#radio studies

[sound-fields-journal]

Introducing Sound Fields

Sound Fields is a new online publication and event series dedicated to the art of audio documentary in theory and practice. We are a group of audio documentary-makers and narrative podcasters working toward a community of practice where we explore and define for ourselves our critical orientations, artistic goals, ethical concerns, creative lineages and dreams for the future of our field.

Our inaugural issue asks "What is audio documentary?" We are seeking pitches for commissioned essays, thoughtful Q+As between those practicing and responding to audio documentary work, and short multimedia submissions that respond to this fundamental question.

If you have questions, or want to get in touch, find us on the web!

[jwood718]

There's a radio station run by a high school (you read that right) that plays quite the variety of songs, from the 1950s to the 1990s. How much of the playlist is created by a smartcaster and how much of it's by students, I couldn't tell you.

Sometimes it sounds like they've pulled every 50s heart-break-dead girlfriend (and now she's an angel)-crying in the rain song and dedicated an entire afternoon for that, and sometimes, out of the blue, I hear -- "Distant Sun" by Crowded House?! Whoa! Dance like no one's watching!

Then they played "All This Time" by Sting:

I haven't heard either of these on the air in a very long time.

[lilyionamackenzie]

Meet the author Monday! Welcome to Michael Keith, a lover of micro-fiction. Join us!

Meet the author Monday! Welcome to Michael Keith, a lover of micro-fiction. Join us!

Michal C. Keith, is associate professor emeritus at Boston College. Known for his work in radio studies, he received several awards, among them the Lifetime Achievement Award in Scholarship from the Broadcast Education Association and the Frank Stanton Fellowship from the International Radio Television Association. Prior to entering academe he was a radio broadcaster. He has received critical…

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[year2sound]

‘Just Be Yourself?’ - Helen Wolfenden

“‘being ordinary’ is accomplished in the ways people tell stories about their experiences, in typically mundane ways’”

When on radio or making a podcast, the speaker is expected to be themselves and act naturally.  Wolfenden argues that this authenticity is a performance in itself as the act of speaking to “‘invisible absent listeners’” (Paddy Scannell, 2000) is unnatural to the speaker.

Wolfenden also points out a difference between sounding natural and familiar to being spontaneous.  Goffman explains how ‘fresh talk is something of an illusions of itself, never being as fresh as it seems’.

When making a recorded piece to be broadcasted to an audience, the necessity to put forward ‘a “best” self’ that is authentic yet familiar to the listeners which in some cases may require a performance of some kind.  This performance can either be to make the listener feel some connection to the speaker or be defined as a performed duty for a particular role in society.

[year2sound]

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’.