Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/jared-richardson-3/audio-dramas
Even though I’ve worked with audio before, I really wanted explore what can be done with the medium more—particularly as applied to audio dramas, which I consider to be a dying art form. While audio is a pivotal element of film, video games, and other media arts, people seem to dismiss it when it’s presented alone. I set out to demonstrate and provide commentary on how audio dramas are versatile and have creative potential.
The best sources of inspiration for me were the original Star Wars radio dramas that Mark Hamill starred in. Each one of these productions follow a similar plot line to the original movies, and yet they include some scenes (and simplify some others) in order to play to the strengths of the medium. Sound effects and foley are abundant, allowing listeners to create the world in their minds as they listen to the events unfold. Other, more modern examples I referred to were a fan-project called “Batman: Breakdown” and a series of comedy sketches called “Guy Noir.” While the latter is more focused on the humor of the dialogue, both were excellent examples of how audio can be used in creative ways.
Obviously my project is very meta: the characters in the drama discuss the different parts of an audio drama as those parts are occurring. While “Jared and Jamie” don’t acknowledge that they’re in an audio drama (as opposed to Daffy in Duck Amuck, who engages with the audience), they frequently bring up concepts that they’re unknowingly demonstrating. For example, Jared talks about how lines in an audio drama are often recorded separately, as Jamie’s lines get cut out of the recording entirely for a few moments. Later, Jared calls the foley to attention, right before doing an ridiculously impossible basketball stunt, causing the audience to pay attention to the sound effects of the recording. At the end, Jared demonstrates how audio dramas can take advantage of stereo sound, even though Jamie points out that he’s just talking to her. The reason I decided to have “Jared and Jamie” almost, but not quite, break the fourth wall is because it is rare for an audio drama to address listeners directly. By allowing my characters to discuss the elements of audio dramas and yet stay within the confines of their fictional world, the piece still technically remains a work of fiction, instead of a documentary. My own commentary on the medium, therefore, can be heard through the voices of my characters—and through the little audio tricks and jokes I threw in as I edited it.
Reflecting on my assignment, I'm very proud of what I was able to accomplish in so short a time span. However, I feel the greatest weakness of my project is how there is very little in terms of plot. The recording is great at exploring the artistic medium of audio dramas, yet its overarching linear skit, while effective as a framing device, doesn't measure up to the likes of Doctor Who or War of the Worlds. Despite this, though, I was able to successfully explore my chosen medium and convey my thoughts on it. Overall, I'm satisfied with what I set out to do.
Sources:
“Batman: Breakdown” (a fan-made project): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPkEVJbYfSo
“Guy Noir”: https://archive.org/details/GuyNoirPrivateEyemp3AudioCollection/GuyNoirPrivateEye1.mp3
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