How to Create an Audio Drama Series on Little-to-No-Budget

13321115_10156963692510481_1794294579_o.jpgby Pete Lutz

So you say you’re a creative type who has always wanted to put together some kind of artistic endeavour that will enthral the masses and make you big bucks at the same time?  Well, that’s really quite wonderful, but I’m sorry, you’re reading the wrong article.  No, this is for somebody who is desperate to provide a bit of entertainment to anyone who may listen, and to create that entertainment on an absolutely near-invisible shoestring budget.

Actually, this is more of a story about how I did it, and there are some steps here that I don’t recommend for everybody, but you should still know everything.  Well, almost everything.  I won’t bore you with all the sleepless nights I spent weeping over it like it was my own child.  Oh.  Looks like I just did.  So, why not read on?

PptSeason11. COME UP WITH A WONDERFUL IDEA.

Audio dramas are stories that are told so well that the listener can see it like a movie in his mind.  It’s your job to come up with that story.  You can do what I did, which is create an anthology series called Pulp-Pourri Theatre (each episode a standalone story with a beginning, middle and end), or you can go the way of a serial and have several episodes with a longer, drawn-out story.  The choice is yours, and you should go ahead and write the outline for your series.  No, go ahead.  I’ll wait right here until you’re done.  Got any magazines?

Continue reading “How to Create an Audio Drama Series on Little-to-No-Budget”

YAP Audio Production

Meet Robert Cudmore, one half of YAP Audio Production, along with Matthew McLean.  They’re the audio drama production company behind “Aftermath & Other Audio Drama Stories” which tells tales of the post-apocalyptic, horror, sci-fi and comedy; now blending their two-series post-apocalyptic drama Aftermath with a series of short, one-off pieces.

Ryan Watson, who runs the Juice Festival Blog, wanted to find out more.

Continue reading “YAP Audio Production”

Pete Lutz: The “Pulp-Chaser”

Texas-based audio drama writer & producer Pete Lutz is a self-proclaimed king of “making radio drama on no budget whatsoever”.  (Tongue firmly in cheek as he adjusts his crown.)

Considering producing audio drama involves finding a troop of acting talent, recording (ideally together) with quality microphones, sourcing/creating fitting music and sound effects, and hours upon hours of writing, editing and promotion…  That’s a pretty noble claim to make.

VivaCC_Pulp-Pourri-Theatre01_16175716_ver1_0_900_675 (1)

Nick Wommack, left & Pete Lutz, right.  Photo by George Tuley/Corpus Christi Caller-Times


Pete learned a great deal of his craft from listening to the masters: the creators of Old-Time Radio programs aired decades before he was born.  Even his stories come from that era, for the most part, or are inspired by them.

“Back before any of you lot wuz born, eh? Well, ‘ere wuz summat called radio, eh?”

[Cue dramatic fanfare music…]  Ladies and gentlemen, he’s the man with a face for radio, and more radio than you can face…  Mr. Pete Lutz!

Continue reading “Pete Lutz: The “Pulp-Chaser””

Episode 19 – Making the Most of your Creative Degree

It’s somewhat ironic that what followed the episode entitled “Never Stop” was an absence of podcasts for an entire month. Let me start with an apology. I’m one-man-band; making this podcast alongside everything else in my life. I’ve started a new semester at the University of Sunderland, where I’m now lecturing three radio/journalism classes, which has taken up a great deal of time & energy. I’m also working for the arts networking organisation ArtWorks-U, making occasional videos for the university, producing four weekly radio broadcasts, and sporadically working on a handful of other projects.

Life is chaotic, unpredictable and hectic… And I love it.

As such, I put 99% Perspiration on the back burner. To my own detriment, as much as yours. It’s not good practice, I know. But. The show must go on.

You can expect weekly episodes from 99% Perspiration once again.

Episode 19 is the very first live special of 99% Perspiration. It was broadcast during Freshers’ Week at the University of Sunderland, where I work as an Academic Tutor of radio. They invited us to create a special, live, one-off programme tailor-made to incoming students – “Making the Most of your Creative Degree”.

Click here to listen to Episode 19

Click here to listen to Episode 19

A big thanks is in order for Matthew Donnachie and Grant Lowery, who were our sound-designers on the project.

I’d love to hear back from you about whether this is useful (or not) if you’re not based at the University of Sunderland – our Twitter is @99Podcast.

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Our guests on Episode 19:

Click here to listen to Jill on Episode 19

Click here to listen to Jill on Episode 19

Jill Kirkham is the Programme Leader of Fashion Product & Promotion at the University of Sunderland, and there are tons of opportunities and tips available for fashion students which will be applicable to fashion-conscious listeners.

Click here to listen to Lily in episode 19

Click here to listen to Lily in episode 19

Lily Clifford is the Learning and Engagement Officer at the National Glass Centre, based in Sunderland.  Lily began volunteering at the NGC whilst she studied at the University, and this volunteering experience led her straight into her current role.

Click here to listen to Sarah on Episode 19

Click here to listen to Sarah on Episode 19

Sarah Heseltine is currently a Graduate Intern within the Student Recruitment team at the University of Sunderland.  She joined us to give us insight into extra-curricular opportunities at the University; in particular the Student Ambassador scheme which she was involved in.

Click here to listen to Episode 19

Click here to listen to Sinèad on Episode 19

Sinèad Livingston is a graduate from BA Community Music, in partnership with the Sage Gateshead.  She’s currently setting up a musicians’ creative network, and working alongside me on a radio programme called ArtyParti on Spark FM (Wednesdays at 3pm) – and you can hear more from Sinèad on episode 4 of 99% Perspiration.

Click here to listen to James on Episode 19

Click here to listen to James on Episode 19

James Hamilton is currently studying BA Journalism at the University of Sunderland, and currently presents Drive Time on the student/community radio station Spark FM.

Click here to listen to Rute Correia on 99% Perspiration

Click here to listen to Rute Correia on 99% Perspiration

And Rute Correia, who you can hear more from in Episode 18 of 99% Perspiration, is an incoming student of MA Radio (Production and Management).  She previously studied at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal, worked with Nintendo of Europe, and now creates the weekly White Market Podcast and runs creative company Rute’s Loot.

Episode 17 – New Paths

Hello creatives!

Episode 17 was one of those late night jobs. It took a few days to get the pieces together, but I’ve made it! Been a busy month for me this month.

Basically, I’ve found myself in a new temporary job working with ArtWorks-U, and a central part of my role is producing/presenting a new weekly radio broadcast/podcast called ArtyParti.

More news to follow, lots to update you on…

But first…

On Episode 17 of 99% Perspiration:

After 30 years working in a non-creative industry, Diane Gray now manages the community radio station Hive Radio, based in Jarrow, UK. In 2014, Diane won the silver Charles Parker Prize for her radio documentary; and is now working on radio drama alongside her role at Hive.

Diane Gray

Click here to hear Diane Gray on 99% Perspiration

Richi Jones is a singer/songwriter, and music production student based in the Midlands, UK. This year, Richi won the well-recognised national Open Mic competition, and he’s currently working on his new EP.

Richi Jones

Click here to listen to Richi Jones on 99% Perspiration

 

Stay productive, stay awesome!

99% Extra – Here’s Ben Tompkins Trying to Get a Job in Radio

Back in Episode 3 of 99% Perspiration, soon-to-be radio graduate Ben Tompkins shared that he was making a documentary for his dissertation project. It’s a one-off piece where Ben interviews several people who work in radio careers.

“Ben Tompkins travels around the North East of England searching for advice on how to get a job in the radio world.”

Included in Ben’s awesome documentary…

Giles Tanner – Managing Editor of Global North East

Tom Campbell – Drive Time Presenter, Heart Radio

Tom Davies – Head of Careers and Employability Service at the University Of Sunderland

Emma Snook – Producer at Amazing Radio

Jay Sykes – Freelance Producer and Lecturer in Radio Drama

Until next time…

Stay productive, stay awesome!