Blog Entry 1: (Monday 25 February)

Today was our first session with Brother Sloan. We were approximately 23 in the class but after the brief, we were left with a mere 11 candidates in this seminar. The brief was exactly that: brief. But Brother Sloan was firm about the demands and expectations for this semester. I was anxious about the creative demands that the seminar will entail. We were instructed, after being paired, that we would have to do a biographical 3rd person recording on our partners. My partner’s name is Hemlata and she is very quiet. Below is the information I gathered:

Hemlata:

Is from Mauritius and lives with her sister. She is studying a BA in Media Writing and English Linguistics. She likes reading, watching movies and playing batmington. She was a humanities orientation leader. Hemlata indulges in chocolates and anything from home including Indian food.

Not knowing what exactly radio drama entailed, I made myself comfortable in front of one of the library computers. I was adamant to find at least three sources on this subject. So after stumbling out of the library, heavily laden with the hard-covered knowledge I still had a large smile on my face… I was doing my two favourite things: drama and radio work.

Blog Entry 2: (Wednesday 27 February)

I am Afrikaans. Afrikaans radio is one of the only broadcasters that I am aware of that still broadcasts daily radio dramas. As I child, I have fond memories of my Gran tuning into Radio Sonder Grense (RSG). My cousins and I used to make ourselves comfortable at the kitchen table, laughing and commenting on the audio drama while Gran was preparing lunch. Radio drama was not only a story sans picture (unlike that of television soaps), but a time that I grew interested in the field.

The obvious parallel that I wanted to draw this week was between stage drama and audio drama. And in doing reading from those books that still laid heavy on my shoulder, I came across the following points:
• Voice is important in radio plays as gesture cannot portray emotion.
• “all that is spectacular on the stage, all the pageantry of it, becomes in radio drama actual and real, with not a trace of the artificiality which is inevitable on the stage”
• Radio Drama seems far more personal as opposed to stage drama, as radio drama reaches into people’s homes and other personal spaces as in their cars and bedrooms and kitchens.

Other than what Radio Drama offers, the social context of radio drama in Africa is also important. Radios are better accessible and more affordable than Television sets. One would need an annual valid TV licence and the power needed to operate a TV is greater than that of a radio. Radio reaches a far wider audience and therefore often acts as a social commentator, communicator and plays a large role in community awareness and both adult and children education. Especially considering the poorer areas where there is little or no access to schools.

Entry 3: (Monday 3 March)

Still having the books for a couple of days, I was bored and decided to read up on the history of radio drama. It was Marconi who managed to, by using manipulation of waves to send telegraphic messages using the code conventions derived from Samuel Morse. Public radio broadcasting only started in the 20s and was predominantly used to broadcast news and other information, it was only after a while that recording of concerts and music was broadcasted on air. It was the BBC who initially structured a production department that tried to form the right form to be used in radio drama.

Knowing this before our seminar today helped in no way what so ever. We had to read out our edited version of our third person narrative and was then paired up with a partner in order to devise five scenes that we would essentially work in together to develop our collective radio drama. Before doing this, we established characters and gave them all names:

Manager: Sarah
Chef: Gustav
Waitress: Mandy
Waiter: Patric
Cleaner 1: Gertrude
Cleaner 2: Jogen
Events co-ordinator: Glen
Bartender: Sandy
Life Guard: Tanji

I was paired with Jonas. Jonas is a Danish student, here on a semester abroad. I initially though it would be difficult to communicate. We did however suffer no such ordeals and we completed our script successfully without any miscommunication. We bounced ideas well and the only problem I encountered was working the Apple Mac systems. Below is a copy of our script:

A16
By The Class
Clash of the 80s
Manager Sarah and Events-coordinator Glen
Lunel & Jonas

Telephone ringing
On the Telephone

Glen
Glitter, glam and grooves, you have reached events-coordinator Glen Sparks, how can I help you?

Sarah
Hi Glen, its Sarah here how are you, we have talk about something. Well, to my big surprise Patrick came into my office this morning asking me where he should put the 50 boxes of glitter balls and lighting equipment for some kind of 80s bash, that is supposedly happening on Friday, Friday Glen? This is NOT in my diary and I am trying to manage a business here.
Glen
Ehm… Hi Sarah, I was just about to give you a tinkle. Great so my boxes already arrived, that’s so grand.

Sarah
Grand? Grand is what I would consider the cost as stated on the three invoices Mandy walzed into my office this morning. I mean really Glen…

Glen
But but, Sarah, remember what a big hit my 60s party was last year? I just thought we should do something slightly more modern this year.

Sarah
Modern? The only thing modern in my office right now is my new Prada shoes and by the way Glen, I don’t think a Police drug search at your last 60s party can be seen as a big hit if you ask me it’s was slightly weedy.

Glen
This year it is going to be different, I see glitter, I see glam, brightly coloured lycra I see John Travolta in hot pants while he…

Sarah
STOP Glen, just stop it! You know Friday nights are reserved the regular Friday sessions, since all the equipment is non-refundable, how about we compromise and use it for our monthly bingo night for aged?

Glen
But Sarah, I have already booked the band.

Sarah
Band? You booked a band? And all this without consulting me?

Glen
Well, I had to act quick on it, since everybody is desperate to get “The Bats” after their recent reunion.

Sarah
Well, you have put me in a very compromising situation here any suggestions?

Glen
Maybe I can reschedule the band for Saturday?

Sarah
No, we have a wedding reception that day.

Glen
What about Thursday?

Sarah
No, ESKOM conference, which is well needed.

Glen
Monday?… that way I can do more promotion any way.

Sarah
Done!

Blog Entry 4: (Tuesday 4 March)

Today I decided to rewrite my third person narrative on Hemlata. I felt the need to explore something more dramatic and entertaining. After hearing an advert for some airline on the radio today I opted to do something creative so here is the result:

Good morning and wecome to UCT orientation 2008. “I am Hemlata and I will be your orientation leader this week”. Hemlata is Mauritian and lives here in the mother city with her sister where she’s being educated in English Writing and Media writing at the University of Cape Town.

On your right you have the library “where I enjoy reading” and the Beatie Theatre on your left. Further down jammie stairs you can stay active at the sports centre. “Batmington practices are on Mondays and Thursdays 6-8pm”. The food court is on the top level in the Cissy Gool Plaza where you can indulge “like I do” in chocolat and other foods ranging from chicken burgers to sushi.

Thank you very much and we hope you enjoy your studies.

Blog Entry 5: (Monday 10 March)

Today we put all our script parts in order, we selected a head scriptwriter, technical director and director. Our head scriptwriter is Jususha, Technical director: Jonas and then our director in Max. We managed to determine an order of scenes and then we set a date to meet to discuss the script adaptions and other links we would like to include. We were told to have a listen to War on the Worlds by Orson Wells. I was hardly back at home and I already received an email from Jurusha with a link to a podcast of War on the Worlds. I down loaded it immediately and started to listen.

The radio drama is fascinating. Considering the time period and the context, the drama is fairly realistic. The musical interludes strikes in strong opposition to the broadcasting and the interviews and features covered. Even though the subject is fictional, the filter and reporting conventions used gave it some validity and a certain level of realism.

Blog Entry 6: (Monday 17 March)

Today we assigned tasks:

Publicist: Labiqua
Graphic Designer: Amanda and Tammy
Costume Designer: Nicola
Set Decorator and Designer: Hemlata
Sound designer: Kara
Folly: Doza
Musical director: Jurusha
Stage manager: Lunel
Director: Max
Head Scriptwriter: Jurusha
Technical director: Jonas

We also did our Third person narrative recordings that serves as an audition for assigning parts of our collective audio drama: A16. Brother Sloan showed us how a microphone functions and he also showed Jonas how to use the recording devise that costs around R18 000. I am interested to find out more about the equipment and will make a mental note to pick up yet another book from the library.

I decided that I will research Afrikaans Radio Drama extensively. I will use the information on conventions and plot formulas in writing and producing my individual radio drama. My radio drama will be recorded in Afrikaans, with the script translation in English. I have an idea to use English speaking people to portray the Afrikaans roles to achieve an accented Afrikaans. This might take much more thought though.

Blog Entry 7: (Tuesday 18 March)

Here are some the elements necessary for an audio drama production:

All production staff:
Our production staffs as the technical and sound directors are volunteered students. So this would be at no cost to us.

Actors:
Actors, as the production staff, are volunteers. They also won’t get paid.

Studio:

We are not paying for the studio facilities for our project but if we had to here are some hypothetical budgets:

UCT Television studio rates (per hour):
The actual space R50.00
Control Room R500.00
Microphones:
Radio lapel microphones R40.00 (per mic)
Normal recording
Microphone R20.00 (per mic)
Lights R50.00 (per light)
SABC Recording Studios:
Studio P4
Drama Studio kit with Soundcraft desk and Protools HD2 (excludes the sound engineer costs)
R308.00/h (excl vat)

Folly equipment:
I would like to have a low budget for the folly equipment as this is a low cost student production. The use of general conventions as a toothbrush and a glass for the sound simulation of an ice cube in a glass might not require funding as I trust that everyone owns one of those.

Marketing:
For marketing purposes I have done the following research:

Advertising on:
UCT Radio: Weekdays 15:00 – 18:00 R250.00
Weekdays 18:00 – 21:00 R200.00

Administrative costs:
I have budgeted R200.00 for administrative costs as photocopy of scripts and other stationary needed.


Blog Entry 8: (Tuesday 25 March)

Today it came to me. I was making my way, clicking through the events scheduled on Facebook when I realised what the concept of my Individual Audio Drama will be:

It would be an advertisement-style series of scenes in both Afrikaans and English, produced to be aired on both UCTRadio and MFM radio, the two official varsity radio stations. The ideas surrounding imperialism as well as stereotypes will be evident through the use of English Actors for the spoken Afrikaans parts and Afrikaans actors for the English parts… watch this space.

Blog Entry 9: (Tuesday 30 March)

As Stage Manager I have various tasks and things I will be held accountable for. Below I have listed activities in two sections. The called “pre-production and includes all the administrative elements and the second named “production” which includes elements taking place and accountable for that occur on the actual presentation of the piece.

Pre-production:
 Organising and scheduling auditions
 Collecting and distribution contact details
 Scheduling and informing the cast and production crew of their relative rehearsals
 Responsible for communication between the director and the design and technical teams respectfully.
 During rehearsals:
1. distribute scripts
2. responsible for noting the blocking of the stage
3. note all directorial decisions in the prompt book
4. notify the design and technical teams about various changes
5. ensure that everyone is informed and finally
6. ensure that rehearsals run smoothly

Production:
 A promptbook should be at hand to ensure that all cues take place on time
 All props and set and costume should be on it’s place and each character should have their respective ‘accessories’ (props etc.)
 A running sheet will ensure that everything runs on time.


“Think of everything that can go wrong, and not necessarily what can go right”

Blog Entry 10: (Saturday 5 April)

This week my father was in Barcelona for a media conference and after receiving an email from him, updating me on advertising and media trends, I realised that the Curriculum Vita was ideal to make a list of the experience I have in the field or all fields. It is important to have one at hand and to update it regularly.

This is my curriculum vita “Live Audio Orientated”:

Lunel van Zijl

E-mail: cup_o_nella@hotmail.com
vzjlun001@mail.uct.ac.za

I am a 21 year old outgoing lady, raised in an Afrikaans home. I am completely bilingual as I attended an English school from grade 6 to Matric. My father is a minister of religion and works for the University of Stellenbosch Business School. My mother is a third grade teacher. I am an only child, independent, enthusiastic, outgoing and a complete extrovert. I enjoy people and often get much of my energy from them.

Work Experience

Matric Dance Committee,
St Andrew's School for Girls
Fundraising Portfolio (2003-2004)
Running of the Fundraising portfolio, raising funds for the Matric Dance and aiding the execution of the task, setting up venue and doing general PR.
* raising the required R50 000 in a short period of time
* providing the 2004 matriculants with a memorable dance experience

Phase 2 CDs,
Eastgate Shopping Centre
Sales assistant (2002-2004)
Sales of audiovisual goods as DVDs, CDs and Play Station Games

Dave & Johan,
Park Meadows shopping Centre
Receptionist (2004-2005)
Manning reception, receiving calls, making appointments, receiving clients and managing finances

Au Pair,
Johannesburg Surround
Au Pair (January 2007-February 2007)
I was Au Paired a 17 year old High school girl, Charne Louw. My duties were to drop and fetch her from home, school and ballet.

Au Pairs for You
Au Pair
Cape Town and Surround (January 2008 – Present)
I Au pair two lovely girls, aged 1 and 3 in Vredehoek. I also Babysit on occasion.

Inveritas Global Holdings,
Sunning hill
Receptionist (26 June 2007-1 August 2007)
Answering calls, and administrating office and documents. I was also responsible for transcribing and translating legal documents.

UCT Radio,
Upper Campus, University of Cape Town, Cape Town
DJ and radio presenter (2007)
Production of the Monday night show "The Monday Master Plan with Lunel and Mr. Ed"
* We were promoted from a graveyard timeslot to daytime with in a very short period of our show's production.
* Nominated for the best variety production at the Annual UCT Radio Awards.

A16 Production
UCT Broadcasting Studio
Stage Manager (19 May 2008)
Stage Managing the group production of A16, a live audio drama, conceived and produced for an academic Live Audio Drama Seminar, by 3rd year Media students.

Agter die Paweljoen/Behind the Rugby Stands
UCT Broadcasting Studio
Writer/Producer and Director (5 May 2008)
An individual live Audio Drama produced for Student Radio Stations UCTRadio and MFM as a promotional tool for Inervarsity 2008.

Education

Jan Cilliers-Johannesburg, Zoo Lake
Grade 1-2(1994-1995)
* Youngest Chorister ever

Helpmekaar Akademie (Leeuwenhof Akademie)-Bedfordview
Standard 1 - 3(1996-1998)
* Achieved in various eisteddfods in the Drama, Piano and Voice divisions

St. Andrew's School for Girls-Senderwood
Grade 6 - Grade 10 (Matric) (1999-2005)
Matriculated subjects are: Afrikaans 2nd Language HG English 1st Language HG French 3rd Language HG Drama HG Geography HG Biology HG
* Half Colours for Drama
* Full Colours for Music
* Head of Music
* Matric Dance Committee (Fundraising Portfolio)
* Trained and achieved merit in Unisa grade 7 Practical Voice Exam

University of Cape Town-Cape Town
Current year of study: 3rd year (2006-current)
I am currently in the process of obtaining a BA majoring in Drama, Film and Media.
* Involved in Residence house (Floor Rep)
* UCT Radio (DJ)


Professional References

Anele Janse van Rensburg,
Business owner and Manager
Dave & Johan

Desire Louw,
Teacher,
Leeuwenhof Akademie

Anthony Sloan
Audio Drama Seminar Leader
University of Cape Town
sloana@telkomsa.net

Johnathan Mayer
Station Manager
UCT radio

Personal References

Anlie van Zijl,
Mother
Teacher and head of the junior phase department, Leeuwenhof Akademie

Jordan Louise Pearton,
Flat mate and friend
Student, Private

Mrs E Bosman,
Head of House,
St. Andrew's School for Girls
Please see attached reference. 


Blog Entry 11: (Sunday 13 April)

The individual project:

The idea:
Agter die Paweljoen is a live audio drama that is part of a two part series specially produced for Intervarsity happening on 9 April 2008. Agter die Paweljoen is the Afrikaans version to be aired on MFM (The University of Stellenbosch’s local radio station) and Behind the Rugby Stands, the English translated version will be aired on UCTRadio (The University of Cape Town’s official community radio station).

In the Afrikaans version I have selected English actors to portray English sports news readers. The result will be an Afrikaans sports report by English rivals. The effect of the accent being comical, essentially leading to social satire. A similar effect would be obtained through making Afrikaans actors read English on an English news read.

I have made certain scripted decisions regarding the aim of the piece and also to reflect and use various Audio Drama conventions.

1. I found War of the Worlds by Orson Wells rather inspiring and liked the seamlessness of the acting and the reporting. I have gone for a similar feel but on a smaller scale.
2. I have made use of a popular figure with in the UCT and Stellenbosch communities. Anton Taylor is a UCT student, known for many things. He is a columnist for the Varsity paper (UCT’s official paper), he was also responsible for the streaking during the Intervarsity Cup match that took place earlier this rugby season, between UCT and Stellenbosch. Popular figures and music is often used in Audio Drama.
3. Both the live audience and the listeners have been taken into consideration. I will be producing the Afrikaans version for the academic purpose, in studio the audience will be predominantly English speaking, neither that actors, nor the audience will have a complete understanding of what is being said, but the action of getting them involved and setting the scene as UCT students, them having to chant a popular war cry will hopefully not only provide a rival ambience, but will get them more excited about the piece as a whole.

Here is the Afrikaans version of the Audio Drama:


Aantekening: Hierdie radio drama geld as ‘n promosie vir die jaarlikse inter-varsity rugby wedstryd tussen die Universiteit van Kaapstad en die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Daar sal wee weergawes wees, een in Afrikaans en dieselfde weergawe in Engels. Die Afrikaanse weergave sal op MFM uitgesaai word, die Engelse weergawe op UCTRadio. Albei weergawes sal op Maandag 5 Mei 2008 na die nuus om vyf-uur uitgesaai word.

In hierdie weergawe sal engelse akteurs die rolle van Mike Sevenoaks en Micheal McInearny aanneem. Minette Smit is ‘n afrikanse omroepper vir MFM en is dus ‘n afrikaanssprekende aktriese. Cathy Sims en Anton Taylor word deur engelse akteurs gespeel.



‘n Klanktegnikus sal die noodsaklike klank insetsels hanteer. Alle klanke is elektronies, behalwe vir die gehoor se bydrae wat terselfde tyd in studio opgeneem sal word.







And here is the English versio, that will not be produced on the 5th of May:



Note: This radio Drama acts as a promotional piece for the annual Intervarsity rugby match between the University of Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch. Two editions of this Audio Drama will be produced, one in Afrikaans and another in English. The Afrikaans edition will be broadcast on MFM radio and the English version will be aired on UCTRadio. Both editions should be aired on 5 May 2008 after the news at five pm.

In this edition, Afrikaans Actors will be taking on the roles of Gerrit van Deventer and Gert Potgieter. Tamsin Collins is an English speaking presenter on UCTRadio and should be played by an Afrikaans speaking actress. Cathy Sims and Anton Taylor are played by English actors.




A sound technician would necessary to control the recorded sound. All sounds are recorded except for the audience’s participation of the war cry, which will be recorded in live time.

Blog Entry 14: (Tuesday 6 May)

I finally recorded my script: Agter die Paweljoen: Nuus om Vyf-uur, yesterday. Here are some points I would like to note on the production that I would like to bring to attention for our collective drama, A16, which we will be recording in two weeks:

1. Get to the studio early, especially for in case your technical-support-staff is not available.
2. Bring extra adaptors and extension cords.
3. Ensure that your cast is there well before you are due to record.
4. Nothing is set in stone, and that includes the position of your actors and the audience.
5. Inform your actors/actresses about microphone etiquette and how to approach mistakes.
6. Time is money and we have neither, so do not waste time and delay recording as you are wasting the space, the production team and the audience’s time.


Blog Entry 15: (Wednesday 14 May)

I met Jonas (my technical director) and Max (my director) about a week ago to go through the script, make notes (in the promptbook) and to discuss the various design elements necessary and so that we can commence work on our technical script. We received the final script from the head writer (Jerusha) a week later and I scheduled a production meeting with the whole class to get every one up to date and to discuss what everyone should expect in the up coming week’s recording. Here is a copy of the agenda that I compiled for our meeting which is taking place in the Commerce Board room on Friday the 16th:

A16 Group Production Meeting:


Agenda: Meeting Friday 16 May 2008

1. Welcome and introduction:
Mr M Cromety


2. Status and progress reports:

Director M Cromety
Stage Manager L van Zijl
Technical Director J Hansen
Set Decorator and Designer H Hunma
Costume Designer N Baretta
Sound Designer Kara Moorland
Musical Director J Grierson
Folly Doza
Publicist L Jacobs
Graphic Designers A Khupe and T Surtees

3. Monday’s programme:

Director M Cromety
Stage Manager L van Zijl
Technical Director J Hansen
Set Decorator and Designer H Hunma
Costume Designer N Baretta
Sound Designer Kara Moorland
Musical Director J Grierson
Folly Doza
Publicist L Jacobs
Graphic Designers A Khupe and T Surtees


4. Questions and General Comments

5. Run through of script