Episode 3: “Good Morrow, Cantabrigians” a Podcation Podblitz [Podcation Official Podcast]

As part of the 2019 Sound Education Conference, the Podcation team ran a custom interactive workshop where participants wrote, performed and recorded an original, educational podcast episode based on the roles of Cambridge and Boston in the American Revolutionary War.

Over this three-hour workshop, the 12 person team of individuals (novice-intermediate), using Podcation-crafted resources and methodology, worked together to produce a 5-10 minute podcast episode. The final product is a lighthearted educational segment that follows a format derived from NPR’s Up First podcast series.

Episode Script

Podcation Presents
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PRODUCTION SCRIPT
October 10, 2019
© 2019 PYD.Studio
All rights reserved.
patrick@

Model: Up First

Cast:

Kala Campbell as Agnes Johnsmith
Adela Mizrachi as Henrietta Longbottom
Gulsin Harmen as April O’Neil
Elaine Vitone as Abigail Winston
Mike Frudakis as Jed Johnsmith
Jane Reed as Black Bear
Dan Bennett as Samuel Davis
Dan Bennett as and King George
Chris O’Keeffe – Sponsor Vocals

PRODUCTION NOTE: SECTION 1: SHOW INTRODUCTION

SCENE: INT. A NEWS ROOM – 8 AM – 2 JOURNALISTS ARE REPORTING THE DAY’S MOST IMPORTANT STORIES FOR THE MORNING NEWS

SOUND CUE: INTRO MUSIC PLAYS

THE INTRO MUSIC FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM PLAYS “TRIP TO COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG”

AGNES JOHNSMITH

Hello and welcome to Good ‘Morrow Cantabrigeans, Today is Wednesday April 26th and I’m Agnes Johnsmith here with Henrietta Longbottom who will walk us through the latest breaking news.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Thank you Agnes and gooooood morning colonies! It has been an eventful week. In breaking news citizens in Cambridge were foiled at the base of the Great Bridge in an effort to resist advancing Brits.

SAMUEL DAVIS

“We heard they were gonna come over the river to take our guns! Well not on our watch.”

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

King George has declared a trade limit for ALL the New England colonies as well as Ireland, and the Carribean!

JEB JOHNSMITH

“We spoke with well-known MA beer producer and consumer Sam Adams about the Acts impact on the beer and spirits trade.”

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

And finally, a Mahican Warrior named “Black bear” who has declared he is adding his strong support to the revolutionaries:

Black Bear

“When they win their independence, we will win our independence also”

PRODUCTION NOTE: SECTION 2: SPONSOR READ 1

SPONSOR READER 1

Support for this podcast provided by PRX Podcast Garage- a community classroom, recording studio, and event space for audio storytellers of all experience levels by PRX. PRX is an award-winning public media company shaping the future of audio by building technology, training talented producers and connecting them with supportive listeners like you.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

The war ravages around lexington and concord.

10.AGNES JOHNSMITH

You might be surprised but stockbridge warriors are fighting alongside militiamen. They are said to have lined up alongside battle road.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

CPR’s April O’Neil is on Battle Road, to give us more information on the story.

April, good morning.

APRIL O’NEIL

Good morning Henrietta. I am here with Black Bear, a six foot tall local mohican warrior.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

We were surprised to hear that mohicans are joining forces with the revolutionaries. Can you give us more background on this?

APRIL O’NEIL

Sure. I’m standing here on the Battle Road next to Single House I can see the British are guarding their post.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Can you see any militiamen around?

APRIL O’NEIL

No, I can’t because they are hiding.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Black Bear, what role Stockbridge Mohicans are playing in this battle and why did you join?

BLACK BEAR

Well, Mohicans have been trading partners with the revolutionaries for years, and we’ve grown very resentful toward British practices.

APRIL ONEILL

And, why are you resentful?

BLACK BEAR

Well, they’ve burned down our homes and our crops, they have enslaved our women and they’ve stolen our land. Now, we stand side by side with the revolutionaries.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Have you made any agreement with the revolutionaries?

BLACK BEAR

When they win their independence we will win our independence, also.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

That’s CPR’s April O’Neil currently on Battle Road.

SOUND CUE: INTERSTITIAL MUSIC PLAYS

THE INTERSTITIAL MUSIC THE NEWS PROGRAM PLAYS “CINEMATIC AMBIENT CLASSICAL”

PRODUCTION NOTE: SEGMENT 2

AGNES JOHNSMITH

We have news that a recent effort to thwart British reinforcements from entering Cambridge met a surprising turn.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

That’s correct, Agnes. Citizens of Cambridge developed a plan but ultimately fell victim to their own passion for saving a penny.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

Wow, Colonial Public Radio’s Abigail Winston is on the scene.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Good morning, Abigail.

ABIGAIL WINSTON

Good morning. Just hours ago, 1,000 Redcoats successfully crossed the Charles River, much to the surprise of the locals. They had dismantled every single plank from the Great Bridge.

ABIGAIL WINSTON

With me now is Samuel Davis, a local militia member and one of the residents who took part in the plank removal.

SAMUEL DAVIS

We heard they were gonna come over the river to take our guns. Well, not on our watch! We figured the simplest solution was to make sure they never made it to the other side. If they needed to use a bridge, well, we’ll just take out the bridge.

ABIGAIL WINSTON

It was mere hours before british troops would arrive at the Great Bridge. The citizens and militia members decided to remove every plank from the bridge.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

Sounds like a good plan.

ABIGAIL WINSTON

According Samuel, the citizens wanted to be able to return the bridge back to its normal state rather than destroy it outright.

SAMUEL DAVIS

Yeah, well, bridges are expensive, and wood aint cheap. I oughtta know, seeing as how I’m a cabinet maker.

ABIGAIL WINSTON

Unfortunately, Agenes, that penny pinching penchant was shared by the group of citizens and amplified by their hatred for British imperialism and led them to take some unfortunate shortcuts.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

So, the citizens were looking to save resources and time. What ultimately led this plan to fail?

ABIGAIL WINSTON

Well, either due to time constraints or simply oversight—it’s not clear yet—but in any case the planks were left on the banks of the river, where the British troops were easily able to put them back, allowing them to cross the Charles, unmolested.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

And does this reinforce the British Empire’s longstanding idea that the colonists are too stupid and unorganized to successfully run their own country?

ABIGAIL WINSTON

Indeed, that’s how it’s been perceived here on the ground, where the Redcoats are rounding up every firearm in Cambridge, and laughing all the way to the armory.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

What’s the reaction of the colonists and militia members to this stunningly embarrassing defeat?

ABIGAIL WINSTON

Surprisingly, Samuel maintains an optimistic attitude.

SAMUEL DAVIS

Those biscuit-eaters think they’re sooooooo clever. But joke’s on them. They put the bridge back together for us!

AGNES JOHNSMITH

Well let’s hope whoever wins the war will put a significant investment into the education of the public.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

I guess maybe you should burn your bridges.

SOUND CUE: INTERSTITIAL MUSIC PLAYS

THE INTERSTITIAL MUSIC THE NEWS PROGRAM PLAYS “CINEMATIC AMBIENT CLASSICAL”

PRODUCTION NOTE: SEGMENT 3

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

From the desk of King George comes this so-called “over-reaction of epic proportions” in response to scores of colonists flouting past attempts by the Crown to tax them.

–King George has declared himself the judge of New England, and every country not Great Britain is now our ex-wife, mandating a Restraining Act for all New England colonies.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

On March 30, 1775, the New England Restraining Act was passed in Great Britain by King George, limiting Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Providence to only be able to trade with Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies. All other countries must maintain a distance of 50 meters at all times.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

But will this wild kingly act lead to obedience or uprising? Jeb Johnsmith is following this story. Jeb, good morning.

JEB JOHNSMITH

Good morning Miss Longbottom.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Will the New England colonies be kowtowed by this outrageous law that hits them right in the pocketbooks?

JEB JOHNSMITH

Great question. After speaking with a number of colonists about the consequences of this act, we spoke with well-known Massachusetts beer producer and consumer Sam Adams about the Acts impact on the beer and spirits trade.

He said, “Let no man thirst for good beer… or rum… whatever.”

When asked if he though his industry was being targeted, he said, “Well I guess they’re trying to put us down by restricting anything that puts you down… At this rate they’ll go after my hemp tree next.”

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

What residents are voicing is anger over how this will affect existing relationships with colonies maybe? That’s a surprisingly coherent quote you got from Mr. Sam Adams. When did you speak with him?

JEB JOHNSMITH

We caught him at a rally this morning, before the bars opened.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Right, well, this leads us to a lingering question — will colonies even be able to trade with each other? Additionally, is King George out of his mind.

JEB JOHNSMITH

Speaking of coherence, here’s a soundbite from my earlier interview with King George:

KING GEORGE

The colonies are mine! The taxes and the resources are mine! They have to give it to me because they’re my colonies!

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Boy, he sure is mad as a hatter. What will the colonists do?

JEB JOHNSMITH

Based on early rallies, I think we can expect a rowdy response.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Will this be the Act that breaks the ox’s stride?

JEB JOHNSMITH

We’ll have to wait and see, though I’ve heard something might be happening at Bunker Hill.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Jeb, thanks so much for the update.

JEB JOHNSMITH

Thank you, Mrs. longbottom.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

That’s Good Morrow Cantabrigian’s finest reporter, Jeb Johnsmith.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

And that’s it for us for this 26th day of April.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

I’m Henrietta Longbottom.

AGNES JOHNSMITH

And I’m AGNES JOHNSMITH. If you have any thoughts about these segments please send a note through your local Pastor. We will be working with Churches in all colonies, expect a response in approximately one year’s time.

HENRIETTA LONGBOTTOM

Follow us at your local Sunday Sermon where we will be making appearances, and look forward to hearing your opinions. God bless America. Mighty may our flag wave!