Make Your Own Radio Show Activity

BY JESSICA AVERY
​Programs Coordinator

This Zenith TransOceanic Radio (1940s) was last on display at the Fort Bend Museum in 2015.

The History of Radio in a Nutshell

The golden age of American radio lasted from 1930 through the 1940s, and grew into the fabric of daily life in the United States. Radio provided news and entertainment to a country struggling with economic depression and war. Programming was varied and included soap operas in the afternoon, adventure series for children, science fiction, comedies and, of course, music!

During World War II there was a growth in network news that covered events happening overseas on the front. Some programming was used for propaganda purposes, while others aimed at keeping up the morale of the public. Some of the most popular shows during this time were Dick Tracy, The Green Hornet, Howdy Doody Time, The Lone Ranger and Superman. 

Now an important part of making those shows come alive were the actors' voices, the music and  the sound effects! 

The Art of Foley

Foley is the art of creating and performing everyday sounds for television and movies. These sound effects include footsteps, wind blowing, rain, doors opening and closing and more. Many of the sound effects were developed by Jack Foley, and incredibly skilled sound effect artist, who developed a method for performing sound effects that were used during the live radio broadcasts in the 1920s. His sound effect techniques pioneered the methods that foley artists still use today.

Sound Effect Ideas

• Walking Horse – Hitting coconuts together or on a hard surface or paper cups
• Loud Thud – Drop a phone book
• Snow – Squeeze and step on a bag of cornstarch
• Thunder – Wave a sheet of aluminum
• Fire – Crinkling cellophane
• Birds wings – Flapping fabric in the air
• Light Rain – Pour uncooked rice onto a shallow baking pan
• Train – Shake a box of classic macaroni and cheese with a train whistle
• Running Water or Stream – Pour water from a picture into a bowl
• Footsteps – Experiment with a variety of shoes on a hard surface.  You can add a little sand or sugar to make it sound like you are outside

Make and Record Your Own Radio Show

Instructions

1. Create a script! You can write your own script, choose an excerpt from your favorite book or use a script from classic radio shows. Here's a link to some classic radio scripts.
2. Go through your script and highlight where you will need a sound effect. Maybe there is rain in the background, birds flying above, snow beneath your feet, etc.
3.  Gather your sound effect items together in one place where you can easily access them during your broadcast.
4.  Practice your sound effects with your script.
5.  Record your show and share it with your family and friends!