BMG Curriculum and Course Overview

In addition to meeting with your mentor 1-3 times weekly, every BMG student hosts their own online radio program. This requires you to develop a solid broadcasting foundation, which your course work is intended to provide.

Think of your BMG broadcaster training like a college course with a lab. The following curriculum covers your book knowledge about broadcasting. Your in-station time with your mentor is like the lab. Hosting your own radio program is applying what you’ve learned in a realistic manner, with your mentors’ guidance and assistance.

Here is an overview of your course work.

Section 1: Introduction to Professional Announcing

Introduction
Announcer, Talent or Personality?
Announcing: A Historical Perspective
Announcing: An Employment Perspective
Announcing Specialization
Is a College Degree Necessary for a Broadcast Announcer?
Key Physical Requirements for Broadcasters
Key Emotional Requirements for Broadcasters
Is Practical Experience Necessary for a Broadcast Announcer?
Announcer Responsibilities
Role Model Announcers
Conclusions

Section 2: The Audio Studio Environment

Introduction
Radio Studio
Microphones
Working with a Microphone
Mic Fright and Why Broadcast Performers Get it
The Audio Console
Music Playback Sources
Recording Equipment
Digital Audio Equipment
Conclusions

Section 3: The Studio Environment: Studio and Cable

Introduction
The Television Studio
The Television Production Crew
Television Terminology
Camera Panic
Working With a Camera
Communicating in the Studio: Cue Cards, Hand Signals, Prompters
Make-ups
Conclusions

Section 4: Vocal Development

Introduction
How Sound is Produced
Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique
Proper Breathing Posture
Avoiding Thoracic Breathing
Key Elements of Vocal Development
Volume
Pitch
Rate
Tone
Articulation of Sounds
Pronunciation
Substandard Pronunciation
Common Vocal Problems
Maintaining and Healthy Voice
Conclusions

Section 5 Performance Development

Introduction
Developing a Broadcasting Style
Vocal Elements
Copy Marking
Word Usage
Language Changes
Avoiding Amateurish Announcing and Inept Delivery
Audience Rapport
Conclusions

Section 6: Commercial Announcing

Introduction
Sources of Broadcast Commercials
Commercial Forms: Radio
Commercial Forms: Television and Cable
Considering the Basic Structure of the Commercial
Other Factors to Consider when Analyzing a Commercial
Importance of Timing
Energy: Hard Sell versus Soft Sell
Gestures and Facial Expressions
Ad-Lib Commercials
Acting
Commercial Voice-Over
Public Service and Promotional Announcements
Conclusions

Section 7: Interviewing

Introduction
Types of Interviews
Basic Structure of the Broadcast Interview
The Interview Setting
Research and Preparation
Preparing Interesting Guests and Topics
Developing Interviewing Skills
Dressing for an Interview
Keeping Control
Keeping a Neutral View
Talk Radio
Talk Television
Special Interviewing Situations: Politicians and Athletes
Conclusions

Section 8: News Announcing

Introduction
Determining News Value
Newscaster Criteria
News Sources
Writing Broadcasting News
The Radio Newscast
The Radio News Anchor
The Radio News Reporter
The Television News Team and Newscast
The Television News Anchor
The Television News Reporter
Ad-Lib Situations Within the Broadcast News
News Announcing and the Internet
Conclusions

Section 9: Music Announcing

Introduction
The Duties of the Radio Announcer
Developing the Ability to Ad-Lib
How to be an Effective Music Announcer
Radio Format Programs
Adult Contemporary
Contemporary Hit Radio
Smooth Jazz
Country
Rock
News/Talk Radio
Urban Contemporary
Oldies
Modern Rock
Classical Music Announcing
Announcing According to Day port
Announcing for Satellite Radio
The Music Video Jockey
The Music Disc Jockey
Conclusions

Section 10: Sports Announcing

Introduction
Sports Announcing
Sports Reporting
What a Sports Reporter Covers
The Sports Anchor
Play-by-Play and Sports Analysis
Sports Talk Host
Conclusions

Section 11: Specialty Announcing

Introduction
Weather Reporting
The Chroma-Key System for Reporting
Financial Reporting
What a Financial Reporter Covers
Feature Specialists
Host Selling
The Voice-Over and Narration
Developing Voice-Over Skills
Voice Characterizations
Conclusions

Section 12 Beginning Your Announcing Career

Introduction
Writing Your Resume
Electronic Resumes
Adding a Cover Letter
Making Your Audition Tape
Developing a Contact List
Interviewing for a Job
Responding to a Job Offer
Unions, Agents, and Contracts
Losing That First Job: A Fact of Broadcast Performance Life
Conclusions