Week 7

This week we are discussing genres of media speech. The four main genres of media speech are:

1. Chat-based programming
2. Hosting
3. Pieces to the camera
4. Interviews
5. Voice overs

Chat-based programming is a described by Tolson (1991) as a having three main features, it is oriented toward the personal, includes wit and humour and the risk of transgression underlies the talk. This type of talk can seem unscripted and involves crews or teams that interact with each other in a way that can be humorous or controversial but is ultimately performed for an audience. Ames (2012) observes that this type of talk appears light-hearted but is actually important talk that helps to construct a sense of community amongst listeners.

The above piece shows evidence of these features as described by Tolson (1991). There is a personal element that brings a sense of community to the audience when Karl invites the interviewee over to his house for a hangi. The interviewee then replies with humour saying, “I’ll cook it for you cuz, get it done properly” and they all laughed together. Karl’s references to the interviewee being ‘Kiwi’ could have been controversial or transgressional. The interviewee was a good sport though and didn’t take offence but rather joined in with the banter.

This interview was a reminder that whilst a chat-based programme might seem off -the-cuff, research and planning is required. It’s important while your performing on this platform that you are familiar with your players or team. Karl must have talked to the interviewee before the live interview. Perhaps he has already ascertained that he was a jovial guy and could take a joke. He then felt confident that he could take a dig at his native way of speech and eating habits without him opposing. It was also a reminder that when conducting an interview, you are mindful to listen to the interviewee’s responses. Karl asked as question toward the end of the interview that had been answered in an earlier response. This again could have backfired if the interviewee took offence but, in this context, he managed to get away with it.

This week’s activities have us doing a piece to camera. This was mostly challenging trying to get the right angles and keep myself close enough to the camera so I could be heard. I was disappointed in how faint my voice came across in the recording, but it was a great exercise to help us appreciate how difficult being ‘natural’ in front of a camera can be.

Reviewing Clayman’s writings (1990) the key messages that I took from his work were:

1. The sequence in which talk is reported puts the speaker’s behaviour and demeanour on display. Reporters can and will develop context around words to usher the audience toward developing a particular narrative. Clayman (1990) calls this ’embedding’ or an unnoticed form of discourse that not only states the source but the interactional context that accompanies it.

2. Context surrounding a statement needs to be preserved in order for the audience to have access to the whole picture. “Where an utterance occurs in the course of talk, and how it is co-ordinated with that talk, endows it with may subtle and nuanced layers of meaning (Clayman, 1990).

3. Using statements, questions, and answers in a sequential order (statement + questions + answer) can reveal or disclose a ‘backdown’ in position (Clayman, 1990). If a source makes a statement but when questioned renegotiates their initial position, this can be documented in a sequence that provides the audience with data to question the sources motives or character.

4. “What people say is assessed and evaluated in the light of how they say it” (Clayman, 1990). We gain understanding of words uttered by marrying them with context (atmosphere, gestures, demeanour, dynamics etc.) Embedding additional information, invites the audience to come to their own conclusion regarding what was said and how it was said, without disrupting the reporter’s objectivity.

Converting these concepts over to my requirements for Assessment 2 will help me be mindful of how Crisafulli’s past and present actions align with his statements. Assessing his reputation and history professionally and personally will influence the features of his maiden speech. I will consider his strengths and ensure that they are highlighted in the speech. Journalist will be looking at quoting actionable responses. Short, punchy, and quotable lines that summarise his character, drive and purpose will be used in the media. The believability of his statements will be characterised by his reputation but also his body language and speech. What he says and how he says it, need to align. He will need to be convincing, confident, and inspiring.

References:

Ames, K. (2012). Host/host conversations: Techniques for inclusion on commercial radio.
Media International Australia, 142, 112–122

Clayman, S. (1990). From talk to text: Newspaper accounts of reporter-source interactions. Media Culture & Society, 12(1), 79-103. https://clayman.scholar.ss.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/Clayman-1990-Talk_to_Text.pdf

Today. (2020, February 27). Hero truck driver has hosts in stitches  [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USe5FksIsvc

Tolson, A. (1991). Televised chat and the synthetic personality. In P. Scannell (Ed.)
Broadcast Talk (pp. 178–200). London: Sage Publications