In this post I am going to talk about the 1 hour show I’m going to prepare for the radio course I am doing in the Edinburgh College. I’ll be working in a group where every decision we are going to make is gonna be discussed every week. Expecting that we are going to have some hands in dates we will need to make a timing schedule to be able to meet those goals before the date due to. In case someone won’t do it must be needed to have a plan B, readapting our work in order to present a good project.
The individual work we will all have to do is a specific documentary that will fit in the 1 hour show style. The length will be between 6 and 8 minutes and it needs to have at least 3 interviews, so contact these people to get them confirmed is one of the first things that must be done. If the interviews are good then will be easier to make the editorial choice of what we want to include in the documentary.
Between all these decisions, the most important one is going to be in which radio station we would like to include our show, thinking in which could be the target audience is going to be directed to and the rhythm and style we are more interested in. Paying special attention to aspects as the age and the hobbies of the people that could be our audience will be also important in the choice of our documentary. They obviously have to match with the target audience of the station we would like to broadcast in. So we also have to consider other aspects as interests, social life and technology knowledge of the potential listeners.
Ideally, we are going to think also in which requirements could ask the radio station in case they would like to introduce our show in their schedule. That’s why will be necessary to make a good planing and structure of what we want to do. Type of show we want to make, timing for each one of us and how are we going to split the production work. We also have to include in our show a guest that could come on live when the show will be broadcasted. For that, getting this person confirmed with enough time in advance will make the difference.
For al of that, a good research in our topic will help us to find the correct people and what to ask them, giving us the capability of preventing what they could say to us and because of that, making better questions.
Under the ethics points we will have to follow, being fair and objective about what we are going to do will be important, such as always give the different points of view about we will talk to not just present one of the versions as the absolute truth. Here, including facts and figures for give arguments that re-enforce our angle will be the key.
Another thing is that the language has to be appropriate, not using offensive words and trying to choose always the better way to say or explain what we are talking about, thinking always in not discriminate any collective because of the terms we use. Especially slanderous comments.
Also, another ethic point will be to tell the people we interview the nature and purpose of the programme, what the programme is about and be given a clear explanation of why they were asked to contribute and when (if known) and where it is likely to be first broadcast. For that, they will have to read and agree a form, as a proof that they have been told which kind of contribution they are expected to make, for example live, pre-recorded, interview, discussion, edited or unedited.
About the legal issues we will have to deal with, the broadcast should conform to Ofcom rules, complying with relevant legislation such as the Public Records Act, Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and the Code of Compliance on Records Management.
Also, if we want to play any protected music we need to be sure that we have the PPL and PRS licenses to be able to play any music rights reserved. As we studied in the law modules, we will maybe need to comply some of the Acts that cover a specific group of people as for example informing about kids.
In terms of health and safety I will have to fill a form to ensure I am aware of all the risks I can find doing my documentary and even if I consider them ore or less important I’ll have to analyse what is involved.
COSTS OF THE DOCUMENTARY
Equipment.
Voice/presenter. According to the Actors Union, hiring a a presenter and bring it to the studio would be a minimum of 125£
Studio hire. I’ve chosen the Black Caves Recordings, using the s9fifty studio based in Glenrothes and they charge 30£ the our, what I think should be enough for recording my documentary. This includes full use of all studio equipment as well my time.
Travel. I’ll maybe have travelling costs that I will have to put on the list, such as for example the fuel for going to Glenrothes, 48 km far away from Edinburgh.
ON AIR FROM THE CLOUD 