How confident do you feel? - An informal Q poll

aaaaarhg Q you got me back on here!!! hahahahhaha

i don't think i will win. however, i do believe that (A) my voice is good (b) i have content (i will ALWAYS have content regardless of my personality, it is my saving grasce in life, hahaha) (c) i think my entry sounds ok in terms of clarity of both recording and vision.

i think i am definitely "above average" and that is satisfying enough.

However, i don't really come off as a personality star in my entry (little as i actually believe in the value of personality/voice-based-"hostiness' in making good radio, I do believe that it will be taken seriously as a factor), regardless of my actual personal personality. but as i am not sure that everyone on NPR is ready for my personality (pacifica, yes, npr no), it probably works to my favor. I might be a little to brash otherwise.

Now back to my writing (well, breakfast first).

ttyl,

elizabeth

My entry at Public Radio Quest:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/7572

My College Radio Myspace (feel free to friend me!):
http://www.myspace.com/girlsongprimerradio

I also feel I haven't much of a chance. Honestly, with so many pro radio folks entering, my little "Hook a mic up and read" bit is starting to look dim. Now if you listen to a peice I do for the radio station I volenteer with (Radio for the blind) I sound a heck of a lot more pro.

I do think the strengths of the unpro's were in their ideas for radio. Unless you have a hopelessly bad voice, a decent voice can be trained to be Hostly. But without a good idea, a bright mind, behind it, you're just the straw man of the show. I can't stand radio like that...we have SO many channels of it, I listen to NPR to avoid that.

However, it seems the ideas for programs arent going to count. And I think thats a shame. Seems to me thats loving the sizzle on an overcooked outside raw inside steak.

Love comics? Anime? Sci fi? Gaming? Firefly? Star Wars? All the above? Then get Geek on NPR! Vote for Red Shirts Rising! http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1202

... are getting no attention whatsoever."

Good morning all - I read nurmihusa's comments and wondered how we might reveal some of those entries.

I've found the PRTQ a revealing, rewarding experience. One aspect of that is over the last week I've tired of my own submission and I want to start touting OTHER people's submissions. (I wonder if the PRTQ judges anticipated that?)

Can we create a forum topic -- perhaps there already is one? -- that offers up our favorites? Those we think are most deserving ... haven't gotten the exposure they deserve ... simply are lost among the more than 1,400 entries.

It's Memorial Day weekend, and I'm eagerly looking forward to a weekend of gardening and yard projects. I don't want to over-think this or try to figure out the criteria for "hidden gems" - only those with no comments? Twenty or fewer?

I'll let someone else decide that, if there's interest; I have hostas to divide and mulch to spread. :)

Here's three I really, really favor. Please note I don't know any of them personally. Perhaps that might be a rule.

http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/890
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/697
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1068

Oh wait. One other rule (said extremely tongue in cheek): Anyone whose submission is drawing hundreds of nearly adoring fans saying things like, "DUUUUUDE! YR PEEPS R KICKIN' IT 24/7 IN CINCY! GUNS N' ROSES 4-EVER! STAY STRONG! WHOOOOO!" doesn't get to be included here.

:)

...feel confident, that is. There's no letter listed for that one.

As it happens, the experience of entering this seems to be a larger allegory for my life right now, but I'm just really trying to be brave and put myself out there and (hopefully) get people thinking about one of the many social issues confronting us (read: the Western world, or - more specifically - Americans) today, and tomorrow, and the next day, year, whatever... if you have any suggestions for how to give my entry more exposure in circles where folks might get thinking about the seemingly mundane routines of everyday life in a slightly existential sense, I'm all ears.

Otherwise, I feel I did the best I could given everything, and what's meant to be will happen (isn't passing the buck great sometimes?). As with everyone else, I have no control over the outcome and when it comes to the reality of competition, ain't it all relative?

My shameless plug:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1258

Cheers,
Jennifer
me@jenniferneeley.com
http://www.jenniferneeley.com

I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life -- and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.
– Georgia O'Keefe

I have listened to entries which for the most part have very interesting subject matter. My concern is that many need help in seeking a better delivery. I am certain that many entrants would benefit from some voice training such as from a coach who teaches singing. If for no other reason,a professional coach would assist a student in breath control and seeking comfortable voice levels which could be disciplined to the benefit of the performer. Timing is important also and some delivery is far too rapid or ill paced. Seeking and discovering the proper place for a pause or rise in level can be very effective. Most of us do not take maximum advantage of the natural gift of our voices. Many, sad to say, believe that voice level,tone,pace and interpretation are incidental. That is an erroneous concept. The best of the pros understand that so well. The good ones never take their voices for granted. Some of you might check the Yellow Pages for Voice Coaches or better still consult the chorus director of your local school. Those who do so will stand a better chance the next time around.

...and I've felt worse. With so little to go on, it definitely feels like a crap shoot - albeit one with slightly better odds. Or maybe not? Has anyone actually done the math? I mean, do we have a better chance of winning at a crap shoot?

http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1611

We are ALL winners!!!"....course, that would go to say that we'd all be losers too, but hey, we're not talking about that today!!

Lynn Kindler, The "Idea" Coach
Please listen to my tape at http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/52 and vote!!
www.sacredpathcoaching.com

I suppose I fall somewhere between a and b. Although I have not lost all hope, I think there are so many fine entries that my chances have become somewhat slim.

Having said that, I must admit that although winning would be wonderful, I will not be disappointed if I don't win.

The value of this contest, for me, has been in the journey. From concept to creation and refinement to submission, the process has become its own reward. The prize, which is priceless, has been the education and fellowship I have attained through contact with so many talented individuals in the forums, and from listening to all the submissions.

Yes, somewhere between a and b. That's where I fit in.

Thanks, I really look forward to your informal polls. Keep them coming.

Edwin
Have a listen: www.publicradioquest.com/node/937

Well, since Errol had a thing for underage girls, I'll pass on "d". Ahem.

I thought I had a "better shot than most" but after the deluge of entries at the last minute, I'm pretty discouraged.

Mostly I'm discouraged by the fact that heaps of perfectly wonderful entries are getting no attention whatsoever - while perfectly mediocre entries are treated like Emmy material, if not Pulitzer Prize material?!

But then I have to remind myself that what I like - what ANY of us like - is pretty much IMmaterial. It's what the judges like and they are looking out for number one, i.e. public broadcasting. For example, there are an *enormous* number of perfectly competent Ira Glass clones, male and female, in the entries. But why would the judges dilute his franchise by setting up a competitor? Not likely. No, I expect they're looking for something VERY different - so different we haven't a clue what it might be. So different even THEY haven't a clue what it might be.

As I said elsewhere around here, when the fourth arrives, we will be both pleased and horrified by who makes the next round.

*n*

"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about" - Oscar Wilde

but I really DID enter for the experience. Now that I have I feel more inclined to persue opportunities as they present themselves locally. If I happen to get into the top 10, I'll probably faint first, change my pants second and then have to breathe in a paper bag to calm my hyperventilation third...

I don't feel my chances are good as I've had to beg, borrow and steal to get people to leave comments (good or bad, ok? isthisthingon?) and I'm guessing my scratchy AM quality recording is getting in the way of the slickly produced, EXCELLENT pieces out there. But momma always said the entertainment industry is tough (and radio is entertainment) and an amateur like me has only Rudy-type chances anyway...

But what I have found that I will take with me is this community of intellegent, non-inflammatory, literate people with whom I have shared these boards. I hope this continues and if you have any suggestions as to other boards like this one, let me know...

Thanks,

Speechguy

I can't believe I've entered!
Speechguy says, "Please listen, vote and comment. Thanks."

http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/840

I honestly don't know about my chances. I've heard zillions of great entries.

I just know that it has been a blast. It has always been my dream to teach, make music, and work voice and radio. Somehow, this has been a starting point for me. I'm grateful just to have had this opportunity, whatever the contest outcome.

Jimmy
----
Here, I'm speaking in the node:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/197
I made a tune for you the PRTQ! http://jimmybearpearson.com/prtq.php.
Inquiring Bears want to know! (SM)(TM)(C)(R)(MIC)(KEY)(MO)(USE)

Hope that you cannot see is hope. Doubt will never get you any place, any time. Keep your head up, Radio Girl and the rest of the group, Keep your head up!

but it beats the hell out of me how far I'll be able to advance my endeavor.

Of course my desire is to make philosophic conversation a place in every philosophic person's life. And even more paramount than that goal, is the desire to see more people live a more philosophic life.

Steve

It falls to the enlightened, and the intelligent and the sane to take responsibility for the deluded or doltish or insane.

No chance in hell.

The chances of me getting one of the 10 slots, with 1,400+ entries is thinning faster than Bob Barker's booty call list.

I haven't even heard 100 entries yet and I've already heard over 5 5-star entries. No way I'm getting to the next round.

Not that I don't think I have skills, talent, whatever. I just don't believe I have whatever PRX is looking for. I'm not young or hip or cutting edge. I'm just slightly cracked in the head. I'm old school and old radio, I still have my yellow FCC license for pete's sake! ;)

--------------------------------------
Please listen, then vote and comment if you are willing, to my 2 minutes of funk (sans funk)
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/805

That I did a good enough job to move ahead at least once! But then again, I've heard quite a few entries that I think are great, and quite a few that I imagine Public Radio people would think are really great...its really hard to say. As far as the controversy I see on this topic, I know for myself I came into this with the intention of making as good a piece as I could in one day and then seeing how it went. I try to listen to and connect as best as possible with every entry that comes up randomly (and some from the recent posts list that have cool names!), and I try to leave comments that reflect my honest reaction to their piece. It seems to me that since there are 1400 entries on here, and not everyone will get feedback from the judges, that the least WE can do is be completely honest! Some of the people I've been honest (but, perhaps, less than glowing) with have left me some great comments! I think people really appreciate honesty, just as long as they can tell you're not just trying to bash them or be mean!
So, let's hope for the best. I'll give myself a solid B (hmm, this site really IS like high school, after all!)

"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy" - Spike Milligan

Maybe people in radio have a better idea of what actually makes a great clip, but a novice like me has no clue. The best analogy I could think of is that the quest is like an essay exam. You can write an A paper but it is only an A to some teachers and a B to other teachers.

I think anyone that really enjoyed the contest and has caught the radio bug should read their comments and if people liked it, give pod casting a try. PRX will probably do this again if they can create new marketable content. That means if you practice between now and then you could increase your chances next time.

Because I do not know what the judges are looking for, I guess I will choose B.

Have glass of Pino Grecio, relax, listen to a few clips, and click a few stars!!!!!!!

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/8769

I've never been good at stalking, too much of a narcissist. But if this person Flynn is in, I want in too!

Hey, I did the first part right. You gotta be in it to win it!

If I don't get to the next round, that's okay. It proves NPR needs a bigger budget to run this quest next year.
And I'll be ready with my new show concept:

"How to Raise a million dollars for public radio in one week-end no matter how small your market."

And that's all the time we have today folks.

Sallyfranz

"Both faith and fear are the belief in things not seen." S. Franz