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What I've learned
Posted by: David Maxon on November 7, 2007 02:30 PM | Comments (4)
Three months ago when I first contacted Transom about getting involved in radio, I knew almost nothing about how the world of radio and audio documentary works.
In my hotel room, buring the midnight oil
Now I find myself, though not having done anywhere near everything I would like to someday do in radio, with experiences and knowledge I’d have thought would take years to achieve. I had no idea the floodgates of good will and support that would be thrown open by just asking. Public radio (or audio documentary or just audio) people are remarkably friendly and willing to share knowledge. I hope this doesn’t change as a generation of iPoders starts bringing large numbers into the radio/audio world. Not that it is a perfect world but there is a prevailing ethos of inclusion that I think is great.
So what did I learn? I’m gonna try to sum it up. The true breadth of knowledge I’ve gained can’t really be easily put into bullet points. It’s been days since I returned from Third Coast and I’m still trying to sort everything out. But let’s say someone sent me an e-mail today and said, “How do I get involved in radio?” I’d at least have an answer. Most of the answer tracks pretty closely with Samantha Broun’s first response to me when I asked that question in July.
1) Network: Go to the annual Third Coast International Audio Festival Conference in Chicago. You’ll meet people, gain knowledge, make friends and come away feeling like you are already a radio person. You’ll probably want to have at least some audio work that you are proud of before you do. You can hand it around, attend a workshopping session, and maybe pitch it to some shows. Also, you might just get a chance have an accomplished producer listen and give you advice.
2) Schoolin’: There are two schools that you hear about more than any others at Third Coast. The first is Salt Institute for Documentary Studies radio program. I won’t go too much into this because I did a post on this blog about it already. The second is the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. Either one of these programs is known and respected by the folks I met at Third Coast and will help not just learning the craft but in providing a network. But check out your local schools as well. They might have a program or at least some classes in audio production.
3) Work for nothin’: This might apply mainly to younger folks wanting to get into radio. Internships are BIG in radio. Public radio doesn’t have the time or the money to pay people to learn, it seems. So, often, you have to pay your dues. That said, if the people providing the internships are anything like the people I have met so far (actually they are the same people) you will get a great education. Most shows and stations have information about internships on their websites.
4) PRX: The Public Radio Exchange is an amazing thing. Anyone who has produced work can build a profile and put her stuff up. Radio stations from around the country shop PRX for material. They can download and buy your piece right of the website. It’s what Jay Allison refers to as “Amazon.com for radio.”
5) Join AIR: The Association of Independents in Radio is a trade organization that provides advocacy, training, and information for independent producers. I don’t know, but I would imagine that the most valuable thing AIR provides is information on jobs and opportunities through its e-mail list and quarterly journal.
6) Make stuff: One thing that has become abundantly clear to me over the past few months is that if you make good audio, there are a whole lot of people out there just waiting to hear it. These people love radio. They seek it out. They want an excuse to put new people on the air. Make good work and good things can happen. You don’t need anyone’s permission. Just go ahead. For next to nothing you can buy a minidisc recorder and a mic. Then download Audacity (a free audio editing program similar to Protools). There you go, you can make an audio documentary. Sure there is always better equipment to be had but you don’t need to wait for great equipment to start. If you don’t mind spending a little money, read Transom’s “Tools” section for tips.
7) Podcast: I have to admit I am not well verse in the universe of podcasting. But Third Coast showed me that there are a lot of people out there skipping right past higher education, internships, pitching, and everything else and just putting their stuff out there. And some of them are even making money. Much like the music industry, the Internet has thrown open Pandora’s Box for the possibilities of independent distribution. If you want complete autonomy (and maybe obscurity) and if what you want to do won’t pass muster with the FCC – podcasting could be your ticket.
There is so much more intangible knowledge I’ve gained. I can try to articulate it for people. So, if you have any question feel free to contact me. I’d be more than happy to tell you what I know (such, it seems, is the mantra of radio).
View from the 13th floor hotel room
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