Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Programme Scheduler

Schedulers make sure that all established schedules and time lines involved in the production of goods are followed efficiently.
The programme schedulers are responsible for negotiating and enforcing the on-time delivery of materials used in the manufacture of products. They interact with customers, making sure that their expectations are met and their requirements delivered as agreed.

Nature Of The Work:
Schedulers are responsible for maintaining a master schedule for projects. They create and modify the schedule, detailing each sequence of work that should be done at a particular time. They record the effects of work being performed on time and not performed on time. They are in charge of evaluating the progress of projects and prepare regular updates.
Schedulers coordinate with management, operations department and contractors to discuss progress and find solutions to scheduling issues. They provide input in developing work schedules as part of estimating cost of projects, illustrating project timelines and milestones.
They are responsible for preparing and issuing proposed and provisional schedule. Schedulers can also serve as technical advisors for some production problems. They coordinate and consult with relevant project team members to ensure the completion of proper planning before a project is started. They also assist project managers in generating schedules for immediate implementation, as well as monitor the same schedule’s impact on the master schedule.
If scheduling problems surface as a result, schedulers help in determining the cause and finding solutions to such problems. When required, schedulers provide relevant information regarding the content, changes or presentation of schedules.

Qualifications:
Schedulers must have be at least a high school graduate or GED although many employers prefer those who have a college degree and additional training. Candidates for this position should have in depth knowledge of scheduling systems as well as the principles and practices involved. Some employers also prefer that they know specific scheduling programs. They should have excellent interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Radio Broadcaster

The majority of Broadcast Journalists working in Radio supply news content, for one or more different outlets, ranging from single local radio stations to international news organisations, and their related websites. They may be part of a small local team, or based in a regional or national newsroom, or in a foreign bureau. Some Broadcast Journalists may also work from home, utilising broadband and other technology to supply material to broadcasters or other employers.

The job title Broadcast Journalist is used widely in the BBC where it is a specific grade - as well as a job role - within the career structure for BBC journalists in local radio and for those supplying news to the national radio networks. In Commercial Radio the job titles Journalist, Broadcast Journalist and Reporter (link) may be used for fairly similar roles according to the practice of the particular station or news organisation.

What does the job entail:
Radio Broadcast Journalists identify, research and present news stories for a wide range of audiences. Most are expected to broadcast on air: presenting news bulletins, recording interviews, voicing news items or longer features. Although the role can overlap with that of a Reporter, in some parts of the BBC in particular, the distinction between Broadcast Journalist and Reporter or Newsreader roles may be greater, in which case the emphasis of the Broadcast Journalist job may be more on news planning, researching, briefing reporters or presenters, writing, editing and producing material originated by others.

Typical Career Routes:
There are broadly three entry routes into Broadcast Journalism in Radio: traineeships offered by a few of the larger employers; moving into radio after first working as a print journalist; or completing an accredited pre-entry degree or post-graduate qualification. Employers also look for evidence of interest in, and hands-on experience of radio broadcasting, particularly skills gained through community radio, student or hospital radio.
Career progression often involves moving to a larger station, to a programme with a wider audience or from a local to a regional or national service. Broadcast Journalists may become Reporters, Specialist Correspondents, Presenters, and Bulletin or Programme Editors. They may also move into Programme Production or Management roles.

Training and qualifications
Although a degree may not always be essential, the majority of Broadcast Journalists are graduates. However, Radio employers do not necessarily expect this to be in a media-related subject, and may even prefer their recruits to have degrees in other disciplines. Specialist knowledge in fields such as politics, business, science or languages may be advantageous.

Radio Reporter

The focus of the Reporter's role in Radio is to find and tell the stories that make up the news or current affairs output for the station or organisation for which they work.
Reporters may work for a variety of different outlets, ranging from single local radio stations to international news organisations - and their related websites. They may be part of a small local team, or based in a regional or national newsroom, or in a foreign bureau.
Radio Reporters identify and research news stories then present them on air to a wide range of different audiences. Some of their work is office or newsroom-based, but a lot of it is spent outside of the workplace gathering information, witnessing and recording events, and interviewing those involved.
They should be able to operate a radio studio and be able to record audio both in a studio and on location. They must also be able to identify equipment and other resource requirements so that they are properly technically equipped to record required interviews and other audio material.

Typical Career Routes
There are broadly three entry routes into Reporting in Radio: traineeships offered by a few of the larger employers; moving into radio after first working as a print journalist; or completing an accredited pre-entry degree or post-graduate qualification.  Employers also look for evidence of interest in, and hands-on experience of, radio broadcasting, particularly skills gained through community radio, student or hospital radio. Some well-established specialist print journalists may be recruited at a very senior level into broadcasting because of their expertise in a given field.

Training and qualifications
Although a degree may not always be essential, the majority of Reporters are graduates. However, Radio employers do not necessarily expect this to be in a media-related subject, and may even prefer their recruits to have degrees in other disciplines.  Specialist knowledge in fields such as politics, business, science or languages may be advantageous - particularly for those wishing to become specialist Reporters or Correspondents.

Report ers need the following:
  • a sense of what makes a good news story
  • ability to generate original ideas and to think creatively about how to communicate them
  • excellent writing and story-telling skills which they can adapt for different audiences and platforms
  • an understanding of how to use their voice to communicate effectively with listeners
  • knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles and audience demographics
  • curiosity and inquisitiveness, a willingness to ask questions but also to listen
  • self-motivation and adaptability
  • ability to work independently but also as part of a team
  • ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly and meet tight deadlines
  • ability to cope with the demands of live reporting and interviewing
  • empathy and patience, the ability to build rapport and draw information from people
  • ability to maintain objectivity in order to be fair and balanced in the treatment of stories
  • an interest in news and current affairs and good general knowledge
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
  • a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
  • the ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment and to operate different radio studios

Radio Presenter

Radio Presenters are the voice of a station or programme, whether they work in speech-based or music Radio. They are responsible for creating the tone and style of Radio output and establishing a relationship with listeners. They may also be required to carry out a range of other production tasks, as well as deliver content for related websites or other mobile platforms
Radio Presenters' specific responsibilities differ considerably depending on the programme or station. The majority of Radio Presenters are part of a small team, although some work with much larger programme units. They are mainly based in offices and recording studios, but may also work on location presenting outside broadcasts.

Most presenters are self-employed, working on fixed term contracts. Although the greatest concentration of jobs is found in London and the South East, Radio Presenters work throughout the UK. They may work for the BBC, commercial or community radio, on local or national stations, or for independent production companies.

What is the job?
Presenters in music Radio work for a range of stations and programmes, catering for all musical tastes. Presenters in speech Radio work in all genres, from topical talk shows to documentaries, light entertainment and comedy.  Working hours can vary enormously and may involve early mornings, late nights and overnights, as well as working weekends or holidays. In some roles Presenters are expected to travel to work on location, both within the UK and abroad. 

Wherever they work, Presenters are expected to understand the purpose and format of their station or programme; to be aware of the characteristics of their target audience; and to be knowledgeable about the subject matter of the output they present.

They may also be required to carry out a range of other production tasks, as well as deliver content for related websites or other mobile platforms

Typical Career Routes
Traditionally Radio Presenters acquire hands-on experience of presenting by working in community radio, student or hospital radio, or discos, in some cases while taking an undergraduate degree or a post-graduate Diploma or MA in Radio or Media Production. Some may benefit from talent development schemes run by some larger broadcasters to identify potential presenters. Others work their way up from entry level roles in Radio secured with or without a degree or other qualifications. 

Training and qualifications
When recruiting Radio Presenters, employers' primary concern is evidence of hands-on experience - and time taken to develop technical and presentation skills as well as a personal style. A degree or other qualifications are not essential for the role. 

Station Management

Station Managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of Radio stations - leading the management team to ensure they meet the key objectives of the station in terms of output, audience, or revenue.

In Commercial radio the job title Station Director may also be used in reference to the manager of a local or national station. In some organisations a Regional Director may have responsibility for more than one station. Most stations also have a Programme Controller (link) or Programme Director.

In the BBC the job title Editor, Local Radio is used for local Station Managers who may be supported by Assistant Editors. The BBC's UK wide Radio networks are led by a Controller supported by a sizeable management team.

For the purposes of this job profile, the title Station Manager is used throughout, and the focus of the job description is that most relevant to local radio. The specific responsibilities of a Radio Station Manager vary between different broadcast organisations and between stations, depending on how the station is funded, the size of the organisation to which it belongs, and the division of responsibilities within a station management team. Station Managers are based throughout the UK.

What is the job?
Whether Station Managers run music or speech-based stations, they are expected to have a clear understanding of the purpose and format of their station, and the characteristics of their target audience.
They help to determine the objectives of their station, and are then expected to communicate these objectives effectively to all staff, providing leadership and motivation to ensure they are met.
Station Managers ensure the smooth running of their station, leading the management team and co-ordinating the activities of all the disciplines within the station, including the development of multi-platform content.

They must ensure their station's compliance with laws, regulations and industry codes governing Radio broadcasting, and to see that complaints are dealt with swiftly.
Typical Career Routes
Station Managers in Commercial Radio often have a background in sales, having gained experience in Radio Sales over number of years - probably with a number of different stations and organisations. Others may progress through the Programming route, but they are always expected to have a thorough understanding of the commercial side of the business.

Training and qualifications
Most Station Managers acquire some of their management skills on-the-job in previous roles, managing smaller programme or sales teams, overseeing projects, or standing in for senior colleagues. Some may have been recognised as having management potential in previous roles and offered the opportunity of some management training by their employer - or been supported to undertake a relevant qualification.

Radio Producer

Radio producers are responsible for the content of broadcasts on the radio, the internet and other mobile platforms. The producers are involved in the entire process. Producers work with broadcasting assistants, presenters, IT staff and engineers. Producers can work in publicy funded, voluntary or commecial secrtos of broadcasting. The are part of the digital revoloution which is having a great impact on the way that radio is produced and assessed.


The specific responsibility of a radio programme will vary depending on the station. Typical work activities will include -

  • developing content, writing material for scripts, bulletins and links;
  • sourcing potential contributors and interviewees;
  • selecting music appropriate to the programme, the audience and the station;
  • producing pre-production briefings for presenters, reporters, technical staff and other contributors;
  • managing the logistics of getting people, resources and equipment together to the right place at the right time;
  • undertaking editing, interviewing and reporting duties as necessary;
  • presenting programmes or managing presenters for both pre-recorded and recorded output;
  • checking that copyrights are cleared and understanding media law;
  • converting text, graphics, video and audio files into other formats;
  • contributing to and making use of an archive of audio resources which can be re-used;
  • responding to audience feedback, referring on to other departments as necessary;
  • producing and making use of user-generated content;
  • using technology, such as Radioman, Cool Edit Pro, Protools and Adobe Audition, for editing and production purposes;
  • ensuring that health and safety standards and trade union requirements are met.
Training and qualifications
Although a degree is not always essential, the majority of Radio Producers are graduates. However, Radio employers do not necessarily expect the degree to be in a media-related subject, and may even prefer their recruits to have degrees in other disciplines - particularly those related to the radio genre in which they wish to work. 


Introduction

I will be looking a some of the differnt job roles that are available in this assignment. There are various diferent jobs within the industry. These could include: reporter; interviewer; researcher; script writer; presenter; radio journalist; producer; studio assistant; programme scheduler; commercial trafficker; audio/sound engineer; editor; station manager; air time salesperson; station management; community training and volunteer support.