Week 1 Reading - Hugh Chignell
Key Concepts in Radio Studies
In the chapter, Documentaries and Features, Chignell defines radio documentaries and the key features that make one up.
‘usually factual and documentary, presented by a variety of techniques, but mostly making use of dramatisation and edited actuality’ (Laurence Gilliam, 1950)
Actuality, in this sense, refers to sounds other than speech that gives the listener an idea of the atmosphere and environment where an interview is happening. It is a 10 - 20 second recording that is ‘recorded on location’ (BBC, 2008).
Chignell favours the idea that radio documentaries superior other forms in that there is ‘no equivalent on any other media’. He also explains how radio gives people the chance to express political views and irradiate biases.
Why the radio features survive
1. Cheap and unobtrusive sound technological that add authenticity to the recording or interviews.
2. More popular with fans of specialist areas like music as they give insights into favourites from the music industry to ‘enrich the listeners’ knowledge and pleasure’.