This question is for the PDs or other people who have the authority to hire. I am a beginner in the radio business. I have a couple of questions. First, I am in the process of putting an aircheck together to go along with my resume, what essential elements make an exceptional tape? Also, why is it so competitive to get an on-air position in radio now days? Thank you!
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Airchecks
- Thread starter Drizzle
- Start date
1. As far as the tape goes, talk conversationally. Don't try to impress people with some kind of "super voice". Just talk as if you were talking to a friend that you respect.(important) Keep each of your breaks under 30 seconds, unless you have some truly amazing content/interview that is over 30. Do Not leave a lot of music between announces. Keep the tape moving, trim your breaks short using Cool Edit/Adobe or whatever you use to edit. Again keep it moving from one break to the next. The total length of the demo should Not exceed 5:00 and I would recommend keeping it at about 3:00 if you're a true rookie applying to a small market and especially if you have no phoners.
Make your tape entertaining and reflective of your own personality. Don't try to make a tape that sounds like the station's current announcers. Remember that the PD might be shifting through a pile of tapes/cds and he is probably getting board.
Also, put your MOST killer stuff first on the demo Not last. Stack your stuff from Most important to least important. You gotta hold the PD's attention while he listens.
2. Why is it hard to get on-air jobs? In small markets in Iowa, it is Not very hard to get a weekend on-air job. Apply to a bunch of stations, even formats that you don't really like and make sure to walk into the station in a straight line without any Beer on your breath and you will be fine. Within three months if you keep contacting the PDs and quit waiting for HR to come through, you'll land a gig. The hours will suck royaly and you will probably make like about 75 cents a week but it's all good right?
3. Other tid bits.....
a. On your cover letter say that you looking to plug into a cluster of stations through board-oping/promotions/production and on-air. Also, say that you require at least one 3 hour live on-air shift. Don't let them talk you into getting hired without the air-shift, unless you have no other offers.
b. Tell them your looking for time and space to hon your craft and that you really really want to improve.
c. At same point tell them that you want to be a program director some day and turn in some killer market share.
d. Apply to human resouce but also send package to the program director and/or the assistant program director.
e. If you don't hear anything about your package, then send the PD an e-mail introducing yourself and mentioning that you sent a package.
> This question is for the PDs or other people who have the
> authority to hire. I am a beginner in the radio business.
> I have a couple of questions. First, I am in the process of
> putting an aircheck together to go along with my resume,
> what essential elements make an exceptional tape? Also, why
> is it so competitive to get an on-air position in radio now
> days? Thank you!
>
Make your tape entertaining and reflective of your own personality. Don't try to make a tape that sounds like the station's current announcers. Remember that the PD might be shifting through a pile of tapes/cds and he is probably getting board.
Also, put your MOST killer stuff first on the demo Not last. Stack your stuff from Most important to least important. You gotta hold the PD's attention while he listens.
2. Why is it hard to get on-air jobs? In small markets in Iowa, it is Not very hard to get a weekend on-air job. Apply to a bunch of stations, even formats that you don't really like and make sure to walk into the station in a straight line without any Beer on your breath and you will be fine. Within three months if you keep contacting the PDs and quit waiting for HR to come through, you'll land a gig. The hours will suck royaly and you will probably make like about 75 cents a week but it's all good right?
3. Other tid bits.....
a. On your cover letter say that you looking to plug into a cluster of stations through board-oping/promotions/production and on-air. Also, say that you require at least one 3 hour live on-air shift. Don't let them talk you into getting hired without the air-shift, unless you have no other offers.
b. Tell them your looking for time and space to hon your craft and that you really really want to improve.
c. At same point tell them that you want to be a program director some day and turn in some killer market share.
d. Apply to human resouce but also send package to the program director and/or the assistant program director.
e. If you don't hear anything about your package, then send the PD an e-mail introducing yourself and mentioning that you sent a package.
> This question is for the PDs or other people who have the
> authority to hire. I am a beginner in the radio business.
> I have a couple of questions. First, I am in the process of
> putting an aircheck together to go along with my resume,
> what essential elements make an exceptional tape? Also, why
> is it so competitive to get an on-air position in radio now
> days? Thank you!
>
O
okoboji
Guest
This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck tricks that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff in a collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer music underneath it, do a very, very short narration about myself, then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person that hired me said later that my deportment and dress were key for him.
For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person that hired me said later that my deportment and dress were key for him.
Not to confuse anyone, but I've always been told the "narration" was a big time no-no. Your aircheck should only be air work, not you talking about yourself, as that doesn't show anyone what you can do on-air.
I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show that you can do something that's heavily produced and that flows. Also always be sure to include some sort of production to show your skills there as well.
> This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck tricks
> that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff in a
> collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer music
> underneath it, do a very, very short narration about myself,
> then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
>
> For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in
> unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person that
> hired me said later that my deportment and dress were key
> for him.
>
I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show that you can do something that's heavily produced and that flows. Also always be sure to include some sort of production to show your skills there as well.
> This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck tricks
> that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff in a
> collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer music
> underneath it, do a very, very short narration about myself,
> then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
>
> For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in
> unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person that
> hired me said later that my deportment and dress were key
> for him.
>
Thanks everyone, this is all good advice, I really appreciate it. What's your opinion about an aircheck that has a different format of music on it than what you are applying for? I realize airchecks are for people to hear what you sound like, but there is a different attitude that goes along with different formats. For instance, I would have a different attitude with a rock format than I would with a country format.
> Not to confuse anyone, but I've always been told the
> "narration" was a big time no-no. Your aircheck should only
> be air work, not you talking about yourself, as that doesn't
> show anyone what you can do on-air.
>
> I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show that
> you can do something that's heavily produced and that flows.
> Also always be sure to include some sort of production to
> show your skills there as well.
>
>
>
> > This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck tricks
> > that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff in a
> > collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer
> music
> > underneath it, do a very, very short narration about
> myself,
> > then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
> >
> > For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in
> > unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person that
>
> > hired me said later that my deportment and dress were key
> > for him.
> >
>
> Not to confuse anyone, but I've always been told the
> "narration" was a big time no-no. Your aircheck should only
> be air work, not you talking about yourself, as that doesn't
> show anyone what you can do on-air.
>
> I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show that
> you can do something that's heavily produced and that flows.
> Also always be sure to include some sort of production to
> show your skills there as well.
>
>
>
> > This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck tricks
> > that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff in a
> > collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer
> music
> > underneath it, do a very, very short narration about
> myself,
> > then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
> >
> > For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in
> > unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person that
>
> > hired me said later that my deportment and dress were key
> > for him.
> >
>
> Thanks everyone, this is all good advice, I really
> appreciate it. What's your opinion about an aircheck that
> has a different format of music on it than what you are
> applying for? I realize airchecks are for people to hear
> what you sound like, but there is a different attitude that
> goes along with different formats. For instance, I would
> have a different attitude with a rock format than I would
> with a country format.
I'm no PD, but I think, as a general rule, it's best to send the format you're applying for. However, you'll also want to send recent stuff, so if you're applying for a country job, and have a 5 year old country aircheck, but you've got a 2 month old rock aircheck, go ahead and send the rock.
Also, with CD airchecks being so available now, the game has changed a little. Start the CD with the standard "best of" demo. On a subsequent track, put a recent unscoped aircheck. I don't know if this applies to smaller markets so much, but in larger markets the PD will almost always request an unscoped tape. With CD, it's really easy to just send it in the first place, as a separate track. That gives the PD a chance to hear what you really sound like.
> appreciate it. What's your opinion about an aircheck that
> has a different format of music on it than what you are
> applying for? I realize airchecks are for people to hear
> what you sound like, but there is a different attitude that
> goes along with different formats. For instance, I would
> have a different attitude with a rock format than I would
> with a country format.
I'm no PD, but I think, as a general rule, it's best to send the format you're applying for. However, you'll also want to send recent stuff, so if you're applying for a country job, and have a 5 year old country aircheck, but you've got a 2 month old rock aircheck, go ahead and send the rock.
Also, with CD airchecks being so available now, the game has changed a little. Start the CD with the standard "best of" demo. On a subsequent track, put a recent unscoped aircheck. I don't know if this applies to smaller markets so much, but in larger markets the PD will almost always request an unscoped tape. With CD, it's really easy to just send it in the first place, as a separate track. That gives the PD a chance to hear what you really sound like.
You need to prove that at the previous station you hit your niche. Make your Rock demo a true "Rock Demo" and send it to an AC station or whatever. A PD is looking to see if you can hit your demo Not if you "by accident" were working in the wrong format. If I got a Rock Demo from someone that sounded like an AC person, I would assume that they weren't very good.
As stated earlier, if you have previously worked various formats, then you could montage both of the previous formats into one demo. If your format is just way too far out from the format your applying, we're talking NPR - to Active Rock, then I would be creative and do a couple NPR breaks then cut into a "mock demo" that you can make in a studio of you deejaying the station you are applying. make sure to address this in your cover letter and maybe an e-mail as well. It also never hurts to e-mail a PD and ask him what he or she would like. This could also open another route of communication.
Also, I noticed that you're in Des Moines. If you've been out of the game for a while, you may be better off commutting to a nearby small market for about a year or grabbing a non-profit volunteer gig for about a year. Learn all you can during that year, then take the experience into Des Moines. Des Moines is a bit more competitve because it's a top 100 market. The next closest size market in all of Iowa is 214 (I think)
> Thanks everyone, this is all good advice, I really
> appreciate it. What's your opinion about an aircheck that
> has a different format of music on it than what you are
> applying for? I realize airchecks are for people to hear
> what you sound like, but there is a different attitude that
> goes along with different formats. For instance, I would
> have a different attitude with a rock format than I would
> with a country format.
>
> > Not to confuse anyone, but I've always been told the
> > "narration" was a big time no-no. Your aircheck should
> only
> > be air work, not you talking about yourself, as that
> doesn't
> > show anyone what you can do on-air.
> >
> > I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show that
> > you can do something that's heavily produced and that
> flows.
> > Also always be sure to include some sort of production to
> > show your skills there as well.
> >
> >
> >
> > > This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck tricks
>
> > > that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff in
> a
> > > collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer
> > music
> > > underneath it, do a very, very short narration about
> > myself,
> > > then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
> > >
> > > For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in
> > > unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person
> that
> >
> > > hired me said later that my deportment and dress were
> key
> > > for him.
> > >
> >
>
As stated earlier, if you have previously worked various formats, then you could montage both of the previous formats into one demo. If your format is just way too far out from the format your applying, we're talking NPR - to Active Rock, then I would be creative and do a couple NPR breaks then cut into a "mock demo" that you can make in a studio of you deejaying the station you are applying. make sure to address this in your cover letter and maybe an e-mail as well. It also never hurts to e-mail a PD and ask him what he or she would like. This could also open another route of communication.
Also, I noticed that you're in Des Moines. If you've been out of the game for a while, you may be better off commutting to a nearby small market for about a year or grabbing a non-profit volunteer gig for about a year. Learn all you can during that year, then take the experience into Des Moines. Des Moines is a bit more competitve because it's a top 100 market. The next closest size market in all of Iowa is 214 (I think)
> Thanks everyone, this is all good advice, I really
> appreciate it. What's your opinion about an aircheck that
> has a different format of music on it than what you are
> applying for? I realize airchecks are for people to hear
> what you sound like, but there is a different attitude that
> goes along with different formats. For instance, I would
> have a different attitude with a rock format than I would
> with a country format.
>
> > Not to confuse anyone, but I've always been told the
> > "narration" was a big time no-no. Your aircheck should
> only
> > be air work, not you talking about yourself, as that
> doesn't
> > show anyone what you can do on-air.
> >
> > I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show that
> > you can do something that's heavily produced and that
> flows.
> > Also always be sure to include some sort of production to
> > show your skills there as well.
> >
> >
> >
> > > This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck tricks
>
> > > that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff in
> a
> > > collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer
> > music
> > > underneath it, do a very, very short narration about
> > myself,
> > > then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
> > >
> > > For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped in
> > > unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person
> that
> >
> > > hired me said later that my deportment and dress were
> key
> > > for him.
> > >
> >
>
H
hereinKC
Guest
Ok..this is important..
Make sure you package, including envelope (padded mailer), CD label, and resume all look professional.
Do not hand write "Jim Bob Demo" on the CD. Print a label.. First impressions are made by what the PD/APD see a lot of times before they even here the demo..
If you took time to make your CD/resume/package look good, the potential employer will give you a better listen.
Make sure you package, including envelope (padded mailer), CD label, and resume all look professional.
Do not hand write "Jim Bob Demo" on the CD. Print a label.. First impressions are made by what the PD/APD see a lot of times before they even here the demo..
If you took time to make your CD/resume/package look good, the potential employer will give you a better listen.
Thank you for the info. My air check consists of two different formats. I went ahead and put both on there to show my versatility as an on-air talent. I have been off the air for roughly a year now. I am not trying to get on somewhere in Des Moines...I am trying to get out of Des Moines. I am trying to get on in Eastern Iowa. It seems competitive everywhere I look in the state of Iowa, but maybe sometime, if I push enough, I can get on somewhere!
> You need to prove that at the previous station you hit your
> niche. Make your Rock demo a true "Rock Demo" and send it
> to an AC station or whatever. A PD is looking to see if you
> can hit your demo Not if you "by accident" were working in
> the wrong format. If I got a Rock Demo from someone that
> sounded like an AC person, I would assume that they weren't
> very good.
>
> As stated earlier, if you have previously worked various
> formats, then you could montage both of the previous formats
> into one demo. If your format is just way too far out from
> the format your applying, we're talking NPR - to Active
> Rock, then I would be creative and do a couple NPR breaks
> then cut into a "mock demo" that you can make in a studio of
> you deejaying the station you are applying. make sure to
> address this in your cover letter and maybe an e-mail as
> well. It also never hurts to e-mail a PD and ask him what
> he or she would like. This could also open another route of
> communication.
>
> Also, I noticed that you're in Des Moines. If you've been
> out of the game for a while, you may be better off
> commutting to a nearby small market for about a year or
> grabbing a non-profit volunteer gig for about a year. Learn
> all you can during that year, then take the experience into
> Des Moines. Des Moines is a bit more competitve because it's
> a top 100 market. The next closest size market in all of
> Iowa is 214 (I think)
>
>
> > Thanks everyone, this is all good advice, I really
> > appreciate it. What's your opinion about an aircheck that
>
> > has a different format of music on it than what you are
> > applying for? I realize airchecks are for people to hear
> > what you sound like, but there is a different attitude
> that
> > goes along with different formats. For instance, I would
> > have a different attitude with a rock format than I would
> > with a country format.
> >
> > > Not to confuse anyone, but I've always been told the
> > > "narration" was a big time no-no. Your aircheck should
> > only
> > > be air work, not you talking about yourself, as that
> > doesn't
> > > show anyone what you can do on-air.
> > >
> > > I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show
> that
> > > you can do something that's heavily produced and that
> > flows.
> > > Also always be sure to include some sort of production
> to
> > > show your skills there as well.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck
> tricks
> >
> > > > that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff
> in
> > a
> > > > collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer
> > > music
> > > > underneath it, do a very, very short narration about
> > > myself,
> > > > then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
> > > >
> > > > For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped
> in
> > > > unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person
> > that
> > >
> > > > hired me said later that my deportment and dress were
> > key
> > > > for him.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
> You need to prove that at the previous station you hit your
> niche. Make your Rock demo a true "Rock Demo" and send it
> to an AC station or whatever. A PD is looking to see if you
> can hit your demo Not if you "by accident" were working in
> the wrong format. If I got a Rock Demo from someone that
> sounded like an AC person, I would assume that they weren't
> very good.
>
> As stated earlier, if you have previously worked various
> formats, then you could montage both of the previous formats
> into one demo. If your format is just way too far out from
> the format your applying, we're talking NPR - to Active
> Rock, then I would be creative and do a couple NPR breaks
> then cut into a "mock demo" that you can make in a studio of
> you deejaying the station you are applying. make sure to
> address this in your cover letter and maybe an e-mail as
> well. It also never hurts to e-mail a PD and ask him what
> he or she would like. This could also open another route of
> communication.
>
> Also, I noticed that you're in Des Moines. If you've been
> out of the game for a while, you may be better off
> commutting to a nearby small market for about a year or
> grabbing a non-profit volunteer gig for about a year. Learn
> all you can during that year, then take the experience into
> Des Moines. Des Moines is a bit more competitve because it's
> a top 100 market. The next closest size market in all of
> Iowa is 214 (I think)
>
>
> > Thanks everyone, this is all good advice, I really
> > appreciate it. What's your opinion about an aircheck that
>
> > has a different format of music on it than what you are
> > applying for? I realize airchecks are for people to hear
> > what you sound like, but there is a different attitude
> that
> > goes along with different formats. For instance, I would
> > have a different attitude with a rock format than I would
> > with a country format.
> >
> > > Not to confuse anyone, but I've always been told the
> > > "narration" was a big time no-no. Your aircheck should
> > only
> > > be air work, not you talking about yourself, as that
> > doesn't
> > > show anyone what you can do on-air.
> > >
> > > I do agree with the 'collage' at the beginning. Show
> that
> > > you can do something that's heavily produced and that
> > flows.
> > > Also always be sure to include some sort of production
> to
> > > show your skills there as well.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > This is all very good advice. One of my aircheck
> tricks
> >
> > > > that proved to be effective was to put my best stuff
> in
> > a
> > > > collage at the start of the aircheck, use some killer
> > > music
> > > > underneath it, do a very, very short narration about
> > > myself,
> > > > then do a minute or two of the rest of the aircheck.
> > > >
> > > > For my first radio job, I dressed very well, dropped
> in
> > > > unannounced, and left tapes for the GM/PD. The person
> > that
> > >
> > > > hired me said later that my deportment and dress were
> > key
> > > > for him.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
> Also, say that you require at least one 3 hour live on-air
> shift. Don't let them talk you into getting hired without
> the air-shift, unless you have no other offers.
That's a great idea in theory, but I'd avoid it like the plague in practice. A far better way to handle it is to mention that you want to do jock shifts in the interview, do your job (whatever it is) well and without hounding, continue to remind the PD of that fact.
Speaking as a guy who's sat behind the desk, if you told me that you "require" an airshift, you're not getting the job. It's a turn-off, and there's likely plenty of other applicants to choose from.
> shift. Don't let them talk you into getting hired without
> the air-shift, unless you have no other offers.
That's a great idea in theory, but I'd avoid it like the plague in practice. A far better way to handle it is to mention that you want to do jock shifts in the interview, do your job (whatever it is) well and without hounding, continue to remind the PD of that fact.
Speaking as a guy who's sat behind the desk, if you told me that you "require" an airshift, you're not getting the job. It's a turn-off, and there's likely plenty of other applicants to choose from.
Obviously, if someone had no on-air experience and I was PDing in a smaller market, I might have some people doing mostly board-ops but I would still would find a 12M to 3 am somewhere to give them the chance to move-up or at least have them throwing down some production so they could move-up in production. Again, I wouldn't want someone that is content to just kind of stay where they are board-oping, driving vans, and setting up tents.
MOST PDs that are interested in "grunt work only" kind of people are the same PDs that run Part-timers time cards up to 34 hours week after week at $6.50/hr and only promote people that are bent on glorifying the "all-knowing" boss. I have no problem with grunt work being dished out to the new people, but they still need opportunities to contribute to programming. People that have no desire to move-up tend to have a factory worker mentality about their jobs and tend to Not be the ambitious/intelligent young people that radio needs. This attracts individuals that are just looking for free concert tickets and to hang out with the jocks. Why make $6.50 making sandwiches when you can make $6.50 hanging out in a radio station? By requiring production/on-air responsibilities in PTers this keeps the PT staff fresh with intelligent/ambitious people that are eager to put their fresh theories/beliefs about radio into action. As a result, PDs that hold this philosophy are happy to see young people that "require" on-air responsibility.
Obviously, there are some exceptions particularly in smaller markets where people don't have a line of part-timer apps and interns. In this situation you may need the occasionally dude that is just looking for some part-time work. I also fully understand that this is my opinion and it's just radio were talking about and you are welcome to disagree, but DARN IT this is my belief. I just can't see why someone would be "turned off" by a younger person requiring a short 3 hour live shift. I say don't sit back and wait for someone to give you the go ahead to become the best...I say push push push...
> > Also, say that you require at least one 3 hour live on-air
>
> > shift. Don't let them talk you into getting hired without
>
> > the air-shift, unless you have no other offers.
>
> That's a great idea in theory, but I'd avoid it like the
> plague in practice. A far better way to handle it is to
> mention that you want to do jock shifts in the interview, do
> your job (whatever it is) well and without hounding,
> continue to remind the PD of that fact.
>
> Speaking as a guy who's sat behind the desk, if you told me
> that you "require" an airshift, you're not getting the job.
> It's a turn-off, and there's likely plenty of other
> applicants to choose from.
>
MOST PDs that are interested in "grunt work only" kind of people are the same PDs that run Part-timers time cards up to 34 hours week after week at $6.50/hr and only promote people that are bent on glorifying the "all-knowing" boss. I have no problem with grunt work being dished out to the new people, but they still need opportunities to contribute to programming. People that have no desire to move-up tend to have a factory worker mentality about their jobs and tend to Not be the ambitious/intelligent young people that radio needs. This attracts individuals that are just looking for free concert tickets and to hang out with the jocks. Why make $6.50 making sandwiches when you can make $6.50 hanging out in a radio station? By requiring production/on-air responsibilities in PTers this keeps the PT staff fresh with intelligent/ambitious people that are eager to put their fresh theories/beliefs about radio into action. As a result, PDs that hold this philosophy are happy to see young people that "require" on-air responsibility.
Obviously, there are some exceptions particularly in smaller markets where people don't have a line of part-timer apps and interns. In this situation you may need the occasionally dude that is just looking for some part-time work. I also fully understand that this is my opinion and it's just radio were talking about and you are welcome to disagree, but DARN IT this is my belief. I just can't see why someone would be "turned off" by a younger person requiring a short 3 hour live shift. I say don't sit back and wait for someone to give you the go ahead to become the best...I say push push push...
> > Also, say that you require at least one 3 hour live on-air
>
> > shift. Don't let them talk you into getting hired without
>
> > the air-shift, unless you have no other offers.
>
> That's a great idea in theory, but I'd avoid it like the
> plague in practice. A far better way to handle it is to
> mention that you want to do jock shifts in the interview, do
> your job (whatever it is) well and without hounding,
> continue to remind the PD of that fact.
>
> Speaking as a guy who's sat behind the desk, if you told me
> that you "require" an airshift, you're not getting the job.
> It's a turn-off, and there's likely plenty of other
> applicants to choose from.
>
> I wouldn't want someone that is content to just kind of stay
> where they are board-oping, driving vans, and setting up
> tents.
I totally agree.
> I also fully understand that this is my opinion and
> it's just radio were talking about and you are welcome to
> disagree, but DARN IT this is my belief.
That's great. You're certainly entitled to it. My opinion -- as someone who hires part-timers, and which I'm also entitled to -- is that it's a bad idea. Other people who hire part-timers may disagree with me. That's the beauty of opinions. Relax...this is a friendly discussion.
> I just can't see why someone would be "turned off" by a
> younger person requiring a short 3 hour live shift.
Call me old school, but you take whatever you can get, do it well, and THEN lobby for more responsibility.
If I'm hiring for board-ops and someone comes in and tells me they'll take my board-op gig, but only if they get an airshift with it, then I'm moving on to the next person. Frankly, it comes off as arrogant, and if I was hiring for an airshift, I wouldn't be interviewing board-ops.
But if I hire someone to board-op, and they come in, do a great job and ask to be considered for an airshift, then it's absolutely going to resonate more than someone who pushes too hard to begin with.
> I say don't sit back and wait for someone to give you the go
> ahead to become the best...I say push push push...
I couldn't agree more...but you have to GET the job first. Take the board-op gig. Hang around the station, even when you're not scheduled. Ask the MD about Selector. Ask the prod guy how Audition works. Be the morning show's Danger Boy/Girl. And yes, keep pestering the PD (without pissing him off) for a shot at the air.
Now, if you do all that and you still don't get the shift after a reasonable amount of time, then move on -- but you'll have valuable experience, which is gold in this industry.
> where they are board-oping, driving vans, and setting up
> tents.
I totally agree.
> I also fully understand that this is my opinion and
> it's just radio were talking about and you are welcome to
> disagree, but DARN IT this is my belief.
That's great. You're certainly entitled to it. My opinion -- as someone who hires part-timers, and which I'm also entitled to -- is that it's a bad idea. Other people who hire part-timers may disagree with me. That's the beauty of opinions. Relax...this is a friendly discussion.
> I just can't see why someone would be "turned off" by a
> younger person requiring a short 3 hour live shift.
Call me old school, but you take whatever you can get, do it well, and THEN lobby for more responsibility.
If I'm hiring for board-ops and someone comes in and tells me they'll take my board-op gig, but only if they get an airshift with it, then I'm moving on to the next person. Frankly, it comes off as arrogant, and if I was hiring for an airshift, I wouldn't be interviewing board-ops.
But if I hire someone to board-op, and they come in, do a great job and ask to be considered for an airshift, then it's absolutely going to resonate more than someone who pushes too hard to begin with.
> I say don't sit back and wait for someone to give you the go
> ahead to become the best...I say push push push...
I couldn't agree more...but you have to GET the job first. Take the board-op gig. Hang around the station, even when you're not scheduled. Ask the MD about Selector. Ask the prod guy how Audition works. Be the morning show's Danger Boy/Girl. And yes, keep pestering the PD (without pissing him off) for a shot at the air.
Now, if you do all that and you still don't get the shift after a reasonable amount of time, then move on -- but you'll have valuable experience, which is gold in this industry.
A
AtHomeBoy_2000
Guest
I am in a similar boat. I recently Graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a major in Radio Brodcasting Talent/Production. I have a lot of Production and Imaging work. I'd love a "peer review" from some of you who are out there in the buisness. If you e-mail me, I'll send you the link to where you can listen to my work. Any feed back would be greatlly appreciated.
~Jason
~Jason
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