Analysis

1. Analysis Nicola Gibson

2. How does your production fit in with the values of radio 4 and its place in British life? • The remit of Radio 4 is to be a mixed speech service, offering in-depth news and current affairs and a wide range of other speech output including drama, readings, comedy, factual and magazine programmes. The service appeals to listeners seeking intelligent programmes in many genres which inform, educate and entertain. My production offers entertainment with a thought provoking subject matter for any age group.

3. What are Radio 4’s audience issues? • Radio 4 predominantly only appeals to a small niche market of older and more upper class and established listeners. A key issue that radio 4 faces in todays markets is that it does not branch out enough or aim to entice a younger audience. People from the ages of 15 up to 40 do not feel radio 4 has anything to offer them therefor the bulk audience for radio 4 is very narrow. In order for Radio to increase and diversify its typical audience programmes like mine ‘ Back to Basics’ should be aired as it appeals to a variety of age groups and social classes,

4. How does you drama relate in terms of style ideas and language to the audience?Reflect on the representation of people, places, ideas and locations . • The audience which my radio drama was aimed at was both family's children and even adults on their own. Because I was targeting such a broad audience i had to make sure all representations and language used was relatively simple yet still had underlying themes for adults. Representation was therefore important because the younger child audience would understand the zoo keepers in one way but in reality an older audience member would understand that they represent a greater force such as an over powering government.

5. How did you follow, extend of break conventions of a radio play. Look back to the analysis of radio drama extracts. • "What you're aiming to do at the beginning of a play is hit the ground running. You don't want to spend time introducing, laying the ground work and saying this and that. You just want to get in there and grab the listener so that the drama is moving from the very second the play begins. Set up a number of sub-texts as well as the text. Put in place several running ideas or themes that will emerge later in the play." • Mike Walker • "Your dialogue shouldn't be - what's called - too much on the nose. Your characters shouldn't be saying exactly what they're thinking or you give the actors nothing to play." • Marcy Kahan

6. Reflect on how digital technology has made it possible for you to become producers of media texts. • Radio is the perfect medium for amateurs and students to create a piece of media just as good as the actual thing. Recording equipment and editing programmes are so developed that it allowed me to create an original radio drama extract in the exact way i wanted to . No longer do we need recording studios or sound proof booths because laptops no have in built recording systems . This accessible digital technology made it quick and easy to record when and where i wanted.

7. A reflection on the decisions you made to cut words, cast characters, edit the drama, making and use of sound effects, cuts to make scenes to redo and in general the process of creating a complex and subtle media text. • Sound Effects • I decided that the most effective way of creating my sound effects would be to do in naturally and authentically by creating the sounds myself. As my radio drama is set in a zoo it was crucial that I created a believable atmosphere and setting .I therefor had to ask members of my cast to really relax and be confident in creating realistic animal noises .The particular sound of the animals cheering and making noises came out brilliantly as I was able to assign each actor and different animal sound, record it and then layer each sound over each other. • The sounds I have highlighted are the noises which I also chose to create naturally. These noises such as footsteps and doors creaking were fairly simple to create as I had all the necessary equipment around me to record them. It was important when recording sound effect that the surrounding area was quiet in order for me to collect the sound clearly enough to be heard. I recorded each sound a number of times to ensure I got the correct length and volume of each effect. I also ensure that the recorder was not too close to the chosen object as I did not want it to come out muffled.

8. Casting • Tim – Zenaide Dias Polo • Young boy • I have previously watched Zenaide in many drama performances particularly as the young male character Billy Bibit in one flew over the cuckoo’s nest, her vocal ability in this performance is what makes me believe she is a perfect casting choice for the young timid character of Billy. As an actress she is effectively able to communicate the emotions which are crucial to this character. As one of the main characters Billy must communicate a change in his confidence from start to finish and this must be reflected in his vocal strength evolving and improving as he gains confidence. • Zelo – Annabelle Snelling • Female Zebra • Also a drama student I have watched Annabelle in many performances and selected her for the character of Zelo as she represents a strong and confident women .The voice of Zelo must be commanding yet feminine and I feel Annabelle will effectively be able to communicate this vision I have. Annabelle's natural voice is feminine and articulate and her drama ability will allow her to pair this with a dominant tone. Although Zelo does not have a great deal of lines when she does speak she commands attention and respect from the animals. •  Lazarus – Cassie Bekoe •  Male Lion • Cassie naturally has a very deep and powerful voice therefore also as a drama student she is the perfect casting choice to play Lazarus. This character leads the animals and makes important decisions and therefore the voice is crucial in reflecting this. As a drama student Cassie as proven on many occasions her acting and vocal ability particularly when playing the role of the chief in one flew over the cuckoos nest – her voice was booming and commanding exactly as Lazarus must be. Lazarus role is one of the main parts and Cassie will have the perseverance and stamina to perform this role entirely. •  Park Keeper – Mr Milliken •  Middle Aged Man • Mr Milliken naturally has deep and gruff voice much like the character of park keeper and therefor is clearly suited to this key role. The park keeper must represent typical male stereo types in the work place and a man who is not content with his job, work or pay. Having listened to Mr Milliken’s voice on a regular basis I am aware of his range and ability all of which are suited to the Park keepers voice and persona.

9. Editing

10. How the themes of the product are communicated to the audience through your three media texts. How have you used linked ideas to create this synergy that goes with the product – this is a business model so refer to your music industry notes. My research and planning of wider narrative themes and research enabled me to create an identity and stand out brand for my product which I was then able reflect in my three media texts. The key themes which are reflected in my product are ideas such as unjust powers, taking control, political dominance and essentially going ‘ Back to Basics’ . The overall image portrayed in the advert, the language used in the listings preview and the actual radio drama all had to be effectively synergised to create a brand identity which the listeners/audience can connect with . “A tale of betrayal, courage and breaking free”

11. How did you use signs and codes to reinforce your preferred reading of the text for the audience?

12. How did you listings page reflect the audience profile? My Radio Listings Page Typical Listings Page spread From my research of TV and Radio listings pages I was able to better understand their format, construction and purpose. The radio listings I chose to include complimented my radio drama ‘ Back to Basics’ and the type of audience I was targeting ..

13. The layout of different block colours was used to create a official layout feel. Those who read the listings page on a regular basis will automatically link the yellow box – with programmes that are not to be missed and also link the column on the left with this weekends special feature/interview. I was influenced with the listings page on the left use of the ‘ authors portrait. I chose the location of a park bench and a ‘happy persona’ for my author portrait as I knew that the audience I was appealing to would be young children and families

14. How did the preview use narrative hooks to entice the listener? • “Award winning script writer Nicola Gibson returns with anadventureof epicproportions for the whole family to enjoy. A tale of betrayal, courage and breaking free– set in the local zoo. Rising up against an unjust power and taking a stand against a corrupt government .Follow thejourneyof Lazarus , Zelo and the other animals as they attempt to overcome the closure of their zoo and end of life as the know it. An unlikely hero will arise but will the animals accept him? To succeed is near impossible, but to give in is unthinkable .” • The words highlighted in bold red are meant to create an instant reaction from the audience – they will automatically decode these narrative words and emotionally connect and resonate with the story. Language such as ‘courage’ and ‘betrayal ‘ give the narrative an ‘ epic’ type feel and the reader will connect it with other epic tales such a lion king and therefor create positive reinforcement within their mind. The preview was meant to entice the listener without giving away too much about the plot, research into other film and radio previews guided me in how much to give away and how to introduce cliff hangers: • E.g. Lion King “Tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King.”

15. How was your advert constructed to sell the product and what was the values and conventions of the arts page of the publication it would be published in. I chose the animal paw prints as they are brutal, basic and have a clear mis en scene where the audience will automatically link it with savageness and the wild. The back to basics font is inspired by a top secret document and links in with the narrative of the drama where the animals uncover the governments top secret plans – the red signifies danger and to be alert.

16. The title was inspired by the tory government scheme ‘back to basics’ campaign which involved focussing on issues of law and order, education and public probity , essentially like the animals reverting back to what they know and their roots. The slogan ” the animals are taking charge ” is written in a basic cave man like font , i wanted to create the effect that the animals had written the font therefor it was a sign of them taking control

17. . I used animal tracks to conjure up connotations of a time when life was more kill or be killed. a time where survival and the battle for it was a daily reality. The paws marks also have the connotations of man the hunter, tracking prey. The Background is a rough sand / old paper look to it and this represent once again going ‘ Back to Basics’ element of brutality and freedom.