Realism or naturalism
SLICE-OF-LIFE - VERISIMILITUDE ('like-to-reality-truth') - 'window on the world'
In this mode, you mirror 'real life', though with a lot of careful selection and with certain techniques.
Objects, events, actions, and qualities take their form in this imaginary world as they would in the Lifeworld (the world we live in).
Questions are not raised in the listeners' minds about the potential illusions of the representation. This is similar to what we accept in TV plays.
As with classic Hollywood cinema, the directing style does not draw attention to itself - the means of representation you use are 'invisible'.
Realism is based on the individual
RADIO DRAMA TECHNIQUES OF REALISM - a series of conventions which change through time
| realistic style of acting |
| dialogue foregrounded against atmos (relatively neutral acoustic) and effects |
| standard production |
| The perspective is organised around a fixed sound centre (mostly). |
| continuity style of production and post-production |
| time-space continuum - spatial and temporal unity of the scene are maintained - laws of time and space preserved (within the conventions) |
| conventions for within the radio play frame and outside the frame |
| characters' spatial relations conveyed often by position three at the microphone, and intimate conversation or sections of dialogue at position two |
Although radio acting here is realistic, 'like' the talk we hear in the Lifeworld, it is still acting. If someone switches on the radio in the middle of a play, this is instantly recognisable as radio play acting. So study those conventions and make what use you want of them. You do not have to obey them.
Realism is a matter of constant re-invention and for radio, of being rediscovered from realist TV and film and documentary.
In radio drama's hyper-realism mode, listeners could experience an almost physical sense of 'being there', of the weight and force of the location.
To WELCOME PAGE
Radio Soap (serial drama) - HOW TO MAKE IT
Five-minute episodes - or short episodes
Step by step instruction from Alan Beck.
Learn about radio drama on this site along with my book - Beck, Alan, Radio Acting, London: A & C Black (1997) ISBN 0-7136-4631-4
This is how to make a short-form soap - entertaining (above all) and you can include issues (issues that could influence the listeners' behaviour).
Further: production, scripting, web site, marketing, focus group meetings, drop-in script, copyright material logging, trails, soap launch.
LINKS WITH OTHER SITE
Radio Drama - directing, acting, technical, learning & teaching, researching, styles, genres
This is a complete curriculum of scripts, techniques, advice, sound files - effects and atmoses (with no copyright and so free to use), detailed script commentaries, etc. -
Contact: radio@savoyhill.co.uk
This site's address: http://www.savoyhill.co.uk/soap/index.html