How to write an audio drama...

or a scripted fiction podcast...part one.

Last time, I explained what inspired me to create Harlem Queen.

Now, I will share a few things I learned while making Harlem Queen into an audio drama/scripted fiction podcast.

First, I offer the following to help define an audio drama:

1. An audio drama is like a radio show, but it is not a radio show. Radio shows are usually performed live (and I suppose in a radio station) with a foley artist there in the studio to provide sound effects during the performance/recording (sound effects like foot steps, gun shots, horses galloping).

   To make an audio drama, we record the dialogue with the actors (in a recording studio or in the comfort of our own homes on a computer recording program like Cleanfeed) then we edit the dialogue, then a sound designer adds the sounds and music. Someone may record an introduction and/or credits and we leave space during the show to place ads. To make that money honey.

   An audio drama is more like a TV show, but without the visuals.

   And my two cents; a well-crafted audio drama does not need visuals, or rather you do not miss not having visuals while listening to a well-crafted audio drama.

   A well-crafted audio drama is all about crafting the right words together to tell a story.

2. An audio drama is not a script with sound effects. Often you have to change/rewrite that TV pilot to make it more suitable for the ear. In the TV pilot of Harlem Queen, I had a scene in a church with only the choir singing and the two main characters communicating through facial expressions and gestures. I had to take it out for the audio drama, as well as other scenes which were good, but had no audio “pop”. (I replaced the church scene with a jazz club scene that ended in a shootout - lots of “pop” there.)

Now on to the writing:

1. When writing scenes think of the sounds of that location and be sure to write your scenes with those sounds. For example, a barbershop has that bell that rings above the door when you enter/exit, or clippers buzzing or a broom sweeping the floor, or a newspaper being opened, a boxing match on the radio.

2. A pet peeve of mine is using “narrative devices” that allow your characters to tell us what they are thinking, seeing and pretty much tell the story. Narrative devices are: an interview, found audio tapes or found video tapes or a reporter uncovering a murder so they have to keep an audio log. (yawn and eye roll) These are devices that were cleverly used in the early days of audio dramas, but now I think they are dated. This is my own little pet peeve - although I think other AD creators will agree with me. But you do you boo. Write what you want.

   I do have more thoughts on how to write an audio drama, but will continue next time.

   In the meantime, do you have any questions or even suggestions on how to write an audio drama?

   I am putting together a list of audio dramas created by Black women.

   Theses are INDEPENDENT creators. INDEPENDENT in my mind means using your own money or grants or crowd fundraising.

   You are making your work on a shoestring budget.

   You are making your work in spite of all of the nos.

   You are making your work because you know you are the only one who can tell your story.

   You are working with people you know or people of people you know. INDEPENDENT to me means having very limited resources and access to resources, but still making a way out of no way.

   Do you have a show to add to the list? If so, please let me know and I will shout it out next time.

   First, we will start with my shows:

Harlem Queen,

and 1972.

The next two shows are by Xperience J. Who also did the incredible sound design for my shows:

Kiss The Audio Series

and Past Due Audio Stories

Deadbeats, by Aisha C.

Creencias by Denese Duran - https://sites.libsyn.com/442161/conexiones

Stephanie Elie’s Alpha 8: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-alpha-8-the-audio-drama-110122785/

Centered by Beandrea July - http://centeredpodcast.com/

Finally, I want to shout out Dominic Lawson’s Black is America podcast. I am not a historian, but turns out I really enjoy history and learning about the incredible people who came before me. Lawson’s collection of stories about real life people who did their thing in spite of so many obstacles truly make theses folks sound like real life super heroes.