Podcast script example

There are three things a listener hears in a radio drama: 

• Dialogue
• Music
• Sound effects

Each of these audio components is called a "cue"—because they come at a specific time in the script and the director may have to physically point to someone ("cue them") to produce it. An instance of dialogue, no matter how many lines, is considered one cue. All cues are numbered and music/sound effects are additionally underlined.  

1.  MACBETH:          That will never be. Who can impress the forest?

                      Yet my heart throbs to know one thing. Tell me,

                      if your art can tell so much, - shall Banquo’s issue

                                               ever reign in this kingdom?

2.  SOUND:            THUNDER (2X).

3.  MUSIC:            WEIRD MUSIC-UP. DUCK FOR VOICES.

4.  ALL WITCHES:      Seek to know no more.

5.  MACBETH:          I will be satisfied. Deny me this, and an eternal

                                    curse fall on you! Let me know!

6.  SOUND:            INTENSE BUBBLING-SLOWS-STOPS. THUNDER (1X).

7.  MACBETH:              Why sinks that cauldron? And what noise is this?

8.  FIRST WITCH:          Show!

9.  SECOND WITCH:     Show!

10. THIRD WITCH:        Show!

11. SOUND:           THUNDER (3X).


Podcast Plotting Device: The focus sentence

• Start with the idea that you have a character in motion toward her goal. 
• S/he has a motivation for doing that thing (a desire). 
• But somehow, that thing is not going to be easy to overcome (danger/challenge). 

DRAMA = Desire + Danger

Focus sentence: Heidi goes back to where she used to work because she wants to know what happened to her, but the government (and her own memory) are against her.