Write a script for the radio inserting sound effect music and narration
Answers
How to Write Radio Play Script Cues for Dialogue, Music, Sound Effects & more
by Tony "Sparx" Palermo - Radio playwright, Sound Effects Artist, Composer
While there are hundreds of books on writing film screenplays and stage plays, radio scripting isn't a widely known form. However, because radio is produced with the script in hand, it is important that the various cues for dialogue, music, and sound effects be able to quickly and clearly communicate the writer's intentions to the cast and crew for rehearsals and performance. Here are some suggestions and examples to encourage clearly written radio drama scripts.
I not only write and produce my own radio dramas, but also re-create classic shows from the past and perform new works by contemporary writers. Through the years, I have found rehearsals and performances go more smoothly if the scripts are very precise in their instructions to cast and crew. This page--which I'll update as new ideas come to me--addresses the many radio drama conventions and guidelines in an effort to aid writers and directors--especially those with little radio production experience. I've worked on hundreds of radio dramas and have honed these techniques to the point where I can produce a 25-minute show in just two hours--from start to finish--(casting, rehearsal, and performance) for broadcast or recording. Here's the secret of how you can do it too.
I mostly work in the live production style, where the dialogue, music, and sound effects occur in real time as the program is being performed for stage, recording, or broadcast. These guidelines will aid you greatly if you produce in a similar manner, but will also be useful if you record dialogue separately and then assemble the finished program in post-production. The intention of writing good radio drama cues is to clearly communicate all instructions, thereby cutting down on misunderstandings, notes, mistakes, and time. A well-written script will save everybody headaches and make your shows easier and cheaper to produce.
Hello, this is RJ Vinit and today evening I have a ghost story for the audience. Hold your breath and listen now.
(Eerie music is played with heavy footsteps)
Narrator:- Shivendra is returning from city and as he walks he realizes that someone is following him. He turned and looked, but nobody was there. He starts walking faster.
Ghost: Shiv, stop Shiv, where are you coming from?
(Shivendra started almost running)
Ghost: Arre.. Where are you running. Just stop.
Shivendra: (Fumbling) How do you know my name 'behan;?
Ghost: I am Radhika, I lived in this village only. Where are are coming from?
Shiv: From city.
Ghost: What did you get from the city?
Shiv: I went to bring medicine. I son is sick and the doctor in the village hospital asked to get medicine from city.
Ghost: What else did you buy? Your bad is so heavy, show!
Shiv: Mmm (Hesitantly takes out a toy gun and a saree and shows it to Radhiks)
Ghost: This saree is good, for whom, and this gun?
Shiv: The gun is for my son and saree is for my wife.
Ghost: Didn't you bring anything for your Radhika didi?
Shiv: You keep it 'behan'.
(he almost throws it at her in his fear. The road that would have taken five minutes, he covered in half the time and when he reached home, he called out his wife. Pooja...Pooja...
Pooja: Why have you come so late?
Shiv: I'll answer all your questions later first get me a glass of water please.
Pooja (Giving him water): Why do you look so pale.
Shiv: (To put a stop to ber questions takes out the other saree and gives her. He felt inside the bag something cold. When he took out, it was a pair of anklet and all of a sudden the face of Radhika's ghost appeared before his mind.)
(Again there was cool breeze which lulled Shivendra to sleep as he lay thinking that he had never heard of a benevolent ghost.
RJ: Now as the time of program is over, I take your leave with a promise to come next week again at the same time.