Here are the very basics about audio theatre
scripting and a lesson on the elements of
writing for radio. See my extensive pages on
Writing for Audio Theatre for
a wealth of articles about audio writing in general and the
exact specifics of real world scripting for this imaginative
medium.
Radio Drama Script Format
Unlike stage plays or film scripts, an audio theatre
script is used to perform from live--much like an orchestral
score. The actors, sound effects artists, musicians,
directors and engineers all are reading from this "score,"
performing their various duties as an ensemble, at precise
times. The formatting of the script has evolved since the
1920s to facilitate this real-time performance. It is a
marvel to perform in large ensembles from a well laid out
script--and often a superhuman feat to pull off anything
with a poorly formatted one.
The tab stops and margins are not as important as the
necessity of present the various cues (dialogue, music and
sound effects) clearly. Lack of clarity will result in
longer rehearsals and flubbed cues during performances.
Audio theatre scripts are unlike play or film script
formats. The many automated programs for film/TV/Voice Over
scripting, while handy for other media, often present
problems when a full cast drama is being produced. Luckily,
using the common Microsoft Word processor program and a
simple template can allow you to write in a professional
format with little effort. I'll detail how to do so, below.
Examine an Audio Theatre Script
A short, professional demo script is available at
life_demo_script.pdf, in the Adobe PDF format. You'll
need the free
Acrobat reader to view or print that PDF file. You can
also download and listen to a recording of that demo script,
Life's Little Ups & Downs, as a three-minute MP3 clip
demonstrating radio's imaginative range. [1.7 Mb] It
may be useful to listen to the clip while reading along in
the script to see just how this magic spell is cast--in real
time.
Free MS Word Template
See the page about using my
Free Downloadable Radio Drama Script Template in MS Word
format. The template allows you start writing without having
to worry about tabs and margins and spacing. There's even a
toolbar to really speed you along when formatting. The
template also has sample text to instruct you as you go.
It's a mini-course in audio theatre scripting. For very
detailed specifics see my page on How
to Write Radio Drama Cues
General Pointers
Paper Size: 8-1/2 x 11 is standard--and easy to
have copied anywhere. One page at that size--formatted as
specified below--will yield about 45 seconds in performance.
Some productions use an 8-1/2 x 14 page, which runs about
one minute.
Font: A 12-point Courier font is traditional--and
easy to read live. Smaller, san-serif fonts will lead to
errors when performers read off the page in real-time for
broadcast or recording.
Spacing: Double-space lines, for easy of reading
and for making notes and adding lines. All coloned cues
names "ANNOUNCER:" or "SOUND:" or "MUSIC:" should be
capitalized and numbered. Cue numbers start at #1 on each
page. Don't continue a cue onto the next page, start a new
cue. This allows for instant identification
of where to begin or return to during rehearsal (“Take it
from page 4, cue #7”). Indicate change of scene and
transitions (music bridges etc.) and number each scene.
Indent for notes to the producer for pronunciation and
physical action. Number each page at the top. Please include
a cast list. The title page should include the name,
address, and phone number of the author.
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