The Format Page

Radio Drama & Audio-Movies

All our stories may enter each format, and we'll learn what parts of a story are best suited to each particular format. I began in Radio production, and am now creating sonic-movies - a focus on how very much sounds-alone may offer. Very exciting to be playing with sound again. Learn sound, and you'll learn stage and film with ease.

The Ear begins our quest. Coincidence becomes our true sign-post. It forms the matrix of Fuller-Narrative. Think of the geodesic dome. Think of each convergence-point as a narrative trail that may lead, plant-like, to another story that awaits a true Dendrite-Narrative..

It's like surfing, for no matter what patterns have already been spotted, there's always an unexpected wave. I remember being with two uncles in Newfoundland, near Cape Race, and they swore they knew a safe route along the cliff-face - and I mistakenly believed them - wham - all we could do to stay in place when the top of a rogue wave soaked us to the knees - No big deal - that's why it's called a rogue wave.

Our knowledge increases naturally when our story begins to follow this format, that's when we encourage our writing-creating-expanding digital mind. Pandemic times have re-introduced us to the world of Sonic Drama - in particular Crime Drama.

Don't worry, there is a key element in all forms that is frequently ignored. This is a group-art-form. We learn and share with one another as we meet, explore, create and look for ways of getting the practice of each key craft. We all learn how to do that efficiently and in concert with one another. The group is the best teacher.

We are writers - and this is as much about claiming that heritage in all cultures all around our wonder-filled planet.

With this page we enter a universe where the sonic Script on the page contains all the implied knowledge it takes to develop, cast and produce the movie. We are NOT creating a "perfect script" we are writing what will get our show done. First - let's open our ears and let in the entire world of sound....

For the ear, let's start in Newfoundland...& tune in 'Battery Radio' ... a source that delights in Sonic Areas.

Check out this inspiring site which was run by Newfoundland's wonderful & much-missed creator - the lateChris Brookes.

I also dedicate this page to Chris. May it be a reminder of how we can live on inside our creations

...Just click the Picture...

Listen to Mercury Theatre! Orson Wells knew Radio!

http://www.mercurytheatre.info/

Audio Theater - http://www.audiotheater.com/

"Audio Theatre is the art form known as radio drama - Unfortunately the delivery vehicle abandoned the art form" - That's the lead quote on this site. They embrace the form and give lots of links.

Shoestring Radio Theatre Links - http://www.shoestring.org/srt_submit.html

An idea of how a Radio Theatre Production group can operate with no Prime-time outlet, nor money for writers (sigh) budget. Use this to see how you might do the same thing - but, somewhere in all this, for has to emerge a way for Radio writers to survive. No matter where we live, no matter what resources we have we may achieve our dreams. We are in a post-corporate world. It's just that we don't yet truly know it. Or do we? Your own world is your best teacher. What might be equal to this? Someone else's world. Be an explorer - your own true world awaits you. Ramble to the top of the hill, or the bottom of a cavern. Words are your hiking boots.

One of our most popular suggestions for Radio is this free template for Radio Drama. It works in Word:

Click 4 Template:

Open Source Free Software.

This Radio Drama Software will work with PC or Mac. It's free, and has instructions about how to get open office and the Template itself...

CLIK here for Open Office Radio Drama.

Here's a Link to hear Radio Drama.

Try out Firesign Theatre. A child of the 60s - and still fun!

http://www.firesigntheatre.com/

SCRIPTS FOR RADIO DRAMA:

Invaluable.

Designed for writers - the BBC put their focus in the right place with this link.

Radio Scripts from the BBC at their great writers room Radio Drama site.

Clik our link at:.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/resources/tips-and-advice/writing-radio-drama