Doing Radio Drama

What is Radio Drama?

Radio drama consists of dramatized story recordings that are transmitted through the airwaves of broadcast radio stations to be heard by the public. Recordings may also be broadcast through the Internet, using a method called “streaming”. UNESCO has estimated that there are 2.4 billion radio sets worldwide, thus making radio drama an effective and valuable means for HIV/AIDS awareness. Broadcasts are able to reach far and wide, touching a variety of people and ensuring that messages concerning public understanding can be expressed in an interesting and creative manner.

The stories and scenarios depicted by radio dramas may consist of one or more actors, depending on the style of the performance. Narrative monologues or dialogues are the most common forms of radio drama presentations. As radio drama relies solely on the use of audio technique, the employment of sounds, vocal intonations, and timing are very important. With the growing range of broadcasting methods, the possibilities for public enlightenment through the use of radio drama continues to expand.

Highs and Lows of Radio Drama

Radio drama has proven to be an influential means of storytelling. By keeping the public ear engaged, radio drama has the ability to educate listeners about HIV/AIDS. It is essential that factual and reliable information be adhered to when raising HIV/AIDS awareness, and that stories are delivered in such a way so as to enlighten the audience rather than to single out minority groups.

Pros:

✓ Radio drama can be accessed by large populations and demographics
✓ Radio dramas are popular in both developed and developing nations
✓ Radio dramas may serve to both educate and entertain

Cons:

x The cost of producing a radio drama may be very expensive, depending on the broadcast station from which it is aired
x The time required to put together a radio drama may be a drawback, as it generally takes a full day of recording to put together a half-hour show (not including preparations such as script writing, etc…)
x Internet radio is still widely unheard of and inaccessible to many communities

Radio Drama: Broadcasting Methods

There are a few different ways in which a radio drama can be presented to an audience. The most common of these methods is through broadcast radio stations. With the Internet, however, new methods have been created so as to heighten access to radio recordings.

• Broadcast radio: Shows emitted from broadcast radio stations are easily diffused to the public because they are available from any privately owned radio. Radio technology has been popular for decades, with hundreds of national networks applying such technologies to transmit their own shows. In order to present over broadcast radio, proper recording equipment is necessary; contacting one’s local, community, or university/college radio station makes for a wonderful starting point, for these organizations will be able to describe in detail the required tools and costs of recording.

• Streaming: Streaming is an Internet-based method of broadcasting. It is relatively new, so is likely lesser known to the public than the long established broadcast stations. As Internet radio is not government regulated in the way that broadcast radio is, Internet radio is available to anybody with access. A drawback to streaming is that although the Internet is an expanding network, there continue to be communities without access to such. In order to stream one’s broadcast, the proper equipment is required to first record, and then to format, the radio drama so that it may be heard over the Internet. Streaming equipment may be purchased from any computer equipment and software store. At the bare minimum, a computer, Internet access, and a computer microphone are required to stream a radio drama. Once a recording has been made, it can be uploaded onto an Internet streaming provider and distributed to those interested in listening.

Before Getting Started

There are several logistics to take into account before the recording of a radio drama may take place. These involve:

• Method of Broadcast: How will the program be recorded? Will it be aired through the Internet, or via broadcast radio? Which radio station is ideal for HIV/AIDS awareness programs?
• Contacting the Production Director: If one wishes to broadcast a program through broadcast radio, it would be best contact the Production Director of the desired radio station. This person is in charge of when and which shows are played on the station. A great place to start is within one’s own community, contacting the local or university/college radio stations.
• Appropriate Equipment: If you want to broadcast a program over the Internet, the appropriate equipment is mandatory. A computer, a microphone, and suitable software are the basic tools required for recording Internet radio shows.
• Budget: The purchase or rental of equipment, recording time in a studio, and any other required services involves the use of money. Often a service provider will charge less if they are aware that the purpose of the service is for a good cause.

Script and Performance

As mentioned earlier, radio dramas are entirely dependent on audio techniques. For this reason, the choice of words, sounds, and vocal intonations are central to the success of the presentation. Since radio dramas are generally pre-recorded before being aired, there is ample time to ensure that the presentation will be carried out so as to guarantee optimal results. When writing the script, a few things to keep in mind include:

• Character development: Having characters with whom the audience may easily identify is key in order for listeners to be well engaged. Creating such characters is best done once the audience has been specified.
• Story genre: Will the message be conveyed through the use of comedy, or tragedy? How will the audience reflect back on the presentation?
• Conflict/resolution: Will the radio drama be an on-going program, or will it be broadcast only once? How will the characters depicted in the story resolve the issues? Will the issues be resolved?
• Music: Music is a superb mechanism to capture the attention of the listeners. The use of song, rhythmic poetry, and instrumental noise is a suitable way to express emotion.
• Time: Radio shows can vary in length, so knowing the audience can help when deciding for how long the story should be presented.

Documentation

Once a radio drama has been publicized, hardcopies can be made accessible to the public. The recordings of the story may be converted to a cassette tape or CD format; it may also be formatted to MP3 or DVD so as to be stored on a computer. The story script may also be distributed in print so that it may be read. Hardcopies of the recordings and the script can be donated to local community or school libraries, as well as stored in various archives. Easy access to such educational art forms will allow for HIV/AIDS awareness to be obtained by people from all walks of life.

World Wide Web: Information on Existing HIV/AIDS Radio Dramas

Aventures de Foula (radio drama series in Niger). (2007). Retrieved January 2011, from
http://www.german-practice-collection.org/en/toolboxes/sexual-health-and-rights/social-marketing

Community Media for Development (radio projects in South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Kenya, Zambia, and Lesotho). Retrieved July 2007, from http://www.cmfd.org/aboutus.html

Even Now There Is Still Hope (radio drama in Swaziland). (2004). Retrieved July 2007, from
http://www.plusnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=37324

Hope from Soaps: Radio dramas 'target people's hearts' and alter behaviour. (2000). http://yahanet.org/sites/default/files/hope-from-soaps.pdf

Live Up: Tune In (radio spots from the Carribean). (2007). Retrieved August 2007, from
http://www.iliveup.com/tunein/listen.php

Mopani Junction (radio soap opera in Zimbabwe). (2006). Retrieved May 2010, from
http://www.hivaidszimbabwe.com/2008/07/05/mopani-junction-a-radio-drama-series-from-zimbabwe/

Ushikwapo Shikamana (radio soap opera in Kenya). (1999-2004). Retrieved September 2009, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RmcK75DsXo

Wahapahapa (weekly radio drama in Tanzania). (2008). Retrieved May 2010, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnXV1HvsU6A

Radio Drama and Social Change Bibliography

AIDS Action (1987-2006) Retrieved July 2007, from
http://www.aidsaction.info/aa/aa40.html

Chambers, Catherine. (2001). Behind Media: Radio. Chicago: Heinemann Library

Ellis, Deborah. (2004). The Heaven Shop. Markham: Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Girard, Bruce. (1992). A Passion For Radio. Montreal: Black Rose Books LTD.

Heberlein, L.A. (2002). The Rough Guide to Internet Radio. London: Rough Guides Ltd.