PAUSE for Dramatic Effect

Storytelling systems help you write your audio dramas so that you know what has to come next. It is your own, personalized process that makes sure you tell your story in the way you intended to tell it, without forgetting any of the details along the way. You could call this your style, philosophy, or even your approach to telling stories using the audio format. But whatever you choose to use or c...

Unlike film, which has lighting, costumes, cuts, graphics, CGI, movements, camera position, sets, and even real locations, audio only has four tools in its toolbox: Spoken Dialog, Silence, Sound Effects, and Music Of the four, music can play a vital role in your audience's reaction to your story. You're not required to have any, but without it, you're tying one arm behind your back, which it comes...

For the most part, garbage in creates garbage out. And when you're on a super tight schedule, the quality of that garbage becomes a matter of perspective. What would be an immediate re-record session suddenly becomes "good enough" when you don't have any time left. But here's the revelation that I had when doing an audio drama this way: what you think is garbage turns out to be genius! I like to c...

Do you need the best gear to record an audio drama? Do you need a full sound stage and the best microphones to record your voice actors? Do you need all your actors in that studio all at the same time? Or how about "that guy behind the glass" guy? The one everyone knows is moving around dials and switches to make all your actors sound amazing? Do you need that guy? Do you need that big room behind...

Do you need a sound library to make an audio drama? No. No, you don't. You can get away with making your own special effects. It might not be exactly what you want. But it has a few advantages: You get to decide what the sound is, rather than settling for what's available You don't have to search for a sound for hours You own it Will it be perfect? Maybe. But for a daily or homebrewed audio drama,...

Do you need real voice actors to make an audio drama? No. No, you don't. You can get away with your friends and family. It might not be great. It might not even be in person. But it will be recorded, edited, and done. When you get yourself a budget and have a real cast, then you can be picky. But when you're in a rush, sometimes good is the best you can hope for. Especially if you're going to do t...

Are you an imposter? Of course not because Mr. Murphy is a lair! He is fear. Fear of embarrassment, fear of judgment, or fear of making a mistake. But that's all Imposter Syndrome is -- fear of the unknown! But what if it all works out? Do you know what will happen if you don't listen to that voice? The worst thing that could happen -- You could learn something. However, nothing happens if you qui...

To design, create, produce, and promote a daily podcast, you have to have your ducks in a row. It requires planning -- lots of planning -- a solid format that you can use as a template. But what happens when you decide to make that podcast a scripted, fictional audio drama with voice actors, sound effects, and music? Does THAT work? Can THAT work as a daily podcast? Well, you don't have to wonder...

Bonus Episode #2 - Writer and director Kyle M. Bondo talks about the voices behind Pause for Dramatic Effect and describes how he creates the voices of different characters. Learn more at PauseforDramaticEffect.com . Copyright © 2024. Pause for Dramatic Effect, Gagglepod, and Oncetold. All Rights Reserved.

Bonus Episode #1 - Writer and director Kyle M. Bondo talk about the making of Pause for Dramatic Effect and describes how he came up with the idea for this audio drama in the first place.

Acknowledgement of additional credited and uncredited character voices.

Thomas Black is put away in a very special prison... for now.

Douglas finally has the courage to go home and face his estranged wife Blair.

Douglas captures Thomas and gives him to the Guild to answer for his crimes.

Douglas reveals how he got the upper hand on Thomas and Zababa.

Zababa discovers that the vault contains more than just his treasure.

Thomas loses Douglas again but manages to catch up with someone more sinister.

Thomas Black is reunited with Douglas Dire only to discover things have changed.

Thomas has lost the story of Douglas and now has to face an inquisition.

Douglas finally understands what Zababa wants and plans his escape from the monster's grip.

Douglas remembers a forgotten secret while trying to break the Shadow Man's spell.

Douglas learns how the Shadow Man is connected to the ring.

Douglas struggles with his grip on reality as he confronts the Shadow Man.

Where Douglas Dire confronts the Shadow Man and discovers if he is real or only a creation of his own mind.

Where Douglas Dire finally gets a glimpse of his watcher only to have the sighting resurrect a memory he thought he had buried back in Iraq 15 years ago.