Are you thinking about creating your own audio drama?

Here are some valuable lessons we learned working on Strange Air.

This is one of our favorite quotes: “Stories are lies that tell a deeper truth.”

You can’t produce audio dramas if you don’t listen to audio dramas. And sometimes, you can learn more from a bad podcast than a good one.

Titles are important. They must be eye-catching and intriguing. Which ones do you like? We’re fans of “Midnight Burger” and “The Call of the Void”.

The artwork for your podcast is super important. Need a unique type of inspiration? Check out old-school album covers from the seventies and eighties. They’re amazing!

Accept bad reviews. They’re part of the game. And you might learn something.

Remember the first “Jurassic Park” film? The good one where Jeff Goldblum talks about chaos theory? Based on our podcasting experience, it’s a real thing that shows up when you least expect it!

The podcasting community is a friendly one. So reach out. Ask for advice. Make friends with people who have more experience than you. Remember, we’re all in it together.

Good writing requires a road map so know your ending before you start on the beginning. If you don’t do this, you’ll end up with a mess that doesn’t flow well, just like the last Star Wars trilogy.

Without visuals, more than three voices in a scene might create confusion. We just heard a show with five female characters, the same age, in the same scene. We had no idea who was talking when.

There’s nothing more boring than a writer who explains everything. Trust your listeners to figure out a few things for themselves.

After listening to your first episode, listeners should have the answers to three questions. Whose story is it? What’s happening here? And what’s at stake? The first episode of “Rabbits” does this really well.

Do yourself a favor and read “The Writer’s Journey” by Chris Vogler. It’s Joseph Campbell’s theories on heroes and myth without the fancy pants language.

When writing podcast scripts, stay away from specifics that date your material. For example, don’t name the current President of the United States. Just say “The President”.

Avoid info dumps. Don’t overwhelm your listeners with too many details at the same time. Stick to one reveal per scene.

Don’t use generic nouns like “car”. Bob got in his “car” doesn’t reveal anything about the character. Try using specific phrases like “beat-up Civic” or “brand-new Audi”.

It’s ok to use story tropes, but you have to make them your own. So invert the trope. Twist it around a few times. Treat it like pizza dough.

Don’t say it happened in 2022. Say it happened two years ago. That will keep your material evergreen, just like a fake Christmas tree.

Audio dramas allow you to set scenes anywhere on the planet (and beyond) without having to actually go there so your writing should have NO limits.

Listeners aren’t always focused on every moment of your show. Repeat major plot points so they don’t get missed.

Make sure your actors sign a release BEFORE you record their voices. There are plenty of free samples on-line. Draft one to your needs and specifics. This will protect you down the road.

The right actors will bring your characters to life. The wrong ones will drive stakes through their imaginary hearts.

Variety is the key to casting. Engage your listeners with a wide range of ages, genders, accents, and whatever else reflects the world as you know it.

Never use two actors in the same scene who sound alike. It’s a schizophrenic nightmare, and your listeners will be confused.

Choose actors who are both talented AND reliable. There’s no greater waste of time than last-minute cancellations or actors who show up unprepared.

Consider using actors who have a strong following on social media. They’ll be worth their weight in gold when you need help promoting your podcast.

Offer parts to the actors from your favorite podcasts. Just reach out, introduce yourself, and throw some kind words at them. You never know. They might be interested.

If you don’t know how to direct actors, take an acting class. Exploring your inner thespian will raise your directing game.

You’re not shooting an expensive film so there’s no need to rehearse. Just jump right in. Record every single word. You never know what kind of magic might show up during that first take!

Always say yes when a performer wants another take, even if you’re happy with the ones you have.

It’s possible to get too attached to your own material. So listen to the cast when you’re rehearsing. They bring fresh ears to the process.

Don’t assume you can clean up a bad track later. If you can, deal with recording issues in the moment.

Keep detailed notes on every take as you record. This will make your future mixing sessions much, much easier. (But don’t show those notes to the actors!)

Don’t exhaust your cast with long sessions. If you need someone for 3 hours, try recording that person in two 90-minute sessions. Their vocal chords will thank you.

We can always tell when an actor is playing off a reader. If possible, always have your cast members record with other actors. That’s the best way to get a believable performance.

Free is key when you’re an indie podcaster with almost no money. We mixed our show with free Audacity software and according to one professional sound engineer, we pulled off real miracles with it!

We hate when the background sound overwhelms the actors who are speaking in the foreground. It’s like when you make a martini. Finding the right balance is incredibly important.

If your character mentions a sound, the listeners will want to hear it. But don’t throw in random noises that haven’t been referenced by your characters. They’re distracting and confusing.

Learn to layer your background sounds. Creating an immersive atmosphere is essential if you want to get noticed.

Choosing the best way to transition from one scene to another is important. Consider every option and how it will sound. A straight cut? A fade out and fade in? A music cue? Or how about something completely different that is uniquely yours?

Footsteps are a pain. They’re the worst sound effect ever. We never get them right. Our next audio drama will be set in a gravity-free zone where the characters feet never touch the ground.

Less is more when you’re choosing sound effects. There’s a fine line between an immersive soundscape and noise.