Number eighteen

JOUR 1111 WEEK FIVE LECTURE

SOUND

Conversations with Richard Fidler

Telling stories for radio

Radio is a completely different medium to television

Radio much more intimate medium

Listeners must feel included- must be facilitator of this as radio presenter- keep listener involved in conversation

Conversations (Richard's radio)- differs from conventional radio interview of around 7 minutes tops- Conversations have hour long interviews- biographical- well known or people never heard of- pre-interview and research required to decide whether story will sustain for hour?

Long form interview, is it scary space to occupy? With pre-production, confidence that story will work comes- pre-interviewed, briefed, subject trusts what will happen in show.

Sometimes guests who are experienced media operators can fall into mode- stories that they’ve told millions of times- different approach by interviewer needed- teasing, joking, laughing, to bring them back into interest

Memorable moments- guests remember things for the first time- when people surprise themselves- have enough trust in program to give insight- sitting back, giving guests space to pause and reflect, let them prompt themselves with their own stories

• Never be afraid of silence
• Silence is powerful

Radio taking on new forms of media- show seamlessly transforming into podcasts- fitting into social media environment

Richard's picture of his audience- visualises his young wife, young babies stuck at home- listeners who need local radio to keep them up to date with what is happen- need a bit of a break, a laugh

With his radio show comes a sense of public service to listeners

Richard's pearls of wisdom:

wordliness is good
reading the paper
keep asking question
 be open minded
expose yourself to thoughts and ideas of people you don’t agree with
 try and expand your world view

I really appreciated listening to Richard's insights into the world of radio. He made the connection that he has with both listeners and guests seem so intimate and he conveyed the genuine interest he has in connecting with both.