This was my first idea and theme once I had seen the given instruction for the project. If writing a realistic story, why not connect it to the latest issues raised in the Philippines? Filipino social media feeds are so dramatic after all, why not make use of it?
Recently, a Senate bill was introduced that seeks to penalize children who abandon their elderly parents. This bill sparked strong reactions on social media, as many found it morally unjust, particularly concerning children who have endured trauma due to their parents' behavior. The bill's author, Senator Panfilo Lacson, later clarified that instances of abuse, abandonment, or neglect by parents toward their children are exempting circumstances. The bill, he stated, is specifically directed at wealthy adult children who no longer support their parents who are senior citizens, sickly, or permanently incapacitated and unable to support themselves, regardless of age.
Despite this clarification, children from abusive households remain at high risk of being targeted by this bill, especially given the often-unjust justice system in the Philippines. Consider Carlos Yulo's situation with his allegedly narcissistic mother; Angelica would more than likely file a petition for support, potentially gaining influence and power through public attention. The justice system often appears unresponsive to the younger generation, frequently citing the adage 'Galangin ang mga nakakatanda' (Respect your elders). This trend has been observed multiple times in various cases, such as those involving Sarah Geronimo and Jake Cyrus. In the worst-case scenario, being found guilty of parent abandonment could lead to imprisonment.
Radio Drama has been a long-running tradition on Filipino Media, and I would like to produce this one as for my MMS 172 project.
Since this is an original composition, I'll be writing the script for this radio play. To relate it to actual events, I looked for reactions and stories on social media, particularly those about breadwinner children and narcissistic parents. Some stories were from Facebook and Reddit, though I suspect a few might be AI-generated or fictional. To ensure a compelling dramatic experience, I also researched other media related to similar incidents, such as movies or drama anthologies like MMK and Magpakailanman.
This isn't a project that can be completed immediately, within a week or a day; planning and practice are crucial. Since I don't have close classmates or friends who are technical directors specializing in audio or sound directing, I plan to study further using online resources ( like YouTube ) to enhance and finish this project. I want to avoid cramming it, especially since I don't have any past experience in this technical area yet.
I will, of course, play a character in this radio drama and have someone with radio broadcasting skills narrate it for me. However, I'm still deciding whether to find another performer for the other character or if I'll play it myself. For the background, I'll use royalty-free music, but only minimally, not as a major part of the drama.
I'm currently drafting the script, adjusting it based on what I can realistically achieve, so revisions are definitely expected. As for sound effects, I'd like to either simulate them like foley artists do or record the actual sounds myself. My new condenser microphone, the Fifine K669B, arrived after an initial order issue. Thankfully, this microphone works well and is better than my previous ones.
I'm planning to record this on my room since I can't afford a recording studio or a large room for sound recording. Drawing from my past webcam exercises, I've decided to add a fleece blanket to help decrease reverberation. I might also buy PVC insulation foam, which I've seen voice actors and singers on TikTok use as a DIY sound absorber; my main goal is just to reduce the echoing. However, because acting requires some distance from the microphone, I can't completely cover myself with a fleece blanket as I did for my previous podcast and voiceover recordings. Doing so might make the sound too loud for the microphone to pick up properly. If I would be further lazy, I would just record in the closet. Adjusting for room acoustics is a hassle for me but somehow a must too!
Image 1. My Recording Spot beside my bed
Hardwares:
Microphone : Fifine K669B USB Condenser Microphone
Headphones: Its an unknown brand from and manufactured on Japan ( A gift )
Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim3 ( Intel® Core™ i5-12450H Processor )
Software:
Audacity
As for the signal flow, I think the graph is already self-explanatory since I won't be using any instrument that requires another hardware.
The risks I might encounter during recording are:
Heat: My air conditioner and fan are too loud to use while recording. I might open it time to time after recording, also have a water bottle prepared on the side.
Noise from the Window: Even with double-layered PVC insulation foam, neighborhood kids, as usual, can be heard. Another factor is my own potential for unnecessary stage fright, as I tend to act loudly... and I have new neighbors. ( So shy ) I seriously need confidence to act everything well.
Timing: Since I expect to be loud, I can't record at night. However, afternoons can also be noisy due to kids or random people (and dogs). Therefore, I'll need reinforcements (like my siblings or boyfriend) to help quiet the outside noise.
Image 4. My project time table
Regarding my timeline, I actually started scriptwriting even before the indicated week. My main goal is to finish the entire project before the given deadline. I anticipate that mixing will take me three weeks to study, learn, and implement until I'm fully satisfied with the result.
For this project, I'm committed to creating a proper audio production, even if it's beyond my current skill set. I'm looking forward to the entire process!