It might sound like a daft question but a lot of writers will give you different answers. Where is the beginning? Many writers will tell you that the start of any writing process is not the blank white page but the often considerable research and work on the subject that’s done before either the pen is grabbed or the word processor cranked up. This research will arm the writer with ‘stuff’ to write about and help get the writing going. Writing for radio is no different.
The Diversions and Development of a Script
The beginning of a radio script is when the writer starts thinking about it. Many radio writers use different techniques and tricks to get started. Every writer, indeed any person embarking on a creative exercise will have formulas or foibles that through their own experience and often long periods of soul searching work best for them. When radio is the canvas no matter what the intended subject whether it’s a radio commercial, a radio feature or a news item, here are some good places to start looking for the elusive inspiration.
- Sound Effects: browse through a sound effect library. It’ll help set a scene perhaps never considered. Lion roar, car starting, or a scream / French market, New York City Street, A Desert, all sounds to inspire. Atmospheres and individual effects work just as well.
- Music: two types of music. Commercially released songs can be used but only with the appropriate licences; commercial production music libraries have unending scene setters and mood music. Music has been the muse for many artistic endeavours.
- Voice Overs: it is well worth listening to some voice over demos, and then writing for the specific kind of voices you hear.
- Other Radio Work: There’s a huge difference between inspiration and plagiarism. Listening to as much radio work as possible and how other writers write is often the way most writers learn their trade.
The Differences between Radio Commercials and Radio Drama
There are some who would argue that radio commercials are only shortened versions of longer radio drama pieces and the same rules of engagement apply to both. This is essentially true in many ways but there are obvious differences. Duration for one is the most obvious but the ability to stretch out an idea, and develop characters is the sole domain of longer pieces of audio than radio commercials. but there are some common elements. In beginning to write any radio piece it’s worth considering:
- Characters: even a solo voice on its own telling a story or just reading a commercial has a character. Try thinking about and using different characters. People the writer knows from everyday life will spark ideas.
- Scenes: Think about various places the character or characters could be in. Try random place names and find out more about them. As this is radio the scene can be set anywhere from inside a tin can to the other end of the universe.
- Dialogue: a common mistake bad writers make is to give dialogue to characters that they wouldn’t say. Ask two questions. Is the dialogue believable? And would these characters say it? Alternatively make the dialogue so outlandish and unbelievable it has to be real. Henry the Eighth of England can very believably talk about the benefits of double glazing on radio.
- Use of sound: Start with the mantra that “Sound is a marvellous medium,” and don’t be afraid to experiment with things that at first seem outlandish. Try recording real sounds as they are and in different way, and because digital alteration is such a huge palette, it’s likely to uncover some great places to start writing.
- Creative Inventions: there are a number of creative theories from cutting up random words and reassembling them, to Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt’s Oblique Strategies using a series of cards to foster inspiration.
Write What You Know
If the piece to be written is about computer development, go and talk to a computer developer, or if it’s about teaching talk to a teacher. Do some research, and then start writing. There’s another common writing mantra, “Write what you know.” The writing process can be a whole lot easier the more that is known about the subject, with more to write about, and starting writing then it itself, should be a whole lot easier too.
Dan McCurdy - Dan McCurdy is a freelance writer producer creative and lecturer. Dan is one of the UK's most experienced radio writers and producers. ...
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