06 August 2024
CMS RADIO FM 91.1
Pitch Please- FAQs
11 November 2021
What is Pitch Please and who can apply?
Pitch Please is a radio pitch contest, organised by Canberra Multicultural Service. Participants are invited to pitch program ideas for 30 or 60 minute radio programs. The idea should be suited to the radio broadcasting medium.
Anyone can apply, one application per person will be selected. Pitch Please is an inclusive contest. We encourage people from all walks of life and experiences to apply. Only selected participants will be invited to the contest.
2. What kind of ideas can I pitch?
Your idea can be from any genre- comedy, thriller, fiction, news, music and can take any format- talkback programs, interview panels, commentary etc.
However, your idea must not propagate any misinformation, any hate speech against any group, should not be exploitative, should not be part of a ‘For- Profit’ business or should not be contested as being someone else’s.
We reserve the right to reject ideas if found to violate our guidelines.
3. Should my idea be fully developed?
No, you can have a general idea of what you want to do or which genre of programming your idea falls into. However, include as much description as possible in your application so we know what we are working with.
4. What if I do not know how to use the equipment and how to produce a program?
That is okay, we have three compulsory trainings, courtesy of Syn Media and the Australian Film Television and Radio School, for you to develop your idea and learn the skills required to develop your pilot episode.
5. What if I do not have a team?
We accept participants as individuals and as teams. However, we encourage you to find more people to be in your team so as to reduce the pressure, divide workload and for you to be able to produce a first class program.
6. What if I get team members after I am selected for the Pitch Please contest?
That is okay, unless the numbers are unmanageable, we can include team members at a later stage, as far as they join BEFORE the training starts.
7. What if I am not in Canberra?
For the Pitch Please program, we require you to be in Canberra so you can use our studios to broadcast LIVE.
8. Is this a program or a contest?
It is both, we will give selected participants training however only one winner will be able to produce their own show with us.
9. Do I have to pay a fee to enter?
No, entering the Pitch Please contest is free of cost.
10. Will I be paid for my program?
No, you will own your program content but as we are a community broadcaster, none of our broadcasters are paid. Additionally, Pitch Please is a learning and development opportunity.
11. What is required to participate in the trainings?
You need a strong idea and a functioning laptop.
12. What happens next?
Once the applications shut on the 26th of November, 2021, our team will go through the application and invite the selected participants to the final workshops for training.
Here are some resources to help you with your application–
https://live365.com/blog/15-talk-radio-topics/
https://www.cloudrad.io/radio-show-ideas
https://radio.co/blog/radio-ideas
https://live365.com/blog/12-creative-segment-ideas-for-your-live-radio-event/
https://live365.com/blog/what-is-compelling-radio-station-content/
http://www.communityradiotoolkit.net/on-air/programming
If you still have questions that have not been answered here, reach out to contests@cmsradio.org.au and we will get back to you.
Until then, happy broadcasting!!!