RADIO SCRIPT PROJECT
- You may work alone or with a partner.
- If you work with a partner, please use Google docs (and share privileges with your partner) so that both authors can work on the script at the same time. Note: both students should type and add to the project, not just one person giving dictation to the other. One bit of advice is to have each writer on your team work on a short "episode". If you write the beginning and cliffhanging ending of the story, then your partner can complete the cliffhanger and conclude the story, for example. That way, 6-12 pages is really only 3-6 for each writer. This, of course, may not be preferable.
- Your script episode should be between 6-12 pages, formatted in proper radio script format.
- Your script should include a title page and cast list (these pages do not count as part of your required 6-12 page length!) You may put your cast list on the same page as your title. See the copy of "Hitchhiker's Guide" or "The Hitchhiker" or "War of the Worlds" as models.
- Your script idea can be taken from an already published source (or from your own story drafts, adapted for a radio show). You may, of course, make up a new original story.
- You may write in any genre. Popular genres include drama, comedy, science fiction/fantasy, mystery, romance, or children's programming (which is usually fantasy). See notes below...
- Rely on SX (sound effects). Consider your scenes to include ambient noise or sound cues that signal to the listener as to where the scene takes place (setting), or what action is happening during the dialogue of your characters (plot).
- Consult the handout scripts I gave you and that we have heard in class for ideas, formatting ("The Hitchhiker" or "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" for example), or select one of the play scripts from the BBC as further models/examples. See link here. You can change the genre/format at the drop down box on the webpage.
- Note: fantasy, science fiction, and action work nicely as radio scripts. This is because all special effects are sound effects, and there is no budget other than imagery to describe expensive sets for the settings of the world...
- See, read, and follow the radio script format for this project. Your formatting will count as part of your grade.
- Brainstorm some ideas first and outline your basic plot (exposition, rising action, turning point or crisis (good place for a cliffhanger), climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Write a 1-sentence premise (what is the play or episode going to be about?) My radio play/episode is about...
- For further tips writing a radio play (or coming up with an idea) check out this article from the BBC.
The excellent thing about writing for the radio is that you can SET your story ANYWHERE! You can travel through time, visit strange and beautiful lands. Your setting can be anywhere you need it to be: In a deep, dark cave at the dawn of time, on a spaceship hurtling through space on a mission to visit 10 planets--each one unique and culturally amazing, in a science lab and the backwoods of Arkansas during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods. No sets means low production cost.
Your imagination can run wild. You can also structure your narrative story to include a variety of times and places or locations. You can have just one character, or several. Minor characters in a film would mean you'd have to spend your budget paying these actors. On the radio, an actor can play several small parts, each with a unique voice! Possibilities are endless!
You can also write about any subject. You can also adapt other writers' work (or your own) into an epic story that could be told through a series of episodes.
You need to know whether you are working alone or with a partner. If cooperating with another writer, take a few minutes to talk about what kind of story you both want to write.
Then you should think up a premise for a story. Pick a genre. Make a character list. Sketch out a few ideas for conflicts, scenes, or settings. Make an outline or decide on the break down of your structure. You can have several scenes if you need to, but you should also note you need an intro and outro musical theme, and at some point you need to alert your listeners as to what they're listening to.
Drawing your listener in is important. Each "episode" should be interesting enough to compel a listener to keep listening. This can be done by creating interesting characters, including suspense and mystery to your plot, or writing riveting dramatic lines concerning topics that are interesting or beautiful to listen to.
Character's voices are important. Try to contrast your characters. Deep voices, high pitched voices, sound effects (SFX), ambient noise or music to suggest setting, etc. Alternate noisy scenes with quiet ones. The more important a line, make sure it is not being drowned out by a SFX. Lots of noise can help create a chaotic tone--the threat of danger. Alternate interior scenes with exterior ones. Consider what background sounds might be included to clue your audience into knowing where your scene takes place. A scene set on a farm sounds different than a scene set in an urban school cafeteria.
Read a few more hints about writing radio plays. Feel free to follow this advice, as it might help you understand what you're doing or expected to do. Use the play scripts we read to help you as well.
By the end of today, you should have 1. Sketched out an outline or scenario with a break down of potential episodes for your story, 2. Read this advice and the advice at the link, and 3. Begun writing your play script (use the handout guidelines to follow the proper format for radio plays).
HOMEWORK: None. You are welcome to work on your radio play scripts.
Your imagination can run wild. You can also structure your narrative story to include a variety of times and places or locations. You can have just one character, or several. Minor characters in a film would mean you'd have to spend your budget paying these actors. On the radio, an actor can play several small parts, each with a unique voice! Possibilities are endless!
You can also write about any subject. You can also adapt other writers' work (or your own) into an epic story that could be told through a series of episodes.
"Television, for example, never does science fiction very well because it can't afford the production values that are required, whereas with radio you really do have a theatre as large as the universe in that sense. You're using the muscle of the listener's imagination - they're doing the work with you - and I think that's absolutely terrific."
Mike Walker
You need to know whether you are working alone or with a partner. If cooperating with another writer, take a few minutes to talk about what kind of story you both want to write.
Then you should think up a premise for a story. Pick a genre. Make a character list. Sketch out a few ideas for conflicts, scenes, or settings. Make an outline or decide on the break down of your structure. You can have several scenes if you need to, but you should also note you need an intro and outro musical theme, and at some point you need to alert your listeners as to what they're listening to.
Drawing your listener in is important. Each "episode" should be interesting enough to compel a listener to keep listening. This can be done by creating interesting characters, including suspense and mystery to your plot, or writing riveting dramatic lines concerning topics that are interesting or beautiful to listen to.
Character's voices are important. Try to contrast your characters. Deep voices, high pitched voices, sound effects (SFX), ambient noise or music to suggest setting, etc. Alternate noisy scenes with quiet ones. The more important a line, make sure it is not being drowned out by a SFX. Lots of noise can help create a chaotic tone--the threat of danger. Alternate interior scenes with exterior ones. Consider what background sounds might be included to clue your audience into knowing where your scene takes place. A scene set on a farm sounds different than a scene set in an urban school cafeteria.
Read a few more hints about writing radio plays. Feel free to follow this advice, as it might help you understand what you're doing or expected to do. Use the play scripts we read to help you as well.
By the end of today, you should have 1. Sketched out an outline or scenario with a break down of potential episodes for your story, 2. Read this advice and the advice at the link, and 3. Begun writing your play script (use the handout guidelines to follow the proper format for radio plays).
HOMEWORK: None. You are welcome to work on your radio play scripts.
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