Weekly Journal
Regular evaluation updates are required, as with every unit. Please
remember to take photos and get behind the scenes footage as you film.
You might find it easier if you note down a record of what you did each day
in a diary form.
Please use the following guidance to help you with each week.
Week 1
What have you been asked to
do?
How has analysing other
productions helped you to
understand the genre better?
How will your understanding of
codes and conventions now help
you to produce a better
production?
This week you worked on your research
This unit we have been asked to think of an idea for a
radio drama and learn about the codes and
conventions that are found in radio dramas. Then we
have been asked to apply our knowledge and
produce our own radio drama.
Analysing other productions has helped me get a
better understanding of radio dramas. By listening to
previous student work I got a better understanding of
the conventions that make up a good radio drama. I
learnt about Aural signposting and how it
foreshadows that something is going to happen. For
example a doorbell sound suggests that someone has
come to the door. I also learnt about fades and
silences and how they work as transitions for the
scenes in a radio drama. An example of this would be
music playing between two separate scenes. When
analysing radio dramas I also learnt about different
styles, some of which are; Traditional, Adaptation,
Soap and postmodern. The style of a radio drama
determines how dynamic it will sound. A traditional
radio drama would have a balance of dialog and
sound space action. The listener isn’t overwhelmed by
the background sound and can focus on the story.
An adaptation style radio drama would have more
music and background sound which would prompt
the listener’s imagination. These sounds could be
things like gunfire – suggesting that the action is taking
place in a war field or sounds of waves swooshing
towards the shore – suggesting that the scene is set
near a beach.
Having a good understanding of the codes and
conventions will enhance my abilities to produce a
successful radio drama. Focusing on the narrative
structure and then applying appropriate Foley sounds
is the way to go about it. Flashbacks, Cliff-hangers

What did you learn from
practising recording Foley
sounds? (Radio Drama Only)
What did you learn from Voice for
broadcast task? What do you
need to improve on to become a
presenter? (Broadcast only)
What did you learn when using
Adobe Audition? What skills do
you need to develop with this
software?
How did researching your target
audience help you develop your
idea?
Are you on track for this week? If
not, how far behind are you?
and signposting are the tools that will help me keep
my audience wanting more (keep listening).
By making Foley sounds I have learnt that the
possibilities are limitless. There are many ways of using
everyday objects to imitate a specific sound. An
example of this would be dropping an empty can on
the floor and it creating a similar sound to a pan
falling on the floor.
Using adobe audition I learnt how to put Foley sounds
together into a sequence. I also learnt how to add
sound effects, reverbs and echoes. Adding sound
effects to the radio drama helped set the location
and mood.
My research and target audience helped me
develop my idea and script. As well as this they
helped me decide my genre as you get to know what
they want to hear. As well as this I’m in the age group
for my target audience so I’m able to add my
opinion.
Yes
What work do you need to
complete outside of lessons to
stay on track?
Week 2
What did you learn from your
planning? How has it helped you
to progress your idea?
How has your idea
developed/changed during the
planning stage?
How did you ensure that your
script was to a high standard?
What issues did you have when
planning your production? How
did you overcome them?
What did you learn from the
recording of your Foley sounds?
How much work did you
complete outside of the lessons?
Are you on track for this week? If
not, how far behind are you?
What work do you need to
complete outside of lessons to
stay on track?
Week 3 / 4 Production
None.
This week you worked on your planning
Making a production schedule helped me do my
work in order and stay on track. It helped me visualise
what exactly I need to do. This gave me a better idea
of how my final piece will come together.
In the beginning I wanted to do a completely
different story, however after doing my fox pox and
audience surveys I decided to go along with the
comedy genre. When I finished all my recording I
realised that my production wasn’t 5 minutes long so I
had to add on to the script and record more to get
my radio drama to 5 minutes.
To make sure that my script was up to a high standard
I put all the actors names to one side to make it easier
to read instead of having it in the middle. I also
added all the sounds, this helped me in the editing
process as I knew where to add what sound.
During the planning stage I found it quite challenging
coming up with a script. I kept on running out of ideas
and ways to continue the narrative. To come up with
an ending to the narrative I went online and read
some boxing stories. Looking at examples of boxing
stories helped me to pick up some narratives and
scenes that I can interpret in my script.
On my website.
Outside of lessons I was mainly working and
progressing on my script. I also researched into boxing
stories in my own time. Watching boxing matches on
YouTube really gave me an insight of what elements
and sound details to include in my production. For
example the bell that goes off at the begging of the
round.
Yes.
None.
This week you worked on your production
What practical work have you
done and how helpful was your
earlier planning?
How will this be useful as your
production process continues?
Upload your behind the scenes
photos and videos (explain what
they show)
What issues did you encounter
when recording and how did you
overcome them?
How well have you worked to
your production schedule?
Are you on track for this week? If
not, how far behind are you?
What work do you need to
complete outside of lessons to
stay on track?
High Grade Tips
My earlier planning was helpful when It came to the
actors recording. My script was professional therefore
it was easy to read. The research that I did at the start
of the unit helped me to come up with an idea and
produce the radio drama.
This will help me in the production process as I record.
When recording some actors read the script way to
quick. Therefore we had to do multiple takes and
then separate the good takes from the bad ones
during the editing process.
I missed a few days therefore I was not on schedule.
However I managed to catch up.
Yes.
Script.

Use screenshots to support your analysis – especially when comparing your work to other
pieces.

Considered and capable demonstration of processes – detailed documentation of your

production process – such as still images, and annotated screenshots of your specific
production and editing process – including ‘what’ and ‘why’ and not just ‘how’.

Specific – be specific! Don’t just say e.g. ‘the lighting was good’ – show us where the
lighting looked good and why you think that.

Final This week you worked on your production

evaluation
on whole
unit

Compariso My production compared to the ones that I analysed is to a similar standard.

n to However some of the story wasn’t read very well. This is because I asked my
researched friends to voice act for me instead of auditioning legitimate actors. Apart
production from that I think that there was enough Foley sounds used and I managed
s tell a story using only sound. I believe that my production was up to a similar
standard as the past students work. However I don’t think it was that good to
 be to the same standard as the voice actors weren’t professionals. If I was to
redo my production I would audition actors.
Production ‘’Your radio drama has some effective elements. You make good use of
Strengths Foley sound and background sounds and music. The script is well-written and
your narrative is effective. The acting is a bit flat and lacks energy during the
fight scene at the start. Your actor reads too quickly during the monologue.
The commentary from 4:22 is much better. There is a nice twist at the end. ‘’
This feedback was from a Teacher It was helpful and informative. It pointed
out the strengths of my production as well as the weaknesses. I completely
agree with the feedback that I got as I feel like the recording process was a
bit rushes and some of the recordings didn’t sound as smooth.

Below are responses from survey monkey talking about the strengths of my
production.

Production As my teacher mentioned the actor reads abit to quickly throughout the
weaknesse monologue. If I was to do this again I would of auditioned my actors. I should
s of included a descrition of the date, time and location to make it clearer for
the audience of whats going on. To further improove my overall production I
could add more context to make the story clearer.

Did you I believe that at the end I did produce a unique radio drama that fell into
meet your the comedy genre. My peers liked it and found it funny therefore I believe I
goals? achieved what I set to do. For the next unit I need to make sure I stay on
Why/why track of the schedule.
not?
Self- I think that I could of done way better in this unit if I stayed on track of the
evaluation production schedule. For the next unit I need to make sure I stay on track of
the schedule

Write a brief outline of what you need to work on in terms of your personal
development. Do you need to work more out of class? Do you need to develop your
practical skills? Do you need to move outside of your comfort zone more? Do you
need to spend more time on the "boring" bits (research, planning, etc)? Discuss what
you need to work on and how/why this will help you.
High Grade Tips

Use screenshots to support your analysis – especially when comparing your work to other
pieces.

Considered and capable demonstration of processes – detailed documentation of your

production process – such as still images, and annotated screenshots of your specific
production and editing process – including ‘what’ and ‘why’ and not just ‘how’.

Specific – be specific! Don’t just say e.g. ‘the lighting was good’ – show us where the
lighting looked good and why you think that.