radio feature & documentary

Feature

>Infotainment (sometimes only entertain)
> public opinions
> light and soft subject
> not always covey message
> much actualities and music (music according to situation/mood)
> do not required research
> narration/dramatization
> Neutral

e.g

why people take afternoon tea, visit of students to historical place,why all kids like fairy tales ,job experiences of different people, life of soldier’s family, arrival of winter costumes / beverages, beach resort, new restaurant, superstitions, rainfall, black magic, life of a watch man.

 ( be simple ,be creative, be consistent, must have empathy)

Documentary

>informative
>in depth look in stories and issues (need research)  
> influence the listener /viewer to think or take some action
>interviews (experts)
> actualities and music is not very necessary
> narration/dramatization
> Neutral 


e.g

benefits of plantation, protect wildlife ,child labor
viral diseases ,save water, churches and temples in Pakistan
role of Radio in II world war / 1965 (Pak n India war)
belief systems around the world, mental illness and its cure, story of successful people.

( be simple ,be creative, be consistent, must have empathy)

*extremely involve the listeners to the subject by revealing information, develop suspense than resolve it with conclusion.

   

sample of adjusting actualities without script (1 sequence)

Actuality chirps of cricket phone ring Sound of closing Curtain click of clock School bell Alarm bell Sound of zipping bag sound of shoes Sound of Closing door

Situation nadia is doing preparation for her exams at night nadia’s friend aliha called her .both of them talk a little and said good night and nadia closed the curtains of window nadia saw examination room in her dream .she was worried because of lengthy paper and could not managed the time. she was crying in front of teacher for more time.    She woke up with the sound of alarm and said to herself what a horrible night mare it was. getting ready for the school leaving her room

TYPES OF INTERVIEW FOR RADIO

TYPE OF QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEW

         i.            Open ended questions

It tends the interviewee to give explained reply. These questions starts with who , when, how, why. Questions are not in detail but gives a lot more space to answers.

e.g

1. How we will get rid of energy crises ?

2. Why ECP declared election 2013 a free and fair elections?

       ii.            Close ended questions

These questions are called yes and no questions. These are asked like ,

1.       Is it true that you have decided to join…….?

2.       Do you agree that cases against former president are reasonable?

These question are asked sometimes at the end of interview before the interview time slot ends.

      iii.            Multiple questions

These questions are combination of two or more situation. But we avoid these questions on radio because it may confuse the listeners to concentrate. most of the time interviewee answer the 2^nd part of question because he forgot the 1^st part or deliberately answer the easiest part.

   

     iv.            Summary questions

These questions are used to grab the listeners, keep them focused. It involves the answers of interviewee itself.   E.g

1.       Ok now we know the cause of energy crises, we have done agreement for  its eradication but how long it will take to get rid of it?

  

       v.            Confrontational questions

The most direct questions ae often the most challenging for interviewee and interviewer as well. So these questions must be asked very technically. In practice interviewer makes the interviewee to be accountable for his/her decisions or actions.

1.       Do you agree a military operation was not a right decision in a matter of lal masjid ?

2.       Do you admit lack of security in election 2013?

     vi.            Probing Questions

Sometimes interviewee revealed certain information or stated an opinion. Therefore it is necessary to ask for more details. It makes your interview interesting and different. It begins with phrases like “tell me more about it…?”

“Could you explain why is it so?”

“ what was in your mind when you decided to take this action?”  

“ did you feel for a once that you might not get the required results ?”

Experts says a sharp and talented interviewer is one who is a good observer and excellent listener  

TYPE OF INTERVIEWS ARE IN "RADIO PRODUCTION" BY ROBERT MCLEISH

RADIO DRAMA AND ITS COMPONENTS

Drama is fictional form involving expressions and script written for actor to perform.

Radio drama is a form of drama which is intended to be broadcast on radio with no visual component.

Vital types of drama in terms of mood

1

  .      Tragedy

2.       Comedy

3.       Satire

Types of drama in terms of making

1.       Solo plays

These are individual plays produced for special occasions, days, etc, such as independence day, eid days, anniversaries o f national heroes etc

2.       Series

It contains different plays with different sub titles under the same main title portraying different shades of same theme        

3.       Serial

           It contains one story that goes on to many episodes. Every episode has its own climax and the

           last episode carries the chief climax.

4.       Soap

           Soap drama actually presents family problems and conspiracies with no definite main character.

           Rather every character by and large is equally important.  

Components of Drama

1.       Plot / story board

The story of the drama that contains turns & twists along with the central idea of the story  is called the plot or story board.

2.       Script

It consists of dialogues, monologues (character’s verbal communication to himself), direction and suggested sound effects

3.       Expose/Entrance

The introduction of characters is called the expose/entrance

4.         Climax

   It is the peak point of the conflicts

5.        Music

a)      Situational (it depends upon the demand of situation and mood)

b)      Distinguishing (mark or identify the change in sequence)

6.       Sound effects

Help the listeners imagine the story. There are 3 categories of sound effects

a)      Recorded

Readymade Sound effects which are available on websites. Such as chirps of birds , rainfall, thunder storm, heart beat etc

  

b)      Manual

These are not readymade sound effects rather recorded on account of requirement of the sequence manually. such as opening or closing of door, noise of heel, noise of cattle, washing utensils etc.  

c)       Digital

Nowadays digital devices are used for making required sound such as Multi effects mixer. Computer softwares have comprehensive menu of sound effects for studio mixing.   

7.       Sequence

In language of radio production scenes are called sequences

   

FACTUAL REPORTING OF NEWS

Factual reporting of Functions/ Seminars/ Workshops/ Exhibitions

Following information is obtained for the news story of above stated events:

What---the nature of the function

Where---venue

When---time, day and date

Who---the chief guest with designation or status in society

Why----the purpose of the function

Factual Reporting of Accidents/ Fire

What--- actually happened?

When---- the incident took place

Where----the incident took place

Who---- the number of victims

How---- much damage and cause

Factual Reporting of Blast or target killing

what_____ target killing or mass killing 

who ___ prominent person , sect, number of victims

where____ place
when_____ exact time
how_____ planted or suicide

Factual Reporting of Natural Calamities

What happened------- flood, earth quake, tornado, torrential rains, heavy wind, etc.

When happened-----time

Where happened-----place (city, state, country)

How many victims--------number of causalities and injured

The intensity of earth quake

The speed of the tornado

Factual Reporting of Crimes

What happened? ---------the crime's nature

When happened?

Where happened

Who did it? ---------- the culprit

Who were the victims?  

Why did it happen? ------ the reason of the crime

Factual Reporting of Illness of a Prominent Figure

Who----Name & identification of the invalid person

What-----nature of illness

Why-----the reason like food poisoning

When-----did he get the illness?

When-----did he get admitted to hospital?

Where-----home or hospital

Condition (fair, serious, or critical)

Members of family at bedside

Factual Reporting of Death Stories

Who-----Name and identification of deceased person, age at the time of death

Where----Place of death

When----date, time

How --Cause of death, survivors with relationships

RADIO NEWS BULLETIN

News bulletin

Click of clock (not more than 3 times)

Its  ___a.m or p.m

This time check is brought to you by _________ ( commercial is optional for 5 sec only )

Signature tune

(after 10 sec )

Opening announcement

This is nida saleem and you are listening news fm 92

 me hu nida saleem aj ki khabro k sath or aap sun rahe hyn fm 92 (urdu)

First the headlines

Sab se pehle shay surkhiyan (urdu) 

(signature tune in background )

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

(Signature tune fade out)

(do not add weather report in headlines  )

Now the details

Ab tafseel (urdu)

Chunk

Your are listening fm 92(name of news anchor is optional)

Ap sun rahay hyn fm 92 (urdu)

(After reading the news items )

Weather recorded today in different areas of Pakistan

Pakistan  k mukhtalif hisso me record hone wala darja e hararat(urdu)

Closing announcement

This is all for the hour keep listening fm 92 this is nida saleem

Allah Hafiz

Ab tak k lye itna hi nadia saleem ko ijazat dijye sunte rahye fm 92

Allah Hafiz (urdu)

(signature tune for  4 sec )

DO NOT RECORD THE WORDS WRITTEN IN RED COLOR THIS IS ONLY FOR MY CONVENIENCE  

NOTE 

1..  If the news bulletin is more or less than 10 minutes.. you will loose your marks for every second
ON first page u have to write the order of news items i.e. headlines   

  

2.  You have to choose the news from newspaper or e paper and paste that news story along with the radio news which you have written

Pasted news story from paper/e paper

slug:__________ Radio news

3.  Write each news story on different paper (leaving a single line )

  

4.  mention slug on the top left of each news story  (precise it as much as possible )

5. you have to write opening & closing announcement ,chunk, duration of signature tune in hard copy 

THIS NEWS BULLETIN CARRIES 10 MARKS 

Public Service Announcement/Message

Tambakoo noshi sehet k lye muzir hai

Aapka vote apki taaqat

Taleem sab k lye

   slogans from national public service announcement campaigns have become a part of our culture.

radio stations sometimes prefer a script that their announcers can read live on the air. 

It can be produced with music, dramatic story-lines, and sound effect

·         ADVANTAGE

• PSA's are generally inexpensive.
• Most stations will allow you to include a telephone number for more information in PSA.
• May change attitudes towards social issues
• you want the listener to take some step e.g make your streets clean or have plants

LIMITATION

• PSA's depend on donated time therefore are often run as "filler"
• You may not be able to count on getting the air time for your PSA's.
• Stations likely stayed away from "controversial" PSA's. e.g If your group focuses on an issue that is the subject of heated public debate
• Stations may not track and report when your PSA's have been played, but they will do this for paid advertising.

How do you write a PSA?

target your audience. What type of people are you hoping to reach through your PSA? This will help you focus in both your desired media outlets, and also upon your PSA content.

e.g gender , age, geographical location (urban /rural)

key points

Because you've only got a few seconds to reach your audience (often 30 seconds), the language should be simple and vivid. make every word count and Make your message crystal clear.

The content of the writing should have the right "hooks" -- words or phrases that grab attention -- to attract your audience 

Mention a contact number to get more information if required

Getting ready to write your PSA

Choose points to focus on. Don't overload the viewer or listener with too many different messages. List all the possible messages you'd like to get into the public mind,

and then decide on the one or two most vital points. For example, if your group educates people about asthma, you might add to a simple focus point like, "If you have asthma, you shouldn't smoke”

Brainstorm. This is also a good time to look at the PSA's that others have done for ideas. Get together with your colleagues to toss around ideas about ways you can illustrate the main point(s) you've chosen. If possible, include members of your target group in this process.

Check your facts. It's extremely important for your PSA to be accurate. All facts should be checked and verified before sending the PSA.

A hook can be catchy music, it can be a shocking statistic, it can be an emotional appeal -- whatever makes the listener interested enough to listen to the rest of your PSA.

Now you're ready to write your script

 

Basic guidelines for PSA format:

·          

·         The top of the sheet should list:

1. length of the PSA
2. what agency or group the PSA is for, and
3. title of the PSA.

The script itself should be split into two columns; the left column will list sound effects, music etc. and the right column lists all dialogue.

Don't use hyphenations or abbreviations

 

How do you produce a PSA?

·         Finding professional announcers is helpful or a person with clear voice.

·         People tend to respond better to those who sound like they might be their approximate age and background. 

·         In radio, your audience is usually doing at least one other thing in addition to listening; like driving, reading, studying, working, gardening, cleaning, etc. It's important to grab the audience's attention quickly and hold it.

·         Try to use short, arresting sentences aimed directly at the listener at the beginning of the PSA to help grab their attention.