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Students gain insight into radio industry |
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Tuesday, 17 July 2007 |
by Brandon Brown
Intern Staff Reporter
Appalachian State University students interested in pursuing a career in radio broadcasting have an opportunity to gain the upper hand on their competition with the newly formed Kellar Radio Broadcasting System Institute.
The intensive 10-day program began on July 8 and ran until Tuesday July 17.
Hosted
by the Communication Department, the Institute aims to provide insight
into the industry and sharpen the skills of students through modules
and lectures from industry executives and on-air talents.
“This program has opened my eyes to the opportunities in the radio
industry,” junior electronic and media broadcast major, Erik Donham,
said.
Director of the Institute and WASU-FM General Manager, Dan “Vallie”
Hill, has invited many successful radio veterans from around the
country, some of whom are Appalachian graduates.
James K. Flynn, a highly regarded national voice-over talent and
Appalachian alum spoke to students about the basics of good
production. Flynn has over 25 years experience in the industry since
he began his journey as an Electronic/Media Broadcast major in Boone.
Speakers such as Ray Mariner, also an Appalachian graduate and radio
personality in Atlanta, focused on the transition from college radio to
life in the professional world.
Students interested in other facets of the industry, like radio
ownership, and sales, got to hear from high-ranking radio executives
like Dan Diloreto, the regional vice president of Clear Channel in
Florida.
“All of the speakers have been very qualified,” Donham said. “I’ve been impressed by their level of expertise.”
After the day’s lectures and activities were completed, students had
time to mingle and pick the brains of the industry leaders during a
social hour.
According to senior Electronic/Media Broadcast major Jimmy Lail, the
speakers highlighted networking and being willing to do jobs that
others won’t do as top priorities when starting out in the industry.
“This program has basically been a crash-course on what you will be expecting at entry-level positions,” Lail said.
Just for attending the Institute, attendees are qualified, for the next
10 years, for a low-interest $50,000 loan to be used toward purchasing
a radio station. Students interested in ownership only need to provide
a business proposal to be eligible for the loan.
Upon completion of the Institute, students receive Radio Advertising
Bureau certification. RAB certification is an advantageous achievement
that is required by most stations for those who wish to enter the sales
side of the industry.
Students in the program receive feedback from the guest speakers on
their on-air performances through aircheck critique sessions.
An aircheck is a prerecorded and edited collection of a radio talent’s
work that is used when applying for a job within the industry.
Campers received an unsuspected treat on Thursday when they traveled to
Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. There, students were exposed to
the nuances of sports broadcasting from Doug Rice, the president of the
Performance Racing Network, and from former Carolina Panthers
announcer, Bill Rosinski.
Students took a break from microphones and headphones long enough to
careen around the embankments of the NASCAR track at high speeds.
“Every day has been better than the last,” Donham said. “I’ve learned so much…every day we go there is the best day.”
The 2007 Kellar Radio Farm System Institute was open exclusively to
Appalachian students, but the program will expand to students across
the state in years to come. Seventeen students are participated in the
Institute this year, making for a hands-on, intimate program.
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