As its title suggests, this module is for you to develop a radio drama project from the initial idea up to and including the point of pitching it to a commissioning editor, i.e. prior to final scripting and production. Firstly you explore the ingredients at your disposal in radio drama, as distinct from stage, TV or film drama. You are introduced to the theory: the codes and conventions that exploit the strengths of the medium, concepts of dramatic structure, characterisation, possible approaches to space and time, how to convey action and essential visual information, effective use of sound effects and atmospheres. You also consider the potential challenges in adapting a story from another medium for radio. A professional playwright will give their perspective on their craft. Working in pairs you develop a scenario for a single drama or series of short episodes and then review what you will need to develop it into a professional standard script: research on matter of fact or character details; study of examples on which you could model aspects of style and structure; particular technical and directing skills you need to acquire; how to target style and content to the most appropriate slot in the schedules; what permissions you may need to obtain. As part of this process you script and record selected draft scenes to test your skills and try out ideas. At the end of the module you draw together all you have learned to present a pitch to your commissioning panel, which will include the rest of your class. If you chose to take your idea forward into the Production 1 module in semester 2 you will be able to use this pitch and the feedback you receive as the basis of your final scripting and recording of the project.

1. An interim learning report, reviewing research, skills and practical requirements needed to develop a scenario into an effective radio drama script for an identified broadcast slot. (In pairs or trios, equivalent to 1000 words each.) Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4]
2. A 15 minute pitch (presentation + Q&A) for a commission to develop a full radio drama script for production, based on the findings of assessment 1. (In pairs or trios, equivalent to 1500 words each) Learning Outcomes 2, 3]

In the first half of the module a series of illustrated lectures introduce the theory and practice of creating drama for radio. Working in pairs (or threes, by negotiation) and with tutorial support you draw on the ideas and insights you find here in order to develop a practicable scenario for specific broadcast slot and then write an interim report thoroughly reviewing what you need to know in order to develop the idea for production. This becomes your learning plan for the remainder of the module, which you carry through independently, but with continuing tutorial support, to enable you to present a fully developed written proposal in anticipation of a face to face presentation to a 'commissioning panel'

Ash, W. 1985 The Way to Write Radio Drama London: Elm Tree Books
Augaitis, D & Lander, D. (eds) 1994 Radio rethink: art, sound and transmission Alberta: Walter Phillips Gallery
BBC 1991 Best radio plays of 1991 : the BBC Giles Cooper Award Winners London Methuen
Beck, A. 1997 Radio Acting London: A & C Black
Horstmann, R. 1997 Writing for Radio London: A & C Black
MacLoughlin, S. 1998 Writing for Radio Oxford: How To Books
Crisell, A. 1994 Understanding Radio London: Routledge
Crook, T. 1999 Radio Drama: theory & practice London: Routledge
McInerney, V. 2001 Writing for Radio Manchester University Press
McLeish, R. 1999 Radio production: a manual for broadcasters (4th edn) Oxford: Focal
Rattigan, D. 2002 Theatre of Sound: radio and the dramatic imagination Dublin: Carysfort Press
Shingler, M. & Wieringa, C. 1998 On Air: methods & meanings of radio London: Arnold

Library resources, including published CDs/tapes & off-air recordings.
Online listening
Portable minidisk kits and a selection of microphones
Audio editing workstations
OHP / PowerPoint and audio playback facilities