1. A pitch for a radio drama, presented as part of a research portfolio. [Learning Outcomes 3, 5, 6, 8]
2. An independently created full length radio drama (typically 45 minutes), produced individually or in pairs. [Learning Outcomes 1 - 3 & 5 - 9]
3. An individual written critical evaluation of the finished programme. [Learning Outcomes 1, 4, 6, 7, 9]

Introductory lecture-workshop sessions discuss the theoretical context, establish the parameters and revise and extend the basic techniques you bring to this project. Early in the module you negotiate the most appropriate terms for your project (working roles, outline treatment, length and scope of production). This is followed throughout the module with regular supervision and skills top-up if needed. Towards the end of the first semester there is a public feedback session in which you pitch your idea in the form of a summary of your near final draft of the script, illustrated with audio to communicate the style and pace you plan for the drama. The feedback informs your final draft of the script, which you take into production and post-production, managing your own time and working independently. A further feedback session at the conclusion of your production informs the process of written evaluation, in which you bring your understanding of the theory and practice of radio drama to bear on a detailed discussion of how effectively your drama communicates with its intended audience.

Crook, T. (1999) Radio Drama – Theory and Practice, London: Routledge.
Hand, R. & Traynor, M. (2011) The Radio Drama Handbook, London: Continuum.
McLeish, R. (2005) Radio Production, Oxford: Focal.
Rattigan, D. (2002) Theatre of Sound, Dublin: Carysfort.
Sauls, S. & Stark, C. (2013) Audio Production Worktext, Oxford: Focal.

See module handbook for a full listing of reading texts.

Portable minidisk kits
A range of microphones
Radio studios
Audio editing workstations
Audio playback equipment
Library resources

This substantial project provides the opportunity for you to draw together all the practical experience and critical understanding you have acquired, of radio in general and of radio drama in particular. You negotiate with your supervisor at the start of the module the nature of the project and how you will work, individually or in pairs. On the basis of your preliminary exploration of form in your Radio Drama modules at Level 5 you develop and research a script for a full length radio drama (typically 45 minutes) and present that at the end of semester 1 as a pitch to the rest of your peers for discussion and feedback. After final refinements you take your script into production and post-production in semester 2. The culmination of the project is an extensive critical evaluation of you finished drama, which places it in the wider historical and contemporary context of drama produced for radio.