ONE Lusaka follower of this column noted a radio newscaster on a private radio station say his identity as; ‘MY NAMES ARE…’ and gives out his three names.
He wondered whether it was correct for radio presenters to say out their names that way , otherwise, the usual common identification is one to say; ‘MY NAME IS…’
Human beings, either on radio, newspaper or elsewhere are identified by A FULL NAME; this FULL identity could consist of one or more single names that collectively ‘spot out’ an individual.
A personal name identifies a specific unique and identifiable individual person and may or may not include a middle name.
In broadcasting, one is accurately known by his or her two names, being FIRST NAME and SURNAME, but in event where a female broadcaster got married, and by tradition, DROPS her maiden name to take up her husband’s surname, then she would go by her FIRST NAME and a NEW SURNAME.
We can otherwise say that a name can be COMPOUND but still remain singular. We also know that a name could be a word, a combination of words by which a person, place, thing, a body, class, or any object of thought is designated, called or known.
The correct way of saying one’s name is therefore, that; “MY NAME IS…”
ZNBC
Martin Mapunga, a teacher at Chimwewe Secondary School in Kitwe agreed with this column’s last week’s observation that Sewelo, a ZNBC’s Nyanja radio drama piece is exciting.
He further noted that while Sewelo has continued to maintained its form, it’s ci-Bemba version, Ifyabukaya is, but a shadow of what it used to be.
In his words, Ifyabukaya was the best ever radio drama that attracted listeners get glued to radio sets as they vividly listened to ‘watch’ drama on air.
Mr Mapunga also listens to a Luvale version of radio drama called Chifoyo whose main actor is Christopher Chishinji, aired every Sundays at 22:15 hours.
22:15 hours is rather late for radio drama, maybe after 20:00 hours when most listeners were awake, could it attract huge listenership.
There is also Kiswapako, a Kaonde radio drama aired on Tuesdays around 21:00 hours, with its airing time suitable, actors are not good enough.
***
For the first time, we heard Biza language spoken when ba Kabusha featured Felix Mwalaulwa who was on air to promote the forth-coming Malaila ceremony of the Biza people to be held on September 20, 2014.
Biza sounded like a combination of ci-Namwanga and ci-Bemba language. It is spoken by the people under such chiefs as Mukungule, Kopa and Kabinga in Mpika District of Muchinga Province.
ICENGELO
Kunda Kunda, Mwana alibe minyama was on Radio Icengelo last Tuesday between 19:00 and 20:00 hours, he is as live as ever. Kunda is one presenter who has maintained his form over the many years he has been on radio.
His selection of music and the chanting or rapping awakens every listener to per attention to his voice.
***
Golden oldies, a musical programme presented by Angel Mwasha every Thursdays on Radio Icengelo is an nostalgic programme, except the style of presentation could be better.
Mr Mapunga noted that Angel’s style of presentation is such that he plays music of all types ranging from Zambian, rhumba, rock, reggae and country. He feels playing one type of music per shift or featuring a single artist would be a better mode.
TIPS
ON last week’s tips we discovered that the audition has the dual purpose-to separate usable from unusable microphone talent and to build up a talent register of characters.
That first concern should be with age-what age does the voice suggest?
Like a young person or old? How young, how old? Does it suggest a romantic person or a motherly or fatherly person? Does it suggest someone who is meek, or does it suggest someone in authority who is used to giving orders and having them obeyed?
Having established these character traits we can then go on to assess the voice in terms of personality, acting ability and whatever else interests us. An actor, since he has to play fictional characters, does not need to have the ideal microphone personality.
Once we have heard an auditionee at work-generally in two or three scenes totalling perhaps 15 minutes of playing-we can grade his ability.
Many studios grade auditionees in the following four categories:
A. Immediately useful. Such can be employed at any time without fear of bad performance.
B. Performance patchy but auditionee obviously has ability which the producer can develop. Use in small roles.
C. Rough performance but some acting ability. Needs more experience but not at the producer’s expense. Could use in minor roles in an emergency.
D. Unsuitable. Do not encourage to return.
Where an auditionee falls into either of the first two categories in the opinion of all members of the auditioning panel a cast card can then be made out for him.
The section for general notes should carry an impression of the ability of the auditionee to take direction. Some actors can very rapidly pick up what the producer means where others have difficulty in doing so. Information of this kind is also of help in casting.
The reverse of the cast card can be used for notes about the parts the artist has played, the dates and names of the productions and the fees paid.
Often actors who fall into category C can be developed successfully as narrators. Some producers believe that a ‘failed’ actor makes the best narrator.
Every broadcasting organisation sets a standard in speech, the standard aimed at by the station’s announcers. Other speech work handled by producers should not fall below the set standard.
A producer must equip himself to correct the pronunciation of his artists at any time.
The general standard of spoken language broadcast by any station is an important aspect of the general educational role of broadcasting.
MULTICHOICE NEWS FLASH
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Enter URL: supersport.com/media
2. Choose suitable date, plus days required
3. Under “CHANNEL”, click on channels for which you require information (single or collective)
4. Under “SPORT”, click on the sports you require
(Another option is to simply opt to return ALL SPORTS/CHANNELS)
5. On bottom of left side, click on your required region.
6. Click on “FETCH RESULTS” and wait a few moments
7. To make it easier, press “PRINT THIS RESULT IN NON-TABULAR FORMAT”   — this will provide copy in easy-to-use cut-and-paste format.
For comments, observations and contributions; jackmwewa@gmail.com – 0955115777