This was recorded using sound effects made by common household items. In our second podcast, we hear a spooky story inspired by the golden age of radio. They’ll also hear about one of the most famous pop culture moments in history – the legendary 1938 broadcast of The War of the Worlds. This podcast can also help kids think about history and the ways families were entertained in the first half of the 20th century. This resource can help kids think about the way stories are told when there is no visual element. The ingenious work of the sound effects specialists during radio’s golden age helps inspire creative thinking and problem solving. Also, write down at least one question you had after listening. Do you ever listen to stories/dramas this way – without any video?Īs you listen, think about how powerful radio must have been in an era where nobody had television, computers, iPods, or other electronic media in the home.Īfter listening to each podcast, make a list of the main points presented in it. How would you do it differently? Can you come up with some ideas for your own radio play? How would you make the sound effects?īefore you get started, think about different media you use that don’t have any visual element – radio, podcasts, iPod, “books on tape,” and so on.

Using only common household items, we recorded a spooky story with our own sound effects.

Can you think of any TV shows or movies that sound like they evolved from the old creepy radio dramas?.

Why do YOU think radio produced so many creepy shows during the golden age?.

Which sound effects sounded the most “real”?.

Why would it have been necessary for the sound effects crew to invent small sound effects devices that could fit on one table – like a mini squeaky door – instead of using actual squeaky doors in the building?.

According to Sound Designer Ben Burtt, what is different about doing sound effects for radio – compared with creating sound effects for a movie?.What brought about the demise of radio’s golden age?.

Spooky radio play script