Brief summary of activity
Through this activity the participant will understand the different roles in a production team, and the different aspects involved in the production of a radio programme.
Aim of the activity
During the activity the participants will identify their role in the production team by choosing from one of the roles below:
- Producer – Responsibility for coordinating the production of the radio programme, assisting with research and ensuring that the programme goes out on air
- Presenter – Assisting with research for the programme, thorough knowledge of all aspects of the programme content. Responsibility for scripting and presenting of show, setting tone and style of programme.
- Sound Engineer – Responsibility for technical aspects of the production, running the desk, monitoring audio during recording and adjusting mics and levels as required.
- Researcher – Generates ideas for the programme, researches interviewees and other content, sometimes produces recorded inserts for programme and scripts elements of the programme.
- Rowing Reporter – Reports and interviews from outside the studio. Responsible for production of on-location prerecorder and live features.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will understand:
- Different roles and tasks involved in the production of a radio programme
- The relationship between the new roles and the process and timing for production
- Decision making processes within the production teamUnderstand the importance of making a production meeting and plan
- Outline the principles on which to base the plan
- Make a production plan for their project programme
Experience and skills required
The trainer needs to be familiar with the different roles and tasks involved in the production of a radio programme
Infrastructure, setting, resources
Depending on the number of participants and the size of the room, if there are more than two production teams created, as they would need space to meet as a group and discuss about roles and programme content.
Length
60 minutes
How the activity should take place
Part one: Creating Production Teams
Trainer input:
Trainer ask participants to break into groups of 4.
Class divides into Programme Production groups. Each group assigns roles to members (Researcher, Producer, Presenter, Technician, Reporter). If there are 3 in group if Producer/Researcher is combined role.
Part two: Production Meeting
If possible it is worthwhile here bringing in an experienced member of a production team at the radio station to talk briefly to learners about how their production team operates and how they put their show together.
Trainer asks learners to move into their production groups. Each group is going to have a production meeting about their programme. In their production groups learners follow the Production Meeting Agenda structure (Hand-out Production Meeting).
Each group moves through the agenda either independently or with indication from Trainer of how long to spend on each Agenda Item. Group members should keep their role in the production team in mind – ie. the Producer can chair the meeting
Each group must fill in the Production Plan Handout by outlining :
- Programme Title
- Programme Format
- Production Features
Recommended max. number of participants and trainees to trainers ratio
10
Vision impaired/learning disabilities 4 participants per trainer
Risk and possible adaptation
E-mailing handouts in advance for people who are vision impaired or blind. Facilitator might be required for editorial meeting note taking for learning difficulties group.
Tips for Trainers
Distribute (on Paper or by e-mail) the handouts for Programme Production, Production Meeting and the Production Plan. If the group is vision impaired, it might need to be e-mail before the meeting, so it is available during the discussion. If the group includes people with learning difficulties, a facilitator might need to take the group through the questions and note their answers.
Encourage the group, make suggestions about possible interviewees for their theme if they cannot think of anyone
Analysis and evaluation
Can participants name different roles in the production team?
Do they understand their responsibility under each role?
If this is a ‘real radio’ situation, do they produce the programme as planned?
Scheduling
After the research, interviewing, programmes features and formats and media and law.