Top of scene

By convention, the sound centre is established at the top of a scene by the first speaker, and this character is at the sound centre.

This is not an absolute rule in all radio drama, but it is best to stick to it.

This is so different from stage and TV - but there is an important reason why the first speaker is so important.

We are 'with' or nearest the first character speaking. That helps us get the perspective of the sound picture in our 'view' as listeners.

Often the first character speaking is the play protagonist - leading the plot forward.

This convention establishes a measure - the proportions of the sound picture - for all the other characters.

The top of each scene is so important.

DO NOT DO THIS

DO NOT begin a scene with a 'distant' character speaking - a character in position 4 or 5. That is - a character who is ten feet away from the sound centre or further off ('moves off')

This is difficult for the listener to grasp. The character so far off sounds a bit faint and the sound picture is not clear. And the listener might think like this. Has there been a production mistake? Should that character really be faded in at a higher level?

See also  top of the scene - more

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