TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES.
I am an Audio Content Producer at Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore’s Chinese news daily). My job involves managing the pre-to post-production of Lianhe Zaobao’s weekly podcasts with my team members. This includes everything from researching and planning podcast content to sound design, liaising with guests and hosts, recording podcast content, and editing both audio and video content.
WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE A CAREER IN THIS SECTOR?
As a child, I always looked forward to tuning in to radio shows before and after school. There was something magical about radio voices that made me want to play radio DJ myself. I would often act as a radio DJ and put on shows for my family, who acted as my listeners. Fast forward to my final year in university, I took a module that required us to create our own podcast. From writing the script and recording my voice to finding suitable background music and piecing them together, I enjoyed the whole process of producing my own podcast from scratch. It really solidified my decision to dive into a career in audio production.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THIS ROLE?
I really enjoy hearing from our guests and their personal stories. One of the most memorable episodes was when we invited the former principal private secretaries of Singapore’s founding father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, on our Hard Truths podcast《还是硬道理吗?》. They shared their first impressions of Mr. Lee and what it was like to work with him.
Another aspect I enjoy is post-production. This is where we piece everything together through audio and video editing after recording the podcast. I find great joy in the sound design of each episode. For example, I had the opportunity to be the sound designer for an episode of the Hsien Loong 20 podcast《显龙20》. As I was putting the episode together, incorporating National Day rally speeches, his singing with background music and various sound effects, I truly felt like I was experiencing Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s 20-year journey in politics.
WHAT WERE SOME WORK CHALLENGES YOU FACED AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
One of the challenges I face is the tight turnaround time. We have fixed publishing schedules and production cycles for our regular podcasts, but sometimes the actual production time gets cut short due to unforeseen circumstances such as breaking news or guests’ availability.
Another challenge I encounter is dealing with technical issues during recording and editing. These glitches can lead to longer production times, which we always try to avoid. To tackle these challenges, I learned to stay calm and seek help when necessary. Keeping a cool head is crucial because it helps me stay focused and make better decisions. In addition, effective communication with stakeholders is essential as this ensures that everyone understands each other’s needs so that we can set realistic and achievable goals.
WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE?
Since a big part of my job revolves around podcast production, the three essential skills for success in this role are attention to detail, agility, and a good editing sense.
Attention to detail is crucial in this role because we need to make sure that all content is factually accurate before publishing anything. Being detail-oriented helps reduce the risk of errors, prevents assumptions, and allows me to better understand the needs of our stakeholders.
To thrive in this role, another essential skill is agility. The newsroom is a fast-paced environment where things are constantly changing. A fresh piece of news can quickly become “old” news within hours or even minutes. Being agile helps me to be more adaptable and identify potential challenges before they even arise.
Lastly, having a good editing sense is key. This refers to the podcast’s sound design and how you transition between different visuals, etc. With a good editing sense, you will be able to create impactful content that attracts more audience to your podcasts and videos.
SHARE YOUR ADVICE WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE KEEN TO PURSUE A CAREER IN YOUR FIELD.
For those who are interested in becoming a producer or venture into the media industry, start building up your skills and portfolio.
1.Gain relevant experience. Go on internships while you are a student. Internships are one of the best ways to figure out if this industry and role aligns with your future career goals. Another option is to take on publicity and publication roles in school to have a taste of what it is like to design, produce and shoot content.
2.Network. Attend career fairs and networking events to learn what it is like working at specific companies, the types of candidates the industry is looking for, and the key skills needed to thrive in the media industry/role.
3.Stay abreast of industry trends. Media trends are constantly evolving, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest trends and innovations.
