BBC Academy Podcast

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a producer you are thinking ahead to the end of the show, what is coming up for each link and making sure they are most prepared
• A team assistant is in charge of ensuring everyone is prepared e.g making sure callers are ready to be put om air
• Fiona (assistant producer) make sure guests know exactly what is going to be talked about, what can't be mentioned, checking everyone is sounding well
• Music team: work from 4am till 7pm making sure they do not playlist the same music all the time

PREPARATION:

• The routine for the show is largely decided the day before (guests, competition etc.)
• Still have room to do whatever to make sure they are up to date
• First few hours of day reading through current topics
• The script: more of a flexible structure for each half hour
• List of things to be brought up that can be added in whenever is most suitable
• Don't have set creative meeting due to the type of guests coming in (big guest= best questions and features are needed)
• Use a group chat to constantly share new ideas
• Constantly thinking about what can be used for the show
• Have a good flexibility of who they can have on the show

TEAM DYNAMICS:

• small office space, sat very closely (important to know what people need and how each person works)
• the producer and assistant are always in constant dialogue so everyone knows their responsibilities and what gaps need to be filled.
• everyone tries to teach each other new skills
• constant change and new ideas with some continuity to have a good balance
• Everyone enjoys working with each other so they get through the time quickly
• Have to trust every part of the team

ENJOYABLE AND CHALLENGING:

• New production and new management brings new and exciting material for the presenters
• Everyone helps each other to improve
• Early starts
• Very busy and stressful show but has a good feeling afterwards
• After a while it doesn't feel like a job because everyone enjoys themselves
• There is a constant expectation to sound good but there isn't a pressure to produce good numbers
• The satisfaction of interesting their listeners
• Some guests are quite difficult if they don't stay on very long or aren't open to talking very much
• If guests start ranting they have to remind guests that they are on the air and may have to terminate the interview

BREAKING INTO RADIO:

• Try to do things that help you learn about the industry (working for free)
• Skills are learned through experience rather than courses
• Try and talk to people as much as you can about how they improved their careers
• Try to make sure you know how to communicate
• Directly approach people in the industry (do not be scared and stay persistent)