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Innumerable opportunities have been opened up in the electronic media with the rapid development of technology. The public access to information and entertainment is growing day by day. The electronic media comprising radio (audio) and television (audiovisual) has an edge over the print media as events and developments can be instantaneously transmitted the world over,. There are various types of jobs in the electronic media for which different types of training are required. A common feature of all of them is that working hours are very irregular. All who work on programme production are liable to work until transmission stops. Those not on the production side may be working normal hours.
For all jobs on the electronic media certain attributes are common; wide range of interests; a sociable nature; ability to think fast; calmness in crisis; speed of action; creative imagination; an appreciation of what audiences want; ability to work as part of a team; resilience; tack; self-confidence; a sense of responsibility; presence of mind; clear, quick, logical mind; and ability to handle criticism.
The different jobs in the electronic media require specific skills or talents that contribute towards making the team complete. There can also be separate teams doing pre-production, production and post-production work. As part of the pre-production work the media researcher investigates and gather information relating to the proposed programme. Media researchers work out the possible impact of a particular programme in certain areas or on a certain target audience. They know best the format in which a certain kind of information should be put to derive maximum impact: whether to go in for a documentary or a feature, a folk form or a mix of more than one genre. Many persons have been successful in this job without formal training; however, a course in mass communication is an asset. The script/screenplay writer works out the storyboard and the format and then writes out the narration. The producer, director or the presenter may also prefer to do the scripting or storyboard by himself/herself based on the research. Writing for the electronic media calls for a special approach. Here again formal training makes one effective. Training in mass communication or in film making (film/video production) is an asset. The keynote background performers who are an inherent part of the whole process of programme production are the Transmission Executives (TREX). They are required to put on the air the programme scheduled for the listeners/audiences, ensure flawless quality of the programme throughout by immediately rectifying any flaws in the quality of transmission by listening to/viewing the transmission throughout its broadcast/telecast. After the programme is over the TREX is called upon to make an assessment of the programme in terms of quality of transmission and content. While the programme is on the air the TREX has to note down the particulars of the programme such as the nature of the programme, its maker and its audio appeal and/or visual appeal. The details of payments for the programme are also worked out by these officers (TREX). They have also to follow up on the contracts to be sent out to artists and speakers. The work is exacting, exciting and varied. TREX are recruited through a selection process in which a written examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Eligibility: Age limit 18-30 Years. Qualification: Graduate or diploma holder of National School of Drama (New Delhi) or diploma from FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) Pune.
The written examination entails three types of tests on general intelligence, English language and general awareness. The general intelligence questions are based on understanding given instructions, determining relationships, similarities, relevance, drawing conclusions and similar functions which call for average intelligence and alertness along with common sense. The questions are set both in English and in Hindi. The English language section assesses the candidates' knowledge of English with respect to its vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, etc., and comprehension of passage(s). Questions are set in English only. General awareness questions aim at evaluating the candidates knowledge of their environment through questions on general science, history, geography, economics, Constitution of India and current events with particular reference to India. Questions are set both in English and in Hindi. The questions of the written examination are of the objective type with four alternative responses. Candidates securing the minimum qualifying marks (fixed by the SSC at its discretion) are called for a personality test. At this stage interviewers attempt to evaluate the attitude of the interviewed person towards the work ethos. Self-confidence, a well-modulated voice, general awareness of current affairs, and a knowledge of the art and culture of the country add up to a successful interview. Producers are in overall charge of a programme. They think of an idea, conceptualize the programme, choose the artists suitable for the programme (subject), decide upon the format (in consultation with the media researchers) and coordinate the translation of ideas and information into a programme suitable for the audio medium or audiovisual medium, as the case may be. The producers must have a good knowledge of the demands, advantages, limitations and impact of the particular medium they are working for. TREX may be promoted to become programme executives or producers or the latter may be recruited directly. In private electronic media companies through practical exposure to the media, its demands and personal interest and aptitude may be the build-up of a producer of a programme. Professional training in mass communication benefits freelancers as they learn the basic techniques and also meet people in the media. A production assistant's work includes contracting talents, getting contracts cleared in official agencies, arranging for the equipment, transportation, studio requirements, etc. Formal training in film production or mass communication helps one secure these jobs but the official media also recruits graduates and postgraduates with production ability, knowledge of the regional language and English and knowledge of the country (especially). In the private sector ability and initiative with; the right professional contacts can help in securing a production assistant's job. In the curse of time, production assistants may become producers in their own right. In the production team are also the performers-the artists who are specialists and talented in their own field-in dance, drama, music, etc. Artists may hold professional qualifications but there are many who have made their mark without any formal training. In the artist talent rather than training counts. The audible and visible components of the electronic media are the announcers and the newsreaders. For these jobs experience in presenting youth programmes on radio or TV on a casual basis is an asset. The basis qualification required for these jobs is a degree from a recognized university, a voice suited for broadcasting, correct pronunciation and accent, knowledge of the regional language and, for TV, a pleasing personality. Selection to announcers' posts is made on the basis of a short written test, voice test, and screen test (for TV) followed by an interview. The recruitment process may involve writing of announcements or presentation scripts for special programmes. The announcer may, with experience, branch out into interviewing, presenting programmes, narration/commentaries for documentaries and features. Newsreaders are expected to be graduates with good general awareness, correct pronunciation particularly of names and places. Knowledge of a foreign language is an asset. Newsreaders have a special audition for both radio and TV. An important responsibility of the electronic media is the gathering of information and transmitting the same in a concise format through news bulletins. The news section of radio and television has correspondents or reporters who fed the stations with information on happenings and events from various places. A degree or diploma in journalism or mass communication is the qualification needed for this field. Specialists in different professional spheres such as medicine, horticulture, dietetics, and education are required for special programmes. These specialists, for the electronic media, should have the ability to come across naturally without self-consciousness. Costume designers, set designers and make-up artists form an important part of the television production team. Costume designers could be fashion designers with a special awareness of theatrical costumes, historical styles, etc. a flair for designing without formal training has also been a stepping stone to the costume designer's job. Set designers should have a background of drama, or interior designing or fine arts. Today's audiovisual medium shows tremendous scope for computer graphics and animation design. Commercial art diploma hollers or those with a diploma in visual communication from the National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad) or with professional training in computers are ideal people for these jobs. The technical operations in the electronic media include camera work, sound recording/engineering, and vision mixing. Cinematography courses are offered at the film institutes at Pune, Madras, and Bangalore. Sound recording/engineering course also is available at the film institutes. The two-year postgraduate programme in a mss communication at the Mass Communication Research Centre (MCR), Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi, gives a comprehensive course in all facets of the electronic media. Editing of a programme to give it the final shape and form requires special skills which may be acquired by formal training in film editing from a film institute or from a mass communication programme like the one available at MCRC. Many editors work without formal training if they have had professional experience as assistants to other editors.
Proliferation of the electronic media along with the rapid advances in technology, communication satellites, cable networks, dish antennae, etc., has helped to create myriad opportunities of employment in the electronic media. Privatization of TV networks has been a major source of encouragement. That is why prospects in the electronic media are exceptionally good. Competition for all the jobs is very keen and only the best stand a chance. Emoluments vary enormously according to qualifications, communication can make a significant difference to placements. As more and more channels and bands continue to be added, the scope for talent and opportunity utilization in the electronic media will continue to be high.
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