Starter of this subject: Ken Smith
Last post in this subject: 9/28/2001
Messages in this subject: 2
| Ken Smith | 9/28/2001 2 replies |
| Jack, in an answer to another inquiry you mentioned that a radio show survives today possibly due to an "aircheck". Could you explain what an aircheck was and why it would cause a radio show to survive? Thanks very much. |
| Jack French | 9/30/2001 1 replies |
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Sure, Ken, an aircheck is usually a recording made of a live show, while the show is airing. Hence the name. Usually it would be made by the studio engineer, and less frequently, by an off-site recording studio, arranged by the original group doing the broadcast.
Why would this be done? Many reasons. "Candy Matson" was always done live, but creator/director Monty Masters had an aircheck made of every show because he hoped to syndicate it later. "Bobby Benson" was almost always done live, but its writer, Jim Shean, had an aircheck made occasionally so he could listen to an episode several times and check for cast interaction, dialogue pace, etc. in order to make future scripts even better. Some sponsors demanded that an aircheck be made of every 10th or 20th show, to make sure the commercials were handled properly. Even actors could request an aircheck....say an actor gets a nice role on a show he has never appeared on before. He slips the engineer five or ten bucks (or maybe the engineer does it as a favor) and the aircheck is created. The actor then uses this recording to try and get other work on a better paying series by using this demonstration of his talent to casting agencies or radio directors. Technically, most of the AFRS shows were originally airchecks. Recorded disks were made of popular shows, while they were aired live, and then the disks were donated to AFRS for replay abroad. Of course, many of them were "butchered" by AFRS, who would chop out commercials and some music, and later add their own theme music. Jack French Editor: RADIO RECALL |
| Jim Stokes | 11/6/2001 0 replies |
| Speaking of AFRS butchering shows. I have several OTRs via AFRS Germany. Some have Army PSAs in them for drink driving, Savings Bonds, guarding freedom, rifle range safety, and the like. And at thend of some "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar" s |