Advanced planning production

1. Advanced planning production To help me with the planning of my radio drama and to give me an idea of what needs to be included I listened to other radio dramas such as BBC radio 4’s show “The Archers” as well as other radio 4 documentaries. This has helped me to know how the structure of how my work should be. Thinking about my target audience I had to pick a cast that would fit in well with how my fictional characters are portrayed. When I had found the cast initially one of my actors were not able to act as she had a busy schedule. I then had to look for someone to replace her which was successful. One of my main problems during the process of recording of my radio drama was that members of my cast were not available on specific days that I wanted to use as recording time. Once I had my actors organised I then had to find a quiet location where I could record my drama once that was done we recorded it. At the first recording that took place there was a technical fault with the equipment and it did not record. After a re schedule to record it was successfully done.

2. The Archers I listened to a few episodes of the Archers and liked the quality of the sound effects used . Which then made me then plan out how I would go about getting sounds to make my production as effective to the audience as possible. The sound effects used in the Archers were also clear, I then had to plan out how I would get sound effects that would sound clear so the audience know exactly what sounds are happening and what objects they are a representation of. I used a Sony recorder to record natural sound effects for my production and I then found sound effect websites which were very helpful to me in providing sounds.

3. There’s something about Mary. I researched into the film There’s something about Mary. As the concept of this film seemed to have a similar plot to my radio drama. The film is about a teenage boy who always wanted a chance with the girl of his dreams and thirteen years later realises that it is true love. He then goes as far as to hire a private investigator to help him in his quest to make Mary fall in love with him . His intentions are pure and completely harmless but in Mary eyes this can be seen as an invasion of her privacy. He could also be seen as a stalker. I feel that the plots in both this film and my radio drama are similar . The genre to this film is also similar to what I had hoped to achieve in my radio drama. I wanted to cross genres so my radio drama would not just fit into one category. This film is labelled a romantic comedy this can receive a wider audience as people who like romance and people who enjoy comedy would be drawn to this film. Which is what I had also considered during the planning of my production.

4. Language The language used in my radio production clearly shows my audience straight away what and who my radio drama is based on. I thought about the language that would be used when planning. I wanted my radio drama to be a teen drama but I did not want to exclude other audiences. To ensure that I didn’t exclude certain audiences I made sure that there wasn’t too many slang words used. I also used innuendos to imply things in my radio drama, which were put there to give a hint or indirect suggestion as to what some of the characters are talking about with a light sinister connotation. This allows my radio drama to be even more diverse as I am not excluding younger audiences but at the same time they would not be able to understand certain connotations used.

5. Narrative My radio drama has non linear narratives in it as I have a scene where I go back into time as my main character reflects on something that happened at a party a week ago. The radio drama is fragmented as the scenes alternate between the boy and the girl. The story is an account from both sides giving their version of the story, as it progresses the ending comes together and it is a mixed scene with all characters involved making the ending  linear. I decided to use these narratives to make the story link to my title “two sides to a tale”. I decided to do my story in this order also, because I wanted the audience to see Alicia’s side of the story and her interpretation of his actions towards her leaving her feeling as if she is being stalked.

6. Actors and recording. I found that whilst recording words in the script were changed as the actors adapted to their roles and became the characters. This was helpful to me as it allowed my radio drama seem natural and made the conversations flow better. To ensure that the recording was a success also I had to give my audience a script that I felt would be easy to read and understand. Firstly the font size has to be a sensible size for my actors to read clearly , I then made sure that certain parts were highlighted in bold which told the actors what sound effects would be put in place there and gave them an indication of where they could put a pause in.

7. Whilst recording I had to think of how I would position the microphone to capture everyone's voice. I used a microphone also which enhanced everyone's voices and got them to gather in a semi- circle around the microphone. I then placed a stand in front of them with the script on it so that they would not have to worry about handling the script whilst acting. This was done also to avoid distraction to the cast and to avoid the sound of rustling papers in the background of my play. I Also had to pick a quiet room to record in which was a problem at times due to various rooms being booked and rooms not being sound proof . I then had to think about the appropriate times to record and when there would be minimal sound . Which was then a success once planned.

8. Scenes I wanted my scenes to be clear so when I editing I wanted something that would indicate to the listener that the play is moving on to another scene. I then thought to generate a silence for a few seconds which gives enough time for the listener to process one scene and get ready for the next. The sound effects used also helped me to set the scene for what would be happening later on . For example the sound of traffic for a few seconds can give an impression to the listener that the character is outside on their way somewhere.

9. partnership Originally working with a partner on this radio drama allowed me to realise that it would be better to venture into my own version. I found that by working on my own it allowed me to come up with my own ideas freely and explore my creativity within this project. I also decided to do my own research into various radio dramas and films to inspire me and give me an insight into the direction I should take in the making of the radio drama. With my partner we then planned to separate agreeing that one of us would take the boys side and one the girls and put our own views and representations into it. This proved to be a success, to ensure work would be done equally it was for the best that we separated our play and worked on our own sides separately.