How to Write a Radio Serial Drama for Social Development- PDF

124 Chapter Eight: Scene Development
EXAMPLE
1. NARRATOR: As today’s episode begins, we find the people of Thenga village
gathered at the community hall for the long-awaited meeting about
their new health clinic...but...there seems to be something wrong....
2. FX. NOISE OF PEOPLE AT MEETING...GETTING
LOUDER.
3. BHATA: (CALLING LOUDLY) Wait...stop! This meeting can’t go on...Not
with THAT man present!
The narrator’s comments attract the listeners’ attention, and then the
opening speech of the first scene hooks them. They want to know who “that
man” is and why his presence should stop the meeting.
4. Create a subtle link between one scene and the next. This link should
be a suggestion, rather than a blatant or obvious reference to the next
scene.
For example: This scene from the Bangladeshi radio serial, Goi Geramer
Goppo (Tale of a Village), focuses on Shahar’s stubborn refusal to listen to
anyone else. In his outspoken retorts to the villager, however, he suggests
the location of the next scene.
EXAMPLE
11. VILLAGER: Your wife is staying in someone else’s house and you have brought
home another wife....
12 SHAHAR: Oh, what do you know There are many things you don’t know.
13. VILLAGER: Because you don’t share your personal problems with other people.
14. SHAHAR: So you think that is my fault
15. VILLAGER: So, whose fault is it then
16. SHAHAR: I’ve got other things to do. I have to get some groceries. I don’t
want to talk on this issue.
Scene 3
17. FX. MARKET PLACE NOISES. HOLD UNDER AND FADE OUT.
18. SHAHAR: How much is that nail polish
19. SHOPKEEPER:
Six taka.
20. SHAHAR: Such a small bottle for six taka.
ETC.