THE LITTLE VOICES THAT MAKE YOUR HEAD SPIN.Byline: Aaron Levine Special to the Daily News Being a television anchor gives a brand new meaning to the saying, ``There are voices in my head.'' As I learned on last week's episode of ``Dream Job,'' the little plug that goes into a broadcaster's ear can be a huge distraction. It's called an IFB IFB Invitation For Bid(s) IFB Internet for Business (UK) IFB Illinois Farm Bureau IFB Insurance Fraud Bureau IFB Institut für Flugzeugbau (University of Stuttgart, Germany) . Probably stands for ``I Frustrate Broadcaster.'' The IFB is necessary because it connects the anchor to the control room. It allows the producer to communicate directions, correct errors, change rundowns and, most notably, control the pace of the broadcast. For the six remaining finalists, not only did we have to improvise im·pro·vise v. im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing, im·pro·vis·es v.tr. 1. To invent, compose, or perform with little or no preparation. 2. two highlights that we had never seen before and ad-lib on-screen on·screen or on-screen adj. & adv. 1. As shown on a movie, television, or display screen. 2. Within public view; in public. graphics, we had to do it with a producer counting in our ear. For example, at the end of my first highlight, a graphic displaying the score from the St. Joseph's-Texas Tech game popped onto the screen for 15 seconds. From a stat stat adv. With no delay. adj. Immediate. STAT Stat! Clinical medicine adverb Fast, quickly, immediately, schnell, vite Lab medicine noun card, I improvised im·pro·vise v. im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing, im·pro·vis·es v.tr. 1. To invent, compose, or perform with little or no preparation. 2. 15 seconds worth of information about the game. The hardest part was when the producer counted down the final five seconds in my right ear. So while I was rattling off figures like ``He went 3 for 12 with seven points and five rebounds,'' the producer was going, ``Five ... four ... three ... two ... one.'' Was it distracting? Put it this way: It was like the cruel joke kids play by spitting out random numbers when a teacher is trying to count her students. I've been told that the best way to deal with the added voice in the ear is to tune it out just enough - to the point where I realize that the end of a highlight or on-screen graphic is near without focusing on the numbers being yelled yell v. yelled, yell·ing, yells v.intr. To cry out loudly, as in pain, fright, surprise, or enthusiasm. v.tr. To utter or express with a loud cry. See Synonyms at shout. n. in my ear. Easier said than done. It is a skill that is only improved with repetition and experience. It's yet another reason why any aspiring broadcaster, no matter his or her potential or talent, should hone their skills somewhere aside from a national television broadcast. That said, despite my overwhelming excitement upon making the Final Four, I now realize that my learning curve better be extremely high if I want to survive in an advanced market, ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network or otherwise. If not, IFB will have a brand new meaning: ``I'm Fired, Buddy.'' The final episode of ``Dream Job'' airs Sunday at 6 p.m. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: no caption (Aaron Levine) |
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