Almanack: Live and exclusive

SENDING the kids off to a summer camp is a traditional part of American life. More recently, adult camps have sprung up where grown-ups can pick up new skills: joinery, metalwork, football commentary . . .

The last is just one of the specialities on offer at ProVision Sportscaster Mini-Camps, the brainchild of Pete Liebengood, a gravel-voiced veteran 'sports-

caster' (as Americans term their Motties and Des's) who recently felt that the time had come to share his skills with others. Pete joins us now, live from California. What's the poop on the course, Pete? 'We break it down into a three-day event. It's pretty, uh, compact, pretty intensive. We focus on two things: play-by-play, primarily radio, and studio anchor and reporting for sports television. We have a tape of a Stanford-

Colorado game with no announcers, just crowd noise. We do a three-and-a-half minute anchor, with graphics and highlights, a package report, and a simulated live remote interview situation.'

Great, Pete, understood every word. We've checked with the National Film and Television School, and these courses don't seem to exist over here. Do you have foreign students? 'Sure, we got a British Associated Press reporter just started here. But look, it's not a fantasy camp. A lot of those campers are just goin' for the summertime, and it sounds like fun and - y'know . . . This is different. This is work.' A pause. 'Are you interested?' Thinking about it, Pete. Now back to the studio.