For my A2 piece I decided to create a Radio Play, because I listen to the radio on a day to day basis and believe that the introduction of Sky and Freeview has forced it into decline and is a dying art form. I wanted to test my ability as I have minimal experience of using hardware such as microphones and software such as Garageband.
For my research I looked into existing Radio plays from world’s longest running ‘The Archers’ to one off plays on Radio 4’s feature ‘An Afternoon play’. I did this to find out how The Archers maintains its popularity and keeps things ‘fresh’ while checking out how risqué a one off production can be considering it’s bespoke and is not continuous. My findings showed me that The Archers sustains its success by continuing plots using devices such as talking about taboo subjects and has a dedicated audience, it is almost a cult. Looking at several ‘Afternoon plays’, it has shown me that because they are ‘one off’s’, any subject matter is acceptable, and the more risqué it is, the more talked about and more hyped it becomes.
First of all I made my double page magazine spread. I used attributes I learnt last year in my AS piece to make my document the best it could be. My developing knowledge of Photoshop helped me greatly and my work looks much more professional as a result. I used a basic layout, with one panoramic photograph spread out across both the pages, with text complimenting it underneath. Making the photograph was particularly difficult. I had to take 5 different pictures and align them perfectly to give it the feel it was one large panoramic photograph. The photo has slight flaws, it is not completely in sync, purposely done to give a ‘Broken Britain’ feel to it. I then took photos of my girlfriend looking ‘alone’ and ‘neglected’ and I really think they feel atmospheric
I produced my play using Apple’s GarageBand software. I chose this software for its simplicity and accessibility. The ‘actors’ I picked were 2 of my friends. One of them is studying radio at university so his advice was very helpful. The script I had written proved essential although I gave my actors free reign to improvise as they saw fit. GarageBand made it much easier to add sound effects, from their library. I was given a wide range to choose from, and that enabled me to choose the perfect sounds. The only problem I had with that was the ‘door opening’ sound. I tried to record my own, but the sound was muffled so I had to go with the only one on the piece of software, which isn’t what I wanted. If I had more time I would have tried to perfect recording my own sounds. Overall, I am relatively happy with my production, I tried to make the radio show seem a ‘fun’ place to be, considering the show was for a teen audience. The title of my play is Motherly Love; I think its clever, as it is a paradox, in the eyes of the law, she doesn’t love her child, no matter how much she disagrees.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
As previously stated, I looked extensively into existing radio plays, and tried to see what works well and what doesn’t. When listening to The Archers, they expertly make it clear when someone is walking or when actions are occurring that would require sight to understand. I tried to incorporate this into my work, for example when John enters his building, there are muffled voices to indicate that the place is busy. My play is introduced by the radio DJ, I did this to set the scene, and make it feel real. Before doing this, I listened to radio shows and tried to ‘copy’ what they did. There’s always quiet music playing in the background, this music often compliments the type of show. The DJ always talks directly to their audience, this results in a connection been made for the listener. I integrated both these attributes into my play, and as you can hear, they give the piece a really professional feel, as though 5 minutes had been taken from any radio station nationwide. I think I have challenged peoples conceptions of Radio Plays, there really isn’t such a thing as a play for a teenage audience, I tried to make this possible by having the play at a acceptable time of day, and with ‘famous actors’. With it also being on Radio 1, this makes it much more socially acceptable.
With my magazine, I basically took the aspects that worked in my AS magazine and made improvements. My photography has improved dramatically, I have researched a who variety of magazines and seen how photo’s can be used to look aesthetically pleasing as well as having the right effect on the reader. One magazine I saw had an image of a ghost town. The photo was all jagged and purposely disproportional. I incorporated this into my work with my large photograph.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Considering my radio play is about a poor single mother, I think I have represented her well. The immediate dominant representation of hard up single mother’s has connotations of drug taking, stealing and troublesome. I have tried to avoid this as much as possible without her appearing ’perfect’ I have intimately discussed how life can be hard, but good also shines through, she says she would do anything for her child, and although she is naïve, she is a character its impossible to hate. I also looked into the social group of ‘the paparazzi’. It is apparent through the conversation between the Probation Officer and Debbie that Newspapers will twist words and sometimes downright lie, just to make headlines, I used this obvious connotation as a device to drive the plot, and I feel a teenage audience will be able to connect and understand what newspapers are like. If I could recreate my play, I would have developed the character of Debbie further, so that my audience could connect with her further, and I would maybe have her not be as outspoken as she is, to tug at the audiences heartstrings.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Well my magazine feature I felt would be best placed inside the Radio Times. My main reason for this choice is that anyone interested in Radio Plays in general would almost definitely read the Radio Times. My feature would fit in perfectly, it is well written, and is not overly colourful and ‘childish’. However in order to reach a teenage audience I need to also place the feature in a magazine that is more likely to be read by Teenagers, but also a magazine that relates to the Radio. Music magazines sprang instantly to mind, as well as magazines gender specific such as Nuts and OK! By placing my feature in an array of magazines this will increase my potential audience.
How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
Personally I think the combination is very effective. The magazine feature helps to draw in potential listeners by briefly outlining the plot without giving too much away so that the reader becomes intrigued, the article is full of compliments that entice the reader to tune in. My advertisement compliments my feature, the colour scheme and font styles are the same to trigger recognition within the reader. I think this is how real magazines will go about things. They want their look and logos to be widely known and tis can only happen if they spread their conventions across their products.
How did your use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
I used the Apple software GarageBand to record, edit and produce my radio play. As previously stated, I chose GarageBand for its accessibility as well as the professional look it produces. To create my magazine feature I used Microsoft Publisher, I chose this software because it is simple to create a house style, whilst maintaining a professional finish. I used Adobe Photoshop to edit my photography. I feel Photoshop is essential to ensure my photos look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. I am very familiar with this software as I have used it in A/S media and GCSE I.C.T.
To conclude, I am overall very happy with my finished pieces of work. At one stage I was worried I would not be able to professionally create my radio play, so to have got it done is a relief as well as it being a piece of work I am proud of. I feel my products have achieved their purpose. My Play would indeed warn children and even parents of the dangers of internet misuse. If I were able to have made my play again, I would have had it being less cramped together, so the listener can understand and completely take in the dialogue. I feel it appears slightly rushed, and this would be one flaw. My magazine cover shows conventions of a real media product, hosting a variety of images, fonts, and text sizes but complying to the conventions by having an ongoing theme running throughout.
