LEAP OF FAITH RADIO PRODUCTION with Bobby Ocean
We’re hearing it more and more now that professionalism has been deemed outmoded, its cost cut and been replaced by playback machines. In fact, hearing anything other would be newsworthy.
Where there were once people dedicated to their craft, they are outnumbered by those committed to simply surviving, to pulling in any paycheck, no matter how small. Where the airwaves were abundant with the industrious buzz of talent and creativity they are now droning along in very similar cost-cutting air-filler. It is boring, shallow and frustrating.
Many of us are astounded, still. Many remain bitter, or blindly misinformed. “Why, when we so need the work, and they so obviously need the experience, won’t they even return our phone call?” “I can DO that stuff.” “I’ll take what they’re offering and sound so much better.”
Yet, more every day, we hear that too-young-to-walk-straight, green-behind-the-ears, immature, mini-clique dialogue on our radios that means, “Hi, I’ve been in the business seven days!” Rather than a hint of practical know-how or intellect, our brains are insulted with regularity by the growing zombie cast of “Cost-Cut Speakers,” who know nothing about eh real world, its history or people, but have several off the cuff remarks involving E-Channel pop references from the last 2 days, even though English is still a hurdle.
Nothing sounds local. Common ordinary everyday towns, streets and burbs are commonly mispronounced. Date-sensitive ads are now routinely found on the log well past the holiday.
Commercial Broadcast Radio is quickly becoming typecast by its amateur-sounding voices, as a cheap, McDumb-cluck, medium that gives the impression, immediately upon tuning in, that, rather than inform or entertain, they chose instead to go on the air and pretend to be on the radio. If Keith Olbermann wasn’t so obsessed with power politics, he might give radio the “WTF Movement Of The Era.”
Because there is such a dearth of voice talent on the public air waves, because so little is heard any more of such practices as phrasing, breathing, pacing and inflections, there are some easy pickin’s among listeners for those on the air who make the time and commitment to get better.
Here’s a running start that will make anyone sound way better today than the person who says “Saturday” on the air. Realize: There Is No such thing. Not for you. From now on, YOU – DON’T say “Saturday.” You say “SADD-erday.” Sounds tons better.
Now, you take it from there and remain committed. Remember, you won’t sound any Better; but, you’ll sure Sound BEDDer.
A loyal reader writes:
