Nick_R
Master of my Domain
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2005
- Messages
- 99
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2006
Hi guys I've had a few people asking me about choosing Radio Drama for their EE2 major works, and seeing as though there's already up I thought I'd put up some stuff...
The following is taken from the marking centre 2005 with my own little comments:
C Range
The following is taken from the marking centre 2005 with my own little comments:
===Radio Drama===
General Comments
Students compose a 10 - 15 minute complete radio drama presented on tape or CD. (best to put it on both to give them good impressions)
Quality of production has improved and most
projects were crisp and easy to listen to.(nothing is worse than for a marker's impression of your major work to be negative simply because the quality is poor)
The integration of music and sound effects was
often seamless.(remember this isn't just dialogue - think of it as a movie without visuals - all visual elements of importance therefore must be transformed into noticeable sound effects, such as turning on a light, footsteps, a door opening, etc)
Layering of sound and music was well done. Stronger Major Works
validated their choices of FX and/or music in their Reflection Statements.
Concepts explored included satire, fantasy genre, ways of reading texts, crime fiction,
social and political commentary, and journey. Forms appropriated included narratives,
allegory, film noir and traditional dialogue-based radio drama.(essentially it is my belief that if you are going to write anything well it is something you know about and are enthusiastic about - your not going to write a story about a man who travels through time and space in a police box if you hate sci-fi for instance)
Quality of production has improved and most
projects were crisp and easy to listen to.(nothing is worse than for a marker's impression of your major work to be negative simply because the quality is poor)
The integration of music and sound effects was
often seamless.(remember this isn't just dialogue - think of it as a movie without visuals - all visual elements of importance therefore must be transformed into noticeable sound effects, such as turning on a light, footsteps, a door opening, etc)
Layering of sound and music was well done. Stronger Major Works
validated their choices of FX and/or music in their Reflection Statements.
Concepts explored included satire, fantasy genre, ways of reading texts, crime fiction,
social and political commentary, and journey. Forms appropriated included narratives,
allegory, film noir and traditional dialogue-based radio drama.(essentially it is my belief that if you are going to write anything well it is something you know about and are enthusiastic about - your not going to write a story about a man who travels through time and space in a police box if you hate sci-fi for instance)
Some of the strengths of these Major Works were:
•
effective use of humour to engage the listener (I found this crucial - without visual elements, sound is the only thing keeping the reader entertained - you need to keep them focused, especially at the start - if its boring they won't be enthusiastic about it at the start and will most likely remain that way throughout)
•
intellectually stimulating and thoughtfully developed concepts (just because YOU think its intellectually stimulating and well developed doesn't make it so - CONSTANTLY throw your ideas off other people and change your script accordingly to reactions you receive - keep showing and telling people throughout the whole EE2 project so that every aspect has people happy with it - this is also helpful with your reflection statement in terms of what audiences were reacting to certain ideas)
•
broad based and wide ranging research across media, including research into radio drama (listen, listen, listen - find copies of radio drama at libraries, through teachers - many will have some - the internet - limewire or wherever - if you have the money buy some from the ABC shop - kids these days don't understand how big radio drama was, as it was essentially what TV is today, back in "the old days" - there are so many genres for you to listen to)
•
a variety of forms, structures or concepts used within a piece (you can use narration and story telling through an omnicient voice, with dialogue between characters for instance, or just have no narrator - include music, sfx, etc - use these for creating themes and motifs - like in mine for intance the sound of commercials was a symbol for the destuction of radio [mine was very postmodern])
•
effective and stimulating use of parody, satire and allegory. (also links with the humour aspect - essentially its best to follow parody, satire and allegory as you are creating a ONE off piece - NOT a serial, which some fall into a trap with - the whole story has to be told in 15 mins max - the best way to do this is to use existing things in the world today so that you don't waste time explaining it within the story - eg. instead of creating a fictional fantasy land where the Xeprikala civilization has gone to war with the Hon'golalas where you have to explain who they are etc, put someone in an existing war zone like Iraq, OR parody it with a fantasy land based on the conflict)
Some of the weaknesses of these Major Works were:
Some of the weaknesses of these Major Works were:
•
poor recording quality (lessers impression of marker)
•
flat dialogue, demonstrating little differentiation between voices (have enthusiastic people - get drama people and those with acting experience)
•
discrepancies between the print and aural versions of the text (this problem is EASILY fixed - the script you initially write will no doubt get changed MANY times, even with your final final final copy, as when recording the voices in production and adding sound effects and music in post-production, there will be lots of Ad-lib and changing of ideas at the last minute - ad lib is particularly good when recording the voices, as what is WRITTEN doesn't always come out well when spoken, so have the voices try different things) - once you have the final copy on tape/CD, write out and edit the script so that it matches the aural version
•
no evidence of depth of research into the concept (if it doesn't sound like a radio drama, then the markers will think u havn't done any research - research in my case was essentially listening to them and reading up on radio drama on the net - lots of sites)
•
disorganised and confusing sound effects. (i found this a big problem - in the end, making it simple was the best!!! If a door is opening, have the sound effect of a door opening, not a stormtrooper blaster coz u thought it might sound cool)
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE RANGES
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE RANGES
A Range
A Range
Major Works demonstrated:
•
artistically integrated and suitable sound, music and voice/s
•
inventive use of the form, incorporating factual, poetic, literary and other styles
•
seamless integration of FX and music, with these elements often overlaying
each other
each other
•
justification for choices made, validated and extrapolated upon in the Reflection
Statement
Statement
•
well sustained development of the piece
•
well sustained and witty satire
•
smooth transitions between scenes
•
thoughtful underpinning of conceptual material with extensive and rigorous
independent investigation
independent investigation
•
clear relationship between the Major Work and the Advanced and/or Extension 1
courses
courses
•
expert differentiation of voices in dialogue
•
consciously structured work which was explained in the Reflection Statement.
•
intellectual engagement and emotional evocation.
B Range
B Range
Major Works demonstrated:
•
strong development with a sincere and explicit research base
•
effective use of humour, especially slapstick
•
focused and sustained point of view
•
use of puns and some use of metaphor, satire and allegory to promote point of
view
view
•
somewhat politically astute understanding and social commentary on
contemporary issues
contemporary issues
•
use of absurdist techniques to carry action
•
less subtlety than A Range Major Works but an evident sense of refinement
•
interesting concepts or structures, always explored in depth
•
well-depicted characterisation, although less sophisticated than A range.
C Range
C Range
Major Works demonstrated:
•
derivative faults. These Major Works were nonetheless sustained, wellstructured
and for the most part coherent. Most Radio Drama Major Works were
in the C Range
and for the most part coherent. Most Radio Drama Major Works were
in the C Range
•
a rather narrow, close focus which limited the development of the concept
•
satisfactory investigation into form with less investigation into the concept. This
limited students. understanding of the concept
limited students. understanding of the concept
•
defined characters whose voices at times were not well differentiated
•
use of stereotypes and clichés.
•
inauthentic contexts of radio dramas
•
propensity to .tell the listener. rather than reveal the themes through the dialogue
•
often clumsy transition between scenes
•
lack of indication in the Reflection Statement of how the Major Work was an
extension of Advanced English or English Extension 1
extension of Advanced English or English Extension 1
•
less definition of audience
•
clear explanation of the influence of human resources
•
conscious shaping of meaning, satisfactory use of conventions and an attempt
to use emotion, dialogue, music in an engaging manner.
to use emotion, dialogue, music in an engaging manner.
D Range
There were few
D Range Major Works.
D Range
Major Works demonstrated:
•
very limited use of music. Major Works were often repetitive and/or not well
integrated
integrated
•
choices of stylistic devices, music and form which were not justified in the
Reflection Statements
Reflection Statements
•
a lack of originality. Major Works were literal in matter, form and concept
•
a tendency to be very didactic and therefore less engaging
•
ineffective attempts at humour
•
use of stereotypical voice(s) and overuse of American accents
•
poor transition between scenes
•
inappropriate and confusing sound effects
•
description as the dominant characteristic of the Reflection Statement. In these cases, candidates struggled to establish the relationship between the
investigation and the process of composition
investigation and the process of composition
•
poor recording and editing of work
•
limited mention of research into the medium in the Reflection Statements or
evident in the Major Work itself
evident in the Major Work itself
•
discrepancy between the ideas expressed in the Reflection Statement and the Major Work itself
• little thought given to structure of the Major Work
• little thought given to structure of the Major Work
•
lack of character lists and instructions to actors in the print scripts. Sometimes
the scripts were discrepant with the aural text
the scripts were discrepant with the aural text
•
poor adherence to time limit.
E range scripts
There were no scripts in this range in 2005.
=======================================================
CONSTANTLY GO OVER THIS WHEN CREATING AND PRODUCING YOUR RADIO DRAMA - THINK "IS THIS WHAT MINE IS LIKE, HOW CAN I IMPROVE IT AND PREVENT IT BEING JUST A 'B', BECAUSE I WANT AN 'A'!!! lol aim high
=======================================================
=======================================================
WTF DID YOU CHOOSE THIS GRAMPS? - THE IN'S AND OUT'S OF WHY ONE MAY CHOOSE TO UNDERTAKE THIS APPARENT 'OUTDATED' MEDIUM'
-It's different for a start - in 2005 I think there were just 16 people in the state who chose this - this number puts a lot of people off because they think that is because it is hard and that it is expensive - wrong and wrong...
Radio Drama as I've always said should be thought of as the precursor to television, as it was essentially - the only thing lacking is visuals, which you can use to your advantage as it allows for imagination!!! How many people doing video can have an epic battle, fly to mars, travel in planes, go to China, Africa, the Middle East, etc - this can all be done with the right sound effects, music and dialogue!!! Its all so simple and so many people just pass it by without a thought about it - if you have read this far there should be no doubt in your mind that radio drama is the choice for you! (call now and get a free knife set... sorry, I'm heaps enthusiastic about it lol)
SAY I CHOOSE TO DO THIS RADION THING, WOT THEN? - WHAT WILL YOU NEED?
-A GOOD IDEA!!! - you can tell a flat straight story, which is fine, but mind u the markers are looking for things that stand out - different things - you may want to consider a mockumentary which i WAS leaning towards, but I changed my mind for postmodern craziness -
=======================================================
CONSTANTLY GO OVER THIS WHEN CREATING AND PRODUCING YOUR RADIO DRAMA - THINK "IS THIS WHAT MINE IS LIKE, HOW CAN I IMPROVE IT AND PREVENT IT BEING JUST A 'B', BECAUSE I WANT AN 'A'!!! lol aim high
=======================================================
=======================================================
WTF DID YOU CHOOSE THIS GRAMPS? - THE IN'S AND OUT'S OF WHY ONE MAY CHOOSE TO UNDERTAKE THIS APPARENT 'OUTDATED' MEDIUM'
-It's different for a start - in 2005 I think there were just 16 people in the state who chose this - this number puts a lot of people off because they think that is because it is hard and that it is expensive - wrong and wrong...
Radio Drama as I've always said should be thought of as the precursor to television, as it was essentially - the only thing lacking is visuals, which you can use to your advantage as it allows for imagination!!! How many people doing video can have an epic battle, fly to mars, travel in planes, go to China, Africa, the Middle East, etc - this can all be done with the right sound effects, music and dialogue!!! Its all so simple and so many people just pass it by without a thought about it - if you have read this far there should be no doubt in your mind that radio drama is the choice for you! (call now and get a free knife set... sorry, I'm heaps enthusiastic about it lol)
SAY I CHOOSE TO DO THIS RADION THING, WOT THEN? - WHAT WILL YOU NEED?
-A GOOD IDEA!!! - you can tell a flat straight story, which is fine, but mind u the markers are looking for things that stand out - different things - you may want to consider a mockumentary which i WAS leaning towards, but I changed my mind for postmodern craziness -
MY RADIO DRAMA_>
personally I created a postmodern story in which Radio was a medium being destroyed by the overcommercialisation of radio (inspired by the fact that hardly anyone in the state had done it lol) - basically there were 3 parts - in part one there was a 1930s classic detetive type character whose arch enemy creates the 'overcommercialisation of radio' and in order to survive, he has to jump into another show as radio is slowly but surely dying - so he jumps into a quiz show - however finds that it to is suffering like the rest of radio, with fake audiences and fake contestants, with just one person, the quiz master, who was homo which lent for many good jokes lol they jumped out and into a news broadcast from iraq -~~> then basically they met a reporter and a terrorist, but stuff happened, bla bla bla and now they are on the internet somewhere...
personally I created a postmodern story in which Radio was a medium being destroyed by the overcommercialisation of radio (inspired by the fact that hardly anyone in the state had done it lol) - basically there were 3 parts - in part one there was a 1930s classic detetive type character whose arch enemy creates the 'overcommercialisation of radio' and in order to survive, he has to jump into another show as radio is slowly but surely dying - so he jumps into a quiz show - however finds that it to is suffering like the rest of radio, with fake audiences and fake contestants, with just one person, the quiz master, who was homo which lent for many good jokes lol they jumped out and into a news broadcast from iraq -~~> then basically they met a reporter and a terrorist, but stuff happened, bla bla bla and now they are on the internet somewhere...
Yes... don't let my idea put you off lol it does actually sound better, trust me.
-you will need recording equipment - you DON'T need to pay $1000s for recording studios which some bastards have done in the past - personally i reakon that shouldn't be allowed, but it is - if you have the money you can get them - all you really need to do is have the script and the ideas - don't waste your money - all you need is a COMPUTER, MICROPHONE ($15 at dicksmith) and MULTI-TRACK SOUND RECORDING SOFTWARE (I used Cool Edit Pro 2.1, you could use Garage Band which is just a newer version with a new name, or other sound recording/editing software - if you are confused here, talk to the local computer nerd and he/she will fix u up with a copy and maybe help u)
-sound effects and music - just collect them off the net - very easy, make sure that with the music you acknowledge its use in a bibliography somewhere, perhaps at the end of ur reflection statement. If you have computer games you may want to check the installed folders on your computer for names such as 'sound', 'sfx' etc as that was my main source of sound effects. Again, if you need help with this, speak to a nerd... you can find some basic sound effects on the net
-voices!!! personally, i did every voice in mine, all 7.... but i COULD, don't do voices if you have no experience, get drama kids - don't get your best friend just coz you want to include them, otherwise it'll be like "Anakin, I'm pregnant" all over again and all that shitty wooden acting crap - get people who know what they're doing - this saves a lot of hassle
========================================================
========================================================
HELPFUL LINKS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/ - the BBC - one of the many gods I worship
http://www.irdp.co.uk/ - THE greatest site for me - use the PRINCIPLES OF WRITING RADIO DRAMA by Tim Crook as your Bible and put it in your Journal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_drama - a standard wiki article that is probably about as reliable as every Today Tonight report - but seriously, it gives a good overview
========================================================
STUFF I RECOMMEND YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO - best way is to download them via a P2P downloading progam or Bittorrent:
- Star Wars Radio Drama (yes! they actually made a series with the original trilogy and some of the same actors - I have it and it sounds really good)
- I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again (not really a radio drama perse, but good on skits and general comedy - John Cleese's beginnings here too)
- The Goon Show (again, not really radio drama, but essential listening)
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - (one of the most famous radio dramas and franchises - its original form was radio which young ppl fail to realise)
- War Of The Worlds - (ah yes, one of the first ever radio dramas that made people shit themselves as they thought there was a real alien invasion haha
- The Museum of Everything - (a modern radio drama done just recently - skit based)
===============CHECK WITH ABC RADIO WEBSITE - RADIO NATIONAL AND MOST AM RADIO STATIONS SHOULD HAV SOME SORT OF CLASSIC AIRTIME WHERE THEY'LL PLAY SOME SORT OF RADIO DRAMA - I SPEND MANY MORNINGS WAKING UP AT 5AM LISTENING TO THE STUFF!
...
anyways, what I have altogether written probably trails and I've prob left out stuff that I should have mentioned, but I'm tired and need sleep - if you need anything else, ask!!!
in conclusion, radio drama kicks ass!!! (not literally, as that would be impossible)
-you will need recording equipment - you DON'T need to pay $1000s for recording studios which some bastards have done in the past - personally i reakon that shouldn't be allowed, but it is - if you have the money you can get them - all you really need to do is have the script and the ideas - don't waste your money - all you need is a COMPUTER, MICROPHONE ($15 at dicksmith) and MULTI-TRACK SOUND RECORDING SOFTWARE (I used Cool Edit Pro 2.1, you could use Garage Band which is just a newer version with a new name, or other sound recording/editing software - if you are confused here, talk to the local computer nerd and he/she will fix u up with a copy and maybe help u)
-sound effects and music - just collect them off the net - very easy, make sure that with the music you acknowledge its use in a bibliography somewhere, perhaps at the end of ur reflection statement. If you have computer games you may want to check the installed folders on your computer for names such as 'sound', 'sfx' etc as that was my main source of sound effects. Again, if you need help with this, speak to a nerd... you can find some basic sound effects on the net
-voices!!! personally, i did every voice in mine, all 7.... but i COULD, don't do voices if you have no experience, get drama kids - don't get your best friend just coz you want to include them, otherwise it'll be like "Anakin, I'm pregnant" all over again and all that shitty wooden acting crap - get people who know what they're doing - this saves a lot of hassle
========================================================
========================================================
HELPFUL LINKS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/ - the BBC - one of the many gods I worship
http://www.irdp.co.uk/ - THE greatest site for me - use the PRINCIPLES OF WRITING RADIO DRAMA by Tim Crook as your Bible and put it in your Journal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_drama - a standard wiki article that is probably about as reliable as every Today Tonight report - but seriously, it gives a good overview
========================================================
STUFF I RECOMMEND YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO - best way is to download them via a P2P downloading progam or Bittorrent:
- Star Wars Radio Drama (yes! they actually made a series with the original trilogy and some of the same actors - I have it and it sounds really good)
- I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again (not really a radio drama perse, but good on skits and general comedy - John Cleese's beginnings here too)
- The Goon Show (again, not really radio drama, but essential listening)
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - (one of the most famous radio dramas and franchises - its original form was radio which young ppl fail to realise)
- War Of The Worlds - (ah yes, one of the first ever radio dramas that made people shit themselves as they thought there was a real alien invasion haha
- The Museum of Everything - (a modern radio drama done just recently - skit based)
===============CHECK WITH ABC RADIO WEBSITE - RADIO NATIONAL AND MOST AM RADIO STATIONS SHOULD HAV SOME SORT OF CLASSIC AIRTIME WHERE THEY'LL PLAY SOME SORT OF RADIO DRAMA - I SPEND MANY MORNINGS WAKING UP AT 5AM LISTENING TO THE STUFF!
...
anyways, what I have altogether written probably trails and I've prob left out stuff that I should have mentioned, but I'm tired and need sleep - if you need anything else, ask!!!
in conclusion, radio drama kicks ass!!! (not literally, as that would be impossible)
