UNIT 42 RADIO DRAMA
CODES
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.
Silence 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
CONVENTIONS
AURAL SIGNPOSTING
Signposting 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:
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
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.
FLASH BACKS
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
TITLE’S & CREDITS
These can be used to bookend the story. Simple audio list of key figures in the
production (writer/director/primary and secondary cast members)
NARRATION & DIRECT SPEACH
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
TRADITIONAL
ADAPTION
POST MODERN
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.
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
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
EVALUATION
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
DURATION
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
DEVELOPMENT OF PLOT
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