UNIT 42 RADIO DRAMA

CODES

SOUND

AMBIENCE

Sound is obviously the most important

thing in a radio drama as there aren’t

any visuals!

So therefore it’s essential that the

Dialogue & SFX is crystal clear. The

audio has to create a response from the

audience and the whole thing relies

heavily on the script and the voice

speaking it.

Ambience is also very important and it’s created by the use of sfx’s and dialogue tempo and attitude. Without creating an Ambience you near enough have no ‘Drama’ in your radio drama as without effective use of sound no tension or suspense or vibe will be created.

SILENCESilence can be very effective when used correctly as without sound the listener has only silence to hear and silence in it’s self is a good effective form of causing tension and suspense. It’s also used to mark the end of a scene or a break in the dialogue to prevent the listener from switching off

AURAL SIGNPOSTINGSignposting is the technique for establishing the location at the beginning of a scene. This is done by

effects, spot or FX, and sometimes backed by description. Discussion of signposting:

Most often these effects or spot are introduced (faded in) at the top of the scene, before the dialogue begins. It is up to the director whether speech begins quickly, or more seconds are needed to

strengthen the effect of this signposting on the listener. If a new location, especially an outside location, is being established, the audience will need more time to absorb this information. So the scene will be established in this way: the beach - sea waves - with a seagull (though that is now a

cliche, the ambience of a crowded street.Spot effects can establish a kitchen by sounds of washing up at the sink, or a boiling kettle, and the living room by teacups or bottles for alcohol. Signposting has the same function as the establishing

shot in film and TV. (See example below.)Sometimes the signposting has a relatively simple function, especially in 'standard production'. But it can also be used to indicate mood, as symbolism (in the sense of the iconic/symbolic distinction). So

the sound of the sea waves symbolizes loneliness or perseverance, depending on context.Signposting is efficient in returning for the second and further times to the same location. The choice

for the director is whether to return to the same signposting device (as washing-up), or vary this. Good writing will link a plot strand to a certain location, for clarity. This is especially to be observed in

afternoon plays. For subplot strands, this works well, so that the audience can relocate minor characters in their memory by an easy trigger for recall.

For the director, choosing and presenting the signpost is often a task that demands clarity above subtlety or art. It must be immediately 'read' by the listener, hence the importance of establishing the

location:

CONVENTIONS

FX: (FADE IN AND ESTABLISH SEA WAVES AND GULLS CRYING. FADE UNDER DIALOGUE AND KEEP)

Signposting is famous in 'The Archers' where FX birds and animals are regularly used. (There is a history of letters in 'Radio Times' of complaints about unseasonal mistakes, as

migrating birds heard too early or too late.)It is the task of the playwright to offer locations which fit with signposting and open up aural possibilities. These

locations are part of what make up, overall, the rhythm of the play.

Make a distinction between the old method of production (pre-stereo) where so much production was in a neutral location and today's stereo standard production, where

atmos is used.

CLIFF HANGER ENDINGS ARE AN EXCENLLENT AND EFFECTIVE FORM OF CREATING SUSPENSE THEY ARE OFREN USED IN BOTH RADIO DRAMA’S AND FILMS TO CREATE HUGE TENSION FOR EXAMPLE IN DANGEROUS VISIONS THE CLIFF

HANGER IS USED Used in both audio and visual dramas as a way of keeping the interest of the listener. By not giving them everything,

the writer keeps them interested while allowing the listener to have their own experience.

CLIFF HANGER ENDINGS

Flashbacks are used to create effect and add quality to the drama and to also help the audience understand what’s

going on within the story.They are very effective when used precisely and with good

quality and can add a lot to the drama

FLASH BACKS

These can be used to bookend the story. Simple audio list of key figures in the production (writer/director/primary and

secondary cast members)

TITLE’S & CREDITS

Narration is key in radio drama’s as it gives the story understanding and structure, the audience also trust and

believe the voice of God narrator. It also helps the audience visualise, for example the Narrator may qoute “ Katie ran

down the dark & cold alleyway” this has now given the audience a more tense image in there heads. The Narrator is one of the biggest essentials in Radio Drama for setting the mood. They also are a massive key in the development

of a plot

NARRATION & DIRECT SPEACH

STYLETRADITIONAL

A Traditional story that has a strong story line throughout with usually just one Narrator with multiple characters in which a problem / dilemma occurs within the story and the solutions to try and solve it. A good example of this is the Archers.

ADAPTION

An adaption style is one in which the producer has taken a script and then changed it and adapted into a different type to a different type of audience, a good example of this is Torchwood

POST MODERN

Unlike a traditional drama in which there is a narrator and multiple characters trying to solve a problem, a post-modern drama is one which raises questions and queries and let the audience try and figure it out themselves. A good example is North Riga

Setting – For example in the woods at night… You would hear fox screams, spooky noises twigs breaking, owl calls ect ect. You may also hear the 2 characters whispering to each other to show the fact that they are hiding from someone or something

EVALUATION

Stand alone drama’s are often only kept to about a duration of half an hour because any longer and the audience will

start to switch off no matter how good the drama is as without visuals the brain is simply not stimulated enough to keep the person’s focus on for more than half an hour max

However soaps such as the The Archers are only 10 – 13 minutes as it is a series and not a stand alone therefore

they need to keep there audience keen to listen to the next one, they feed lots of drama into that 10 to 13 minutes but not so much that they don’t anymore to put into the next

and so on… They also end these drama’s on

DURATION

The development of the plot is very important to how the quality of the actual storyline is and how good the story in

itself is… It means that certain things haft to happen in order for other events further on In the story so they make

sense

DEVELOPMENT OF PLOT