Research into production techniques

Research into production techniques

Running Order
Running Orders are essential for a radio show as it shows the structure, content and timings of the programme. This document has cues and prompts for the presenters and production team that allows the show to run smoothly.

Playlist helps choose order of songs so two unsuitable songs aren’t played next to each other.

Script
A script is just a rough guide and safety net for radio shows. If a presenter was to stick a script then the show would sound too well rehearsed and would alienate the listeners.

Scripts have in and out lines that are given to the presenters and production team as cues so that they know when to play the next ident, soundbed, track etc.

Playlist
The playlist depends on the type of show and should reflect the audience’s music interests. Extensive playlist research is carried out to find out what music is up and coming and what a stations listeners want to listen to.

Radio 1 is very influential and is often the station that is looked to for playlist recommendation and therefore it is an important and lengthy job for the producers of the station.

Producers from different types of shows on Radio 1 are the playlist decision makers. This allows the playlist to reflect all different genres of music and brings diversity into Radio 1. At their weekly meeting the music is democratically discussed in regards to its existing popularity or relevance. Producers are able to suggest new songs that could go on the list but have to back up their opinion with research.

Record companies and promotional companies approach Radio 1 and try to get their song onto the playlist by explaining what previous promotion the song has had and why it deserves to be on the list.

The music at Radio 1 is kept up to date by carrying out research into existing playlist tracks. They ask a panel of 400 listeners between the age of 12 and 30 their opinion on 25 tracks and from this decide whether or not the track is still current or not.

After the weekly playlist is decided it is sent off to the record companies and put into the Radio 1 system. From here the tracks are put on rotation throughout the daytime programmes from 4am til 7pm.

Imaging
Imaging is idents, jingles and soundbeds for radio. Imaging livens up a stations sound and breaks up the music and chat. It also identifies a station and tells the listeners what station they are listening to.

Imaging can either be generic to a station or specific and it can also have continuity throughout a whole station or throughout an individual show. For example, on The Chris Moyles Show they have ‘Paul the voiceover guy’ voicing all their idents. The audience recognise and become familiar with his voice and therefore associate his voice with the show and know as soon as they hear his voice the ident is related to The Chris Moyles Show.

Radio 1 also has generic station imaging played throughout the day to remind the listeners what station they are listening to.

This is a vast difference to BBC Radio 4 that has very little imaging. As this station is targeting a completely different older audience, this suits them and creates formality.

Microphones
The radio room microphones are dynamic cardioid microphones so the presenter should speak into the pick up area of the microphone, which straight in front and not from the side. The radio room is fitted out with soundproof walls so absorbs the sound waves and reduces echo.


Bibliography
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/accessallareas/music/research.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/videos/accessallareas/video/091209_aaa_playlist

http://www.puretonic.com/radiobeds/