Radio Drama PlanningEarleatha Oppon

Conventions of a radio play

The medium of a radio is known as an intimate medium because it seems to be broadcast directly to you, rather than a mass audience. Radio is defined by these four codes; words, sounds, music and silence

Sound and Silence

a variety of sounds is what holds the audiences attention this includes background sounds and atmospheric music

“there is one simple and vital fact governing radio form. The radio act comes out of silence, vibrates in the void and in the mind and returns to silence, like music.”

Donald McWhinnie, BBC Radio Drama Department

Words

most important factor in a radio play. Dialogue or narration must convey the meaning in the play. The right words must be used in an engaging manner.

Music

Music in a radio play can work in a similar way to lighting in a stage play, it creates mood and atmosphere and helps to establish scene changes, it can summarise the mood of what has just happened or signal a change in mood for the next scenes

Conventions of a radio play

It relies on spoken word, so the voice is key in expression. Intimate and emotional intensity is more effective in this form of media due to the voice.

Analysis of other radio dramas

HERE Analysis of ConventionsMusical introductionFoot stepsClarity in voiceExpression in voiceDoors opening and shuttingShower curtain openingDifferent characters speak from different sound areasDialogue covers most of dramaEvery word has meaning or intentionDoor opening and closingClock ticking

   

Analysis of other radio dramasSIX SUSPECTS Analysis of ConventionsNarratorBackground noiseOpening with musicTyping soundsNews headline background musicNews reporterAccents (Indian nature)Music changes with mood of storyDogs barking in backgroundOutdoors soundBarrelsPeople talking in backgroundGunshot soundFireworks soundClappingDialogue does play a key part in radio dramaGoes from different scenes to different scenesKeys sound effectsEchoing voice due to cell blockTrains soundCars hootingTraffic noise with news reporter outside the prison Analysis of AudienceWoman’s hour drama  

Analysis of other radio dramasCASINO

 Analysis of ConventionsPure dialogueOne narrator but variation in voiceEXTREMLEY BORING TO LISTEN TO LISTEN TO – DUE TO NO SOUND EFFECTS

ARTICLES ON SIMILAR SUBJECT MATERIAL  

Six Suspects

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/2010/01/six_suspects.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pk6x2

Narrative direction

GENRE; single radio play (draws audience in millions, innovative and challenging drama, radio 3 and 4 specialise)

REPRESENTATION; focus to be on the representation of the wife of a detective who has just become head of a serial killing case

Potential audience

Females 20 years plus Working to middle class

Drafting and re-drafting

During my drafting and redrafting I realised that the language used in the dialogue and the sound effects were very important, along with the general structure of the narrative.

LANGAUGE

SOUND EFFECTS

NARRATIVE

Organisation of actors and equipment

Day to record: Tuesday 30th March 2010

Actors: Sandra- Malika Raymond- Dave Journalist- Earleatha Oppon Crowd member- David Milliken

Play and blog

HISTORY OF RADIO DRAMAS

Britain produces most of the radio dramas in the English speaking world, the British radio drama exceeds Hollywood's film output and are also cheaper and can take as little as three days.

DESIGNATED STATION

The BBC first started broadcasting in 1922, its huge success is the reason for Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4 launching in 1967

RADIO 4’S AUDIENCE

The remit of Radio 4 is to be a mixed speech service, offering in-depth news and current affairs and a wide range of other speech output including drama, readings, comedy, factual and magazine programmes. The service should appeal to listeners seeking intelligent programmes in many genres which inform, educate and entertain.