How Do You Control Rhythm in a Radio Drama?

One thing I learned quickly in this project is that radio drama has its own rhythm, and it’s very different from film or music.

At first, our script felt like a short movie — fast cuts, quick transitions. But when we recorded it, something felt off. Without visuals, everything moved too quickly. The listener didn’t have time to imagine the space, or feel the mood.

We slowed it down. We added pauses after each paragraph. We left small gaps between scenes. And suddenly, it felt better — not boring, but more immersive.

I realized that in radio drama, silence is part of the rhythm. It gives space for the listener to “see with their ears.” Also, repeating certain sounds (like footsteps or background tones) helped guide the audience through the story, like musical cues.

It’s like composing a piece of ambient music, but with narrative. Timing is not just technical — it’s emotional.

This experience made me think differently about editing. Now I try to feel the tempo of the story, not just cut it cleanly. I learned that rhythm in sound art is not about speed — it’s about breathing.