General information


Subject type: Optional

Coordinator: Rafael Suarez Gómez

Trimester: At quarters

Credits: 6

Teaching staff: 

Daniel Torras Segura

Skills


Specific skills
  • E9_Apply the mechanical, electronic and digital principles of sound capture, amplification and recording for application to different platforms: shows, radio, television, audiovisual and multimedia. Postproduce the audio and add the sound effects of an audiovisual production

  • E10_Apply processes, methods and techniques to develop creativity and innovation in audiovisual production, multimedia development and video game programming

  • E13_Apply the principles of visual and sound design for the creation of presentation elements used in sound, audiovisual, television and show products

  • E18_Analyze the structures, contents and styles of television and radio programming according to the technical characteristics of their realization. Design, produce and make programs for television and radio in the technical part: production room or radio control, respectively

Transversal competences
  • T2_That students have the ability to work as members of an interdisciplinary team either as one more member, or performing management tasks in order to contribute to developing projects with pragmatism and a sense of responsibility, making commitments taking into account the available resources

Description


The course of Radio Drama and Radio Fiction allows the work of techniques and tools in order to propose, design and realize original and innovative radio programs based on the narration of stories and creative fictional content. The theory is applied in the orientation and evaluation of the projects, which are carried out independently by each group of about 5 people. 

The course begins, from the first day, with continued work in a fully autonomous creative team within which the script is drawn up, the sound resources are configured and the necessary equipment is prepared to record each group's editing proposal of students, which will remain on the air for an entire year. Each team structures its methodology and schedules and prepares a set of programs that will be broadcast on a real radio channel. The final project is open and accessible to everyone. Collaboration with other subjects and with the university's theater group is proposed. 

Learning outcomes


At the end of the course the student must be able to:

Know how to conceive and plan the production of a new fiction radio space.

Apply fiction scripting techniques to radio.

Experiment with new narratives and expressions with the components of radio language.

Innovate formats and structures of radio narrative programs of theater and fiction.

Create new original, functional and attractive sound resources.

Manage the audio files of a radio program.

Working methodology


The course is based on the philosophy oflearn by doing. Therefore, the autonomous participation and self-learning of the student is encouraged in the creative analysis of radio fiction products and formats so that, together with the guidance of the teacher, the group elaboration of 'an original and own product. The course is presented in three terms, from September to June; in the first quarter the product is designed and the narrative structure is written; the following quarters are used to develop the script, record and post-produce each chapter. 

We work as a team from day one, designing and developing a production that will be broadcast on a real radio channel for two academic terms. The groups are autonomous and set their own topic of interest, format, calendar and work methodology, with the teacher's supervision. Periodically, the activities in class allow for a critical and joint review of the projects developed by the groups. 

The subject has 2 hours reserved per week for access to studies and work with radio equipment. 

Contents


The program of this subject is structured in six blocks of content that refer to the different aspects involved in the creation of a fictional radio space. 

Contents 1: The characteristics of drama and fiction on the radio

Description

This unit takes into account the characteristics of dramatic and fictional radio formats. Fiction productions are adapted to the distinctive elements and needs of a unisensory medium such as radio.

Related activities

1, 2, 5, 6 and 7

 

Content 2: The radio language applied to fiction

Description

They practice the narrative elements and sound resources characteristic of radio language in a context of dramatic narration. The specific techniques of expressiveness for each of the components are worked on. In this content it is practiced:

  • The locution
  • The word
  • Music
  • Sound effects
  • The silence

Related activities

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

 

Content 3: The radio script for drama and fiction

Description

This block works on writing techniques for each genre and format of radio fiction. Symbols and narrative conventions are applied to the fiction script.

Related activities

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7

 

Content 4: Formats and genres of radio fiction

Description

Different formats and genres existing and applied in radio drama and fiction are practiced and analyzed.

Related activities

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7

 

Content 5: Direction of actors and programs of radio fiction

Description

The principles and guidelines of directing actors in a radio context are applied and the elements to be taken into account in the direction of a dramatic or radio fiction space are practiced.

Related activities

3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

 

Content 6: Realization and postproduction of fiction products 

Description

The fictional radio space is materialized and performed in radio studios. We work with specific software to adapt and post-production to broadcast quality standards.

Techniques for broadcasting and distributing audio content are applied.

Related activities

3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Learning activities


Activity 1: Analysis of a fictional radio product 

(Contents 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)

 

General description

Individual practice to reflect on the components, resources and formats of a specific fictional radio space.

Support material

Statement of the activity.

Basic and complementary bibliography.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Deliver the analysis work.

10% of the final grade.

Specific objectives

Know the techniques of narrative expression

Identify fictional radio formats

Be able to argue an analytical critique of a product

 

Activity 2: Design and writing of a Radio Drama project

(Contents 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)

 

General description

Design and write a project for the promotion or sale of a fiction program. Activity in work groups of 4 or 5 people.

Support material

Statement of the activity.

Basic and complementary bibliography.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Deliver the project file.

10% of the final grade of the internship block.

Specific objectives

Identify the programming factors of a radio content

Assess the economic and production aspects of a radio program

Define the creative elements around the goal of the product

 

Activity 3: Radio scripts for Radio Drama 

(Contents 2, 3, 4 and 5)

 

General description

Write a script for a dramatic or fictional radio program lasting between 15 minutes and 20 minutes. Group activity of 4 or 5 people

Support material

Statement of the activity.

Basic and complementary bibliography.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Deliver the final technical-literary script.

20% of the final grade.

Specific objectives

Be able to make and understand a radio script

Practice communication between team members in the studio

Be able to make a radio product

 

Activity 4: Recording and realization of a fictional production 

(Contents 3, 4, 5 and 6)

 

General description

Transferring a drama or fiction radio script to an actual program edited and ready for broadcast. Group activity of 4 or 5 people. 

Support material

Statement of the test.

Basic and complementary bibliography.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Deliver the sound file of the recorded program.

20% of the final grade.

Specific objectives

Practice reading and interpreting the radio script for plays

Experience acting and directing actors

Apply the principles of radio production

Perform special effects suitable for radio fiction

 

Activity 5: Monitoring and evaluation reports and activities 

(Contents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

 

General description

Monitor the production and highlight the aspects of innovation, criticism, effectiveness and audience. Propose aspects to improve. Group activity of 4 or 5 people. 

Support material

Statement of related activities.

Basic and complementary bibliography.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Deliver the corresponding reports or analyses.

15% of the final grade.

Specific objectives

Practice reading and interpreting the radio script for plays

Apply the principles of radio production

Identify the programming factors of a radio content

Assess the economic and production aspects of a radio program

Define the creative elements around the goal of the product

 

Activity 6: Comment on spatiality and voice in radio drama

(Contents 1, 2, 5 and 6)

General description

Individually, analyze and reflect in a short essay on the use, characteristics and recreation of space and voice in a fictional radio product. 

Support material

Statement of the activity.

Basic and complementary bibliography.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Deliver the text of the comment.

10% of the final grade.

Specific objectives

Apply the principles of radio production

Define the creative elements around the goal of the product

Experience acting and directing actors

Know the techniques of narrative expression

 

Activity 7: Final evaluation report 

(Contents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

General description

Individually, monitor the production and highlight the aspects of innovation, criticism, effectiveness and audience. Propose aspects to improve. 

Support material

Statement of the activity.

Basic and complementary bibliography.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Deliver the report document.

10% of the final grade.

Specific objectives

Practice reading and interpreting the radio script for plays

Apply the principles of radio production

Identify the programming factors of a radio content

Assess the economic and production aspects of a radio program

Define the creative elements around the goal of the product

Evaluation system


The assessment of Radio Drama and Radio Fiction is made up of a group assessment part (65%), where a project is written (10%), the radio scripts of the production are written (20%), the fictional sound production is recorded and performed (20%) and activities are carried out, as well as a final report for its evaluation and follow-up (15%). Individual evaluation activities (35%) are also done throughout the year, such as a comment on the design of the space and the voice in the radio drama (10%), the analysis of a fictional radio product (10%) and a final report evaluating and presenting the knowledge acquired (10%). 5% of the final grade is counted as attendance and participation in the sessions. The subject does not have an exam, per se. 

In summary, the evaluation is carried out counting the following elements and works:

In Group (65%)

Design and writing of a Radio Drama project (10%)

Radio scripts for Radio Drama (20%)

Recording and making a fictional production (20%)

Monitoring and assessment reports and activities (15%)

Individual (35%)

Comment on spatiality and voice in radio drama (10%)

Analysis of a fictional radio product (10%)

Final assessment report (10%)

Attendance and participation (5%)

                     

Plagiarism in any activity or work represents an immediate zero in evaluation.

 

RECOVERY

According to current regulations, only those students who have not reached the 5th of the middle of the course will be able to make the recovery. A proportional test will be performed to recover those unapproved activities.

REFERENCES


Basic

ASH, W. The way to write Radio Drama. London: Elm Tree Books, 1985

COMPARE, Doc. The Script Art and technique of writing for film and television. Bellaterra: Publications of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​1989.

CROOK, T. Radio Drama. Theory and practice. London: Routledge, 1999.

FIELD, Syd. The script book. Fundamentals of screenwriting. Madrid: Plot Editions, 1995.

KAPLÚN, Mario. Production of radio programs: the script the realization. Quito: Ediciones CIESPAL: Editorial Quipus, 1999.

RATTIGAN, D. Theater of sound: radio and the dramatic imagination. Dublin: Carysfort Press, 2001.

RODERO, E .; SOENGAS, X. Radio fiction. How to tell a story on the radio. Madrid: IORTV, 2010.

http://www.findsounds.com/

http://www.purple-planet.com/

https://www.freesound.org/

Complementary

GROOVE, Claire. So you want to write radio drama? London: Nick Hern Books, 2013.

HILLIARD, RL Writing for Television, Radio and New Media. London: Thomson Learning, 1999.

NIQUI, C. Sound design and creativity. Barcelona: Editorial UOC, 2007.

RODERO, E. “Recovering radio creativity. Reasons to bet on fiction radio. " Analysis, 32, 2005, 133-14

RODGER, I. Radio Drama. London: MacMillan Press, 1982.

WILLIAM, C. Writing for radio. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2015.