Category: Radio News Bulletin
Top 10 reporting tips
Using a microphone
Using recording equipment
Recording vox pops
Writing for radio
Working with a large group
Script-writing tips and real examples
Much of the following information has been supplied by BBC Training and Development. Their website contains a variety of free online tutorials to develop technical and editorial skills.
Training information and free online BBC courses
No one wants to listen to a presenter just droning on so here is radio producer Ros Smith’s advice on how to bring your script to life with sounds.
1. The most important thing is to make your script clear. What is the story? Tell it as clearly as you can. If you get stuck trying to think of the words, just imagine what you would say to your best mate to explain the story.
2. Be yourself, use your own words and your own language.
In the playground
Sound of the sea
3. Record your item in interesting places – you will be amazed what a difference background noise (or atmos) can make. For example if you’re at the seaside make sure you can hear the seagulls and the waves behind you. Listen to these background sounds from the BBC sound effect library.
Make sure you can still hear the person speaking clearly over any background noise. When no one is talking spend a minute or so collecting some extra recording of the background sounds (even if it’s silence!) as it can help with editing.
Also, make sure you have permission to record and that you are you are recording somewhere safe. No hanging off cliffs!
4. Keep the clips you are using short.
5. Try to get lots of different voices in your piece. You don’t just want one person with a boring voice droning on and on. Ideally aim for a balance of male and female voices, different accents and different ages of people.
6. Use vox pops – this means asking people in the street for their quick opinion on an issue. If you think of a good question, people often come up with lots interesting and often funny answers – it can really liven up a piece.
Make sure you go with an adult when you collect any vox pops and remember if you ask anyone under 18 you will need their parent’s signed permission.
Read the Recording vox pops section below for more information.
7. Once you’ve mastered the basics, think about how you can experiment. Instead of starting with an introduction by your presenter it might be more interesting to start with some vox pops or some unusual noises.
If your feature is about sweets maybe you could start with the sound of someone opening some sweets and eating them.
Can you get everyone to introduce themselves rather than the presenter doing it? Do you even need to be in the piece? Would it be more interesting if you weren’t in it at all?
8. Use music. This can be tricky because you have to be careful with copyright. But you could write and record some music yourself.
9. Use sound effects. It’s amazing what a difference a few sounds effects can make. Door slamming, dogs barking or even a well chosen raspberry – be inventive, listeners like to laugh!
You can make and record them yourself, or have a look at the 60 Second Shakespeare website to find out where to get sound effects on the internet. Use the link in the top right corner of this page.
Remember, it’s up to your teacher to make sure it is okay to use sounds from the internet on your school website.
10. Finally, think carefully about how are you going to finish your piece. Perhaps you could leave the listener with a question or something to think about, or maybe a sneak preview of the next programme, known as a teaser.
Don’t forget, it’s the last thing they will hear, so make it memorable.
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USING A MICROPHONE
Hold the microphone firmly in the middle
Rest your arm on a chair or table if you are recording a lengthy interview
Speak directly into the microphone while holding it 10 to 15 cm away from your mouth
Point the microphone directly at the person you are interviewing to capture their answers
Point the microphone at yourself while you are asking questions
Swap the microphone between 