Spots - Roll Back Malaria

STEP 5PRE-PRODUCTION, PRODUCTIONAND POST-PRODUCTIONPRE-PRODUCTIONPre-production is about making sure you have everything in place before going intothe recording studio—the script, actors, music, sound effects, field recordings, areserved studio and the budget to complete it all. Select and work with the bestradio writers, actors and producers available. Commercial sector professionalssometimes will donate their talent to health communication programs, as long ashigh production standards are maintained. Entertainers and/or other celebrities mayalso be willing to become an active partner in your efforts.Before going into the studio, be sure these items are ready:• Your script is your map for the recording session. It provides direction—cues andtiming—for where and when to use voice, music, sound effects and even silence.• The characters should reflect your audience. They must be believable andconsistent. Their voices, beliefs and motivation, as well as the situation, should bea mirror for the people you want to reach.• Good casting can make or break your production. Audition your vocal talent. Askthem to read the script aloud and, if possible, record their performance. Then,close your eyes and listen for what they bring to your characters and yourmessage. Also, make sure your cast knows what is expected. They must be reliableand on time for any rehearsals and for the recording session.• Once you have your cast and script, rehearse. This is a good chance to listen toyour spot and fix any sound problems in the script before recording. Rehearsalcan also give you a good idea of what you can expect from your talent at therecording session.• Dialogue should echo the way the target audience speaks. Radio is processed byour ears so the quality of a character’s voice is a key to his or her ability tocommunicate effectively.• Music and sound effects should be auditioned and selected and any rightssecured before going into the recording studio.• Make the best use of your resources by developing a schedule that specifies thetime you will need to accomplish each phase of the process—from scripting andcasting to recording to post-production editing to copying (“dubbing”) to deliveringthe spot to the radio station(s). The better organized and prepared you are, themore you will be able to control your budget.Spot On Malaria: Guide71