How to start your own live radio play

podcastVRMP Radio

Production Team

Stephanie Cooke

WriterEmily MillingMusic and Post

Lily MillsStage Manager

VRMP Radio

The Five People You Meet in Hell

● Six episode season● Dave, a jerk of a dude● Learns about his life through the people he

hurt with a variety of evil acts● Six months in production● Four months in pre-production● Final episode, Thursday, February 23, 2017!!!● Podcast episodes posted monthly

Start with a really clear plan.

Starting points

Availability of team

Availability of resources

Cadence

Deadlines/milestones

Marketing channels

Logistics

Concepts

A very exhaustive list of (almost) everything you’ll need

Script

Writers

Story

Season outline

Episode scripts

Logistics

Lily

Venue

Tech scripts

Music stands

Lights

Actors

Auditions

A/V

Portable recorder

Mixing board

Mics

Headphones

SFX

Editing software

Music

Marketing

Website

Social Media

Press Kit

List of event blogs

Other people

Distribution

Hosting

Distribution plan

Credits for cast & crew

Get your story down.

Writing GroupsInvolve all the people!

Develop themes

Develop concepts

What’s resonating?

Assign roles

Meet regularly

Deliver your scripts on time

Organize literally everything.

Picking a venueThere are good ones, and better

ones.

Look for low outside noise

A sound tech is very handy

PA system

Mixer

Capability to plug into your recorder

Deals for tickets/bar sales

Try to see a show at the venue first

AuditionsSpread this audio love

around!

Schedule a quiet venue, preferably one with a waiting area

Cold read monologues

Cold read scenes

Get actors to read together

Add some ambiance.

MusicIt’s like soft gentle accordion

whispers.

Pick a theme to set the tone for your show

A few good cues can take you through several episodes

Write episode specific music where possible, i.e. holiday themes

Pre-recorded vs. live

SFXMake them feel like they’re REALLY

THERE!

Choose sound effects that bring out the character of the space

Keep SFX organized!

Execute this show!

Tech and Logistics

This is where you “hire” a Lily.

Tech scripts cue SFX for actors and sound techs

Tech scripts on stage have specific page placement

Where possible, do sound checks

Get your actors to speak directly into the mic

Set your mixing board to -12db so you don’t blow your recording - run tests

Don’t play full music clips in case there are re-dos

PostFancy it up a bit.

Layer in full music clips

Denoise where possible without distorting

Add a complete list of credits

Post it on your host!

But don’t forget to sell it!

MarketingGet butts in seats!

Media kit

Social Media

Get your friends to bring their friends

Post on all the event blogs

Make a poster

Make a website

Stay supremely vigilant, it’s tough to get people out every month!

RevenueCover your costs!

Sell themed pre-recorded commercials to sponsors

Launch a patreon

Sell tickets

Have a tip jar

Raffle off a script or two

Thanks!

Q&A