LO3: Evaluation of the script

Client Feedback 

This is the feedback that I received from my client after sending them a draft of my script. From here I made improvements to my script based on the feedback that I received. From this version of my script, it was decided that I needed to add a few more scenes to it in order to have a stronger ending to the episode. I also had to add in things such as more stage directions as well as where there would be wild sound and bedding music within my script. I needed to add these so that it would fit the conventions of a Radio Drama script. 

After looking back at the brief that I was set by my client, it is clear how my final script fits the clients needs and requirements as well as also having the conventions of many industry standard Radio Drama scripts. I compared my own script to one of BBC Four's "The Archers" as this is a professional radio drama script. By doing this it made me aware of how a script for a radio drama should look as well as noting the key codes and conventions which I needed to include within my own. Comparing my final script to that script has made me realise that it is clear that the script which I have written is up to the industry standard and also fits the brief which I was given by my client. The feedback I received has helped me to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the script I created.

The biggest strength of my script is that it is fit for purpose. This is an industry standard script that could be put straight into production as it fits the codes and conventions of a Radio Drama. After comparing to a BBC script, it has made me realise just how professional mine is. The script I have wrote is the perfect length to be broadcast on the radio as it would be around 5 to 7 minutes worth of air time and therefore is long enough but will also mean that the target audience keeps their interest and listens to the whole thing without changing channel. The feedback that I received from my client on my final script was very positive, saying that it is engaging, especially for the target audience and it has potential to be developed into its own radio drama series. The client liked my use of local dialect as this fitted the brief that this would be broadcast on a local radio.

There were a few weaknesses to my script, such as the ending of the episode and how I would start the next episode. After much consideration, I changed the ending of this first episode to leave it on a cliff hanger so therefore it would keep the audience engaged. It was also brought up that not many young people listen to radio anymore so I had to make sure that my script had an engaging storyline in order to keep the listeners hooked if the script was put into production.

The way that I have set out my script follows the conventions of those which are seen within industry, I have used the same fonts, courier size 12, as this means that when my client read my script, they could see how long it was and therefore the amount of time it would be on air. I also used the same sort of language which other radio drama's used as this not only fit with conventions by using colloquial terms but also was to appeal to my target audience. The way that the script was set out also met that way which other industry standard scripts looked, with the name of the character justified to the left of the page, also a convention of many play, TV and Film scripts. I added a column of line numbers as this is something which I picked up on when I looked at scripts such as BBC Four's "The Archers". This is something which is useful during recording and editing and the voice actors can pick up from a specific line and it also would made it easier if my show went into production as the editor would be able to piece together the drama more easily. Sound effects which would be used within my show are written in brackets, as these are the sort of things that an editor or foley artist would need during the production. Within my script I have also included where the bedding music will go, I decided to include this where there was a change of scene within my radio script as I know that if my script went into production, bedding music would be important and it would also help to symbolise a change in scene

Overall, I believe that my script is very strong and fits the brief. By following the codes on conventions of working scripts, it means that it would be fit to be put into production.

LO3: Production of the script

This is my final script for the radio drama "The School Pickup". 

My script is for a radio drama so therefore it is an audio script. This is a dramatisation and therefore  differs in the way that it looks compared to a normal radio script. A radio drama depends of dialogue and sound effects so the way that the script is laid out is important and this needs to be clear for all using, not only voice actors but editors as well. The layout is industry standard allowing for it to be accessible, meaning that if it went into production it would be a document that all could use with ease.

The content within the radio drama follows a narrative which is also fitting with the conventions of the target audience. From looking at other radio drama scripts such as "The Archers", I made sure to include theme music. As this would be the first episode of the show, the theme music will play to symbolise the start of a new scene which will develop the branding of the programme making it a piece of music that is recognisable. The radio drama itself is set in a small village and follows the narrative of two characters, Lewis and Rebecca. The name "The School Pick-up" not only links to the idea that the two characters meet whilst picking their younger siblings up from school, but also is a play on words as if you "pick-up" someone it means that you are trying to start something romantic. The two characters bump into each other as they are picking their siblings up from school, and the chemistry between the two characters is prominent straight away. After a series of event, they end up seeing each other again, this time includes an exchange of flirty behaviour. The first episode ends on a cliff hanger, setting it up for the next episode, which would keep the audience engaged.

The target audience for this radio drama is 16 to 19 year olds, of a mixed gender. This is due to them being the audience which the content and narrative of the show will most appeal and relate to the plot of the show the most. With my target audience in mind, the writing style of my script was influenced. As the radio show is set to be a drama, there needs to be some element of formality however most of the script is written using informal, colloquial language as this is how the typical teenager speaks and I wanted to keep the script true to life. This is similar to other radio shows such as BBC Four's "The Archers", keeping with the conventions of a Radio Drama.

I wrote this script by myself as after looking at many different Radio Dramas as well as Plays, I noticed that they are generally written by a single individual, this is due to them needing to follow the intended narrative and also we written in the same style.

LO2: Conventions

I identified that within a script for a radio drama, there was certain conventions which needed to be included. 

I annotated a script from the BBC 4 Radio Drama, The Archers. I looked at all of the features and conventions that this script held, as well as the way that it was laid out and then I used this to base the layout of my own script off. By following the conventions of a BBC Radio Drama script, I knew that this would be industry standard and therefore a perfect example of what to make mine look like. Radio Drama and film scripts are laid out and look similar to one another, the scripts differ to the way that a generic radio script looks due to the way that there is dialogue between characters. 

I have included a title page to my radio drama which includes information such as the name of the programme as well as the episode number and when that episode is going to be aired. The font used in all scripts is courier size 12 which is industry standard and something which I found out during my research. Within the script there is not only dialogue but also information about locations and stage directions. Use of sound effects and music are also written within the script. 

TITLE PAGE

When creating my script, I knew that it would need to have a title page. This is the first page of a script and contains lots of information. This title page tells you the name of the writer, editor and director of both the script and the radio drama if it was to go into production. It also contains when the episode is to be recorded and then broadcast with what week number that is. Other information includes the characters which are within each scene. At the bottom of the title page, it also includes information on what the announcer will say to announce the episode if the script went into production. 

FONT USED

The font which I will use throughout my script is courier as this is industry standard. I will also make sure that this is size 12 as this will allow me to see how long my script is in length compared to others. 

LOCATION INFORMATION

Information on location will be at the beginning of each scene. Where the scene number is, I will also state where and when the scene takes place. There will be information as to whether the scene is internal or external as this would effect the sound when in production, determining what wild sounds would be needed.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN CHARACTERS

The names of the characters are justified to the left of the page, written in capitals and their dialogue is on the right hand side. For each time a new character speaks, the text is written on a new line. This separates the different characters lines. 

MUSIC

There will be music within my script as this is a convention of all radio shows, whether they are radio dramas or not. Within a radio drama, the music included is bedding music. This theme music will create a brand for the radio drama itself and establish the identity of the show. I believe this is an important convention because it is something which is not only heard within radio but also across television and in some cases film. Theme music will not be the only type of music included as within the narrative of the show, there will also be some pop music which will play in order to create the idea that the character is in the car listening to the radio. Music is important during a radio drama as it can determine the mood of the narrative.  

SOUND EFFECTS 

Sound effects are an important part of a radio drama, so within my script, it will be clear where the sound effects are. Along with a list of assets which will be used if my radio show was to go into production, I also included what sounds would be needed on the script. This is not only to let the editor know where these need to be placed but also informs the actors as in some cases it gives information about the place, setting the scene even further. The script will also include information such as which are wild sounds and need to be recorded. 

LO2: Production plan to support the writing of the script

Production Schedule

This is the production plan for the creation of my script. I have given myself a week to write the script as it is only for a short episode of a radio drama so therefore the script will not be large. I know that from looking at both my storyboards and also in order to make sure that my show is the right length, I will need around six scenes. Within my production plan I have given myself time to not only write the scenes but also get feedback and make adjustments based on what I believe needs changing within the radio drama.

If my script was to go into production it would require assets such as sound effects. Here is a list of different assets which I would need to record or source if this was going to go into production.

List of Assets:

• Coffee being made
• General road sounds
• Sounds inside car - engine
• Cafe noises 
• Car horn
• Pop music - Don't call me up by Mabel
• iPhone Ringing
• Bell from shop door
• Footsteps outside
• Chair scraping
• Door opening
• Car door opening and closing
• School bell
• Playground noises
• Seatbelt noise

Meeting Minutes

If I was working in a team to create my script, I would have to have meetings with the other members in order for us to know what is required to do. As my script is being created for an episode of a radio drama, the script being created is not a long one. I found that the conventions of most plays are that they are written by one person, as my radio show is similar to a play, with it being a dramatisation, I am writing the script myself. As I do not have to have meetings and record these, I decided that my way of working was to use production plans. This will keep me organised during the writing of my script.