Will I get to have a go in the studio?

 
Everyone will get in the studio. From the Absolute Beginner class through to Intermediate and the Masterclass. Depending on your experience, you will get to have a go at doing an opening link, reading travel news and even having a go at the weather.
 
Who are the classes open to?
 
Anyone who wants to know more about working in radio. All ages welcome!
 
Will there be the chance to ask questions?
 
Absolutely! We’ll have time allocated solely for a Q and A session.
 
Will I get advice on making my radio demo?
 
Yes. The Intermediate and Masterclasses will talk in depth about demo’s. What to put on, what to leave out. What Programme Directors are looking for.
  
Will the course help me get a job in radio?
 
The course will be an excellent insight into the radio business. There are many roles within a station and many different ways in. I can give practical advice on all of this, and tell you how to approach stations.
 
What will I get out of the course?
 
An open and honest insight into the radio industry, from the very basic stuff about working in radio, to how to make a demo and prepare a show. Everyone will get time in the studio to hear themselves and see if they have what it takes!
 
What is Emma Scott like?

She is an excellent communicator; very approachable, and she cares that everyone will get what they want out of the class.
 
What will the atmosphere be like?
 
Very relaxed and friendly. The class will be split into small groups and each will work on a different aspect of radio. There will be a Questions and Answers session in each class if there’s anything else you need to know.
 
Can I bring my laptop?
 
Yep. Or a pad and paper to take notes and contact details.
 
What is expected of each student?
 
Be on time for class, try and take part as much as you can with each area we cover. You are also expected to have fun!
 
Is there anything I need to bring with me?
 
A pen and pad will be handy. A laptop if you prefer, but battery life only, please. If you are in the Intermediate or Masterclass bring a newspaper or magazine for help with prepping a show.
 
What happens if I’m ill on the day of my class?
 
Please contact Emma as soon as you can. We can reschedule you into another class when there is space, so you won’t miss out.
 
Can I attend more than once?
 
You can come as many times as you like. You may feel content in the beginners class for a couple of sessions, and then ready to move up to Intermediate or Masterclass later on. You may start on a Beginners course, get a Radio Show and want to come back a few months later for some feedback sessions in the other classes. That’s not a problem.
 
Will we learn about other roles within the radio industry?
 
Yes, this is something we will spend quite a bit of time on. There are so many different jobs in radio; from sales to admin, production to presenters, journalists to promotional staff; technical operators to marketing, website editors and programme directors. We’ll talk about them in depth and find out a “typical day in their lives” so you can get a feel of each job, and see if it appeals.
 
I present a show on hospital radio and would love to move up to the next level, will this class help me?
 
Absolutely. Hospital Radio, Internet Radio, RSL’s and so on, are a great way to get started, but you may not know how to move up to the next level, so this class is ideal for you.
 
Will I get to practice my interview technique?
 
In the Intermediate and Masterclasses, yes. We’ll prepare interview questions and interview each other in a bit of role play. We’ll alsp practice “vox pops” in class, where each student will get to interview everyone in their group on a given subject. We’ll be editing these pieces, which is excellent practice for live radio shows and making podcasts.
 
Is there opportunity to move up to the next level?
 
Always. If you want to move up to another class, speak to me in class or email me afterwards to see what availability there is in the next class up.
 
I don’t know anything about radio, will I be out of my depth?
 
In the Absolute Beginner class, there will be all sorts of people from a non-radio background. Some will be taking their GCSE’s at school and be interested in starting out in radio; others will be in their thirties and in completely different jobs who think that radio maybe for them. Others will simply just be interested in the medium and how radio shows get put together. They want to know what really goes on behind the microphone!
 
My friends have always told me I’d be great on the radio, will I get to find out if I have what it takes?

You certainly will. You'll get a go in the studio, and get a feel of what really goes on in radio.

What practical lessons will there be?
 
Depending on each class, we will be going through interviewing technique, researching and prepping a show as well as planning an interview with a band or artist. We could be putting together a specialist music show, writing travel news and weather, brushing up on your “vox pop” technique and of course, getting behind the mic in the studio!
 
I used to do a radio show years ago and would like to get back into the industry, could this class help me?
 
Absolutely! If there’s anything specific you want to ask me, then you can do that in class. We’ll get you back in the studio to see if you still have the magic, and if you want to pursue another radio show, we’ll help with your demo and tell you the sort of stations you could apply to.
 
Will I pick up useful contact information?
 
You will pick up lots of different snippets of information on who to contact for work experience, volunteer work, as well as places to look for full time paid positions.
 
Will Emma listen to my demo and tell me where I’m going wrong?
 
You may not be going wrong, but you may be sending it to the wrong people. If you need a bit of help tweaking your demo, we can cover this in your studio slot. We’ll talk about what to put in a demo and what to leave out.
 
Will we find out what working in radio is really like?
 
Oh yes! It will be a real eye opener! There will be many “true life stories” in class of how established presenters got on air, what their day is like, and what advice they have for people wanting to get into radio. Each role in commercial radio will be discussed, as well as local BBC stations.
 
I’m thinking of getting into radio production, rather than presenting; could I learn about this side of the industry?
 
Yes you can! There are different types of radio producer, and we will go into each of these and tell you about all of them. If you’re not interested in getting behind the mic at all, you can use your studio time producing and directing someone else!
 
Will there be one to one training with Emma?
 
Yes. Whilst you will be split into small groups to work together, Emma will be talking to each group throughout the lesson for support and encouragement.
 
What size are the class sizes?
 
Around 7 people in each class.
 

Anything we have missed? Please email your question to Emma now!