Ideas for radio demo tape?

Question

i need help as to what to include!! should i include an interview - i was thinking of doing a mock interview with my friend but i dont know what to interview her about!!

Answer 1

You don't give us a lot to go on. What's the demo for? A radio station, a club gig, a newsreader, interviewer?

See what I mean? It worries me that you are applying for some kind of position and are afraid to even do a mock or practice interview with a friend because you can't think of anything to ask!! Ack, what are you going to do when the real deal comes along?

Being an on-air person doesn't necessarily come naturally. You have to study, research, listen to all possible announcers, jocks and presenters. You MUST study up on any person you are going to interview before interviewing them.

I interviewed Paul McCartney once. Do you think I arrived at that hotel room unprepared? I probably knew more about him and his music than he did at the time.

Here's a suggestion if you are applying for a position at a small or student radio station - tell them the truth. You don't have a demo reel. Would they please give you some news and advertising copy and let you record it in their production studio?

You are so new at this that you would really appreciate it if you could hang around, sweep the floors, go out for burgers, all while you listen, watch and learn.

One day the opportunity will present itself for you to use the production facilities and, hopefully by then, someone will have taken you under their wing. Your new mentor will help you select some news copy, some advertising copy and help you introduce a couple of songs, and you'll have your demo.

In the meantime, study up on a subject, have your friend study the same subject. Then, once you've gotten over the first-time jiters, you can do your mock interview and it will sound much more authentic. Good luck!

-a guy named duh