Sunday
Tuesday
Poster research and analysis
Radio Drama Posters, themselves, are hard to find, however as sampled above and from TV drama posters I can pull together a closer idea of what to use as general style model.
Radio drama posters usually tend to have images of a full cast, as introduction to the characters, or something that holds high relevance to the content of the radio drama itself as a teaser. Both of which are usually of simple design. With reference to earlier blog entries and using these we can see how location shots help the audience to understand the drama better (The Archers).
Looking at 'Truth... over the airwaves!', we see how this poster abides classic codes and conventions, adhering to a sense of 60's style. This creates both a sense of nostalgia to the audience and sense of 'retro' to a younger audience, appealing to both. Having the only image of who's involved as caricatures, it hints to the style of the peace and keeps mystery at the same time.
"Having" is a more classic radio drama style poster, having the main focus on an image that gives hint to what the narrative is. From this image, we can derive themes of wealth, via the large house and expensive car coupled with the fact that she is wearing a suit, and suggested legality, her style and body language with interaction with props almost suggests that she appears to be reading a press statement.
With the only coloured text on a black and white poster being in the production teams name, this promotes ideas of recognition, that they are well known and official.
Wednesday
Editing, session two.
Having regulated our mishap and finally having a proper chance to edit, we each settled on a scene to begin editing.
I chose the opening scene, and considering the location and sound effects needed I had to take the following into account:
- Gary and his friends are in the pub
- Gary's two friend's voices needed to be pitch shifted
- Gary's mobile needs a message tone
- Gary gulps the rest of his pint before leaving
After been shown how to use Soundtrack Pro to edit, e.g the blade tool, lowering and rising volume levels, blending in sound effects. We got on with it, admittedly things were slow to begin with, being unfamiliar with the sound effects available and the software at hand, but over time we got more and more adept at it.
The section I had most trouble with, aside finding the most perfect background accompaniment and individual sound effects, was the pitch shifting of Lisa's and my voices. I had to slice the track and place it onto a second row to then edit using the available effects at hand then play with them accordingly to get the desired effects.
Editing, session one.
We started editing our radio drama on the 7th of Febuary; although we initially had issue as we had exported the file into .wav format, as opposed to the usual .mp3. This caused issue due to the amount of time it took to load into Soundtrack Pro and the size of the file.
After 45 minutes waiting, we re-exported the file as an mp3 file, taking another 10 minutes. Unfortunately by doing so the file had exported corrupt, fulled with defects and sections missing and so, we then had to export it from the original source of the studio again, into the correct format this time.
Unfortunately due to this one initial mistake we barely managed to make a date with the editing, however whilst waiting around we made plans of attack for the next session to catch up on what time we missed out on, having decided to each take a scene and edit it seperately; this way we can each focus on the scenes more precisely and also share experience editing and hopefully finish editing it all sooner.
After 45 minutes waiting, we re-exported the file as an mp3 file, taking another 10 minutes. Unfortunately by doing so the file had exported corrupt, fulled with defects and sections missing and so, we then had to export it from the original source of the studio again, into the correct format this time.
Unfortunately due to this one initial mistake we barely managed to make a date with the editing, however whilst waiting around we made plans of attack for the next session to catch up on what time we missed out on, having decided to each take a scene and edit it seperately; this way we can each focus on the scenes more precisely and also share experience editing and hopefully finish editing it all sooner.
Recording the Radio drama - 02/02/2011
We booked a slot in the radio studio to record, as having finalised the outlines and briefing of the script and our respective parts to play. However the issue still stood that we were unsure of how to progress with the first scene, for the characters of Gary, Jay and Simon, and were wondering as to whether to get other actors in for it. After dabbling with various accents and natural tones of voice, we finally settled on pitch shifting the characters of Jay and Simon in the editing and to borrow someone for the larger part of Gary. When it came to the major characters, the first thing we did was have a few dry run throughs, getting to grips with not only the script but with the types of people we were to be portraying, allowing ourselves to adlib in practice and play about with accent and sociolect to aid a more realistic and natural portrayal.
Using Soundtrack Pro, we set ourselves up a separate folder to record all our tracks into one place, not to lose anything, and by our third listen back of recording we found our portrayals much more in tune with the characters at hand.
Admittedly we did find issue with recording levels and equipent but after some playing around we managed to record our script without issue.
Monday
Radio Drama introduction
- How to set up the microphones
- How to make sure they all record
- How to use Soundtrack Pro.
Although appearing relatively simple, when it came to recording individually we came across a few technical problesm, i.e not recording in other booth, unable to hear eachother and feedback issues, this however, was relatively simply rectified
Changed ending
To cut down on time, we changed the ending again.
Lara returns from her cancelled hair appointment, that is implied that Jonathan had moved to another day, Jonathan plants seeds of doubt in her mind regarding her memory. He returns her phone, claiming he found it, pushing the point further. She then confronts him about a text she's found on her phone to Gary, the day he died, Jonathon then breaks down Lara, once again, to kill herself. She does so and he reports a 'suicide'.
Our final script is as follows.
Lara returns from her cancelled hair appointment, that is implied that Jonathan had moved to another day, Jonathan plants seeds of doubt in her mind regarding her memory. He returns her phone, claiming he found it, pushing the point further. She then confronts him about a text she's found on her phone to Gary, the day he died, Jonathon then breaks down Lara, once again, to kill herself. She does so and he reports a 'suicide'.
Our final script is as follows.
Thursday
Pembroke Gardens V2.0
Theme
The new theme for our radio drama is 'soap serial drama'.
- Soap operas began on radio and consequently were associated with the BBC. The BBC continues to broadcast the world's longest-running radio soap, The Archers, which has been running nationally since 1951.
- Soap operas are ongoing, episodic works of dramatic fiction. Early radio series were broadcast in weekly day time slots when most listeners will be housewives; thus the shows were aimed at and consumed by a predominantly female audience.
- Soap opera stories run concurrently, intersect and lead into further developments.
- Soap opera episodes typically end on some sort of cliffhanger.
- The main characteristics that define soap operas are "an emphasis on family life, personal relationships, sexual dramas, emotional and moral conflicts; some coverage of topical issues; set in familiar domestic interiors with only occasional excursions into new locations". Fitting in with these characteristics, most soap operas follow the lives of a group of characters who live or work in a particular place, or focus on a large extended family. The storylines follow the day-to-day activities and personal relationships of these characters.
- Many Australian and UK soap operas explore social realist storylines such as family discord, marriage breakdown, or financial problems. UK soap operas frequently make a claim to presenting "reality" or purport to have a "realistic" style. UK soap operas also frequently foreground their geographic location as a key defining feature of the show while depicting and capitalising on the exotic appeal of the stereotypes connected to the location.
Development and setting
We have followed these conventions throughout our drama, as our target audience (women, 35-55yrs)
Lara Windsor
Mid thirties, bipolar, slightly fragile and reliant on medication. Having an affair, away from her husband Jonathan Windsor, with Gary Plackett who she aims to elope with.
Jonathan Windsor
Mid fourties, a dark, mysterious character who appears to be over controlling of Lara to the point of abuse, having driven away most of her friends she now has to contact them behind his back. He is manipulative and cold, deceitful and malicious, cunning and [-].
Gary Plackett
Mid thirties plumber, a gentleman, kind and considerate he reflects Jonathan's character with a mirror. Very down to earth, he is smitten with Lara and is, although apprehensive, is excited at the prospect of their new life together.
Susan Thurgrove
Lara's supportive best friend, she understands Lara's situation and will do anything she can to ensure Lara's happiness.
Jay and Simon
Gary's fellow plumbers, hegemonic males.
Plot
Scene one
Problems with script:
- Edit script by readers, slight improvisation.
The new theme for our radio drama is 'soap serial drama'.
- Soap operas began on radio and consequently were associated with the BBC. The BBC continues to broadcast the world's longest-running radio soap, The Archers, which has been running nationally since 1951.
- Soap operas are ongoing, episodic works of dramatic fiction. Early radio series were broadcast in weekly day time slots when most listeners will be housewives; thus the shows were aimed at and consumed by a predominantly female audience.
- Soap opera stories run concurrently, intersect and lead into further developments.
- Soap opera episodes typically end on some sort of cliffhanger.
- The main characteristics that define soap operas are "an emphasis on family life, personal relationships, sexual dramas, emotional and moral conflicts; some coverage of topical issues; set in familiar domestic interiors with only occasional excursions into new locations". Fitting in with these characteristics, most soap operas follow the lives of a group of characters who live or work in a particular place, or focus on a large extended family. The storylines follow the day-to-day activities and personal relationships of these characters.
- Many Australian and UK soap operas explore social realist storylines such as family discord, marriage breakdown, or financial problems. UK soap operas frequently make a claim to presenting "reality" or purport to have a "realistic" style. UK soap operas also frequently foreground their geographic location as a key defining feature of the show while depicting and capitalising on the exotic appeal of the stereotypes connected to the location.
Development and setting
We have followed these conventions throughout our drama, as our target audience (women, 35-55yrs)
will enjoy the thrill of the drama, the storyline and the issue at hand that some may also be experiencing. We have aimed to leave the story on a cliffhanger, which meets the convention of soap dramas. Also, our storyline follows the characteristics of family life, personal relationships and emotional and moral conflicts. Set in a 'familiar domestic interior', our drama explores a marriage breakdown, which reflects reality. Lastly, although we haven't met the stereotypes of people living in a location like Kensington, our assumptions have lead us to create a storyline that will shock the listener. However, we have foregrounded the location as a key feature by naming the drama after the area it is set - "Pembroke Gardens".
Characters
Characters
Mid thirties, bipolar, slightly fragile and reliant on medication. Having an affair, away from her husband Jonathan Windsor, with Gary Plackett who she aims to elope with.
Jonathan Windsor
Mid fourties, a dark, mysterious character who appears to be over controlling of Lara to the point of abuse, having driven away most of her friends she now has to contact them behind his back. He is manipulative and cold, deceitful and malicious, cunning and [-].
Gary Plackett
Mid thirties plumber, a gentleman, kind and considerate he reflects Jonathan's character with a mirror. Very down to earth, he is smitten with Lara and is, although apprehensive, is excited at the prospect of their new life together.
Susan Thurgrove
Lara's supportive best friend, she understands Lara's situation and will do anything she can to ensure Lara's happiness.
Jay and Simon
Gary's fellow plumbers, hegemonic males.
Plot
Scene one
Gary Plackett is enjoying a pint with his friends after work when he gets a text from Lara Windsor to come over. He arrives to find Jonathan Windsor waiting for him, they have a fight and Jonathan pushes Gary down the stairs.
The relationship triangle is established.
Scene two
Lara arrives home after shopping to find Gary's body at the foot of the stairs. She panics, screams and cries at the sight of him. As Lara tries to get her medication, she has trouble with bottle, so she gets angry with it, throws it and breaks down. Jonathan comes home to find Lara in a mess, immediately asking if she had already called the police, finding out she hasn't, he consoles her. He decides their alibi by planting a pair of Lara's earrings on his person and breaks a window to make it look as if it was a burglary that went awry. Jonathan leaves Lara crying to make a call to the police.
Scene three
The police leave, explaining they'll be back in a few days for further questioning. Jonathan explains to Lara that this'll be their little secret, acting blase. When Lara questions him on his coolness to the situation he provokes her by returning the question back at her causing her to silence. Lara leaves the room to secretly call Susan Thursgrove, her best friend, this shows the exposes further the back story and the situation that Lara is in.
Scene four
Lara returns from her cancelled hair appointment, that is implied that Jonathan had moved to another day, Jonathan plants seeds of doubt in her mind regarding her memory. He returns her phone, claiming he found it, pushing the point further. As she goes into the other room to get him the newspaper, he pours boiling water over his hand, claiming she did it to him when she returns. He pushes the idea that she keeps blacking out and acting out, even questioning if she killed Gary finally pushing her to kill herself.
Lara returns from her cancelled hair appointment, that is implied that Jonathan had moved to another day, Jonathan plants seeds of doubt in her mind regarding her memory. He returns her phone, claiming he found it, pushing the point further. As she goes into the other room to get him the newspaper, he pours boiling water over his hand, claiming she did it to him when she returns. He pushes the idea that she keeps blacking out and acting out, even questioning if she killed Gary finally pushing her to kill herself.
Problems with script:
- Edit script by readers, slight improvisation.
Original Radio Drama Plot
Pembroke Gardens
The idea for Pembrooke Gardens came from the want to start and end with a murder, as with our previous research into dramas show that drama and mystery are very popular.
Set in Kensington, London, upon the titled street, Pembroke Gardens this is an ongoing soap, with this episode centering around murder mystery/thriller themes. Drawing inspiration from TV soaps, 'Murder she wrote' and Agatha Christie.
Characters
Major characters:
Lara Windsor
Mid fourties, cold and calculated, manipulative and controlling yet subtle in her approach. Obsessed with her lover and not her husband.
Married to Jonathon Windsor and having an affair with Gary Plackett
Jonathon Windsor
Mid fourties, closetted gay in a sham marriage, kind and caring but weak.
Lara's best friend and husband.
Susan Thursgrove
Late fifties, nosey neighbour, always has her fingers in everyone else's pies,
Single.
Minor Characters:
Sean
Mid-thirties, masculine.
Jonathon's lover and Lara's co-worker.
DCI Lisa Hughes
By the book police officer, astute and professional.
Gary Plackett (referenced)
Lara's lover. now deceased.
Plot
Teaser:
Susan is listening to jazz as she talking to her her dog, Winston. She hears shouting from next door followed by a scream.
Titles: Craig Armstrong - Escape 4:00-4:15
Scene 1:
Police turn up at Windsor household, Lara fakes her hysteria. Susan arrives, talks to police posing as unknowing. Seeing Lara's state, she asks the Police to return another time when she has calmed down. After the police have left, Susan turns on Lara and tries to blackmail her. Lara threatens Susan and she leaves.
Scene 2:
Jonathon comes home as ambulance, that police call for, leaves, he tries to console his wive, showing the true nature of their relationship.
Scene 3:
Lara leaves to 'go to the shops', waits for Susan to leave her house, tries to run her over, Susan narrowly jumps out of the way and survives.
Scene 4:
Lara returns home, hears noises upstairs, grabs gun for security. Finds Jonathon in bed with Sean, they argue and Lara shoots Sean. Cuts to Susan calling the police. Cuts to Lara arguing with Jonathon, police turn up, come up stairs just as Lara shoots Jonathon. Knowing she has no way out, Lara turns the gun on herself and commits suicide.
Problems with script:
- Mid construction of the script we realised that the plot needed rewriting as the motive for Lara's killing spree was unjustified as she was, herself, having an affair and knew of Jonathan's sexuality.
- We found out we cannot use any music that we haven't created, so the intro music and a couple of pieces throughout had to be removed.
- If we were to shorten the script the continuity would be unstable, especially seeing as so much was to happen we would need to thoroughly explain some parts to explain what was going on.
- Susan's motive for blackmail was flawed, as was what she wanted.
- Lara's Character develops too fast, turning from spurned lover to killer too quickly.
- The gay affair is not needed in the storyline whatsoever and the guy she's having an affair with doesn't have any backstory, only that Lara is obsessed with him.
The idea for Pembrooke Gardens came from the want to start and end with a murder, as with our previous research into dramas show that drama and mystery are very popular.
Set in Kensington, London, upon the titled street, Pembroke Gardens this is an ongoing soap, with this episode centering around murder mystery/thriller themes. Drawing inspiration from TV soaps, 'Murder she wrote' and Agatha Christie.
Characters
Major characters:
Lara Windsor
Mid fourties, cold and calculated, manipulative and controlling yet subtle in her approach. Obsessed with her lover and not her husband.
Married to Jonathon Windsor and having an affair with Gary Plackett
Jonathon Windsor
Mid fourties, closetted gay in a sham marriage, kind and caring but weak.
Lara's best friend and husband.
Susan Thursgrove
Late fifties, nosey neighbour, always has her fingers in everyone else's pies,
Single.
Minor Characters:
Sean
Mid-thirties, masculine.
Jonathon's lover and Lara's co-worker.
DCI Lisa Hughes
By the book police officer, astute and professional.
Gary Plackett (referenced)
Lara's lover. now deceased.
Plot
Teaser:
Susan is listening to jazz as she talking to her her dog, Winston. She hears shouting from next door followed by a scream.
Titles: Craig Armstrong - Escape 4:00-4:15
Scene 1:
Police turn up at Windsor household, Lara fakes her hysteria. Susan arrives, talks to police posing as unknowing. Seeing Lara's state, she asks the Police to return another time when she has calmed down. After the police have left, Susan turns on Lara and tries to blackmail her. Lara threatens Susan and she leaves.
Scene 2:
Jonathon comes home as ambulance, that police call for, leaves, he tries to console his wive, showing the true nature of their relationship.
Scene 3:
Lara leaves to 'go to the shops', waits for Susan to leave her house, tries to run her over, Susan narrowly jumps out of the way and survives.
Scene 4:
Lara returns home, hears noises upstairs, grabs gun for security. Finds Jonathon in bed with Sean, they argue and Lara shoots Sean. Cuts to Susan calling the police. Cuts to Lara arguing with Jonathon, police turn up, come up stairs just as Lara shoots Jonathon. Knowing she has no way out, Lara turns the gun on herself and commits suicide.
Problems with script:
- Mid construction of the script we realised that the plot needed rewriting as the motive for Lara's killing spree was unjustified as she was, herself, having an affair and knew of Jonathan's sexuality.
- We found out we cannot use any music that we haven't created, so the intro music and a couple of pieces throughout had to be removed.
- If we were to shorten the script the continuity would be unstable, especially seeing as so much was to happen we would need to thoroughly explain some parts to explain what was going on.
- Susan's motive for blackmail was flawed, as was what she wanted.
- Lara's Character develops too fast, turning from spurned lover to killer too quickly.
- The gay affair is not needed in the storyline whatsoever and the guy she's having an affair with doesn't have any backstory, only that Lara is obsessed with him.
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