Yesterday, Monday 22nd of April, we had our second live show. Rose and I presented while JJ panel operated. I came into the studio in the morning feeling relatively calm- it was just going to be 1 hour of radio out of 24 in a day, and 168 in a week, that Triple R would broadcast. I also felt that while we had prepared less than our group had for the first show, we were still well rehearsed. It is really amazing how much calmer I felt after 3 or so hours of practice with Rose and JJ in the week before the show. Anyway, I felt okay. We went through the run sheet before the show, played through some of the songs etc.
When it came to 12 o’clock, my nerves were definitely peaking! Really though, I had not much reason to be nervous. The only difference between our practices and the real thing was that it would matter more if I made a mistake, but I knew that it was unlikely I would do that. I quickly felt comfortable speaking into the microphone and knowing it was going out to REAL people, not just back into our own ears never to be heard again. I think this was also because of how little time Rose and I were actually speaking; between songs, pre-recorded interviews, sponsorships and the like, Rose and I really only announced things and had the one live interview. I also think there was a good dynamic between the two of us. I’m sure at times it sounded rehearsed/scripted (because it was), but a lot of the time we added our own thoughts in the moments and said things that made it more impromptu and natural. I am glad we had everything written (even though I think I could do it just fine with dot points) because it calms me knowing there is something to say if my mind blanks! Overall, I felt comfortable and confident in front of the microphone.
I think the live interview went really well. Beth was a great interviewee, giving plentiful answers but not to the extent of rambling. I found it really easy to engage with her, and even though we had questions listed, they came up when relevant rather than in a pre-disposed order. I found thinking of the next question somewhat difficult at times because I wanted to listen to what she was saying, but I didn’t want it to be my turn to speak and for me to have nothing to ask. It was tricky to juggle the act of engaging in ‘conversation’ while worrying about what was coming next, but overall I really think we handled it well.
In terms of the pre-recorded interviews, there is definitely some things I would have changed retrospectively. We shouldn’t really have included the HoMie interview. While the content was interesting and relevant, unfortunately, the editing and final composition weren’t up to scratch. Elizabeth mentioned this in her feedback to us, saying it wasn’t of a professional standard. I had an inkling this would be the case when I first listened to the interview, but Sam said it would be broadcast quality (maybe after taking pity on my stress about the show). Looking back we should have organised a second live interview, also because it would have given Rose and myself more of a chance to gain skills in live interviewing and presenting. I don’t want to seem like I’m making excuses- but we did go with the HoMie interview because we (myself in particular) were getting rather stressed in the lead up to the show (with the feature needing to be produced simultaneously, two of the girls having pretty extreme, uncontrollable personal circumstances and the end of semester and all the work it brings, fast approaching), and decided having two pre-recorded interviews over two live interviews would be a lot easier. Which it was, but I should have challenged myself more.
I really like Dusty’s interview with James of Lemon Ceramics. Elizabeth gave us some criticism that we mentioned ‘brand’ too much when introducing the interview, which I hadn’t realised we focused on but accept the feedback and understand it in relation to RRR’s community standing. She also brought up the question of “Why James over some other ceramicist?”, implying that he didn’t have anything particularly noteworthy to say. Again, I accept this feedback but as a listener (and I didn’t have any part in producing the interview- I really was a listener) I found the interview to be interesting and relaxed. To quote my friend who listened to the show, “the interview with the ceramic dude was cool, he seemed super chill and nice”. I understand the interview wasn’t anything groundbreaking, and maybe it didn’t deserve to be aired in the middle of the day, but I thought it was a fun piece that ended our show on a light note. I also think Dusty asked some great questions and facilitated an engaging interview, so props to her.
After the ceramics interview was our slight techincal/human glitch, which was a pity because we were on such a good run and the show was due to end perfectly on time. Basically, JJ (who up to this point and after did an awesome job at the panel) accidentally switched the song half way through, when she meant to use the switcher dial on the other CD player. So, Home Again by Micheal Kiwanuka ended half way through. When it happened, JJ just looked at us very panicked. I didn’t realise what was happening for a moment, but then she put our mics on and Rose and I (somewhat flustered) tried to recover. Personally, I think we did a great job. So what if we make a mistake? We were honest and said there was an issue, and that we’d be going to another song. I got very worried when announcing the next song because I wasn’t sure of the issue and thought that maybe no song would play and that I would announce a song only to hear dead air and no song being played. Luckily, a song did play. Unfortunately, it was not the song I had spent a long-winded minute (trying to fill time) announcing. Fortunately, Sammy and Dusty came in, Sammy used Shazam (thank you modern technology) to find what the song was (it was one Rose had put on the CD in case we needed more songs (thank you Rose), it was just in the wrong order) and we just played the actual song I announced (Air’s track, All I Need) after the wrong song. And then back announced them like nothing had ever happened. Problem solved!
Then we were finally back on the scripted content (knew it would come in handy!) and we wrapped up the show nicely and went just slightly over time into Zero G’s slot (apologised dearly to them).
So, overall, I think it went well. And I had a fun time! I was inadvertently reminded that challenging yourself can be a good thing and that it is how you learn. We made mistakes but I see them as opportunities to learn and grow- this was the first(ish) time for us on radio, on a REAL radio station, and I think we did fairly well for the circumstances!
I would definitely like to explore producing and presenting radio in the future. And while 3RRR is a great avenue to do this, and one that may be open for people in our class going forward, I will probably lean towards getting involved in SYN first, as this is for young people and will probably be less pressure than working for RRR and creating content for such a widely listened to station. I am super thankful for the opportunity I have had though, and am so glad I picked (and got into) this studio this semester.
Also forgot to post this but cute pic of the hosts liv and rose with @bethblvd ❤️ pic.twitter.com/T1sqcBag7a
— Room With A View (@rwavRRR) May 22, 2017
Myself, Beth and Rose!