Serena aims to dispell myths about the life of a radio announcer at the H-Factor workshop.
SERENA C tells us what it is like to be a radio deejay
WE live in a world of reality shows but what do we know about these shows?
There’s an endless stream of reality shows such as America’s Next Top Model (I love that show), Amazing Race, The Hills and Laguna Beach, American Idol and Akademi Fantasia. But how much of these are real?
You’d gasp if you found out what really goes on behind the scenes.
But like the existence of Santa, I don’t want to ruin it for you. My job here is to tell you about the industry and your career prospect as a radio deejay.
Do you know what a deejay or radio announcer does?
In my nine years of being one, I’d come across countless people saying, “Your job’s easy what. Yap for four hours a day and get paid bucket-loads. How hard can it be?”
I grit my teeth and answer: “If only you knew what our job entails.” The truth is not many people know.
Which brings me to the point of my involvement in H-Factor, a nationwide creative youth workshop initiated by my friend, Hannah Tan. There, my colleague Pietro Felix, and I will be speaking about our jobs in radio.
You will be told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And don’t expect any sugar-coated statements.
How did I get started in this career?
When I was in Form 1, I remember distinctly that my report card read, “Serena seems over-exposed”. Perturbed, I asked my mum what that meant.
She looked at me flatly and said: “That means you watch too much TV.”
I became worried that I’d never end up in a profession my parents would be proud of (my family members are all accountants).
Still, throughout high school I choreographed performances with my friends to the songs of Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, and even New Kids On The Block.
I emceed these impromptu performances. I’m sure the rest of the school had a good laugh. In fact, I doubt they even understood what I was talking about because I just talked so fast (my schoolmates can testify to this).
On hindsight, however, those silly performances trained me to be thick-skinned and immune to stage fright.
I’m blessed that I have a supportive family which allowed me to find my own path.
Almost a decade on as a radio announcer, I still have a job and have managed to branch out a little into events and TV hosting which I love doing.
My house – I bought that. My car – I bought that. My college degree – I managed to pay for the second half of it (while working on radio, mind you).
So mum and dad, your odd, over-exposed, hyperactive daughter turned out okay.
Radio is a job. A job that sometimes take up your weekends, and dominate your life.
Picture this: when it’s a public holiday, who’s on radio keeping you company? It’s not like we can shut down the station because everyone’s on leave.
And no matter how rough your day has been – even if you’d just found out that your boy/girlfriend’s been cheating on you five minutes before you go on air – you have to be the happiest person on Earth as soon as the mike goes on. Because those listening don’t want to hear your sob story. They want to be entertained!
This is not to say that radio is not exciting, unpredictable, or amazing. It is! We get to interview artistes we’d only dream of meeting, travel all over the world to attend album launches, press conferences, concerts and so on.
On top of that, our training on air allows us to branch out into a whole host of other careers.
I’ve had the privilege of hosting events ranging from launches, press conferences, corporate dinners and regional conferences, fashion shows, roadshows, car shows, award shows – you name it and we’ve had a hand in it.
Some of us even get to branch out into TV hosting, acting, and singing. The possibilities are endless and it’s a question of whether you are game for it.
So, do you think you have what it takes to be on radio?
When I was in my teens, people in the entertainment industry were inaccessible. H-Factor is making it a lot easier for you. We’re coming to you.
Allow us to share our experiences. I’m honoured to be amongst people I have immense respect for – Hannah, Harith, Hans, Reymee, Fellest, Joey, David, and Pietro – who will give you an insight on the industry and help you recognise your potential.
See you at H-Factor!
The first of the H-Factor Nationwide Creative Youth Workshops will kick off in Penang on Sunday. To register, visit www.h-factor.info.
New Straits Times