The Real Anchormen

Just seen this and wanted to share!

If you, like me, love Will Ferrell's Anchorman movie, then have a look at this local news promo from the '70s.

Its far out man!!



Here's how the station anchors look today. Why not vote for 'em to go national!!

Choose your tips!!

One of the things I've really enjoyed this year has been the chance for me and you to share our tips for more compelling radio.

Driven via Twitter, I've passed on my advice and colleagues from BBC and commercial radio have added hints too. As I've commented previously, its rare to have a forum for these two sides of the business to share best practice. But, I think its hugely positive and all for the common cause of better radio.

I want to carry on with some more tips this summer but I'm wondering which area of news and talk radio to focus on next?

So far, the subjects covered have been:

* Compelling Radio Journalism.
* Tips for Radio News Editors.
* How to conduct better interviews.
* Great Entertainment Journalism.

So, what do you think?

Someone has suggested a mock style guide in 30 tweets? How about support for reporters..or even smaller one or two journalist news rooms?

Please let me know your thoughts and, once again, let's work to inspire each other!

(Thanks to FreeDigitalPhotos.net for pic.)

Re-Inventing the News Team debate

Ahead of my presentation at Radiodays in Scandinavia have a read of this blog post I've written for my friends at Emmy nominated Feature Story News.

Don't miss the comments, there's some interesting debate and please add your own thoughts.

Celebtips on Twitter

Yesterday saw another day of free tips on Twitter from myself @newsleader, plus movie critic Karen @krizanovich (pictured left) and...you!

There were plenty of contributions as we set out to send advice for compelling entertainment journalism.

We didn't realise when agreeing on the project that one of the biggest ents stories of recent times would break - do I need to say, Michael Jackson - so, there has been a far bit of debate about the value of showbiz in the past days.

It's not for everyone but it's an important part of cultural life for many and so for journalists and editors worth taking very seriously.

A huge thanks to the marvellous Ms. Krizanovich for taking part and to you if you got involved. You'll spot some well known names amongst the contributors.

The tips follow, in no particular order......enjoy and, as always, comments are appreciated!

@newsleader Dare to be different. Junkets can be dull for celebs, answering the same Qs...zzzz...be creative in your questioning.

@krizanovich carry extra batteries, extra recording devices, have back up always - and spare questions. Once or twice you'll need 'em.

@newsleader At awards, some of the audience will be interested in the gongs but others will be into the fashion and gossip...don't forget it. Same goes for first nights, fundraisers, premieres etc..etc.

@newsleader For radio, describe how stars look on the red carpet and, if poss, promote to pics/video on-line.

@newsleader Radio - do you have a cameraman at the event...or at least access to pics? Are you now on the TV roster for junkets?

Gareth Roberts has produced 100's of celeb interviews as former ed of the Johnny Vaughan show on Capital FM London.

RT @gareth_roberts really try and memorise your Q's you'll listen/ react better & your chat will be more "real" without a script

RT @gareth_roberts dont be in awe, build a rapport - so don't just say "love your film" be specific and genuine which bit? why?

RT @gareth_roberts do a google news/ youtube search on the celeb you might find a quirky story or piece of audio to run past 'em

@newsleader Don't waste a celebs time by asking "tell me the movie/plot.." - anyone who's read a synopsis can do this

@newsleader Avoid "what was it like to work with.." Qs - there's a serious danger of getting bland or sycophantic answers

@krizanovich The best journos? Stay cool no matter what. Ask honed short questions that get great answers. They seem banal but it work

@krizanovich You can actually get a LOT from 5 minutes of a fast talker.

@krizanovich Be on time. Don't bitch if you're kept waiting. Don't expect to get the full time offered. And if a sleb asks you out - YOUR CALL

@newsleader There's a political game to play but try not to let a PR tell you what NOT to ask.

@newsleader Confer with colleagues..are they asking the forbidden Q?

@krizanovich If PR/manager/mom nearby, rephrase your nasty questions. Take a tip from Ivan Waterman: break them into nice, inoffensive chunks.

@krizanovich Don’t ask questions that can upset or offend: you can ruin it for everyone and blot your future copybook.

@krizanovich Have neutral questions at the ready to quell upsets - and do not answer any personal questions of yourself. Not their beeswax.

@krizanovich Ask a particular question even if it is a closed one (yes/no): “Was the actor grumpy?”

@newsleader Moods change but watch previous interviews with celeb (thanks You Tube) to get an idea of personality, the best tone to adopt

@newsleader Also get a steer on mood from journalists in the interview queue before you

@krizanovich know what you can use: easy to get carried away & have lovely chat you can't use! Wish I'd know this sooner...

@newsleader Take a gift! Has the celeb got kids? Is there a cool bit of station merchandise you can offer? I’ve tried it..it went down well

@newsleader Yes, money can buy u a private jet but it can't buy you a Capital pen ;) I gave specific toys to Susan Sarandon for her kids

@newsleader Once we made a tape for Jack Nicholson: a guide to a night out in Ldn. We gave it to him..he went on to talk about it at premiere

RT @timpage001 Don't skim thru the CV in yr 5 min slot. Pick 1-2 life events & get all the detail. Personal & specific every time

@krizanovich The celeb will dress one way (up or down or ?) but you must be wearing something that you are comfy in. No fussing over yourself.

Qriter and broadcast David Quantick...

RT @Quantick let them talk is good, avoid yes/no questions, praise something they've done and reference their work to their face.

RT @Quantick be nice to the PR. Thank them afterwards & via email. Don't insult them in the piece unless they were vile. It helps

RT @johnco Don't be afraid to make eye contact

RT @johnco research beyond the biog. Prove you know your stuff.

RT @ollybarratt if doing radio, it's a scrum, & a cameraman's shouting at u to get your mic block out of their shot, ignore them!

@newsleader Read the day’s papers/check on-line before the i/v, there may be a news story you should get reaction to.

Here comes a collection of movie premiere tips via my former Capital colleague @Georgia_Gill

RT @Georgia_Gill Make sure you get to your pen in PLENTY of time! It's a real scrum & if your not in a good spot you lose out

RT @Georgia_Gill you will be lucky to get 1 or 2 Qs in-have them ready, and make sure you liaise with the surrounding journos without giving away your killer Qs

@krizanovich Do help out your fellow journos, unless they’re selfish and don’t help you in return. Fry ‘em if so.

RT @Georgia_Gill it's nice to remind the star you met earlier at the junket (if you got on!) It seems to get them chatting longer

RT @Georgia_Gill Don't afraid to shout the stars name if it is a scrum-in fact the louder the better

RT @Georgia_Gill ALWAYS be polite and friendly to the film company people! They might give u a bit of extra time if they like you

@newsleader Have you got a decent mic flag – seeing your station inches from the mouth of a megastar is great marketing!

@newsleader Be co-operative but bold on the red carpet - don't hack off fellow journos and PRs but don't be shy!!

@newsleader Give listeners the chance to interact with the celeb – ask for questions before the junket or red carpet. It’s sometimes a good way to ask tricky Qs

RT @twitchrisw Early on, ask "do you mind if I ask something personal?"...then ask a fairly harmless Q...they're so relieved they tell you all sorts of stuff

RT @ollybarratt #celebtips actually listen to interviewee celebs sometimes slip a juicy story in which needs a followup

RT @Georgia_Gill Think ahead to bank audio. R there big events coming up that that particular celeb may be relevant to comment on

RT @brokenbottleboy Keep your potential walk-out questions until the very end

RT @RadioKate Don't make eye contact with the PR person.They will only pull faces to stop you asking Qs or tell you to wrap up

RT @Georgia_Gill think of entertaining questions that'll engage your target audience AND person your interviewee.

RT @KatieWEPR Think of a Q&A 'game' you can play with a celeb, if they've been in junkets all day, they're probably bored.

@krizanovich if doing a round table, wait to see if anyone asks your Qs. Keep track. Then ask an 'out there' Q to spice it up.

@krizanovich Run out of questions? Cahier Du Cinema questions will inspire you.

RT @randallwrrites Also job hunting sites are great for inspiring questions.

Via Paul Phear of Magic 105.4 - IF you enjoyed the artists film/song/book.. tell him or her before you start. It helps!

RT @pauleaston Re. Paul Phear's tip - don't pretend you liked it if you haven't actually read/seen/heard it.

RT @pauleaston Make time to read the book, see the film, listen to the album and do your own research.

@krizanovich Nobody likes a sarky interviewer or a mushy one. Be fair. You're a celebrity wrangler of words - not a jerk or a stalker.

@krizanovich The worst interviews are 1) where they are really boring, 2) say nothing worth reading, 3) or repeat themselves. Beware.

RT @randallwrites My greatest joy is when, at the end of interview, celeb says no one ever asked me that before!

And finally....for over 18's only..........

@krizanovich Try not to have a crush on the person you're interviewing: drooling and panting is not professional

RT @paddybunce Flirt! Talk to em just like you'd talk to anyone else - be a bit cheeky. They'll relax & give u surprising answers

@krizanovich Flirting can backfire: the same quotes they always give & pat answers.

RT@indiaknight Or you could make like X, walk in, say hi, suggest (male) interviewee looks tense, offer relief. 70% take up rate.

@krizanovich Getting personal with stars works for some. I wouldn't! Did have one have to leave the interview because 'too excited'. UGH.