Serialized Radio Dramas: A form of Web 2.0 Storytelling?

Writing for New Media Classmates, have you heard of Serialized Radio Dramas? You know the form of audio storytelling which depends on dialogue, music and sound effects that your Grandparents might have listened to before the days of Television? For the people in our class who don't know this type of entertainment was extremely popular during the 1930's and 40's because it existed in the place of hit serialized television shows which are on the air today like 24. In fact many Radio Dramas became TV shows like Dragnet, Guiding Light and The Adventures of Superman. However, unlike with TV shows there were some occasions where the audience believed these Radio Dramas were real. The most famous example was Orson Welles' broadcast of the War of the Worlds which actually covinced people that Aliens were invading Earth.

A radio that your Grandparents might have used to listen to Serialized Dramas

Today, after being phased out of existence by television Serialized Radio Dramas have reemerged as a form of Web 2.0 Storytelling. These Radio Dramas now fit within the realm Web 2.0 Storytelling through them not being broadcasted on the radio but being accessible to internet users which includes those of you in our New Media Class through the use of podcasts that can be downloaded through ITunes or websites. The most prominent source for podcast versions of Radio Dramas is Pendant Productions, a family based Internet company that uses dialogue, music, and sound effects to create modern versions of the programming that was popular in the 1930's and 40's.


The Podcast Serial I listen to on the site is entitled Batman Ace of Detectives but they also feature serials revolving around other popular franchises including Star Trek, James Bond, and Indiana Jones. Although what will cause you to be amazed with these podcasts is that the group of friends and family members that are behind Pendant Productions create these Serials in their own homes through simply using a computer along with ITunes and Audacity which are free downloadable softwares where back in the 30's and 40's these types of programs had to be recorded at large studios using extremely expensive equipment.

Promotional artwork for the Batman Ace of Detectives radio show

These Podcasts even addresses the social software aspect of Web 2.0 Storytelling by encouraging listeners to audition for roles in their various programs. The fact that Pendant Productions makes these Podcasts in their own home might make you think that they are reaaly bad quality or incredibly cheesy, but despite the fact that these programs occasionally use music from popular movies like Star Wars they are extremely professional. In fact Pendant Publishing has even won awards for their work called Parsecs.

An example of a Parsec Award

These awards are dedicated to rewarding excellence in various aspects of Speculative Science Fiction Podcasting proving that there is a huge market for Serialized Dramas on the Internet. In closing I would totally suggest for those of you in our Writing for New Media class to check out these Podcast Serials especially if you have an interest in the era of the 1930's and 40's or if you have an interest voice acting. Then after you check these Podcasts out comment on this post to give me your thoughts on this modernized version of an old school form of entertainment.