Planning a radio advertisement  (Page 3/4)

Relaxation

• The first priority of the actor is relaxation.
• The actor’s body and voice are his instruments.
• Tension of any kind impairs performance.
• Tension usually shows itself first in the voice, because of shallow breathing.
• Start with the shoulders.
• Move on to arms and hands.
• The torso is the centre of all movement, because it contains our breath.
• Breathing exercises are essential.

- End this section with the legs, ankles and feet.

Posture

• Posture must be such as to allow the free, expressive use of voice speech and movement.
• Focus on keeping shoulders straight, the abdomen from protruding, on breath control, etc.

Breathing and Voice

• Good breathing is a fundamental requirement for voice production.
• All breathing exercises should be preceded by relaxation.
• The requirements for good voice production are relaxation, good posture, a plentiful supply of breath, controlled use of breathing by diaphragm and intercostal muscles, relaxed and unconstricted oral and pharyngeal resonators, and the formation of sounds well forward in the mouth to avoid a throaty tone and to assist projection.

- Breathing must be done with the chest, by expanding the rib cage, and with the diaphragm.

Example of a Warm-up routine

Do a series of wide, broad but simple movements, using a maximum of space.

Involve the whole body.

Make movements with sufficient strength, but without straining the muscles.

Open yourself completely, spreading your arms and hands wide – keeping your legs apart.

Remain in this expanded position for eight counts.

Imagine that you are becoming larger.

Return to original position.

Repeat eight times.

‘Close’ yourself by crossing your arms over your chest – putting your hands on your shoulders.

Kneel on one or both knees, bending the head low.

Imagine you are becoming smaller and smaller, curling up, contracting as though the space around you is shrinking.

Return to the original position.

Stand with the backs of the hands resting on the lower ribs.

Inhale silently through the nose to a mental count up to six.

Aiming at a target on the other side of the room, say aloud ‘one-two-three’, with an open jaw.

Don’t use all the breath – let the rest ‘sigh out’.

Repeat eight times.

• Note: Refer to the warm-up exercises in other drama modules for background information.

• Hints / Suggestions:

• Deep and correct breathing aids good posture and keeps the body in good tone.
• Breathing can also help build up powers of concentration.
• The more relaxed the body is, the more effortless and efficient the breathing will be.
• Make sure the learners do not overdo the exercise.
• A warm-up routine lays the foundation for the attainment of the requirements of the drama activities.
• There will be shy and self-conscious learners in your class, and it will be difficult for them to stand in front of the class conducting a warm-up routine – have them realise that taking part in drama is fun – there is no right or wrong.
• Because the activity concerns radio, instruct the learners to focus on vocal exercises for this module.

Activity 2

This Activity will probably be the learner’s first encounter with radio as a dramatic medium. Here follows a short background on radio broadcasting to share with your learners as an introduction to the practical activity of planning and producing a project for radio.