Lecture #5: Sound Lecture

So, this lecture was a very interesting concept. I can't deny it, when I found out this was a streamed audio lecture I did groan.. only because I was expecting a normal recorded lecture format. One in which I knew I would get distracted in and end up not listening because there are just too many things to do when you're in your room (pathetic I know..).

I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I discovered that this weeks lecture was in fact two lectures taken from radio with some really fantastic tips and facts about radio journalism! Whilst listening to these interviews, it became increasingly clear to me that radio isn't as easy as many people think. Radio is the oldest mass medium, is a much more intimate form of journalism, requiring the presenter to let listeners feel as though they are part of the conversation/action rather than simply listening in.

From the interviews, although I picked up countless pieces of information about radio, there were some that stood out in particular:

• Always show the subject respect - let them take their time and give them control over the moment. I've found sometimes when I've been the subject of interviews that my interviewer hasn't given me enough time to answer or assumed I am finished speaking when I pause. It's incredibly frustrating, and you find yourself interrupting the interviewer to say what you were thinking in the first place. Being cut off also gives the impression that the interviewer does not have much respect for you, and is just trying to get some content then get the interview finished.
• Broaden your vocabulary and practice your punctuation!! This is golden. If anyone going into radio is going to take one piece of advice, this should be it. I couldn't agree more when this was mentioned in the sound lecture - there is absolutely nothing worse than hearing someone on radio use incorrect grammar, unsophisticated vocab, or have messy pronunciation. It's nearly painful to hear a radio presenter say 'youse' or 'I done that'. Then again, maybe this is my growing up in Emerald/Rockhampton speaking - Brisbane might not have the same problem.
• Don't be too ponderous. If you spend a long time coming up with super different questions to ask your subject, chances are they will spend a long time coming up with answers for them. Now I know I did say allow them to pause, but think: Which would be easier to answer - "Where do you see your career going in future?" OR "What, in terms of your current position, do you envisage yourself achieving in future in your career regarding performing."  Exactly, the first one. Simple questions will always be great talkback material. 
• Nothing is about you! Sure, it's your show but that doesn't mean you're the main focus. You must empathize with your subject, and try to relate to them. This has two advantages - Your subject will feel much more comfortable in a casual setting, and your audience will feel much more involved by way of human emotion. I'm not saying you need to give your subject a cuddle every time they talk about something that is hard for them, just let them take their time. If you can see that something might be troublesome, ask them if they mind talking about it rather than thrusting the question right at them. In the same way, respond to what they are feeling: "So clearly that was a very tough thing for you to go through, how do you think your partner felt about it?" (I am absolutely making this up).

Really though, I found this lecture to be one of the most interesting and fascinating we have had yet, and I didn't even get distracted and go on Facebook!