Lecture Five

Hey there :)
Today was my fifth lecture and for a change it was an audio lecture. The first part was my tutor, Carmel Rooney, interviewing Richard Fidler from Conversations on ABC local radio. See here:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/sites/conversations/

http://www.davidreneke.com/dave-on-radio/

I found this be a very easy-to-listen-to lecture, because it wasn't the standard kind of lecture. I didn't lose interest and I liked how it was personal and conversational.
It was an example of what Richard Fidler was saying, that radio is a more intimate medium than television and that you have to make sure the listeners feel included in the conversation. He also said tha you have to bear in mind that people are often multi-tasking when they listen to the radio, e.g. driving or making dinner. He also said not to be afraid of moments of silence on radio, because silence can be very powerful.


Richard's tips were:
- Read the paper
- Ask questions
- Remember that wordliness is good
- Expand your worldview and don't live in an ideological ghetto

The second part was an interview from Mornings, also on ABC radio. See: http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/programs/612_morning/

http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/programs/612_morning/

Steve Austin said that when you're doing radio, you need to enunciate properly, not talk like you would at uni, because you are trying to communicate to a wide range of different people. He also said that people can tell much better if someone is lying on radio because there is less visual distraction. When interviewing someone he says getting them to trust you is important because they will be more open. When doing talkback radio, the best way to get callers, he said, was to put out a question bluntly and simply, asking whether or not people agreed. Steve said that the components of a good radio story are those which are related to the human experience.

Steve's tip:
- If you aren't naturally talented but you really wanted to work in radio, don't give up, because plnty of successful people were told they'd never make it.You might become a more interesting person after some knockbacks too.


I have to admit that I rarely listen to the radio, but after this lecture I think I may make more of an effort to listen when I'm not as busy. I like hearing about interesting people's experiences and views, so a programme like Conversations might be where I start.