D2 - Justification

Justification

This blog will be discussing the content in my radio show, Serene Fm, and discussing the aspects of it I chose to create, why I made those choices and what could've be improved upon if it wasn't for time restrains.

Introduction

My radio show starts with an introduction, which plays after my first jingle. I follow the script in which I introduce myself, what the radio show is about and what segments of the radio show will be present that day, similarly to what would be done in a live radio recording. This part lasts no longer than 25 seconds meaning I was speaking in a fast pace and got straight to the point. Although my audio is suitable enough to be used in the radio show, if I could alter it, I would try to change my tone to be more friendly and calming, as opposed to my formal, informative tone I have in the actual recording. However, due to time constraints, I haven't re-recorded the opening as I still think it is usable enough to put aside. In my complete version of the radio, I have quiet, relaxing music accompanying the introduction, which helps the listeners soothe into the radio show as well as being more welcoming than silence. The edited version of this rush lasts 21 seconds, meaning I have cut out 4 seconds of breaths and pauses, in order for my radio show to flow well and sound more pleasant to the ears. The introduction concludes with me transitioning into the wildlife segment by blatantly stating what will happen next. This makes my radio show flow well from one segment to another, similar to what professional radio shows would do

Wildlife News

The wildlife news segment is where I discuss the latest news from wildlife news-tellers about nature and events involving animals. On that day, I read two news stories: two from BBC's Discover Wildlife magazines, one a story about bevers in a village and the other a study on mother chimps taking care of their children, and one story from Yorkshire Wildlife Park news, reading an article about escapee lionesses. For the sake of pacing and time, I only read the headlines and sublines on the article as well as state my thoughts on the news, albeit in a very vague way. The reason I keep my opinions as plain as possible is to avoid having any strong opinions being stated on the radio show and used against me as both the producer and presenter, no matter how harmless it may be. This segment of my radio show is the most improvised part of the whole thing, as I only record based on pointers in my script and fins the articles myself to read. This is so I am reading relevant news similar to what would be done in a live news reading in a live radio show.

The segment is 1 minute 10 seconds long and has any pauses or stutters edited out, while fully keeping in script. If I could change one thing about this recording it would be the tone I have while reading them. Although for the most part I sound sympathetic, jovial and knowledgeable, there are parts when I try to compliment an article (also as vaguely as possible) but sound sarcastic and uncaring, which was the opposite tone I was looking for (especially when I accidently yawn mid-sentence). The reason I haven't re-recorded the rush is the same reason I didn't re-record the introduction, but most of the faults have been edited out in post.

Audio Bumper

I call this part the audio bumper as, similar to television bumpers, it tells the audience that there's and advert incoming and that the program will continue after. It plays after the wildlife news segment and lasts 44 seconds in the rush and 40 seconds in the edit. I try to make it as short and quick as possible, both to get information out at a steady pace and to prevent discouraging the audience with anticipated advertisements they probably do not want to listen to; the sooner its done the sooner they can get to the main content. My tone is consistently calm in this recording and I pace any mispronounced sentences so I can resay the sentence and edit the bad parts out, which is what I continued to do throughout my raw recordings. This part finishes with the advertisement opening jingle playing, indicating to the audience that the advert has started. This segment is my favorite part as it can be reused in any other radio productions I make that will include advertising messages. 

Advert

This advert is for The Psychic Tree, which is a real online shop for spiritual products and bathing tools. I chose to advertise this business because it has the same values as my radio show, which prioritizes relaxation and relief. I created the radio advert myself, before even creating the radio show and inserted it into the show in edit. In order to create the same feel as both the radio show and the brand, I made the advertisement sound as calm and tranquil as possible, using sound effects in a similar way I did with the mediation segment to create a vivid image in the listener’s head. The advert lists the products that can be bought on the shop, with each one having its own enticing sound effect to make it feel like the object is there. The advert has clear commentary, done by me, with a slow but light tone that makes whoever hears it feel at ease. The advertisement is no longer than a minute long and is as unintrusive as can be, with being short enough not to disengage the listener. This makes the advertisement overly affective as it gets its message and purpose across in a clear, concise and interesting way.

Meditation Introduction

The meditation introduction works in a similar way to the audio bumper, where it introduces what's happening now that the advert is over. However, this can also be used to excite the audience by hyping up what's to come or creating build-up before the main event.  I did this because it can help engage the audience while informing newcomers (if this was a live production) on what's playing now, and is done so in a quick but fitting pace. I made my tone slow down more than it was during the news and introduction segment as it will continue to be that toned down until the end of the show. As said, the meditation segment of the show starts after this introduction.

Meditation

The meditation part of my radio show is the longest and most special part out of the whole production. It symbolizes what the show as a whole is about and the importance of tranquility in a day-by-day life. This meditation session takes the listener on a journey through the mind, having them imagine themselves surrounded by nature. This is done in a similar way a dramatization is done, where the story is told with sound effects to create an impact and help the listener imagine themselves within the story. This story has the purpose of helping the listener imagine themselves somewhere more peaceful and free, even if they're not in that type of area in reality.

The whole narrative is narrated by myself with a relaxed but intriguing tone that leaves plenty of spaces for thought and to breath. The story starts with the listener in a grassy plain field, feeling a sense of relief to be outdoors but eagerness to find more. The listener walks through the field, feeling the wind against their hair and the sunlight fading as they walk towards the woods. There, this footsteps echo through the forest, with the sound of birds chirping from the trees as well as the trees themselves blowing in the wind. As they continue the walk the sound of running water can be heard until they reach a tranquil river, which runs through the lush woodlands, concluding the journey and finding peace with the running water, where the music swells up and the water rushes from ear to ear.

This is the longest segment in my show, reaching 4 minutes long in the offline edit and near 5 minutes long in the final edit, and the most significant aspect that, in my opinion, makes my show very unique. It uses many sound effects that immerse the listener, including action sound effects like footsteps, atmospheric sound effects like the blowing wind, and additional sound effects like the grass blowing.

I believe its the most important part of my show because it relaxes the audience in a way no other part or even no other radio show does. It follows my radio show's values of making time to wind down and focus on the world around you in a straightforward way, all while having a value of entertainment, which is important as that's the main purpose of the radio program.

Conclusion

Serene FM concludes with the presenter (me) informing the audience that there will be another instalment next week. This goodbye message has slow but upbeat music behind to make it feel like a grand conclusion to a great show, with my tone of voice even sounding more enthusiastic and quicker. The last thing heard is the ending jingle, before the show is over. All of this helps create a feel of accomplishment and change, while exciting the listener with a promise of more.