Abstract:
Audio narrating is an element for storytelling in which it brings radio drama into life by using non-verbal sign sounds. The goal of this research is to understand the why & how of audio narrating and its application in radio drama. Audio narrating - due to being closer to expressive forms – enhances the radio drama and makes it more global. In the present research with a semiotic methodology and by using the “Hero’s Journey” archetype suggested by Christopher Vogler, 5 drama pieces namely: “Life…and Nothing More”, “Earth’s Future”, “Iraj Legend”, “Aqua Alta” & “Elegy”, have been analyzed. By categorizing music codes, effects, silence, editing, and the manner of uttering speech in the aforementioned dramas, the research tries to survey each sound image and its interrelation with other signs. The findings of the research recount that organizing a complete story (based on Vogler’s archetype) becomes feasible without using speech and only by audio narrating. Sound editing in radio dramas can have several functions such as flash-forward, change of a situation, and passage of time. Likewise, music can have narrative functions; it can control the rhythm of narration while building up atmosphere and characters. To provoke suspense, control the rhythm of action and prenominating events in a radio drama can be achieved through silence. Modes of uttering speech can also help to evolve characters and push the story forward while conveying the change of time. Sound effects, too, have narrative functions in radio drama.
Machine summary:
This research, by categorizing the codes of music, effects, silence, editing, and the modes of word delivery in the aforementioned plays, has examined the significance of each auditory signifier and the associative relationship between signifiers.
Speech, music, effects, silence, sound editing - which itself is a meaning-making element - and the modes that emerge during the delivery of speech, are all auditory signs that do not fall within the semiotic system of language.
Comparison of the Hero's Journey from the perspective of Campbell and Vogler (Vogler, 1396: 17) The Author's Journey (The Hero's Journey from Vogler's perspective) (Refer to the page image) Research Method To achieve an understanding of how the narrator's voice is applied in radio drama, it was necessary to analyze samples of radio plays in which non-verbal sounds are used for narration.
The stages of the hero's journey present in the piece "The Legend of Iraj" (Refer to the page image) As a result, only the non-verbal part of the play "The Legend of Iraj" was identified as a narrative text conforming to Vogler's narrative pattern.
Frequency of the types of signifiers present in the piece "Aqua Alta" at the first level of signification (Refer to the page image) In this piece, music, effects, and editing have been used.
Frequency of various types of signifiers present in the dramatic piece "Elegy" at the first level of signification (Refer to the page image) In this piece, effects, music, and editing are used.
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