Radio News Report by gradski

For this assignment I will explain what I did to make radio news report. I will also include what I did well and how I could improve in the future.

I started by looking for appropriate local news stories around Surrey. Once I had found two good stories I re-wrote them in my own words. The stories I chose were about a robbery at a betting store, and a sexual exposure case.

I needed to type the stories up so that they had all the main facts in but also kept short and sweet. The way I wrote these stories were in three short but factual sentences. The first sentence I wrote was, four men are wanted by Surrey police for an armed robbery on a betting shop in Cobenham. This is because it gives all the vital information and draws in the listeners.

The next sentence explains how it happened and the where a bout’s. The third sentence is either a plea to locals or a description so it’s fresh in the listeners mind. This way if your describing how someone appearance listener remembers it better.

I could make improvements on my piece by speaking louder and more confidently. I also feel I pronounced certain words incorrect such as thieves. I can easily improve on this by practicing in the radio room and reading through my scripts more so it’s fresh in my mind. Also to concentrate my whole attention on reading the story, as during my reading I was distracted easily.

Radio is different to print in many ways. In radio you need to be clear and precise otherwise listeners will not be able to understand. The best way to do this is to speak at the right level and a slow tempo. Also to use the key points to draw the listeners in.

Whereas with print you need to explain the surroundings so the reader can picture them. Also they get a chance to re-read something if they don’t understand something.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN FARNAHAM

For this assignment I will explain what role I played in making this news report. I will also involve how I could improve myself and what I have learnt from the experience.





All of my involvement was off camera. I started off by trying to find a place to film where we could film as many people in a Christmas shopping environment. Originally we were going to film the high street, but after struggling with getting a good shot I came up with the idea of filming inside a shop.

Elphicks store seemed the most festive retailer and had plenty of space for us to film. I spoke to the store manager who agreed to let us film inside the store. We all agreed to film customers paying for items to fit in with our news story that certain stores are doing better than others.

I played a big part in the editing of the video. I also learnt how to use the editing program Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 to do voice over’s and shorten the video. To shorten the video I used set in points and set out points. This meant I could drag the clip down to the timeline.

To use voice over’s I needed to unlink the sound from the clip and delete it. This then meant I could use the pre recording we had done in the radio station, and add it to the correct place. This is evident in the middle of our video where we are filming inside Elphicks and the outside of Woolworths while there is a voice over.

While editing we ended up rearranging most of the clips so that they made more scene to the viewer and also contained a voice over, interview and a piece to camera. I feel we achieved this well because we managed to make a one-minute video including all of the above.

TV is different to print in many aspects. One of these differences is that on TV you need to be extremely precise and clear as the viewer may only watch it once. Whereas with print the reader can re-read till they understand. Also with TV you don’t need to set the scenery, as there are images. Whereas with print you need to explain the the setting and the facts.

INTERNATIONAL OVERCAST

This past week International football has taken over over from the domestic game, with plenty of controversy and lots to discuss.


Firstly France's fortunate qualification. Thierry Henry's handed assist provided France with a dramatic injury time winner against the Republic of Ireland. Now the Irish FA have contacted the French counterpart and FIFA about a replay.

As much as I feel sorry for the Irish, I hope the game is not replayed as it will have damaging effects on the sport. Imagine everytime the referee makes a game changing decision, a replay could be possible. FIFA would have hundreds of games to reschedule a year.

Also the fact France won is just what FIFA wanted. Thats why the seeding rule was introduced for these world cup qualifiers.

My next point is the so called "Henry's carrer tainted" comments made from people such as Lee Dixon. The French captain was big enough to admit the ball hit his hand, even if it was after the game. It's unfair for me as Englishman to say the incident is not the same as Maradona's famous hand of God goal. But a comparison between the players will not live long in my mind.

Maradona will always be remembered for the way he cheated England in the world cup. But Henry is a different character, a good guy in football. He didn't run off with his hands in the air celebrating a goal that shouldn't have been. I also feel it was more instinctive rather than purposely cheating.

OLD FIRM NO CONCERN

LAST week the debate reopened about Rangers and Celtic joining the English Premiership. Bolton chairman Phil Gateside drew up plans for a two-tier League including the old firm clubs.

His proposal was made up of six key points. The main four were, increasing the number of teams in the premiership, split the league into two tiers, invite Rangers and Celtic to join lower tier, and use extra TV revenue and the 36 million pound parachute payments to fund the expansion.

These ideas need to get a majority vote from at least 14 of the 20 premiership clubs. Already Stoke chairman Peter Coates has disapproved of the idea of Rangers and Celtic joining the premiership saying, "We have 20 great clubs in the league already and they are all tough games.We have a system which works in a competitive sense."

I understand if they were to join, a restructure of the league would be necessary, as it would be unfair on championship teams. But why fix something which isn't broke? The league is still regarded as the best in the world.

Also why would teams at the lower end of the league want to see their potential parachute payment spent on readjustments to the league?

If they were to join the premiership, I don't think they would break into our top four either. Rangers are a club struggling financially and Celtic failed to qualify for the group stages of the champions league. So how would they compete with the big four to retain there European statuses?

As for the Scottish league, how would it survive without the two top clubs? Imagine La Liga without Barcelona and Real Madrid. It would have massive financial consequences.

The idea will continue to be debated for years to come. But I can't see it happening anytime in the near future.

LETS BE RIO-LISTIC

After Japan/Korea world cup in 2002,Rio Ferdinand was bought for 30 million by Manchester United. Since then he has been regarded as one of the best defenders in the world. Severn years at the top of his game. But now after a handful of recent errors it`s not just his England spot going up in smoke, but his club spot too.

This is the man who was in contension to become Englamd captain. A man who captained United to champions league glory in 2008.

After United`s loss to rivals Liverpool at the weekend, Rio Ferdinand once agian had the critics on his back after Torres`s opener."He`s lost a yard of pace" is the new one people are saying. WHY cause he couldn`t out sprint Torres? name me a centre back who can? he sure kept up with im though. The goal was because of a perfectly waited pass from Benayoun and Torres blistering pace and finish.

I`m not defending the errors against Holland and Man City, but how many other defenders errors this year have been mentioned? Jamie Carragher was lucky to stay on the field against United. John Terry moaned about his teams defending aginst Villa. If you watch his marking of John Carew though it was dismal, like the rest of his team. Lescott hasn`t been a saint at the back either this year.

Its not just premiership stars either. Real Madrids best back four conceded four goals to Spanish minows Alcoron.

"He`ll need to get his form right." This was the response given by Alex Ferguson when asked wether Unted defender Rio Ferdinand will be going to South Africa with England.Extremely true. I have always said international players should get picked on form rather than the name on the back of the shirt.

Ferdinand is a top player who will always have class. Form is tempory . Ferdinand said "I take each game as it comes." He`s a confident player who brings composure to players around him. Im sure he will regain form and prove critics wrong for both club and country.

COULD ASH CAP IT?

WELL some players are still trying to impress Fabio Capello, others are already cemented into the Italians plans. Ashley Cole is defiantly one of those players.
Even though there have been a few lapses in concentration recently for England, Cole is still one of the first names on the team sheet.

At 28 years old, the Chelsea full back already has 77 caps under his belt. Now I’ve started thinking how many will he get by the end of his career?

With David Beckham 10 caps off Peter Shiltons impressive record of 125 caps, I think Cole may be the man who passes the great goalkeepers record if Beckham fails.

Cole made his England debut in a routine 3-1 against Albania in 2001. Since then he has been an England regular filling the void left by Stuart Pearce, which we struggled to fill. If England make it through their next two campaigns like this one, Cole could feature in 2012 euro’s and the next world cup.

Now with England in the world cup finals, he will be able to extend his caps into the mid eighties. I’m sure he has more important things at the full front of his mind, such as Chelsea getting back on top of the League. But somewhere deep in his thoughts must be the ambition to become England’s most caped player.

Cole has already set one record though. He is the only player to have won the FA cup a breathtaking five times. With the only other decent young English left backs being Kieron Gibbs and Leighton Baines, Cole should continue to have a long run in the England set-up.

OTHERS COULD FOLLOW SOUTHGATE

YESTERDAY Gareth Southgate was sacked as manager of Middlesbrough. Now there could be more casualties to other championship managers.

Southgate was axed after Tuesdays 2-0 win over Derby at The Riverside. But after losing three home games, and a rapid decrease in ticket sales Boro chairman Steve Gibson decided to end Southgate’s three year reign.

Although Middlesbrough’s home record this year has been poor they are still fourth in the league, and only one point off leaders West Bromwich Albion. But this isn’t the first time Southgate’s job has came under the spotlight.

He managed to hold on to his position last season before Middlesbrough were relegated from the premiership. But Gibson kept faith in the former England international saying “We will not have a scapegoat at this club, and it will not be Gareth.” This is the first sacking Gibson has made in his 15 years of being chairman at the club.

The question is now who will be next to go in the championship? Bookmakers’ favourite is Roy Keane who has yet to register a win this season at Ipswich. The tractor boys are currently laying bottom of the league with only seven points from 13 matches.

Derby are another team down the wrong end of the league. Nigel Clough and his men are currently nineteenth in the league with only 14 points. Although I’m sure he will push them forward when he has a fully fit squad, it's still nervous times at Pride Park.

Brendan Rodgers could also be on his way out after watching QPR batter his team 4-1 on Tuesday. To make matters worse the Reading faithful have turned on Rodgers, singing "you won`thave a job in the morning." Also chanting former boss Steve Coppell’s name throughout their last game.

Paul Sturrock is another manager in the shadow of the former boss. Ian Holloway was a fan’s favourite at Plymouth. With only two wins this year the Green Army have not had much to shout about. Could Sturrock be the next casualty this year?

LIFE’S A BEACH FOR REDS

Liverpools title hope`s are left in tatter`s as a freak Darren Bent goal gives Sunderland deserved win.



Unfortunately the ball wasn’t recorded as the goal scorer, as Bent claimed his eighth of the season. But on the plus side it wasn’t blamed for the incident from reds boss Rafa Benitez either. He said, “We didn't’t play well, that is the main thing for me. “These things happen, we need to improve.”

The most humorous part about the whole incident was that it was a Liverpool fan who had hit the beach ball onto the pitch in first place.I hope for his sake he is as far away from the red side of Merseyside as possible. Also Sammy Lee`s attempted to find out if there was a law to disallow the goal. What was he expecting? Who in there right mind would of come up with a rule like that? A for effort though Sammy.

Liverpool now lie eighth in the league, and already trailing leaders Manchester United by seven points. With only nine games gone there is still along season ahead, but while Liverpool are not performing well and dropping points, United are taking points with or without a great performance. That’s what wins you trophies. Even if you’re not firing on all cylinders you still dig deep to get the points. Something that isn't’t happening at Liverpool at the moment, something that they seem to do in the champions league, but not the premiership.

Manchester United are on route in taking over Liverpools record of 18 league titles. I would of thought that Liverpool would of defended their honor a little bit more gracefully.

WEEK IN WORDS

FIRSTLY I’ve got to mention England’s successful qualifying campaign. For once the boys in white have done it the easy way and done what was asked of them. Still I’m not going to get carried away there’s a few tweaks to sort out, mainly who’s going to play between the sticks. Also we need to stop making schoolboy errors at the back and giving away soft goals. With the experience of Ferdinand, Terry and Cole along with the confident Glen Johnson I’m hopeful that will be stopped.
Also who will support Rooney up front? If it were my choice Jermaine Defoe would be that man, but again there is a long way to go yet, and surely a few injuries.

SPECULATION surrounding Emile Heskey’s future at Aston Villa has been put into the public eye. According to various papers the 31 year old will leave the midlands club in January if he fails to claim a starting spot. Heskey has failed to carry his international form, which has seen him link up well with Wayne Rooney, to his club form. I can’t help thinking if he can’t make the Villa starting line up how can he start for England in a world cup?

RAFEAL Benitez hit out after star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres came back injured from international duty. He said, “both players played with us and they were fine, then came back from international duty injured.” Its extremely unfortunate timing for the reds as they face Sunderland today, Lyon midweek and Manchester United next weekend. A loss to Sunderland will near enough end Liverpool’s title hopes, and defeat to Lyon will leave them falling behind in the champions league. This a big week for the reds and their boss.

FIFA THROW RONNIE AND CO A LIFELINE

FIFA dropped a bomb on Ireland this week by announcing their world cup qualifier will now be seeded.

After being seeded top in their groups why should Portugal, Greece and France get another lifeline to hold onto their world cup hope? Russia were seeded second in their group behind the Germans as were Republic of Ireland to Italy, but there were no favours given to the Irish.

The World cup finals should consist of the best nations around the world and France and Portugal do fall into that category, without a doubt. But they like the other six teams also came second in their groups.So why now has the rule suddenly changed? I think it would be great to see France and Portugal fighting to hold onto their world cup dreams. Also there are other big nations missing out such as Sweden, Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey I’m surprised Mr Blatter hasn’t given them another chance to qualify if he's concerned about the bigger nations .

FIFA are so worried about loss of finances without the big money making players such as Ronaldo and Henry, rather than thinking about the revenue you they could possibly make from a surprise country such as Slovenia. Surely this is why Sepp Blatter introduced this seeded rule just last week. He said, “we have decided on seeding the teams into two groups of four, taking the FIFA world rankings into account, with the top four in one pot and the others in another pot.” Blatter also explained “there will be a separate draw to decide the home and away sides.”

I feel the group stages tell the whole story. For instance, in group one Denmark won the group which makes them the best team in the group overall. Portugal were second, they were top seeds, favourites and they fell short. As for the rest of the teams, better luck next time. We never seeded the qualifiers before so why start now?

I recently have started to think money is key in domestic football, but then international football starts up and it’s all about passion, heart and money is forgotten about. But now with this seeded rule for the bigger nations money influence with top players and merchandise is finally interfering and not for the good of the game.