2. Unit 42 – Radio Drama L01 – Codes and Conventions

3. Codes

4. Words & Voices As radio is a listening form of entertainment rather than a visual experience so as radio has to create a response from the audience this must be done through words that have been vocally spoken to present to the listener

5. Sound & Silence Without sound, the silence creates a dramatic effect on the listener if used well. It can also be used to break up the parts to the radio drama, it can indicate a break in the production or a end of a scene etc. It is also used to prevent an audience from getting bored when listening to constant dialogue.

6. Music & Ambience Music and ambience is used strongly in radio as it one of the most impacting aspects, this can help set the mood, tone and setting of a scene. It is a lot more essential in radio too due to the lack of visuals.

7. Speech This is the way in which the words are spoken, which can be anything from the pitch and volume of a voice to the accent of a voice

8. Conventions

9. Aural signposting This is when established scenes are cued in aurally, this could be through accents, diegetic sounds and background noises in a visual place. Or words are literally spoken through a narrator etc. It’s a useful effect to set a scene which keeps the audience in time with the radio drama and not lost throughout. However it could be over used and easily muddled up with different scenes, especially if there’s a reflection period.

10. Throughout the film series, the characters cleverly inform us as the audience of where they are or heading, they almost think out loud just to inform us on what to expect and locations etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V75dMMIW2B4 However on the other side of things, star ship troopers is a poor film for aural signposting. Even though I enjoyed this film, it is very confusing for a fresh audience to understand the locations and the whereabouts. This is an example of aural signposting from the radio drama of the tower, it opens with narration of a girl describing their location and what’s around them also with sound effects to help us get a better understanding. It is very effective as it helps inform us of what is going on and gives us a base line to go off.

11. Cliff-hanger endings A cliff hanger ending is when a production dramatically ends with know indication of what to expect in the future, left in suspense the audience would want to know what happens after, whether that’s in TV, film or radio. It is a very useful device to maintain suspense and keep the audience wanting to know more in the next part. However it can be over used and will just get the audience frustrated and end up not watching the next part. This is an example of a cliff hanger ending in the radio drama of SURVIVOR, it ends on a cliff hanger with narration of not knowing what to expect to happen in the future. I believe it could of ended on a stronger note rather than closing with speech they could of closed with a situation that’s unresolved. However it still has the cliff hanger essence.

12. The classic film of the Italian job has one of the best cliff hangers in film history, as it actually ends of a cliff with them hanging over it. It cleverly leaves the audience in suspense of what will happen creating the tension from within the film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCaSyid 4m0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCaSyid 4m0 A poor example if of underworld rise of the lycans, the third film in the newly 4 film series. It is based in the past with characters from the original films which have either been killed off or moved on. The ending is a indication of a war between the vampires and the werewolves, which as the audience already know the outcome and can clearly see the stale mate.

13. Flashback Flashbacks are used to back up a characters personality and helps explain unexplained situations within the show, film or radio drama. They can be very useful when explain stories which help the audience understand more about certain characters and how changes occurred etc. It can also be used to explain a situation from a different perspective. However it is easily for the audience to get lost within so some form on indication is needed to present the flashback, this could be from text to a lighting effect.

14. The Grinch being a fairly simple structured film, introduces the flashbacks well, through in film interviews which create the links to explain back stories and create a better structure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lq1JI WQSlchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lq1JI WQSlc The back and forth connections between the future flashbacks and the present day can be very confusing as there is no clear indication of the switch between the two. Although it is a very popular film, the links are unclear. This is an example of a flashback from torchwood, they create the flashback by using an echo effect on a voice which is overlapping the narration which is explaining to us what HAD happened, I think this is a very good example as it simply informs us of a flaashback without the audience getting confused.

15. Use of fades Fades tend to be used to signify the end of a scene or a form of change, it is also used to show the change in time as well. It is useful to go from one scene to the next which clearly indicating to the audience. However it can be overly used and just seen as laziness. This is an example of a use of fades from the archers, it isn’t so much used for effect but it’s the perfect example to indicate a change in scene which had worked very well as the audience know this is happening.

16. Kill Bill has very effective use of fades which is used to imply set scenes and create strong effects between shots and scenes to imply the type of mood, tempo etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2h 6EFk36kIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2h 6EFk36kI Throughout the film there is a clear use of basic editing, they use standard fade and swipe effects to cut between shots and scenes but only for cutting, not so much effect, the laziness is clearly indicated and is obvious to us as the viewer.

17. Use of silence The use of silence is mainly used for dramatic effect. This could be for tension building scenes or used in horror films and radio dramas for a false sense of safeness which bolds up the actual drop. This could be strongly effective when tension building as it creates a sense of uncertainty. However over use of it can lead to the audience losing massive interest and lost among the story especially in radio dramas. This is an example from SURVIVORS which the use of silence is used to effect and for building tension, yet its so brief it’s a perfect indicator of a tension building scene as it gradually builds up.

18. The use of silence in this film is for very dramatic effect. It is a tension rising build up which creates a very intense atmosphere which drops on the audience and creates a jumpy effect onto them, the silence increases this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yysob 6ldvoghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yysob 6ldvog The scene at the start of the arena indicates that the main character is in shell shock and the killings are a blur. To create effect and to keep age limits down to have a wider spread audience, the effect itself ruined the movie scene and only reduced the ratings due to the lack of accuracy to the book. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a nqrs5AdYB4

19. Characterisation Characterisation is what makes them who they are, it is the representation of a character or characters on the stage or in writing, especially by imitating or describing actions, gestures, or speeches. It is very useful amongst evil and good characters which can have development and allow us as the viewers/listeners to attach to them. However films, shows, radio dramas with large casts it can tend to lose its effect due to the vast amount of people and we don’t strike any emotion for them, losing interest. This is from the tower and it implies the stubbornness of a character when he is clearly badly hurt. However on a whole the radio drama isn’t very effective in this method as characters aren’t relatable, but it is a satisfactory example.

20. Forest Gump is the name of the main character, which throughout his travels and life we start to grow deep feelings for him and build connections with others around, through there very individualised personalities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPIEn 0M8su0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPIEn 0M8su0 Battle LA has poor characterisation, with the lack of script and the sheepish attitudes towards the soldiers, we don’t have feelings for them as individuals and once the first started getting killed off, we didn’t think much of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- oheJ3ZSgiAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- oheJ3ZSgiA

21. Chronological development This is the order of events happening in the storyline which tend to keep the situation under control and explanatory. It can be effective as it keeps the viewer interested and keen in the story without feeling that they are getting lost. However if it is too predictable then the audience will lose huge interest in the show, end up not watching it. This is from SURVIVORS and is a good development example, its starts off with the issue then after struggling the issue is finally resolved, being a tension building part as well it keeps the viewers on edge.

22. Direct speech Direct speech is a form of narrative which is used a lot when a story teller is speaking over the film and characters like a book. This can be very effective is very fantasy based films as they tend to be based off books. Alternatively it can ruin the effect of the film, giving it a less impacting appeal. This is set at the end of the radio drama which is the most effective, it explains the current situation and past situations, to hopefully finally resolve a situation and explain what to expect, it also leaves the audience wanting more which is why it’s so good.

23. Narration Narrative is the depiction in the medium of a series of events in cause and effect relationship occurring in time. Loosely speaking narrative is a story constructed from production and story elements. Story telling in film is dependent on production processes more than other forms. Production elements of camera, sound, editing, lighting, acting, visual composition and special effects combine with story elements of character, setting, plot, cause and effect, and structuring of time. It can be very effective to inform us as the viewer of the storyline and help us gain information that is critical to the understanding of the radio drama. However it can become confusing if we do not know who or what the narrator is talking about, many radio dramas take quotes from the bible (for example) to present to the audience as an explanation, however it can easily become lost. This is an example of narration, it is effective as it helps us understand more about a situation and the character, it gives us a brief indication of what the characters will be like and helps us understand why certain scenarios occur.

24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3YVTgTl- F0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3YVTgTl- F0 Big Fish is a film about a story of a man and his life, he narrates everything that has happened in his life and all the interesting things. It is good narration as it is clear to the audience what he is talking about with the footage to back it up. It makes the audience feel included and whether or not what he is saying is reality or fictional. http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=UkqiWhAxy_Yhttp://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=UkqiWhAxy_Y This film is about American soldiers in the jungles of islands just off Japan, fighting the Japanese. This film did get good ratings however I feel that the narration was to poetic and lost me in translation with the switch from scenes making it even more confusing.

25. Titles Titles are what are used to sum up the idea of the film briefly, it is used to name the film in the most interesting and public catching way possible. This can be very effective as the title could be the base line on whether somebody listens to the drama or not. A very metaphorical and clever title creates the appeal. However this can be over done or could just be very bland and unoriginal, which for people who don’t know what the drama is about could determine whether or not they watch it.

26. Credits Credits are used to inform us of who was involved in the production of the drama or film or series etc. It gives credit to those involved and is mainly used to cover legal issues. It can be very effective as a form of effect, directors tend to place it at the start of the film to let us know who is in the piece, which can give us a rough idea of what to expect. However it can be overly used and is easy to bore the viewer.

27. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SosRcIMCr5g Catch me if you can is based around the worlds youngest fraud expert who is constantly on the run from the police, it gets to a point where he just plays mind games with them and almost wants to be captured. The title defines the story very basically, and the childish way it is placed suggests a light hearted motive and the actions of the film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= rJriU8w2RWQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v= rJriU8w2RWQ Even though this film is a Stallone special it will attract viewers with its action packed, guns blazing style. However the title ‘bullet to the head’ is not only bland and boring but unoriginal. This title put me and many others off from watching it, even if there was a decent production behind it.

28. Music Music is a key element to the effect of a radio drama, it defines what the show or piece is about and helps create the set atmosphere a production needs. This can be very effective to set the mood and iconic references. It can build moods, tensions and elements of importance, like a shriek in a horror film. However it can fail, the music may not be taken seriously enough as it’s supposed to be or it is used in the wrong context. Losing the listeners interest.

29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN183rJltNM The director of this film is Baz Luhrman, being who he is he likes to bend the rules of the idea of accuracy with music and film. He likes to have quite a pacey film starting off with full blown music loud and proud to a sudden drop in emotion, creating a very depressing scene with sad and slow music, fitting it to the atmosphere of the scene. As said in the title, this film was a total disaster, the music was very inaccurate and had no effect either, even for a parody which made it even worse. This is an example of music in tower, it is very effective as you can hear everything that is needed to be heard, it backs up her explanations and gives us a more deeper understanding to not only the characters but the scenes as well, which draws attention.

30. Styles

31. Appropriateness to target audience Most productions have a set target audience, it is key that they take an appropriate attitude to the TA. This allows the creation of a fan base and attracts the appeal of the TA as well. This is very effective as it could lead to sequels if the appeal is right with the certainty that the production won’t be money busting. However alternatively it doesn’t due to the lack of appeal with the content in the production and is left astray. This is from the archers, the motives and attitudes of the characters and scenes are easily relatable, the target audience being countryside farmers and villages are attracted as they can relate to the drama.

32. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xOSoON DpY4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xOSoON DpY4 Twilight did a very good job in approaching to a target audience, the film itself had appropriate content and simple structured story lines which allowed it to appeal to a wider audience of younger age groups. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=G-eI5oLlIeYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch? v=G-eI5oLlIeY Dredd was a film which was made for teenage boys who were into the marvel and DC side of things. However due to its graphic content, it had a rating of 18 which lost a lot of its target audience due to underage and lack of appeal, making it a failure in the cinema.

33. Dramatic reconstruction Dramatic Reconstruction is when it is a straight forward storyline of an issue that needs to be solved, tending to be most common in family rom coms. Which have a good start, an issue then the problem solved. This is from survivors, in this scene it has a straight forward scenario of an issue, problem, solution. It is a very good example as it creates a really tension building scene and after a few actions it is resolved.

34. Radio drama styles Post – modern – the idea of questions being raised within the production and leaves it up to the audience to ask questions. Traditional - A strong storyline that involves narrator and many characters. It’s a problem solving style of style. Adaption – Adaptation of a production for a different audience Soap – same as Kitchen sink but with elements of Danger and usually based around an area rather than the home Kitchen Sink - Based around the idea of a family in an everyday home.

35. This is an example of a kitchen sink and a soap drama, this is the archers, a very popular radio drama about families in the countryside, with very basic motives and simple story structures it has the appeal to a wide spread audience. This is survivors which is a classic traditional story line, though the story itself can be fairly complex, it has the basic motives and attitudes. This is an example of a post modern style drama, as it leaves the audience asking more questions even after it has finished. This is torchwood, an example of adaption. Originally a TV show the adaption meant it could have a wider spread audience.

36. Creation of mood or location Effects in films can strongly create the mood of a film, with the use of dim lighting and black and white effects, we are able to determine what to expect from these. Locations are key to creating realism in films, they are essential to making a film a lot more believable and creates a better atmosphere by keeping the viewers interested. The diegetic sounds used are very effective, the strong winds sounds make it seem like they’re high up, it allows us to get a fuller understanding of what’s going on and creates that sort of medieval style drama, writing it out for us.

37. Structures

38. Duration The duration of a production is how long it runs for, this can be used for effect with the amount of content and the style of film it is. It allows productions to be limited. This can be effective as the duration could be the right amount of viewing time, it can allow the audience to go away and reflect on the film still without getting too bored due to the loafing. However it can drag on and on, this is why the idea of series and episodes came along however full length features can easily bore an audience and lose their interest.

39. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1v0uFms68U The walking dead is a post apocalyptic zombie filled world which is based around the character of rick grimes and his struggle for survival. Due to the gap in the market there was a need for a TV series on zombies rather than a film. This allowed them to cover aspects and develop ideas which a lot of zombie films failed to do so. The hour long episodes and lengthy series was the perfect position to create character development and actually produce elements of what it would actually be like living in it. http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=DE9F26iWJ4khttp://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=DE9F26iWJ4k Although this film was a huge success, the length of it could’ve been reduced. The film itself was of good quality however the time was needed to be put into it. The length lost a lot of interest and bored audiences.

40. Narrative structure Narrative Structures tend to come in two forms. Linear and non – linear. Linear means a straight forward story with no flashbacks or off stories and non – linear is the opposite of this. This can be effective as it can inform us as the viewer of backing stories to help us understand what we know about them and to give us more information. However it can become confusing and all fragmented and disjointed.

41. The wizard of Oz had a very straight forward storyline, it went in time order and this idea of a yellow brick road allowed the continuation to go forward and not to reflect back on the past. The narrative structure of game of thrones is very fragmented but has deliberately been done like this. This is because of all the backing stories that they need to cover all the backing stories of the multiple characters.

42. Development of plot The development of a plot is taking the story line and creating twists and alternatives within it. This allows fro development and potential sequels. This can be very effective as it creates the all the effects

43. Shaw shank has a very good plot development, it starts off with a hopeless life of a man which slowly becomes easier towards the end which is both realistic and cleverly thought out, hinting it over time. Rather than just ending it because it needed to be. Saving private Ryan did have a very clever opening with both accuracy and actions. However towards the end it is clear they needed to end it and a very typical Spielberg move to make everything alright and America defeats all. Rather than potentially showing a more accurate term of events.