Audio Production and Sound Design are as much part of audio storytelling as the dialogue or narrative.
Having begun with sound-rich narrative podcasts, I now also create immersive sound for audio drama.
Sound effects are the framework that supports the narrative of the story. The listener creates the world of a drama in their mind, but my sound effects help them imagine the details and ultimately to suspend disbelief.
I visualise all of the action in a story, and pick sounds to build a cinematic impression of its environment. I prefer to use sounds I record from the actual environment of the action because they are unique and genuine. Although my listener may never concentrate on the background sounds in a piece of audio, it’s still important for them to be authentic. The subliminal effect of hearing that sound makes the audio, and the story much more believable.