Posts Tagged ‘WNPR’
Having finished the “first pass” on the Real Life Survival Guide website, we’ve been hard at work on a new version of the corresponding radio show. In the past, the site (and an earlier program) were made up of a series of interviews with experts on “life’s little problems”, and we began the process of creating the 2011 demo using the same paradigm. We searched our contact lists, issued pleas to friends and neighbors, and ended up with some great interviews about “life’s little problems”.
Assembling The Cast of Characters
My co host is Duo Dickinson, an architect, author, and friend since our days at the Park School of Buffalo. (Duo was also a weekly contributor when the show first aired on WNPR in 2007.) The demo is being produced by Sarah Miner, who comes to us from the WNPR newsroom, and she’s being assisted by intern alumnus Joe Dupnik. Our first interviews were with Janet Rosier (about what your high school junior needs to know about college admissions), Patrick Comins (on coping with woodpeckers that – well, peck – on your house), and CPA Bill Zeidenberg, who talked about which personal records we all need to keep for tax purposes and emergencies. They were all fantastic.
The Learning Curve
As work progressed, it became apparent (at least to me) that we were neglecting the original concept for the Guide: that the community would provide the answers. We were interviewing experts because the community didn’t exist, but as I posted the questions on Facebook and Twitter, conversations had begun in earnest – and they were yielding some great stuff! As a result, what you’ll hear from now on will be more voices from the interactions that occur on the website, with experts filling in the voids. This could get interesting…
Joe M500
As someone who’s been involved in the radio business for over 30 years, I can honestly say that the only radio content that seems to inspire me these days is the stuff that’s being produced by non-commercial, or “public” stations. (Full disclosure – I work for one.) Why is this the case? I believe that it comes down to three things: intelligence, passion, and variety.
Intelligence
I do not contend that people who work in commercial radio are stupid. The problem is that commercial radio is about profit, and it’s a lot cheaper to play the same Pink Floyd song over and over than it is find smart people with interesting things to say. You play music that’s been researched, get the best ratings you can, and sell commercials based on those ratings. Public stations don’t have commercials per-se, and there are strict rules regarding underwriting. Add to this the fact that most non-commercial stations cover only a portion of their operating costs from underwriting, and you’ve got built-in incentives to engage listeners in ways that will compel them to become “members” and donate money. This has led to the production of smart (and ultimately successful) programming like All Things Considered and Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me!
Passion
When you’re being paid to play the same Pink Floyd song over and over, it’s hard to summon much passion. I’ve been in commercial radio studios where the talent seems about as engaged as someone who’s flipping burgers. Many commercial jocks have been told, in no uncertain terms, to restrict their “chatter” to the station’s agenda – slogans, sponsors, and the benefits of an upcoming set of “commercial-free music”. (Does anybody else see the irony in this?) When I walk into the newsroom of WNPR (where I’ve been working for 3 years as an independent producer), I see passionate people working on content they believe in. Wonder who’s turning out the more compelling product…
Variety
In a recent conversation, I was speaking with a friend about stereotypes as they apply to public radio. The first thing that comes to mind is the “Schweddy Balls” sketch on SNL. The truth of the matter, however, is that public stations will air just about any kind of programming. You hear college students playing a wide variety of musical genres. You hear LOCAL news. You hear faith-based programming. And you hear two guys from Boston giving automotive advice.
In an era of seemingly limitless media choices, there are still constraints when we get in our cars – we generally end up flipping through the same old stations. If you’re tired of “Comfortably Numb”, public radio might be a good option.
