The Introduction to Broadcasting course (see Broadcast) was sort of divided into two halves, with one half of the semester geared toward audio production and the rest of the year devoted to television, although there was of course some overlap. Naturally the audio elements were presented first – as a foundation – as it was understood (by most) that the later details of video production would be built on the earlier lessons of the semester.
This, then, would be a good place to briefly introduce Lanna Sexton, one of the obnoxious prima donnas of the class, who made it known she felt her attendance was an oversight and she was just ready to get her degree in television (i.e. radio was beneath her). We'll discuss some more about her later on.
The course began with Propel's introductory chatter about radio and television production in general. From there it was lessons on dayparts and target audiences (enter new word: demographics) and so on. The following week or so, when most of this seemingly basic and unnecessary information was dissipating, Propel decided to make good on his threat from the syllabus (enter another new word, for those new to college...).
I've noted some of Dr. Propel's classroom quirks (e.g. EBS threats, video montages); another such trait was his penchant for the unannounced pop quiz. The syllabus said to expect them anytime, be it any day of class or any time during class (nothing soured the morning more than getting through the first hour and ten minutes thinking we were home free and having him end class with a 20-question quiz). Propel usually segued from attendance or the lesson right into the quiz, with little fanfare; the only hint was his whimsical announcement, "It's time for a quiz."
After a brief pause, in which time Propel would contort his face into an impish grin of delight, we were then given a simple directives: "Take out...two...sheets...of pay-pah!" The phrase was known building wide and parodied often. The ridiculous stress on the word "two" and the silly pronunciation of the word "paper," plus the fact we heard it weekly, left an imprint on many people's psyche. Long after he had left the department people would still crack a grin when someone tried to do a Propel impression.
And what of the quiz? We were the Pop Quiz Kids, speedily moving about to get out our two pieces of paper (one to write on, the other to cover our answers) before he began asking questions because, as we learned, a question was only asked three times. He asked twice in the course of the quiz and if someone missed a question he would recite it once more. But never four times would a question be asked.
One of the first quizzes was asking the class to give our individual interpretation of the word "broadcasting." Most everyone had an answer that dealt with audio and video signals dancing across the ionosphere or something media-related. If memory serves, only one (or a scant few) knew the somewhat-dated definition involving seed scattering. Naturally, even while the curriculum discussed mass media and so on, Dr. Propel only wanted the archaic answer about seed scattering.
Such was the way of Dr. Propel.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Pop Quiz
(Mark Mancina)
Mark Mancina
From the album Speed: the Original Score
1994
