Media Monitor with Host Zimari Perero

Media Monitor is a live talk radio program discussing media issues. My Radio Production class culminates with the creation of this show. We have produced Media Monitor about twice a year for the past 26 years.  It’s real live radio, this is not a multi-tracked podcast nor a Pro Tools construction.

This semester’s edition of Media Monitor features host Zimari Perero discussing the new print media landscape with New Musical Express writer, James Lee; and broadcast motion graphics with CNBC's award winning senior graphics animator, Wale Adekanbe.

Comments:

Most of the pre produced elements have inconsistent levels, so I placed a leveler across the file to even it out.

“Think before you drink”; no one wants to be told what to do, this message needs palatable packaging. I would change the station or switch to another stream if I heard that.

Some of the “PSA”s are really spots. (NJCU Bookstore, for example.) There should be no spots on KMAD. If you had listened to the stations I requested you would be aware of this. Still not too late, go and listen. Try KEXP on iTunes or Google their web or iPhone app. 

I believe you were trying to make “underwriting messages” which are thinly disguised spots for corporations or businesses providing funding for the station, or a particular program. WNYC is a good example. They are probably the richest station in the world and their air schedule is choked with underwriting announcements. Again, thinly veiled as non-commercial “do good” donations, but they indicate financial backing for the airtime.  WNYC, by the way, though it has some great programs, is largely a bourgeois representation of rich radio listeners who live in Manhattan and some parts of Brooklyn; citizens who fit comfortably into the Bloomberg ideal. Big and rich does not necessarily mean true and right. At any rate, we both have a format, and that is a non-commercial one. No spots.

The slogan for the station is not good. What was it?  “Be glad ur tuned in to KMAD?” Again, don’t tell people what to do. KEXP’s slogan is “where music matters most.” A plain declaration presented in an un-hyped fashion. If you need to have a slogan, don’t make it feel like a directive, or a lash. Additionally, the voicing sounds like Ace is very impressed with his own voice. That’s ok for a sendup, but not here.  Ace, I think your plainer announces are much better and sound great.

The news minute went fairly well, but the Hoboken Windmill restaurant story has an item indicating Frank Sinatra is alive…he is obviously dead. Poor interpretation of the source article, Margie. Mentioning KMAD would have been appropriate during the news/weathercast. Clean delivery.

Zimari tends to interject too much. Let the respondents speak. More interjection leads to less depth. Allowing time for the interviewee to respond leads to better comments and a more interesting program. The style we have on this program, as produced, leans toward the commercial model, where depth is a bit shallow. However, if you/we did this again, the interview style would have to progress into the Leonard Lopate style I had you listen to. He’s just one example.

The fluid, buoyant style of Zimari’s delivery and personality is an asset to the program. Excellent diction, energy, timbre and listenability.

In several instances, Zimari asked a question which the interviewee just answered a moment ago. This happens 2 times consecutively in James Lee’s segment. Well, that’s just an indication that she was not listening to the guest. Both guests happened to be very nice and accommodating and allowed this without making a big deal about it. Thanks James and Wale.

“Mediums” are occasionally mentioned where the proper usage would be “media.” We should know this in the Mediums Arts Dept….     : P

KMAD is NOT Gothic Night Radio. That is WGKR. What the hell were you guys thinking?

I would prefer not to be used in the tease for the dummy show next week, or anywhere in the program. I asked you not do this.

At the out, MM is not “sponsored by” NJCU, it is “a production of….”

Speaking of the out, nice job adhering to the broadcast clock. Right on!

Marco has a great presence and imparts a natural, contemporary delivery to the open/close. Very good bookends, good choice of music IMHO.

I could see this program improving immensely with the coming of next week’s show…..hahaha.

I want to congratulate the class on pulling it off. Though it has flaws, it represents a great accomplishment. Most casual listeners do not realize how difficult live radio is to produce. This is a live radio program. Not a podcast or some Pro Tools/Bandcamp construction. Congratulate yourselves. Save it for your archive. And remember to tell people that it is a recording of a LIVE RADIO program. That’s the real stuff. The listener knows when a program is live. Robot stations and Pandora are shit. Now you know how to make the real stuff.

The Soundcloud player will allow you to download the program.

Stay tuned for field trip information.

More photos for your scrapbook:

James Lee flips the bird at only 3 minutes in.

Zimari and James Lee in the Studio.

Director Chris, Board Op Ace and PE/Announcer Robert.

The Program Wheel design.

Lovely guest Sandy with Tippy.

Ace triggers Radiologik at Chris' direction.

Chris managing the program flow.

View through the Performance Studio announce position.

Producer Mike at the wheel.

Zimari and Wale Adekanbe.

Mike, former TA Hernan and Newsreader Margie.

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