montage
See also Montage - definition and creative exercises
Definition of montage in the radio play
Montage in the radio play is a sequence of cross-faded 'segments', sometimes
mixed together over non-diegetic music. Rarely, the segments are directly
cut, one to another.
The montage is sometimes placed as the opening hook of the play. More often,
it comes at the mounting climax of the narrative, as a prelude to a decisive
finale scene.
Use the Storyboard to work on the detail of the montage.
See Filmic - styles of radio drama directing and post-production which creatively relate to film
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Definition of montage in film
Reisz-Millar 112 - "A montage is a string of rapidly following shots,
in film. The aim of the montage sequence is to convey a series of facts
which together will convey a state of transition, individual shot juxtapositions
become unimportant - even misleading - and are largely ironed out by the
use of dissolves.
A montage may show a train journey or 'the country-wide effect of the General
Strike'. Standard images of montage include - falling leaves, calendars,
train-wheels - all worn clichés now. These are details essential
to the story but not deserving full treatment.
Music will give a continuity.
The sudden switch from naturalistic narrative to montage was common in
war films. A montage showed an advance of troops, a mass landing. The continuity-link
montage fell into disfavour in the fifties."
Discussion of montage in the radio play
Use of the montage is not frequent and directors may reject it on the grounds
it would give a dated feel to the production. This is because of the association
of montage with war films, and with earlier decades, to the 1950s. It can
be used to site a play in these decades.
A montage mix is sometimes used in a 'nightmare' scene, where the protagonist
recalls decisive segments of crucial past events. In the narrative construction,
it can serve as a 'hinge' scene before a decisive encounter.
Examples of radio montage
Nick Enright, 'Watching over Israel' 7/1/91 MN 1'30"
A montage to mark the end of the exposition, early in the play.
'Ave Maria'
The opening sequence is an exciting montage of a rower in a boat approaching
the fishing pier, Irish village chapel bells, and the shock in the village
population.
'Under Milk Wood'
Assignments for the radio montage
Collect further examples.
Write a radio montage for a thriller.
Ditto for a 'nightmare'.
Ditto for an opening sequence.
CONTINUING THROUGH THE SITE:
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| 'Will you turn that music down!' | ||
| drop-ins | sound pictures | |
| number the scenes carefully with a system | voice in the mind = interiorizing | |
