Audiodrama: A New Frontier For Independent Filmmakers

AUSTIN, Texas, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- "Game of Thrones", "House of Cards" and other serials are part of a new golden age of entertainment, led by streaming services, cable and broadcast TV. But how can aspiring filmmakers and other creatives break into serial storytelling?

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"Consider audiodrama," says Sibby Wieland, a writer-producer who moderated one of two audiodrama panels featured at this year's South by Southwest Festivals, and shares new audiodramas with listeners over the Sound Stages Radio Network (http://www.soundstagesradio.com).

"Audiodrama is a great, low-cost method to develop a serial," she explains. "Only a few filmmakers will receive development dollars to produce a pilot for a series. But you can produce a full season of a dramatic podcast story, using your own funds, and reach thousands of listeners. A big audience can be potentially built on the proverbial shoestring."  

She points to the success of SXSW panel guest Fred Greenhalgh, who inked a deal to produce adaptations for audio book giant Audible, after the success of "The Cleansed", his independently-produced, post-apocalyptic serial. "Audio drama is a fantastic incubator for developing new entertainment," says Greenhalgh. "The format is only limited by your ability to conjure movies in the listener's head. Any location, time, or space is available to you and you can try out new stories as a full experience in sound before developing them into film or video."

While the audiodrama format has a lower barrier to entry for independent producers, that doesn't mean they can't utilize professional actors and voiceover artists. Both union and non-union actors have worked on projects by Aural Stage Studios, explains SXSW panelist Matthew Boudreau. "SAG/AFTRA's New Media contracts allow you to negotiate rates directly with the talent, and gain access to talent at affordable rates. Our first show, '1918', cost about $2000 to produce." But using these contracts mean some limitations. "You must use union talent and are limited to distribution through New Media formats – not traditional radio or CDs," Boudreau explains. 

"New Media is where the momentum is," Wieland explains. "Most listeners are discovering audiodrama through web radio and podcasts. Millions of people are addicted to shows like 'Serial' and 'Welcome to Nightvale'."

But filmmakers can start small, explains producer Sonia James, also of Sound Stages Radio, who first helmed the audiodrama "Beware the Moon Wraith: The Orb of Phoebe," for Curious Echo Radio Theatre. "You can test out a short format serial and produce it in a weekend or two."

"It's great for testing niche material," Wieland adds, describing her audiodrama "Over Here, Over There," which was based on veteran oral histories, and used excerpts from the best-selling World War II memoir "See Here, Private Hargrove". "You can develop and produce two or three niche projects, or audio pilots, for the time and money you might have spent on one film."

Contact:
Sibby Wieland
Sound Stages Radio Network  
Email 
Ph: (281) 236-2924

SOURCE Sibby Wieland