Macquarie University

Radio Production - MAS206

This unit introduces students to the radio broadcasting industry, practice and ethics, and has a large practical component in radio production. Students gain a broad understanding of core principles and practices of radio program making and digital sound production, with attention to public, commercial and community radio forms. The unit also introduces students to the expanding realm of online/web radios, streaming, podcast and other audio rich forms proliferating on the internet. The lecture program covers theories and issues relating to this rapidly changing medium: its diverse forms and organisation; powerful inter-relationships with listeners and society; and historical developments. Regular listening and analysis of radio programs and programming is a feature of the unit. The workshop component concentrates on the techniques and skills of recording and producing pre-recorded sound items and comprises hands-on production classes using digital facilities and equipment. Practical and critical skills of interviewing, scriptwriting, story research, construction and presentation are developed. This unit aims to produce creative outcomes specifically targeted to actual broadcasting stations, including Sydney community station, 2SER.