ's we trust', which pretty much indicates what the show is for.

"Showcase for new DJ talent and new dance music. Each DJ plays once every four weeks and after 36 weeks the entire line-up is reviewed and updated"

The above quotation is from Radio 1's website and gives a brief description of what you can expect. In my opinion i do not favour this type of music

Draft script for afternoon delight

Script Draft Number 1:


Presenter 1: Ella Jane Hogan
Presenter 2: Louisa Ryan
Presenter 3: Chelsey Foy
Guest: Jack Spink
Opening:
Feature: (saying “Take a seat with a cup of tea its Afternoon delight!”)
Ella: Hello and welcome to afternoon delight! Today’s show is all about children in need!
Chelsey: Its that time of the year again when the nation joins together to raise money for a great cause!
Weeze: so let’s kick it off with tinie tempa and the Swedish house mafia with Miami to Ibiza!
Song: 3.00
Jingle
Feature: (Interview with Phil about children in need)
Song: The Script- For the first time
Talking about a topic: Phone call to someone raising money!
Feature: Story of the week
Song:
Jingle
Louisa: Emailed in: someone said…
Ella: Big shout out to everyone at chapel field’s junior school who all came to school in fancy dress to raise money!
Chelsey: someone’s just text In… waxed legs… Haven’t got there winter coat…
Game show: guess the children in need song.
(Play the first 10 seconds of 5 children in need songs and one of the co presenters has to guess the song, and the year!)
Song: Children in need song mash up
Interview with Sophy Blount- Producer of Children in need
Talking about children in need all began
Jingle
Feature: News
End on promoting the show and playing the new jls children in need song!
Song:
News reader: Matt Bragg & Matt Bird

Evaluation of afternoon delight

For our children in need radio assignment we decided to split the groups up, as we had one of the largest. Therefore we created 2 radio shows. Unfortunately the other group, who created the “Morning Glory Show” had so little input into our show – that we created it ourselves. this is also the case with us having input into their show as they did all their work off there own backs, telling us they didn’t need any input.

This is bad as it shows a clear breakdown in communication within the group. I worked with a group who were very independent with the way they worked, and often did the work I had been assigned to do – this meant that when it came to broadcast day, the only role I actively had to do was to guest present the show. I felt left out, and not trusted to do to work, despite being in more frequently than other members of the group. I didn’t even know what we were playing in the show until broadcast day was upon us! I was hardly up to date with the required work.

When it came to broadcast day, and our shows debut – we immediately messed up, launching too fast and skipping topics, resulting in us being almost 3 minutes ahead of ourselves – this was resolved by a huge amount of conversation which followed shortly. Among other mistakes, we played the wrong songs, cut games short and generally screwed timings up. I felt like the show was a disaster, although we had rehearsed it several times. Despite all this, we laughed and created a very airy atmosphere that in my opinion would have been a pleasure to listen too. It was obvious that we were amateurs and had no experience – unlike the other half of the course who had a whole year’s experience and will have obtained better grades, which we all felt unfair.

If we were to do this again, I wouldn’t suggest splitting our larger group up. This would bad communication, and I would recommend that we are all assigned specific parts to work on so we all have an equal input, as opposed to the 2 presents doing it all and leaving the rest of us clueless.

Ella and chelsey did do great jobs of presenting, and you could hear the real chemistry that they obviously shared. Had it not been for them its safe to say we would have been completely lost.

Treatment for afternoon delight

Working Title: Music Based Programming

Format: The editing technology we will use is obviously the radio room, and miriad the programme on the radio software. There will also be a webcam in the radio room so we can record the show and play it back.
Duration: The duration of the whole radio show will be 1hour long
Synopsis: We will be doing a 1hour radio show called Afternoon Delight and the theme is Children In need. We will be playing past children in need songs including the new song from 2010. We will be having small features and jingles that fit in with the show.

Style: The style we have chosen to do is light-hearted, funny and relaxed as it is an afternoon show so we know people will be listening to something that is relaxed and not too hardcore. Our narrative will be girley, loud and clear so that our listeners can enjoy listening to us.
Intended Audience: our intended audience is 15-24 year olds, most likely students who enjoy socialising, sports and Music.

Rationale: Our programme fits in well with Children in need because we have made it all about the audience and have included some light hearted features in there. We are also talking about some good and comical topics that relate to our audience. We have our playlist that fits in well with our intended audience.

Feasibility: We have spoken to Phill Middlham and have included a great feature for the programme which is an exclusive and will be broadcasted on the day we record our programme Live.

Budget: We didn’t need a budget for this project because we didn’t have to buy anything.

Deadline: Friday 5th November.