The Ultimate Artist
29 July 2008
Read by 1751 persons
Sitting in a kind of aquarium (without the water!), behind his microphone, the radio host daily rises to the challenge of entertaining his audience. While hosting is partly refined through techniques, it is first and foremost a matter of talent, passion, and perseverance.
The radio host animates a time slot, a program, a debate... Not just a smooth talker, they are the cornerstone of the program. Bouchra Bensaber, host of "Portraits of the Future" and "Archicool" on Aswat radio, was initially a journalist in print media. Her ease at the microphone and her perseverance led her to hosting. "Radio, for me, is more than a job, it's a passion," she says.
Hosting, quite an art!
In fact, chatter and ease mask a lot of preparation and confirmed mastery of public speaking. Subjects covered, choice of speakers, musical programming... the host searches for the magic formula that will captivate the maximum number of listeners. A one-person business, the host takes care of everything from A to Z. "I don't manage any team because I don't have one. I make all the appointments myself. I design my shows. I do my own research... It's a lot of work!" confides Bouchra Bensaber. In order not to be caught off guard, the host must thoroughly understand the subject to make the content of the program interesting to the listener's ears.
Whatever the genre of their show, they prepare it down to the smallest detail. "A radio host must delve into the information, analyze or have a news item commented on, situate it in its context, highlight the controversies it raises by revealing new perspectives..." explains Bouchra Bensaber. The major challenge for this professional is to establish a connection with their listeners, to create, through words, images that will take them on a journey. "The more genuine you are, the more listeners feel it! You need emotion, sincerity, perfect mastery of your subject and, of course, professionalism," adds the radio host.
Expensive spots!
The job of a host is a clever mix of personal skills, curiosity, general knowledge, strategies to integrate and daily practice. Even those who achieve excellence train, learn and have a very clear vision of the meaning they give to their profession. "This profession is similar to that of a craftsman. On the one hand, there is a real know-how inspired by masters, precise training. On the other hand, a capacity for personalization and inventiveness. You have to combine technique and creativity." Presence, charisma, good humor, listening skills and communication skills, the host must also have a voice, a style, and humor that come across well on the airwaves. "Radio is also and above all about sharing! A host must know how to listen and how to speak -without making the mistake of using their microphone as a platform-, play with their voice like an actor, create suspense, proximity, warmth, emotion where it is needed," says the host of Aswat radio. "A beautiful, warm voice that flatters the listener's ear can soothe, enchant, even hypnotize... provided there is still content and technique," she specifies. Dynamism, ease, friendliness, regularity and diplomacy are the qualities required to succeed in this very closed environment where places are limited.
Mounia Kabiri Kettani
Posted online July 29, 2008
essor-magazine.com
The radio host animates a time slot, a program, a debate... Not just a smooth talker, they are the cornerstone of the program. Bouchra Bensaber, host of "Portraits of the Future" and "Archicool" on Aswat radio, was initially a journalist in print media. Her ease at the microphone and her perseverance led her to hosting. "Radio, for me, is more than a job, it's a passion," she says.
Hosting, quite an art!
In fact, chatter and ease mask a lot of preparation and confirmed mastery of public speaking. Subjects covered, choice of speakers, musical programming... the host searches for the magic formula that will captivate the maximum number of listeners. A one-person business, the host takes care of everything from A to Z. "I don't manage any team because I don't have one. I make all the appointments myself. I design my shows. I do my own research... It's a lot of work!" confides Bouchra Bensaber. In order not to be caught off guard, the host must thoroughly understand the subject to make the content of the program interesting to the listener's ears.
Whatever the genre of their show, they prepare it down to the smallest detail. "A radio host must delve into the information, analyze or have a news item commented on, situate it in its context, highlight the controversies it raises by revealing new perspectives..." explains Bouchra Bensaber. The major challenge for this professional is to establish a connection with their listeners, to create, through words, images that will take them on a journey. "The more genuine you are, the more listeners feel it! You need emotion, sincerity, perfect mastery of your subject and, of course, professionalism," adds the radio host.
Expensive spots!
The job of a host is a clever mix of personal skills, curiosity, general knowledge, strategies to integrate and daily practice. Even those who achieve excellence train, learn and have a very clear vision of the meaning they give to their profession. "This profession is similar to that of a craftsman. On the one hand, there is a real know-how inspired by masters, precise training. On the other hand, a capacity for personalization and inventiveness. You have to combine technique and creativity." Presence, charisma, good humor, listening skills and communication skills, the host must also have a voice, a style, and humor that come across well on the airwaves. "Radio is also and above all about sharing! A host must know how to listen and how to speak -without making the mistake of using their microphone as a platform-, play with their voice like an actor, create suspense, proximity, warmth, emotion where it is needed," says the host of Aswat radio. "A beautiful, warm voice that flatters the listener's ear can soothe, enchant, even hypnotize... provided there is still content and technique," she specifies. Dynamism, ease, friendliness, regularity and diplomacy are the qualities required to succeed in this very closed environment where places are limited.
Mounia Kabiri Kettani
Posted online July 29, 2008
essor-magazine.com
