BA
Banksey
Founding member
Continuity announcements in "The nations", the least of the presentation directors problems. Most recent "in the nations" experience less than 2 years ago.
I did it standing on my head, stupid idea, couldn't see the monitors or the probel added gismos and all the change fell out of my pockets.
Mother was right, showing off is not big and it's not clever.
I did it standing on my head, stupid idea, couldn't see the monitors or the probel added gismos and all the change fell out of my pockets.
Mother was right, showing off is not big and it's not clever.
:-(
A former member
I know announcers will blast me for saying this (some might agree), but as someone who's on the outside of television annoucing looking in, I can't help but feel that it is a very cushy job.
All you really need is a half-decent voice, charisma and the ability to press a few buttons. It's not rocket science.
Up until a couple of years ago it's all I wanted to be was a television announcer. I am by nature an attention seeker, I was always the school clown and relished in being the centre of attention.
I spoke to an announcer the other day and told him that about 90% of the population had heard his voice at some point over the last few years, and he cleverly replied with "Yes, and 90% of the population have ignored me over the last few years".
I've realised it is a very fickle job, and has lost a lot of the magic and prowess associated with the job over the last decade or so.
Live continuity is dying, and to an extent so is all television continuity. It won't be long until ITV or BBC have some sort of countdown menu into their programmes with no voiceover.
All you really need is a half-decent voice, charisma and the ability to press a few buttons. It's not rocket science.
Up until a couple of years ago it's all I wanted to be was a television announcer. I am by nature an attention seeker, I was always the school clown and relished in being the centre of attention.
I spoke to an announcer the other day and told him that about 90% of the population had heard his voice at some point over the last few years, and he cleverly replied with "Yes, and 90% of the population have ignored me over the last few years".
I've realised it is a very fickle job, and has lost a lot of the magic and prowess associated with the job over the last decade or so.
Live continuity is dying, and to an extent so is all television continuity. It won't be long until ITV or BBC have some sort of countdown menu into their programmes with no voiceover.
SD
James,
All jobs can be cushy if that's what you want them to be. I used to be a cinema projectionist (amongst other things) and I had a choice. I could either sit on my arse all day and watch films, or check the cinema for any technical deficiency, replace any dead lamps, order trailers etc. I chose the latter because it made my life more interesting.
I can't speak for any announcers, but frankly all the directors I know will tell you that if you bother looking for it there's always work that needs doing. Sure there are quiet times, and who the hell wants to be making up graphics and reconciling servers at three in the morning - I know I don't. But for every quiet time, you'll run in to a period when the s**t hits the fan in a big way, and how to get out of it is your call.
It certainly ain't rocket science, but having said that, I've seen a few people who just can't hack it - so maybe it's a tad more complex than you're suggesting. I would say that 'challenging' is the word you're looking for - and that's the magic word that makes any job worth doing.
Anyone who wants to be an announcer because they have ideas of telly stardom basically needs to get a life. Certainly some have gone on to greater things, but you've got to realise that most of the work is done when the viewers are making the tea or taking a slash! Having said that, they all notice when it goes pear-shaped, but when things are done properly the job doesn't draw attention to itself. That's exactly as it should be.
Unlike you, I'm painfully shy in public situations. I've always been a loner and enjoy my own company. That's why the job suits me.
It may have lost some 'magic' if it ever had any, but that's because it's evolving. Multi-skilling is the order of the day, so if you throw in with the announcing some directing (including news) vision mixing, audio mixing, VT editing, graphics work, transmission planning, scripting, technical design (yes, you can have a say in your working environment!) and the myriad of other day-to-day issues that come along, and you'll see that there's plenty to make it worthwhile going into work.
The answer is to work hard and play hard!
Quote:
I can't help but feel that it is a very cushy job.
All you really need is a half-decent voice, charisma and the ability to press a few buttons. It's not rocket science.
Up until a couple of years ago it's all I wanted to be was a television announcer. I am by nature an attention seeker, I was always the school clown and relished in being the centre of attention.
I spoke to an announcer the other day and told him that about 90% of the population had heard his voice at some point over the last few years, and he cleverly replied with "Yes, and 90% of the population have ignored me over the last few years".
I've realised it is a very fickle job, and has lost a lot of the magic and prowess associated with the job over the last decade or so.
Live continuity is dying, and to an extent so is all television continuity. It won't be long until ITV or BBC have some sort of countdown menu into their programmes with no voiceover.
All you really need is a half-decent voice, charisma and the ability to press a few buttons. It's not rocket science.
Up until a couple of years ago it's all I wanted to be was a television announcer. I am by nature an attention seeker, I was always the school clown and relished in being the centre of attention.
I spoke to an announcer the other day and told him that about 90% of the population had heard his voice at some point over the last few years, and he cleverly replied with "Yes, and 90% of the population have ignored me over the last few years".
I've realised it is a very fickle job, and has lost a lot of the magic and prowess associated with the job over the last decade or so.
Live continuity is dying, and to an extent so is all television continuity. It won't be long until ITV or BBC have some sort of countdown menu into their programmes with no voiceover.
James,
All jobs can be cushy if that's what you want them to be. I used to be a cinema projectionist (amongst other things) and I had a choice. I could either sit on my arse all day and watch films, or check the cinema for any technical deficiency, replace any dead lamps, order trailers etc. I chose the latter because it made my life more interesting.
I can't speak for any announcers, but frankly all the directors I know will tell you that if you bother looking for it there's always work that needs doing. Sure there are quiet times, and who the hell wants to be making up graphics and reconciling servers at three in the morning - I know I don't. But for every quiet time, you'll run in to a period when the s**t hits the fan in a big way, and how to get out of it is your call.
It certainly ain't rocket science, but having said that, I've seen a few people who just can't hack it - so maybe it's a tad more complex than you're suggesting. I would say that 'challenging' is the word you're looking for - and that's the magic word that makes any job worth doing.
Anyone who wants to be an announcer because they have ideas of telly stardom basically needs to get a life. Certainly some have gone on to greater things, but you've got to realise that most of the work is done when the viewers are making the tea or taking a slash! Having said that, they all notice when it goes pear-shaped, but when things are done properly the job doesn't draw attention to itself. That's exactly as it should be.
Unlike you, I'm painfully shy in public situations. I've always been a loner and enjoy my own company. That's why the job suits me.
It may have lost some 'magic' if it ever had any, but that's because it's evolving. Multi-skilling is the order of the day, so if you throw in with the announcing some directing (including news) vision mixing, audio mixing, VT editing, graphics work, transmission planning, scripting, technical design (yes, you can have a say in your working environment!) and the myriad of other day-to-day issues that come along, and you'll see that there's plenty to make it worthwhile going into work.
The answer is to work hard and play hard!
BA
I should imagine ensuring they have taken their medication kills some time.
Within reason if someone finds a job pressured and stressful they are in the wrong job. If this helps, my rountine at HTV in Bristol tended to follow the same pattern.
Arrived at just before Noon. Get coffee, go into continuity where the presentation sheets for the day would be waiting. Look to see the time of first live anno. Check internal mail paying particular attention to programme PR material. I tended not to talk to anyone for the first hour as I would write all anno scripts up until CITV if it was a weekday or until I left at midnight if it was a weekend shift. OK ready for a run of the mill day. Now contingency planning, read and memorise everything as best I could for those "HELP" moments. Key skill to talk b*ll*cks on a given subject at the drop of a hat.
Trade secrets - During CITV probably in Sainsburys
HTV West news - ciggie break in car park
Coronation Street - Stood by microwave in canteen
Missing reporter - sitting on floor in continuity so couldn't
be seen eating Jelly Babies (anno
supplied)
usually moaning about "this ***ing
place"
Wit and creativity - Never occured to me anyone
would be listening just pushed limits
to keep my brain active. 2003 dull is
the new interesting.
Is The Sun crossword that difficult now? It is for me but after 8 years or so of watching ITV it's a miracle I can even spell it.
Banksey
Founding member
Andrew posted:
So what exactly do ITV1's announcers do when the programmes on air. Looking at some examples of announcements from certain people the writing and timing of the links doesn't take that long
I should imagine ensuring they have taken their medication kills some time.
Within reason if someone finds a job pressured and stressful they are in the wrong job. If this helps, my rountine at HTV in Bristol tended to follow the same pattern.
Arrived at just before Noon. Get coffee, go into continuity where the presentation sheets for the day would be waiting. Look to see the time of first live anno. Check internal mail paying particular attention to programme PR material. I tended not to talk to anyone for the first hour as I would write all anno scripts up until CITV if it was a weekday or until I left at midnight if it was a weekend shift. OK ready for a run of the mill day. Now contingency planning, read and memorise everything as best I could for those "HELP" moments. Key skill to talk b*ll*cks on a given subject at the drop of a hat.
Trade secrets - During CITV probably in Sainsburys
HTV West news - ciggie break in car park
Coronation Street - Stood by microwave in canteen
Missing reporter - sitting on floor in continuity so couldn't
be seen eating Jelly Babies (anno
supplied)
usually moaning about "this ***ing
place"
Wit and creativity - Never occured to me anyone
would be listening just pushed limits
to keep my brain active. 2003 dull is
the new interesting.
Is The Sun crossword that difficult now? It is for me but after 8 years or so of watching ITV it's a miracle I can even spell it.
TV
aye, dean was very fab last night. while the bbc 1 idents aren't the most exciting or as glitzy as the old lwt ones, he certainly gave a friday night feeling to it all and managed to sound excited about:
- a couple *more* hours of dire z list celebs promoting their new singles and reminding us they're still alive and looking for work (all in the name of charity)
- 2 star 1970s film starring frankie howard and roy hudd
- weatherview
all finished off with a rather sincere sounding closedown.
(exhibit 1 - bbc 1 continuity 10pm - close last night)
http://www.tvmercia.co.uk/upload2/bbconecontinuity.rm
now if we weren't cynical continuity announcer groupies we'd believe dean was sitting with us excitedly watching it all, whilst over on itv, the junctions i saw merely consisted of "in half an hour xx, but first" - now only our maggie could get away with doing that and not come across as lazy, boring or both.
tvmercia
Founding member
Steve Hyden posted:
I think many of the announcements on the BBC fall into the 'off the cuff' remit take last nights intro into the late film.
As someone who works in the radio industry I am quite used to split second timing and clock watching on a daily basis
As someone who works in the radio industry I am quite used to split second timing and clock watching on a daily basis
aye, dean was very fab last night. while the bbc 1 idents aren't the most exciting or as glitzy as the old lwt ones, he certainly gave a friday night feeling to it all and managed to sound excited about:
- a couple *more* hours of dire z list celebs promoting their new singles and reminding us they're still alive and looking for work (all in the name of charity)
- 2 star 1970s film starring frankie howard and roy hudd
- weatherview
all finished off with a rather sincere sounding closedown.
(exhibit 1 - bbc 1 continuity 10pm - close last night)
http://www.tvmercia.co.uk/upload2/bbconecontinuity.rm
now if we weren't cynical continuity announcer groupies we'd believe dean was sitting with us excitedly watching it all, whilst over on itv, the junctions i saw merely consisted of "in half an hour xx, but first" - now only our maggie could get away with doing that and not come across as lazy, boring or both.
:-(
A former member
Thanks for your reply, Steve. I do agree with you. I'm not a television announcer, so obviously I'm not going to make myself look stupid and claim to know the in's and out's of the job.
As you say, I think it's the kind of job where you can do as little or as much as you want. I'm someone who constantly likes to be kept busy, and likes the buzz of working in broadcasting. I revell in sitting behind a microphone or appearing on camera - I don't know what it is, but theres just some sort of unique tingle I get which can be quite addictive.
In the last few months, I've seriously considered becoming an actor. I've worked on a few amatuer video productions (only as the narrator though), which were sold locally for a small profit. my girlfriend is an actress, and I've watched her perform (both on the stage and under the duvet...mwhahaha!), and I think I could easily catch the acting bug as I'm quite a drama queen!
I really don't know what job would really suit me. I'm 20 years old, and I know I just love being in a recording studio pressing all the buttons and producing packages to the highest quality and to the best of my ability.
I've visited Soundworks Studios in Cardiff a couple of times, and the studios they have there are incredible. It's that kind of place and environment I would love to work.
So I guess the ideal job I want is an actor who works in a recording studio...hmmm!
As you say, I think it's the kind of job where you can do as little or as much as you want. I'm someone who constantly likes to be kept busy, and likes the buzz of working in broadcasting. I revell in sitting behind a microphone or appearing on camera - I don't know what it is, but theres just some sort of unique tingle I get which can be quite addictive.
In the last few months, I've seriously considered becoming an actor. I've worked on a few amatuer video productions (only as the narrator though), which were sold locally for a small profit. my girlfriend is an actress, and I've watched her perform (both on the stage and under the duvet...mwhahaha!), and I think I could easily catch the acting bug as I'm quite a drama queen!
I really don't know what job would really suit me. I'm 20 years old, and I know I just love being in a recording studio pressing all the buttons and producing packages to the highest quality and to the best of my ability.
I've visited Soundworks Studios in Cardiff a couple of times, and the studios they have there are incredible. It's that kind of place and environment I would love to work.
So I guess the ideal job I want is an actor who works in a recording studio...hmmm!