Radio Plays & Intro to Podcasting

Brainstorm what you know about radio. Evaluate how often you listen to radio programs? What kinds of programs do you listen to generally? Where do you "tune in"? Why? Discuss this for 2-3 minutes with your peers.

Originally, radio was filled with news and entertainment, along with music. Music, of course, has overwhelmed radio and is the most common form of entertainment sent through the air waves to us. To begin our radio media unit (we took a dip in this pool when we read/listened to The War of the Worlds), let's take a look at the scripts and listen to the following plays:

Abbott & Costello's: Who's On First
Lucille Fletcher: The Hitchhiker
The first part of Neil Gaiman's Stardust (BBC Radio 4)

Podcasts are a digital audio file that a listener can subscribe to (usually online). These are generally converted to MP3 format. They usually have a typical structure:

• Show INTRO (usually lasting 30-60 seconds, introducing the program)
• Musical Theme Intro (short musical theme or jingle to identify what program listeners are listening to--about 30 seconds or less)
• Topic/Subject: each podcast usually focuses on a single or sometimes multiple related topic. Usually topics are divided into TRACKS or parts of 3 or more minutes.
• Topic #2
• Topic #3, etc.
• Interlude (musical break, commercial lasting about 30 seconds)
• Other topics #4, #5--you get the idea...
• Closing remarks from the host (usually thanking the audience for listening; and to hook the audience to tune in or listen in to the next program; usually this lasts no more than 2 minutes)
• The OUTRO or closing. Usually that theme music again, lasting no more than 1-2 minutes.

Questions about the typical format of podcasts?

Then, it's off to the lab to read and interact with the following website:

Jess O'Callaghan's article: "Podcast Nerds Rejoice: Radio Plays Are Making a Comeback"
Please read this linked article. Then answer the 3 questions (turn these in today if we have time, otherwise, it's homework. Complete and turn in by next class (Wednesday, Jan. 18).

1. Why does how we listen to radio/podcasts matter according to O'Callaghan?
2. What kinds of podcasts are "out there"?
3. How are new wave radio plays distinguishing themselves from the old ones? (Abbott & Costello or Lucille Fletcher's Hitchhiker, for example.)

HOMEWORK: Please read Chapter One: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams for next class. Read the article linked above and answer the 3 questions if you didn't complete this work in the lab. Complete and turn in any missing work. See your progress reports for details.