Codes & Conventions of

Radio Drama
Lucy Caswell
The different types of code.
There are many different codes that are needed to be followed to produce a radio drama. Starting with speech, this is the
way in which words are vocalized, which could differ from the pitch of the voice or the accent that the character has. This
shows difference within each individual and makes them unique. In Day of the Dead you can hear the clear accents
within the narrator and the characters, this shows the background social group that they are brought up in- say at 5:56 the
man describing the location sounds American and has a low deep voice, which creates an atmosphere and a certain mood.
Whereas a traditional radio drama shows very strong change in accent to the postmodern drama, having all the characters
having strong English accents, and have a high pitch in voice. This makes the drama more interesting for the audience. The
moment of silence within production is done to show to emotions of the characters, and build suspense for the audience.
This is a good a technique to use as it makes the audience unsure on what is going to take place next in the scene, and also
makes it slightly more realistic as there is silence used in every normal human conversation. This doesnt take place in the
Day of the Dead, when conversations take place it has music in the background, but doesnt involve silence, this is
probably done to make it more interesting and show the audience what sort of location it is taken in, by having old
country music playing. There is a silence used in the Archers is mainly used to differ the scenes, and make a clear
indication to the audience that the scene is changing, or new characters are arriving. This happens at minute 05:10, once
they state that they have all the costumes ready, and need to practice the show, it has a clear ending with silence, to then
move swiftly into the next different scene of the show. This is a good technique as it makes the production look more
clean, and professional, and makes it easier to understand for the audience. Certain words and voices are used in these
productions to give a clear indicator to the audience who is speaking, and also the tone in which the narrator is speaking in
to show the difference of character level.
 Music and ambience are similar aspects, music is used to create atmospheres and a heighten
emotion, it creates the story moving along and gives the audience something to keep attention
on. Without sound effects and music the dialogue will be far less effective in creating the
tension/emotion that the director wants the listeners to feel. Sound effects are very useful within
radio dramas as it gives the audience the ability to paint to situation in their head, giving it more
detail and becoming a lot more interesting than a normal conversation. This is used during the
whole of both The Archers and Day of the Dead. With the post Modern radio drama, they have
old fashion country music playing during the production, this gives the ability to change scenes
over, and also make the topic a lot more exciting and engaging for the audience. Also for the time
of the drama, the music has to relate to it and a clear indication of what era this was based in. It
uses special effects regularly to specify the location, and makes it better for something that isnt
visual. This happens in minute 44;14, when they're outside and can hear the crickets and animals
in the background as they are walking down to road. Music is involved in The Archers they dont
have scenes of clear music, rather background music over the conversations used, this makes the
conversations more stimulating and done to make the audience remember the scenes based on
the rytheme. This is done in 06;39 of the scene at the show, and is done to make the audience
feel a certain way, and get involved in the scene themselves by enjoying the background music.
There is constant background chat which is done to make the scene look abit more realistic, and
involve more speech and a lot more atmosphere is included.
 Due to there being no visual ability in radio, there needs to be extra information
for the audience to maintain a good understanding of the story. In the Archers, at
minute 00.32, it states Jack is teething again this is said so that the audience is
able to listen to everything that happens in the scene, as they are unable to see
it- it is important that every detail is added to make it as interesting as possible.
Speech is also very important in radio dramas. This is so that the audience
recognises different class and status, either upper class, middle class or lower
class. This gives us as the listeners a better understanding of the characters, and
without being able to see them be able to tell the difference between them. In
the Archers this takes place around 1.40 as you are able to tell the difference
between the two characters speaking. One of the voices has a strong ascent and
the other has a lower tone to it. The writer would of done this so that the
audience dont get confused. Words and speech is a good thing to involve
because it means that there is a clear indication who is speaking in the radio
drama- as there is no visuals it means that the sound of the voice has to be very
particular. The words that each character use means this also, by if they had a
high education level they would use more intellectual words, and the way in
which they say it would be better than say someone who doesnt have much
education and hasnt tried in their English language.
Different Conventions
Different conventions are used to develop on the radio drama idea and make it more interesting with a structure to follow. Starting
with Aural Signposting, this is the way of the opening scene to show the location and the objects in that location, done by special
effects or descriptions. This is done by pretending to interact with the objects, to make the audience know it is there. If a new
place, especially an outside location the viewers would need more time to absorb the information, and show the difference of
atmosphere. This is a good technique to us as it is a clear sign of events and be able to understand all the details without being
visual. This is involved in The Archers as the opening the scene with hearing birds outside, and hear the two characters in a open
field walking somewhere, you can also tell the location by the fact the characters mention the farm a lot which means the
audience will gather where it is located from the beginning, this aural signposting finishes around minute 02;09. This involved in
the post matron video as it has a narrator describing how he felt, not particularly where the scene is set or what is around him at
that moment. This then does lead into hearing a train go past and the background music of a guitar. But to begin with the audience
would still be unsure on where he is. But during the production, there is signposting during the drama to make it so that the
audience is able to picture the location. This has an impact on the audience as it would make the image more effective and bring
detail.
Another one would be Cliff hanging endings, this is done in a number of productions, to make the listeners interested and want to
see what happens next! It's the plot device in which makes the ending full of curiosity, and haven't offer to resolve the conflict that
has been done. By this the listeners will feel suspense, and leave them in a state of mind to question the next step. This is a good
technique in radio drama because it makes the recording allot more fun, and creates a bigger and broader story line, which leads
to confusion about the next episode. The Archers has a slight cliff hanger at the ending by the way Debbie and Richard leave the
party together, which brings confusion to the characters left on scene and will make the audience wonder what actually happened.
Whereas The Day of the Dead gives the ending plot to the audience, not leaving them with any tension nor confusion.
Flash Backs take place to shift into a narrative of a pervious event that took place, interrupting what is being done in the moment.
This is normally a vivid mental image of a past experience- this is done to show the audience a different side to the characters or
give a better understanding of the situation taking place in the reality. Flash backs are not included in either of these productions,
this could be because the writer didnt feel it was needed to create emotions for the audience, or didnt feel it would benefit the
characters profiling.
 Another technique would be the usage of fade, this is done to give the impression of the changing scenery, or
location, having fades makes it more clear and gives the audience a better understanding. This is also done to show
the difference in time pacing, could be over minutes or days or years, and this done to make a dramatic effect to the
audience. A good use of fades take place at minute 4.14 in the Archers, this comes in to introduce a new scene, and
shows the listeners clearly that it has changed.
Characterisation- This is the representation of the person in narrative and dramatic works of art. This may be direct
explanations such as description the characters personality and looks to the exact, or done by the persons dialogue
that gives indications to the audience what sort of character they seem. This is then up to the audience to decide
their own unique way to understand each character and feel as though they "like the character". This is a broad
subject, and in radio drama is difficult to grab as the audience is unable to see it, so whoever is speaking has to go
into full detail; for the audience to create their own ideas. You are able to see this by in the Archers there are difficult
social groups, and by the way people speak you are able to tell who is who.
Chronological Development is the time process in a literal manner. This is the story and character development so
that the listener will always be informed and up to date and for them to understand the plot line and character
development. This makes it easier for the audience to listen to, and gather as much information without being able to
see anything. This makes the production look a lot more professional. This is done in the Archers, at minute 6.56 we
hear the characters sit down to have a discussion about what's happening and address it for the audience to
understand, making it a liner narrative.
Narration is done by someone whom is not involved with the acting, they have a clear voice so it can be understood by
the audience, and mainly speak in third person to make a clear difference between who is speaking, and as it is a radio
drama that is very important. It gives an insight to the story, and gives some background information on the situation,
and makes it slightly more interesting to listen to. This is the function for the audiences eye- setting the scene and
providing exposition. It saves the time and confusion for the audience. Narratives can be done in different formats,
either first person or third person. Day of the Dead mixes between the two of these different forms as it has the main
characters expressing their thoughts and feelings during the production, showing the audience a different side to the
characters involved. This is a good technique as it gets more information about the production out and lets the
audiences understand it more.
 Direct speech is done to tell the listeners what the characters opinions and feelings on something which
makes the audience understand their thoughts allot more. It is the most dramatic forms to get an opinion
out to the audience, and make them understand the actors quickly and firmly. The writer would feel this is
necessary to have a bond between the audience and the characters, and take in the passions that is
involved. The example of The Archers doesnt really involve this, the characters only speak within
themselves and do not add in connection with the listeners. This may be done as the writer may feel it
isnt needed to make a strong impact, whereas Day of the Dead has narration involved from the characters
point of view. This is good as it gets across more than one point of view, and is able to gather more
information about the characters from guiding their opinions across more directly.
Titles are used in a radio drama is similar to visual work but everything has to be spoken, when they want
to change scenes and want to involve a title, this can be used to introduce the show saying the name and
who it is written by. This is done to make the audience aware of key information, before the production
starts. This isnt done with The Archers radio drama, they play the song which is played at the start of most
BBC 4 dramas, then leads straight into the acting. Whereas Day of the Dead involves the name of the
production and the writer which is said by the narrator. This is similar to credits, they're used to tell the
audience who the actors were, and who produced the drama, this is useful way of promotion, and make
everyone involved noticed, even if they were before. This is done in Day of the Dead, saying the actors
name, who produced the music and sound affects, and the key important members of the production. It
brings forward to people involved and brings publicity to them. But is not involved in The Archers. This is
maybe because the audience may switch it off as soon as they start to hear the information, and as it is a
traditional drama, the writers now days may feel as though it is pointless adding it in. Credits and Titles
usually fit in with the theme tune used. This is a good idea as the audience will then be able to remember
the show, and associate it with the tune.
Different Styles
Creation of mood- Mood is the feeling of a performance, is often created through a combination
of dramatic elements working with each other. The opinion I personally have for the day of the
dead is gloomy feeling, making more question what is going to happen next, and feel spooked out
about the situation, whereas the archers is uplifting, having a high spirit during the play and
brings a good feeling to it. I would say that the appropriateness to the TA works well for both
traditional and postmodern radio dramas. The targeted audience for Day of the Dead would be
mainly people from New Orleans, as it is based there they would have to describe the location,
and if people live there they would prefer it over someone who has never been to the area
before. It is an old radio drama, which means it would probably interest the older generation
rather than the younger. With the Archers, it is based in a twenty first century village, showing
the pressures of modern rural life, this would be targeted to much more than just the older
generation, and because of the story line and involvement with characters it would be enjoyed by
a wider range of audience. The targeted audience between both these radio dramas are very
different. I think that Day of the Dead would be more appealing for the younger generation as it
thrilling and builds up a lot of tension, whereas the Archers is abit slow, and has a very old fashion
outlook/storyline to it. Day of the Dead would appeal to a younger age range rather than an older
because of the story line and what is involved in the story. Whereas The archers would appeal to
an older generation as of the content involved and the way in which the characters are speaking.
It is a very formal story and therefore the younger generation wouldnt feel as interested.
 Radio drama styles includes who is speaking, this could either be
narration, meaning there can be a lot more detail involved, and means
they are able to talk about what each individual character is feeling. But
this also means that the audience could lose concentration and track of
what is happening. Or the radio drama could be done completely in first
person, this is direct speech and means the audience will find it easier
to follow the plot and understand who's talking if you use direct speech.
Both examples have a narrator, adding in details to help the audience
understand what is happen, but it also allows the characters to come
out of the situation and speak for themselves about their feelings and
describe the location from their point of view. This has an impact on the
audience as they will feel as though they are actually visually watching
it, and is able to paint a picture in their heads from the high level of
detail used.
 The Structures.
Structure is a very important aspect needed for radio dramas, it keeps the production a lot more
professional and mean that there is more of a line in which the audience can follow. The duration
of the drama is an important factor to consider, if it was a long radio show, you would have to
involve a big plot that a lot of different actions and situations can take place with, this means that
the audience is able to stay interested and not want to change over mid way through. If it was a
short radio drama, the story line would have to keep short and snappy, getting straight to the
point and leaving the audience feeling engaged and wondering what would happen next. In my
opinion, I feel as though Day of the Dead is too long, becoming boring and involving too many
other parts to it instead of making the audience just remember the key facts and issues. Whereas
in the Archer, even though it is 15 minutes long, it gets all the key facts involved and has one key
story line to remember, keeping it more stimulating and engaging many more targeted audiences
who find radio drama boring. The Archers follow a linear narrative because of its cronological
story line. Whereas Day of the Dead a mix within the narrative structure in it, and in my opinion
doesnt follow the linear story line.
 The development of plot is very important to make the radio drama work well;
this is spilt into different categories. If it is a short performance, the drama would
have to jump right into the main plot and develop it from there, this is a good
technique as it makes the audience engage with the characters quickly, and
understand what is happening from the starter line, rather than a long process.
Whereas if it a 30 minute radio drama, the writer would have to take their time
with the production by doing it bit by bit and gradually gathering the main story
line. By doing this it will get the audience captivated and want to listen to the
end. In the Archers, it develops along the duration of the drama towards the play
it self and the party at the end. And this takes place in Day of the Dead also as it
tells a story being the main plot twist. This is done to keep the audience engaged
in the situation, and feel as though they are able to bond with the characters.
Titles are involved for when someone speaks about the show and what is going to
happen within the drama. This is done as radio doesnt have a screen is which
they are able to see. In the Archers 03/01/17 at the beginning that they say the
title and give out information about the show. There is no screen which means
the audience needs to be told important information about the show. Credits are
involved to tell who the actors are and who produced the drama. This will help
promote the team. This happens in the Archers too as the audience needs to be
told the important people involved in the production.
Links for information
http://www.heyuguys.com/thin-blue-lines-and-beyond-edges/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1Drqg78L9DDDJvpPYKKs
t8s/about-the-archers
http://www.slideshare.net/957303Hayley/codes-and-conventions-of-
a-radio-drama-to-complete?next_slideshow=1
http://www.finalrune.com/dead/
http://www.slideshare.net/957303Hayley/codes-and-conventions-of-
a-radio-drama-to-complete
https://codesandconventionsofradiodrama.wordpress.com/