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

Chapter Eleven: Script Presentation 163
Noting Technical Information in the Script
There are no hard and fast rules about how to word technical instructions
about sound effects, music, and the like. Many radio directors have their own
preferences for how these details should be indicated, so the writer might
want to consult the director on this question. Perhaps the best rule is to keep
the instructions simple and clear. The following directions are generally
acceptable to most directors in most cultures.
Direction
Meaning
1. MUSIC. FADE UP
2. MUSIC UP :10. CUT
3. MUSIC UP :05. FADE UNDER AND HOLD
4. MUSIC :05. FADE UNDER AND OUT
5. MUSIC UP :05. CROSS FADE TO
6. FX. CHICKENS CLUCKING
7. FX. TRUMPETS AT DISTANCE :03
BRING IN RAPIDLY. HOLD UP :03. CUT
8. CUT IN TAPE EP#23. PAGE 5. LINES 4 - 12,
JOHN: “Today is my birthday”...to...MAVIS:
“You’d better come home early.”
9. FX. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND SOUND BED
THROUGH SCENE.
10. FX. COWS MOOING. OCCASIONAL.
THROUGHOUT SCENE.
11. MUSIC. FADE UP THEME MUSIC
THROUGH FINAL SPEECH. THEN UP TO
END.
Start with the music very soft and gradually raise the
volume.
Start with the music at full volume. Let it run for ten
seconds. Then cut (stop) it.
Start with the music at full volume. Let it run for five
seconds, then fade it down to a low level and keep it
playing under the dialogue that follows.
Let the music play for five seconds. Then fade the
volume down for a few seconds, and then cut (stop) it
altogether.
Play the music alone for five seconds. Then gradually
lower the volume of the music and, at the same time,
begin the sound effect of the chickens softly and
increase its volume. Once the chicken sound effect is
established, the music should be cut completely.
The trumpet sound should be heard quietly (as if in
the distance) for three seconds. Then the volume
should be raised rapidly and held at top volume for
three seconds, and abruptly cut (stopped).
Include a segment of the previously recorded episode
number 23, as indicated by the page and line
numbers and the speech cues.
The sounds of a school playground should be played
softly in the background through out the scene. The
dialogue is heard over it.
The sound of cows mooing should be played softly
several times throughout the scene.
Bring the closing music in quietly under the
announcer’s voice during the closing remarks of the
program. When the announcer finishes, bring the
music up loudly to end the program.
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