Final Version of Radio Drama: 'Under the Mushroom Cloud'

Evaluation: How did you media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Throughout this process, this blog has been used to organise research and planning work, to show how our radio drama is unique, and how it should and can be a very successful piece. I researched audiences that still listen to radio dramas nowadays, in order to work out a suitable target audience, and to identify a possible genre for our drama. The gaming element was one we thought would be very effective, in attracting a young audience, simply due to the fact that more young people play videogames. Could we have a piece that would once again get young people listening to the airwaves?

I utilised Facebook, placing an original poster prototype to get feedback. The responses were mainly positive, except for a few which stated that I needed to adjust some of my colour levels. This was simply resolved by adjusting the levels with Photoshop.

The photography was simple. I merely went out with a short brief of the photos I needed:

                - Dark and Desolate          - Wastelands         - Nuclear war related

Overall I took around 7 or 8 photos, which I could then edit with Photoshop. Here are a few:

For the poster, and also to an extent, the feature, I needed to develop my skills with Photoshop, especially such as creating clouds in the background of images, to add to the mystery. I am however quite skilled with photoshop already, and was thus able to implement my ideas relatively easily. I did have some trouble with my feature spread though, making the polaroid picture. However, my team member Alex gave me some assistance in how to basically create it.

Overall, I utilised this blog to show my development, and progression. It has enabled me to show my original concepts, along with my improvements, to eventually create a very unique radio drama piece. I believe that the concept of a nuclear war will be very popular with a young audience too, and as such, it may attract more of these age groups to the airwaves once more.

Evaluation: What have you learned from your audience feedback?

This audience, being all males seemed to share similar beliefs in terms of how a radio drama such as ours should be put together. They also all seemed to like the gaming inspiration, though perhaps this may be because they are familiar with the 'fallout' game series.

Evaluation: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

I had originally hoped that the three products would all work together, in a way that would really sell our radio drama, and attract a large audience of listeners. In terms of marketing, I feel that the advert must go out first, catching people's attention, and givng people minimal information about the drama. This is the main reason why my advert is so vivid. A few weeks after the advert has been placed I would check feedback, and then place the feature in the radio times, several months before the drama is to air. I feel that if the poster evokes a response from the audience, they shall be intrigued to read the article. The long wait here shall hopefully increase the suspense and anticipation of the audience for the drama. The more the release is prolonged, the more they shall no doubt want to hear it. Though there is always the issue that if it is prolonged for too long, listeners may have forgotten about it when it is released.

   The poster will act as the 'enticer', its colourful and interesting deisgn shall hopefully 'rope' listeners in. The feature shall then give a detailed overview of what the drama is about, whilst intriguing the listeners. The drama will then hopefully be successful, and have a great impact on our audience. From our audience feedback, we got the impression that many of the people liked strong narratives, a disruption of the equilibrium, and well-liked characters. This was a point we made evident with our piece, having 3 main well-liked characters, with one antagonist, causing a disruption of the equilibrium. However, the equilibrium for our drama is never put straight, as the drama ends with humanity's last survivor wiped out. The Scottish accent that Nick has was also pointed out via the audience feedback as being quite comical. We decided however, that the accent had to portray a sense of unjust Scottish pride, and as such, felt no need to change it.

Evaluation: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

For our drama 'Under the Mushroom Cloud' we utilised the power of a strong narrative, incorporating tense sequences, along with a memorable and unique plot. A radio drama based around a nuclear war has never been done before, and as such, I believe we have a USP.

   One of the biggest influences for me, was the 'War of the worlds' radio broadcast, which cleverly captivated an entire nation, with the fear of an alien invasion. The clever facade that H.G.Welles utilised with attempting to make it as realistic as possible was an element I found very effective. As such, our drama uses radio broadcasts from an anonymous source, which adds to the mystery and fear of the unknown. In my opinion, there are not enough action or thriller drama's these days, and as such, I feel this may increase UTMC's appeal, and get young people listening to the radio once more. The ambience was a crucial element for making this drama successful. Several factors such as SFX had to be accounted for. Of course, as most of the human race has been wiped out, obviously we had to make sure that there was no 'hustle and bustle' in the background. All that can be heard is the wind, and maybe some falling debris here and there. There is also a faded drone which we added, when the survivors are traversing the harsh terrain. I feel this adds to the mysterious nature of the drama. Even though our drama has been placed after the 9pm watershed, there is no explicit language throughout the drama. Though there is violence; the ending of our piece, with Daniel's deranged monologue is culminated with his own suicide. This was a vital element of our piece though, and reflects a man driven to his limits.

Running Date and Details for Under the Mushroom Cloud

The first episode of Under the Mushroom Cloud shall be aired Sunday 7th August 2011 at 9pm, and shall run for 6 consecutive weeks. One episode shall be aired every saturday night after this date, as once the series runs into september, I feel that 9pm on a sunday night may be inconvenient for listeners. Especially with work and school being the next morning. Yet placing it on a saturday night time slot is much more effective. Here, I believe we shall get the largest amount of listeners.

Final Version of Double Page Spread




1) Page one of my double-page spread

 





2) Page 2 of my double page spread

(The quality of these JPEG files were slightly comprimised, due to the sheer size of the items)

 



Screenshots of Development: Double page spread

1) This is the early development for my double page spread feature. I utilised
a red and black colourscheme as it is in the same vein as my poster. The
main headline i feel is very vivid and eye-catching. 

2) Here, I have incorporated my text, and created a polaroid picture, with a simple white rectangle tool.
The image was then edited on photoshop, where I desaturated it and adjusted the
brightness to give it that 'dark' and 'mysterious' element.

Rough Layout for Double Page spread

Like the rough poster design, this is not very detailed, yet it gives a clear layout of how I want my double page spread to look. The images shall all be within the same vein as the one used for my poster, and I want the colourscheme to be black and red, as I believe it will be very eye-catching.

Analysis of double page spreads

This radio times feature is very vivid. This may reflect the media product. The target audience for this drama may be undoubtedly young people, as the sci-fi theme is more popular with younger generations. The vivid imagery used in this feature is an element that I hope to utilise in my own feature.

Evidently this poster will be aimed at an audience who like Doctor Who, or even sci-fi dramas, and as a result I feel that it is difficult to generalise a single target audience, as doctor who is popular with a large range of people. I specifically like the simplicity of the layout here, and shall hope to incorporate this within my own feature.

This feature at first glance seems to be aimed at a more middle to upper class demographic. The images seem to reflect the time period of which it is set, which seems to be victorian/edwardian. The main headline 'Old-fashioned blood and guts' also carries connotations of violence and darkness, so as a result, I believe that the drama shall be intended for an adult audience. This catchy headline, I hope to utilise for my feature.

Details of Advert Placement

My advert for 'Under the Mushroom Cloud' shall be placed inside a weekend edition of The Times newspaper. I decided to have it placed here as The Times tend to cover all areas of the media, and tend to have a younger target audience than other broadsheet papers. The demographic for our drama being middle classes, also ties in with the demographic for The Times. I believe placing it within this newspaper will undoubtedly increase the drama's appeal.

Rest of the groups posters

Here is Alex Martin's UTMC poster: 

This poster is very symbolic of the dramas themes: Darkness, Suffering and Isolation

As with my own poser, the vivid red on black colour scheme, is incredibly effective and

very eye-catching.

Radio Drama Poster: Screenshots Of Development / Final version

1) Here, there is minimal editing, other than the adjustment of the levels,
brightness and contrast.

2) Here, I added clouds with the cloud tool, and placed a rather ominous
skysraper in the background, to give it that 'urban feel'.

3) This is the final poster. I had adjusted the colour of the brick wall, to more of a
lighter and more definitive shade of red, giving off different connotations
whilst in-keeping with the colour scheme of the rest of the poster.

Poster Production: Photoshop

This is the finished design for my Radio Drama poster. However, my group and I shall discuss which one of our posters we shall use for our main group poster.



1) The cloud tool allowed me to add dark clouds in the background, giving out a sense of danger
and destruction.

I simply added the text on once I had manipulated my image successfully. I created a new red 'swatch' (colour) for the text, and incorporated the BBC Radio 4 logo, and gold stars, to give the poster a level of professionalism.

Poster Production: Photos

For the poster, i took several photos which i hope to photoshop later on:

Analysis of 3 posters

This radio drama, on first inspection is evidently going to be aimed at those who enjoy sci-fi dramas, and as a result would find this piece entertaining. The artwork is an obvious suggestion that its a sci-fi piece.

This piece however, appears to be very different. The artwork here has a rather rural feel, with the simplistic image of the cow, with the field in the background. The audience here may be those who live in the countryside, or older audiences.

This final piece appears to be very diiferent from the others. This has been a well-liked Television show, perhaps adapted to radio to get a larger audience. The sci-fi and action/adventure feel of the artwork make this piece very intriguing.

 

Rough Design for Poster

This is an incredibly rough design for my poster. Though, some of the themes of our radio drama can be seen here. I hope to utilise a shot of one of our characters, thus giving out connotations of power and influence. I shall edit the shots on photoshop, to make them very vivid and eye-catching. There is also a sense of the unknown here, with the sole character standing alone amongst the destruction that has plagued the earth. This is merely one concept that I may utilise.

Youtube Video

Video of how the editing process is going

Listening Party

During the production process, we had the opporunity to get feedback on our radio dramas from a large group of students. Most of the group really seemed to connect with it, and rated us highly out of 10 for it. 7/10 seemed to be the average rating. Most of the group loved our plot, yet felt that the character's could have been voice acted better. Nick's Scottish accent was also an influential factor for the group. A majority found that it was slightly comedic, and as such lacked to an extent, realism. Overall the comments were fair, and the drama seemed to go down well with them.  

Production Log: Lesson 6

Today we continued editing. We allocated different scenes to each member of our group. Mine was scene 5.

I changed the levels to increase the quality of the sound, and imported SFX such as footsteps, computer and radio noises. I faded out some of the cuts to add to the realism.

Production Log: Lesson 5

   Today we began editing our radio drama using the editing software: Soundtrack Pro:
















I learnt how to use the fade tool when switching between cuts, and learnt to import SFX today

Soundtack Pro: 2

Using the Multitrack View I  incorporated other tracks and cued them up to play at specific points. The track will then appear as follows:

To the left of each track are some buttons and other controls for changing the settings for the audio on each track.

• Rename the track by clicking on it. This helps to identify each track.

• Bypass effects button will turn off any real-time effect that were added so you can hear the audio only.

• Arm this track for recording will set this track for recording, so that when you hit the record button this track will capture the audio.

• Mute button will mute the audio on a particular track in your project.

• Solo button will let you listen to only the audio on a particular track in your project. (shuts off other tracks)

• Volume Control slider lets you increase or decrease the volume of all the audio files on a particular track.

• The Pan Control slider lets you change how much of the sound will be sent to the right channel or the left channel (such as t right and left stereo speakers). Adjusting the Pan and Volume controls will affect the audio on all the clips on a track.

In an audio track you can trim the length of a clip. Or you can cut a clip in two, which then allows you to move or discard one of the new segments.

• Trim: To trim a clip, move your mouse cursor to the edge of an audio clip, and a bracket that looks like a staple with a left and right arrow will appear. Click and drag the edge of the clip to the point you want to trim the clip.

• Cut: To cut or razor a clip, first select the razor tool in the top left corner of the Project Window. Then move your mouse cursor over the audio clip and press the mouse button at the point where you want to separate the clip.

You can then select the arrow tool at the top left of the Project Window and click on one of the segments of the audio clip, to move it or delete it.

Soundtrack Pro

Soundtrack Pro has its own free music and sound effects library and you can use any of the sound effects without having to worry about copyright.

The music pane is situated in the bottom right corner of the screen,  and selecting the Search tab and clicking the drop down menu allows access to a whole load of different musical effects.

The list will be displayed towards the bottom of the pane, simply click once on each clip to hear a preview. You can then drag and drop the clip into your project when working in Multitrack View. Double clicking on the track whilst it’s within the music pane will open it up for editing in the Waveform Editor.

Sound Effects: Unedited Version

Sound Effects For Radio Drama: Edited version

For the section of the drama I had edited, I'd utilised the sound gallery that Soundtrack Pro offers. Key SFX were the gunshot which ends Daniel's deranged final speech, the drone throughout the entire first monologue, and the calm, yet mysterious music for the finale. Without these, I feel that my section would lack emotion, and weaken the impact that I believe the drama has. 

   All in all, we didn't need to change the tone or pitch of our voices, yet I had to, during the sequence with the radio broadcast, adjust the gain, which allowed for a deeper, more harmonised voice. Adding some SFX of radio noises and the like also gave the impression that a radio was actually being used. I also had to Fade out Daniel's monologue so to allow for a free-flowing piece, without hesitation or sharp pauses. Also SFX such as computer noises, and footsteps walking over concrete gave that mysterious feeling to the piece.

Raw Recording

Production Log: Lesson 4

Today we recorded the entire script. We were able to record the whole script in one sitting, yet we will need to edit the audio tracks with the Soundtrack Pro editing software later on, due to some spoken mistakes.

Production Log: Lesson 3

Today, we learnt how to use the radio room

1) Ensure all plugs are on.
2) Move sliders 1, 2, 3 up, and turn on each section.
3) Log into Imedia.
4) Begin Soundtrack Pro software.
5) Change Location for saving audio files.
6) Always export audio tracks as MP3's at 192KBPS.

Production Log: Lesson 1

Started production for our radio drama today. Began by mindmapping ideas for the story:

Production Log: Lesson 2: Script

Today, we began writing the script, created characters, and set storyline: Post-apocalyptic world after a World War Three; Nuclear War.

Here is the script:

UNDER THE MUSHROOM CLOUD SCRIPT

                                                                                              

Set in central London with characters: Ryan, Nick, Daniel and Jen

SCENE 1

RYAN:                                   Have you got that radio working yet?

NICK:                                     I’m trying! Bloody political war, breaking my equipment!

(RADIO TUNING IN, EMITTING STATIC)

NEWS BROADCASTER:     (D) …The nuclear fallout has swept across the world leaving devastation in its wake. We have reports that America has been all but destroyed...

NICK:                                     I’ve got it!

RYAN:                                   Shh! There might be something important!

NEWS BROADCASTER:     (D) …Listeners are reminded to stay in groups for safety reasons. Do not go anywhere near irradiated zones. These areas are usually highlighted with signs surrounding the area...

NICK:                                                 Ahh, it’s the same as all ways.

NEWS BROADCASTER:     ...We are happy to report that several fallout shelters have opened up all around Britain. What follows is a complete list of all shelters that have opened: Norfolk, Torquay…

NICK:                                     Ahh! They’re too far.

NEWS BROADCASTER:     …Suffolk…

NICK:                                     Come on! (STATE OF PANIC) Please, please, please!

NEWS BROADCASTER:     …Brentwood: Essex…

NICK:                                     YES! Ryan, did you hear that? We’re gonna’ be ok, we’re  

                                                gonna’ be ok...

RYAN:                                    I heard it. Come on, leave it, we can’t afford to take it with us.

                                                 …Jen, Daniel! Where are you guys?

JEN:                                        What’s all the commotion? …What are we doing?

NICK:                                    I’ll tell you what it is, Ms Jennifer! Bloody Salvation! Hah!  

                                               We are leaving this hell is what we’re doing!

DANIEL:                               We’ll be safe?

JEN:                                       You’re kidding?

NICK:                                     I am most certainly not. Ask Ryan if you don’t believe me.

JEN:                                        Is it true Ryan? Well, I mean, where are we going? What are  

                                               we going to do?

RYAN:                                   Don’t worry I’ve got it all worked out.

JEN:                                  But…it’s way too dangerous out there! There’s irradiated areas, and who knows what else!

RYAN:                                   Just calm down, it’s going to be fine, like I said, I have a plan.

                                               

SCENE 2

JEN:                                       Oh my god! I can’t believe it! Everything’s been destroyed!

DANIEL:                               I remember a park was once there.

RYAN:                                  Come on, we need to keep moving.

JEN:                                       How far do we have to go?

RYAN:                                  We need to get out of the city, I’d say at least 2 hours of

                                               walking. Come on, let’s get moving.

JEN:                                       2 hours?! Is there no transportation?

RYAN:                                  No! Look around Jen, everything’s blown to hell

DANIEL:                              I’m not too keen on walking.

RYAN:                                 Well we need to get out of here now!

NICK:                                   Yeah so get bloody movin’!

Ambience

NICK:                                   Watch that gap Jen.

JEN:                                      How long are we gonna’ keep going like this?

RYAN:                                 Stop. Did you hear that?

NICK:                                   What is it Ryan?

Falling debris between them

RYAN:                                 That building is going to collapse! We need to go, move!

Footsteps, running and heavy breathing

NICK:                                      Where’s Jen?!

RYAN:                                     She’s fallen! She’s over there!

NICK:                                       C’mon let’s get her.

Footsteps, running, sound of dragging body.

Building collapses.

NICK:                                        (Heavy Breathing) Why didn’t you help us Daniel?!

DANIEL:                                   Oh, I, um…

RYAN:                                       We’re supposed to be a team!

SCENE 3

RYAN:                                       (D) JEN! CAN YOU HEAR US? JEN! JEN!

NICK:                                         You coward Daniel!

DANIEL:                                    I already said I’m sorry, I didn’t know the building was 

                                                    gonna’ collapse…

NICK:                                         She could have died!

DANIEL:                                    But she didn’t, did she?

NICK:                                         You’re towing a fine line. I’d be careful what you do.

JEN:                                            Euurgh, what’s going on? Why are you shouting?

NICK:                                         This coward just left you underneath the building as it was 

                                                    collapsing.

DANIEL:                                    ...It’s…It’s not like that…

NICK:                                         Oh! So how is it Daniel? Because to me, you just left her to

                                                    die!

DANIEL:                                    I’m sorry…

JEN:                                            Where are we anyway?

RYAN:                                       It’s an old library; we thought we could rest here for a while.

NICK:                                        That’ll be a challenge. This is falling apart.

JEN:                                           Have we got any water?

RYAN:                                      Yeah sure. (RUSTLING OF BACKPACK)

JEN:                                           Thanks (GULPING OF WATER)

NICK:                                        Let’s just try and get some rest.

DANIEL:                                  Err, sure.

SCENE 4

NICK:                                       Jen, are you sure you’re ok to carry on? We’re nearly in

                                                  Brentwood.

JEN:                                          (BREATHLESS) …Just a few more steps.

RYAN:                                     I see it!         

(SOUND OF RUNNING)

NICK:                                       C’mon let’s get inside. Quick Jen, Hurry up Ryan.

(DOOR SLAMS BEHIND THEM, ONCE ALL INSIDE)

RYAN:                                     So this is our salvation eh? No food, no water, nothing!

DANIEL:                                 No, the shelter’s underground! See that hatch there? We need

                                                 to go down there… But I’m not so good with heights, you 

                                                 guys go first. I’ll be right behind you.

RYAN:                                    C’mon then, we need to go down here. Watch out, it’s pretty 

                                                dark…

(SOUNDS OF CHARACTERS DESCENDING LADDER)

(DANIEL REMAINS)

                                                 …You coming Daniel?

DANIEL:                                 Not today, Ryan!

RYAN:                                    What?!

JEN:                                         (SHOUTING) Ryan! We’re at the bottom, but theres nothing 

                                                 here! It’s a trap!

RYAN:                                    NO! DANIEL, WAIT!

(SOUND OF HATCH BEING LOCKED FROM OUTSIDE, TRAPPING THEM IN THE SHELTER)

SCENE 5

Sound of mobile phone beginning to record and Daniel Filming himself.

DANIEL:                                They don’t understand, this is hell. No, this is worse than hell.

                                                Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide when things get rough. We’re

                                                all just better off dead. I just don’t know who I am anymore. 

                                                They were naïve. They thought everything would be fine, yet

                                                most of the world is DEAD! This isn’t a movie, it’s real life!

                                                We may as well just give-in now. After all, it’s only a matter of

                                                time before we get poisoned by radiation anyway... Do you like

                                                my gun? Found it in that drawer over there. Hah, shall we listen 

                                                to the news? I think we should...

(DANIEL TUNES A TRANSISTOR RADIO IN)

NEWS BROADCASTER:     (D) ‘…With the face of the earth in ruins, only wastelands

                                                remain. Be vigilant, be alert, and most importantly, be safe…’

(SFX OF RADIO DYING)

DANIEL:                               (*SIGH*) …Goodbye.

(SFX OF GUN BEING COCKED, WITH A SINGLE GUNSHOT, FOLLOWED BY SILENCE)

END