The Linda Gage Memorial Award 2001
Judges Comments
This is the fifth year the competition has run and has attracted a large number of entries from colleges and universities around the United Kingdom. The brief was to produce a short radio feature that makes creative use of the medium of sound and demonstrates the entrant’s production skills.
The judges are looking for pieces that are well produced. Technically these takes into account editing, mixing, levels and the overall quality of recorded sound. Creative production is important and the use of music and sound effects should add to the piece. Presentation is vital – it should be lively, authoritative and tell the story.
The judges also look for strong
editorial content. The story should have a strong cue that grabs the
listener’s attention and puts the piece in context, and the
actual piece should have a hook at the beginning, a middle and a
conclusion. Interviewees should be relevant to the subject.
This Year’s Competition
This year’s entries covered
a wide range of topics. The judges felt that some key aspects of
radio journalism were not fully addressed. These include working out
the order for telling the story and expressing ideas concisely.
Some entries forget they were telling a story and others lost sight
of who might want to listen (target audience).
The judges thought that entrants were too quick to accept official lines or views. Others forgot the legal requirement of radio for balance and impartiality. Some entrants were not reporting a story on behalf of the listener but the official.
There was some well-researched material and pretty impressive technical standards.
The judges have chosen as the
winner of the Linda Gage Memorial Award this year – AGNES
KRUGER. Her entry “Bounce
Control” was a good story about the sports bra, well told with a
good variation of views. Technically it was very dynamic with
good use of music. The production was very pacey. It had plenty
of energy and humour but was free of clichés. It was well
mixed with no presenter links. A montage that actually works.
Nick Hirst/Angus Moorat
July 2001