NBC transmitter (Jan-Nov 1936)

VOL II No. 2 FEBRUARY, 1936 NBC Dramatic School Inaugurated ■ The plans to offer radio dramatic training to talented guides and pages have materialized. Mr. Edwin R. Wolfe, production man, has mapped out a thorough course covering all phases of radio dramatic work. The course will be given over a period of six months, and includes lectures on “The Fundamental Principles of Acting,” the theater, motion pictures, and radio; practical class work with and without scripts in hand, ad libbing and script writing; lectures and practical class work on stage direction and management; and finally the presentation of a radio play to be written, directed, announced, and acted by the members of the class. The first meeting was held in Studio 3E, on Monday, February 3. Until further notice, the class will meet every Monday morning at eleven. Mr. Wolfe is one of the leading authorities on the production of radio programs, and at one time was associated with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Whos the Guide Staff’s Best News Hawk? B If Gordon H. Mills’ plans materialize, we’ll soon have an active contest under way to discover the guide with the best news sense. Each recording turned in will be classified according to its news value and contents. The winning record will be forwarded to the Press Department, which will rewrite the story and release it to newspapers from coast-to-coast. Credit will be given to the guide responsible for collecting the information as well as an additional prize as yet undetermined. Due to the added interest in radio, NBC, and the tour, the new recording apparatus in the ABC exhibit affords us an excellent opportunity to study the reactions of our visitors while adding greater appeal to the tour as a whole. Further developments will be printed in another issue of the Review. Pat Kelly Keeps Promise ■ With sincere enthusiasm we write of recent developments in Pat Kelly’s Announcing Division. He has fulfilled — to the unqualified delight of all impatiently ambitious guides and pages— his promises of a year ago. He has executed his policy of giving everyone a chance to prove his worth; none of us ask more than that. Last year announcing classes in elocution, foreign languages, and mike technique were inaugurated under Commander Cusachs. Ten guides were admitted to the first group of lectures. This year, Mr. Kelly revised the procedure and thought that it might be wise to select a few of the more talented aspirants to act as announcers’ assistants during this period of training. Four men were selected from the ranks — Leak, Cook, Roberts, and McCarthy. They practiced pushing buttons, working “standbys,” and occasionally announced sustainings. Consequently, when an opening occurred last month, the Reception Staff representatives were given auditions and were able to perform more like professionals than amateurs; they knew what it was all about. The first audition resulted in the selection of Page Alvin Robinson from far-away Oklahoma. At the age of twelve he captured his first oratorical wreath; later, he showed talent as a singer. The “Mikado” of Gilbert and Sullivan, and the “Red Mill” by Victor Herbert are listed among his high school dramatic ventures. Perhaps most valuable of all, however, was the experience he derived from a year and a half on the announcing staff at Tulsa’s KVOO. On Lincoln’s Birthday a second audition was held. This time Jack McCarthy ran off with top honors. Jack has been an NBC page since August 2, 1933. He was valedictorian of his class at Commerce High School and has served his turn in local minstrel shows, chorals, church affairs, and miscellaneous parties, giving him much valuable training in delivery, diction, and cultivating a good clear voice. He admits that his elocutionary powers were developed and enriched during his page days when arguing himself out of penalties with the officers afforded him the best opportunity for developing strong lungs, good articulation and to think standing up. Don Meissner Wins Recognition on Major Bowes Amateur Hour Photo by Ray Lee Jackson, NBC Studio Guide Donald Meissner is shown with Major Bowes after the performance in which Don sang himself into prominence by winning third prize on the Major’s Amateur Hour. (Story on Page 4) Davis Wins News Prize This month’s winner of the Reception Staff Review’s first prize for the best news reporting is Guide D. Caldwell Davis, whose alertness, efficiency, writing ability, and willingness to cooperate have won him the right to the Review’s highest award.