ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXFilmmaker wanting to try out another form - radioplays
7 years, 1 month ago - Sam Brewster
Not strictly a film matter, but I feel like it'd interest above the line folk.
I'm a big fan of podcasts, especially those that tell a story. Stuff from Gimlet and Ratiotopia such as The Truth, Homecoming, The Polybius Conspiracy etc. have really made the stories incredibly immersive and sophisticated.
I have produced and directed several short films now, and although most of my ideas are very visual, as a change of pace I'd love to work on a radioplay with some like-minded folk.
As I see it, from a production point of view, it requires a very similar setup - actors, sound designers/mixers/recordists, writer, editor & a recording studio. It seems like a reasonable segue from a film production. I'd love to hear from some writers/actors that want to put one together.
If you share the interest and want to give it a go, feel free to email me: sam.p.brewster@gmail.com to discuss.
Only members can post or respond to topics. LOGIN
Not a member of SP? JOIN or FIND OUT MORE
7 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Oh do it! Radio4 is the biggest commissioner of original drama in the country and one of the biggest in the world. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/site/radio-4-commissioning-guidelines-spring-2017.pdf is last year's, I'm sure this years is around if you hunt for it. Or http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio/commissioning/R4_44min_Drama_Commissioning_Brief_Autumn_2017.pdf is specifically about Afternoon Drama slot. They pay about £25k/hour for a fully finished radio drama (pro rated).
The glory with radio plays is that you can have whatever location you want instantly, and at the same price. That means you're freed from the reality of CGI costs, unit moves, etc., and now you're just writing quality dialogue and recording it with sound effects. You can do the dialogue recording in any quiet space, and edit on a laptop. That'll be the same for a podcast or radio drama.
Response from 7 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
7 years, 1 month ago - Emma Wilde
Hi Paddy thanks for the above, its very good to know! Sam I will be emailing you as I am very interested!
Response from 7 years, 1 month ago - Emma Wilde SHOW
7 years, 1 month ago - Dave Herman
It's a good idea to check out who produced radio plays you enjoyed. (In radio the producer is usually also the director.) There are lots of different styles, ranging from quirky, experimental to classical and old school. Who you should pitch to depends very much on your material. Another important factor is which time slot your material is most suited to (late evening is not the same as Women's hour, for example). Do your due diligence, in other words, as this will save a lot of unnecessary frustration. On the whole it is not that difficult to get hold of email addresses of producers with a little detective work. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!
Response from 7 years, 1 month ago - Dave Herman SHOW
7 years, 1 month ago - Vasco de Sousa
I wrote some radio plays, most of my voice recordings go to animations.
So, I was looking at WGA rates for BBC radio writers. However, I remember it seeming much more simple than the sheet I just found:
https://writersguild.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BBC-radio-rate-card.pdf
It's kind of complicated, with the per minute rates, different rates for different levels of experience, and other unexplained rates. Original drama's per minute rate seems ten times higher than local radio.
Oh well.
Response from 7 years, 1 month ago - Vasco de Sousa SHOW
7 years, 1 month ago - John Lubran
Depends on who one is. If one is very good one can throw all those BBC rates and guidelines into the trash bin.
Response from 7 years, 1 month ago - John Lubran SHOW
7 years, 1 month ago - S Marchant
Stereo. With decent mono compatibility for people who can't plug in headphones.
Response from 7 years, 1 month ago - S Marchant SHOW
7 years, 1 month ago - Angela Peters
Hey Sam, I dropped you an email. This is a most excellent idea and I would love to get involved if you'll have me.
cheers
Angela
Response from 7 years, 1 month ago - Angela Peters SHOW