Table of ContentsCodes and ConventionsCodesWords and VoicesSounds and SilenceMusic and MoodSpeechConventionsSound PanelCliffhangersCodes and ConventionsRadio Drama is an old but still very real storytelling format, where imagination plays a much bigger role during the performance. Radio dramas today are mainly listened to by people from the middle and upper classes, generally older. In 2011, BBC Radio 4 (famous for its spoken-word only broadcasts) reached listening figures of over 11 million people. Radio 4 is also the second largest radio station in the United Kingdom. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayCodesWords and VoicesWords and voices are the key to successful radio drama; there is no other way to capture the audience's attention and so the drama must use the words and voices of the drama. Since there is no visual for the audience to follow, they must use audio to guide them and give them structure so they can follow the story, when producing a radio series, in making sure the voice matches the character and the words they speak suit the accent. For example, in the radio series “An Everyday History of the Afghan People,” actors from Middle Eastern backgrounds were chosen to voice the characters. This works because their accents will really help the audience picture the location of the drama. Sound and Silence Sound and silence are useful tools when used correctly, but they can potentially be dangerous if not used correctly. What I mean by this is that if your silence goes on for too long, the listener might be tempted to change the channel or think the drama is over. Alternatively, silence can be used to mark the end of a scene and/or to clearly indicate a break in dialogue. Music and atmosphere Music and atmosphere are used in a similar way to television series; music is used to set the tone and mood of a scene. If the scene is romantic, then the music can be warm and/or sensual. If the scene is action-packed, then the music could be dramatic. A good example of music used dramatically might be the musical version of The War of the Worlds by Jeff Wayne, based on the novel by HG Wells. The music is mostly orchestral, giving the drama a decent range of sounds and a very diverse soundtrack.SpeechSpeech is the last radio drama code I looked at, and it's simply how the words are pronounced. Changes in pitch, tone and volume of the voice can have great effects on the quality of the drama. Obviously, you don't want your speech to be too loud or too quiet, otherwise the listener wouldn't be able to hear the ambiance or wouldn't be able to hear the dialogue. Either way, you need to make sure your audio is properly balanced. Conventions Aural signaling Aural signaling is a popular convention in radio drama; it's the use of ambient sound to tell the audience where they are. This is the equivalent (in television and film) of using a signpost, this is used because the audience feels like they are actually being transported to the desired location. If you were to close your eyes while listening to a radio series with good audio signage, you should be able to easily see yourself there. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now...