Goodness me. I have learned a whole bunch since I started here at KCC live.
It seems like such a long time ago that the equipment and software was alien. The basic use of the equipment and software now is second nature and I often play tricks to conduct extra work more efficiently. On the occasions that the newsfeed has not been completed, I take it upon myself to research and collate relevant articles (as many local as possible) using online local newspapers such as the Liverpool Echo and quite a lot from the website IRN.
It seems like such a long time ago that the equipment and software was alien. The basic use of the equipment and software now is second nature and I often play tricks to conduct extra work more efficiently. On the occasions that the newsfeed has not been completed, I take it upon myself to research and collate relevant articles (as many local as possible) using online local newspapers such as the Liverpool Echo and quite a lot from the website IRN.
To create the newsfeed, I use this research and drop it into Microsoft Word, formatting it so that it is easy to read straight from paper. I then ask one of my contemporaries to print the document (I do not have access to the printing system) and then I have all of the necessary literature to read live on air at the designated time. Often, there will be audio articles to go along with the written literature. I have to pull these from the web, place them into Adobe Audition and conduct some production to make sure that the levels are correct when they are broadcast. When I in fact deliver the news, I have already placed these audio files into the broadcast software so they are there at just a click.
Me delivering the news
On one or two occasions, I have made the mistake of clicking the wrong audio file but my confidence with the software allows for quick rectification when this has happened along with other human errors.
My knowledge of the software and the hardware allows me to conduct other tricks such as pre-recording the news if I have not recorded it live perfectly. For example, if the regular news guy has not come in to pre-record the newsfeed and I am left to broadcast it live, I often record straight from the live broadcast using Adobe Audition so that I can drop the sound file into future hours on the system (due to be broadcast for the rest of that day). But often, the perfectionist in me will not be happy with the way I broadcast the news live (I get three goes as I have a three hour show). I can broadcast a live show and still pre-record, using the same equipment the newsfeed or anything else for that matter.
I have on more than one occasion recorded telephone interviews for broadcast later in that show but because you can never be certain as to what is said during a telephone call, the interview must always be pre-recorded so that editing it may take place before live broadcast.
Me delivering the news
On one or two occasions, I have made the mistake of clicking the wrong audio file but my confidence with the software allows for quick rectification when this has happened along with other human errors.
My knowledge of the software and the hardware allows me to conduct other tricks such as pre-recording the news if I have not recorded it live perfectly. For example, if the regular news guy has not come in to pre-record the newsfeed and I am left to broadcast it live, I often record straight from the live broadcast using Adobe Audition so that I can drop the sound file into future hours on the system (due to be broadcast for the rest of that day). But often, the perfectionist in me will not be happy with the way I broadcast the news live (I get three goes as I have a three hour show). I can broadcast a live show and still pre-record, using the same equipment the newsfeed or anything else for that matter.
I have on more than one occasion recorded telephone interviews for broadcast later in that show but because you can never be certain as to what is said during a telephone call, the interview must always be pre-recorded so that editing it may take place before live broadcast.
I did have some trouble understanding over runs and under runs when starting a show, which I have now overcome. If I take control of the studio after someone else and they have left me in the wrong place or in the wrong our pertaining to the software, I now do not need to ask for help to put Myriad (the system) back to the right place within the software.
In the time I have been honing these skills, I have been working on my presentation skills as per my feedback from other presenters and my bosses. I have also been able to use the skills I have picked KCC live at my other show on Looprevil.
In the time I have been honing these skills, I have been working on my presentation skills as per my feedback from other presenters and my bosses. I have also been able to use the skills I have picked KCC live at my other show on Looprevil.
My recurring theme for the drivetime show at KCC live is 'The Big Live Drive Debate'. I always try to think quite hard as to what will make people laugh, think about and more importantly, wish to contribute to. I deliver the show as per usual with the debate going on and post on a piece of software called HootSuite. This allows me access to both KCC Live's Twitter and Facebook feeds. I can see any responses but I also use my own Facebook as responses are quite often hard to get during drivetime. Perhaps it's because most people are driving!
I have also left the studio leaving my Facebook still logged in on more than one occasion… Needless to say, some involuntary things have been posted on my timeline! I guess even radio presenters are still human…
Other software tricks that I have learned and perfected include segue'ing on-the-fly. I often come in half an hour beforehand to make sure that all of my segue-ways are up to scratch before they are broadcast but on more than one occasion I have not had the time either because I have been chatting away in the office, dealing with the news or have just caught a later train. Fortunately, my knowledge and experience of the software now allows me to complete most tasks while I am in the studio broadcasting.
As often as I can, I will drag whoever is in the office to contribute to the show. Particularly when it comes to the debates. Certain staff/volunteers have certain ways of contributing when I ask them a basic question. It gives identity to that part of the show and when it comes to other presenters, it gives them a chance (as I often encourage) to promote their own shows. Equally, when other presenters are in to prerecord their shows while I am broadcasting mine live, I will often gatecrash the other studio and do a cheeky little link with them for their broadcast.
Working for KCC is definitely fun, informative, educational and a huge step in the right direction towards the rest of my career (with any luck). I fully intend to continue working with KCC Live for as long as I can.
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