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July 2002 RAP

The RAP CD

July 2002 Highlights

Feature: Wearing the Production Supervisor's Hat

One of the "growth" opportunities I've had as a small spoke in this large corporate wheel that Im in, is that of "Production Supervisor." Its a minor management position, meaning that I get paid the same amount to go to more meetings. In reality, I have a bigger say in how the Production Department is organized and run, but I still have others above me that I have to report to. This is all on top of my regular production work. Part of the gig is finding replacements when someone leaves to go onto something else, which is exactly what happened to me recently.

Interview: Garry "D", Creative Imaging Director, KNIX/KEZ, Phoenix, Arizona

The decades have definitely changed radio, but scattered throughout the U.S. you still find legendary call letters keeping their legend alive. KNIX in Phoenix has certainly had an amazing history, and this months RAP Interview checks in with KNIX Creative Imaging Director Garry "D" for a look inside this country powerhouse. Like more and more Imaging Directors, Garry finds himself imaging more than one station, and more than one format. But multitasking is a skill Garry learned a long time ago, and its coming in handy at Clear Channels 8-station cluster in the country's 15th ranked market.

Test Drive: Sound Forge 6.0 from Sonic Foundry

For most of us, Sonic Foundry's Sound Forge needs no introduction. In addition to being the company's flagship audio product, Sound Forge has been one of the most popular stereo editors on the Wintel platform for several years. Personally, I thought Forge was pretty much complete. While it wasn't the fastest stereo editor in my arsenal, it did nearly everything well. With the introduction of version 6.0, this well-known audio editor now sports several worthwhile new features, nearly all of which simply make Forge work faster.

Production 212: The Magic Buss

This month I wanna take you for a ride down one of those roads on the magic buss. Yeah, I said B-U-S-S. At first glance, this column is going to look like a "How-To" for Pro Tools. However, the principles I'm talking about are universal. Your DAW may or may not have the same features. If it does not have these features, you might want to start thinking about a new DAW, one with these features. Why? It will make your life incredibly easier. If you have a recording studio background, you'll know immediately what Im talking about.

Q It Up: The RAP Network Speaks - Dealing with Agency/Client Scripts Requiring Kids' Voices - Part 1

Q It Up: What do you do when the client or agency comes up with a script that has children in it? Do you explain the child labor laws in your area, which prevent you from having a child on staff, and make them change the script? Do you drag your kids in from school to cut the spot? Do your kids get compensated? Do you make the sales rep or agency people provide the child talent? Or do you put that pitch shifter to good use?

Feature: Devaluing the Investment

Its Monday morning. You hit the lottery over the weekend and you have $100,000 burning a hole in your pocket. You walk into a stockbrokers office and tell him you want $100,000 worth of investments. He is very happy to see your money, and he invites you to have a seat. You notice his credentials in the form of diplomas and commendations neatly framed against the back wall of his office.

He asks a few questions, fills out some paperwork, and tells you he will have some detailed strategic and tactical plans to maximize your investment by weeks end. He opens his planner to write your name in for 10AM Friday morning. And you say no. You want the list right now. He's got ten minutes.

...And Make It Real Creative:

On the surface it seems ridiculous that people who have been in the business forever don't know how to operate some of the gear, forcing me to take time away from my own work to assist them with theirs. How can they possibly forget everything I showed them just the day before and the day before that?! Of course they are not THAT stupid! All they want is someone to do all their work for them. Bunch of slackers!

Radio Hed: Daily Exercises II

Good radio writers are good storytellers. Try spending the 5 to 20 minutes you have set aside to do your writing each day and create a different kind of story. Write a drama, a sports story, an adventure, a humor piece, whimsy or a fairytale. Try writing a first person account, a third person account, a news story. The possibilities are almost endless.

RAP Forum: Captain Execution and His Swinging Fax Machine

On the golf course, you see every ounce of his 135 pound frame tense up. With the swing of an executioner, he drives an average tee shot about 235 yards. You'd think, at his size, he'd have to swing a fax machine to drive a golf ball that far. But not this little firecracker. He's got a way of making things go... and go far.

"The Executioner," as Ill call him, is a producer and Creative Director. And you'd swear he was wired on speed all day, every day. He has the energy of three people and the management skills even the president of the company envies. In a word, he understands.