Final Sound launches initiative to teach radio craft to 2023 AWARD School grads

As production timelines crunch and opportunities for mentoring juniors in agencies continues to dwindle, learning the craft behind brilliant radio is harder than ever.

That’s why Final Sound – one of Melbourne’s most respected and awarded audio production houses – approached AWARD School with an idea to support the next generation of creatives to learn audio craft, by producing their AWARD School radio scripts.

In partnership with AWARD School Victoria and The Red Cross, Final Sound provided three lucky AWARD School graduates an unforgettable working lesson in the value sound production craft contributes to their creative ideas. The initiative turning scripts from their AWARD School portfolios, into polished and fully produced radio spots.

Craig Conway, Sound Designer at Final Sound, and Pip Wright, Executive Producer, hosted three graduates in the studio over the course of three weeks, bringing three scripts to life. During these sessions, the graduates had an opportunity to discuss the audio production workflow, and covered aspects of the process such as casting, directing voice talent, sound design and mixing.

Conway said: “It was especially important to us that students were given the opportunity to see the value of being in the studio in person, to direct talent and finesse their creative with a sound designer. And it was clear from their enthusiasm in the session and the final produced ads that they learned so much from the experience.”

Sessions covered:
– The value of collaborating with the sound house early in the process
– How to write a great casting brief and the impact of having time to cast
– Importance of attending the studio to direct talent in person and collaborate with a sound designer
– Foley versus library SFX
– Music sourcing and licensing
– Sound design and the mixing process

Week 1 Script: ‘The Gates of Heaven’
Written by: Isabelle Beaupré
Talent:
God: Tony Nikolakopoulos
Man: Elliot Loney
Brand Tag: Freya Stafford

Week 2 Script: ‘Is Your Blood Boiling’
Written by: Tyler Cicerale
Talent: Petra Yared

Week 3 Script: ‘Jesus Quits’
Written by: Anastasia Charisiou
Talent:
Jesus: Daniel Moore
Brand Tag: Petra Yared