COAST TO COAST

Jack J. Ward's Radio Storytelling

Written by

John F. Barber

Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
©2023 Re-Imagined Radio. All rights reserved (except those granted by the Creative Commons license)

Re-Imagined Radio
Season 11, Episode 06

Final draft

Coast to Coast
Jack J. Ward's Radio Storytelling

an episode of 
Re-Imagined Radio

Produced and hosted by John F. Barber

Synopsis
This episode of Re-Imagined Radio presents four short science fiction radio stories written and directed by Jack J. Ward, who founded and co-hosts The Sonic Society, a weekly podcast from Halifax, Nova Scotia, that showcases new audio dramas. He also founded and directs Mutual Audio Network, perhaps the world's largest collection and distribution platform for podcasts, radio and audio stories and dramas of all genres. This selection showcases Ward's broad range and diversity of creative ideas.

Color Code
Yellow highlighted text, sound effect(s), either pre-recorded or created for episode. Pre-recorded audio is used as content in this episode.

MUSIC, pre-recorded

MUSIC, bespoke, created for this episode

COLD OPEN
SFX: SAMPLE(S) FROM "SPIRIT DRIVE"
SFX: LOKI AMBIANCE
PELEGRINE
Hey, where can I get one of those flame-box symbols?
SFX: SITTING IN CHAIRS. WORKING ON SEAT BELTS
TAGGART
This? Oh... you have to be able to spend some time with the Beathomat. Learn their ways somewhat...
PELEGRINE
Yeah?
SFX: PUNCHING BUTTONS. LOKI’S ENGINES WARMING UP.
TAGGART
(HALF TO HIMSELF)
Interesting peoples. Do you know they believe that the soul is undying and sacred?
PELEGRINE
Is that what they mean by "Eternity Ethereals"?
TAGGART
Yeah. It means all beings in the universe have a responsibility for not just our own souls, but to protect the souls of others...
PELEGRINE
(LAUGHS DERISIVELY)
Come on. Primitive peoples... Whatchagonna do? (CHUCKLES) Loki rocket ready for lift off. Stand by...
TAGGART
Yep. (SMILING) Primitive peoples... Standing by...
PELEGRINE
Retro rockets online. Firing mains...
SFX: ROCKETS FIRING AND ROCKET LIFTING OFF
ANNOUNCER
The responsibility of all living souls, making their way across the ebon curtain of night on their way home . . .
SFX: THEME MUSIC UP, ROCKET STREAKS ACROSS SOUND STAGE.
ANNOUNCER
Retro Rockets is an anthology series based on the explorations of science fiction from the Golden Age for a new audience . . .
SFX: THEME MUSIC UP, ROCKET SOUNDS.
ANNOUNCER
Spirit Drive was written and directed by Jack J. Ward. Starring Jeff Billard as Captain Pelegrine, Tom Konkle as Professor Beardley, and with Joe Stofko as Special Ranger Taggert. This episode was produced by John Bell. I am your host, Lothar Tuppan. Good night.
SFX: THEME MUSIC SWELLS TO FINAL DRUM BEATS.

MUSIC: RIR THEME, FADE UP UNDER PREVIOUS, ESTABLISH, THEN OUT
SFX: RECORDED ANNOUNCER INTRO
ANNOUNCER
Welcome to Re-Imagined Radio, a program about radio storytelling. I’m Jack Armstrong. With each episode we combine dialogue, sound effects, and music to engage your listening imagination. This episode is no different, and here to tell you about it is John Barber, producer and host.
HOST OPEN
HOST
Thank you Jack. Hello everyone. Welcome.
With this episode of Re-Imagined Radio, we present four short science fiction radio stories by Jack J. Ward, each in the style of the famous X Minus One series. You heard a nod to that series with the rocket launch sequence in our episode opening, sampled from the pilot of Ward's audio drama series "Spirit Drive."
Jack lives on the East Coast of Canada, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
We call this episode "Coast to Coast," to signify that Jack and his stories come to us here on the WEST Coast of the United States from the EAST Coast of Canada.
Our episode originates from KXRW-FM. Vancouver, Washington's community radio station. We thank them for their support.
And we thank YOU for joining us as Re-Imagined Radio presents "Coast to Coast: Jack J. Ward's Radio Storytelling."
MUSIC: SCIENCE FICTION SHOW DRAMATIC TRANSITION
HOST
Jack J. Ward is an award-winning writer, director, actor, and producer of audio drama. His works of fantasy, comedy, horror, drama, classic suspense, and experimental theatre are prolific. See our website for more information.
Jack is also a tireless promoter of audio drama. In 2005, he started "The Sonic Society," a weekly podcast showcasing new audio dramas. Co-hosted by Ward and David Ault, The Sonic Society is the largest and longest running showcase of contemporary international audio dramas.
Ward also founded Mutual Audio Network, with nearly a dozen other audio drama writers and producers, in 2019, as, he says, "a cluster of podcasts about audio drama, audio fiction, and nerd culture."  Ward directs the effort, and hosts several of its podcasts.
So, Jack J. Ward is a busy, and productive, person in the world of radio storytelling. When he called, from Nova Scotia, Canada, saying he heard Re-Imagined Radio and wanted it for his Sonic Society, well . . . as you can imagine . . . we were excited!

In return, we asked Jack to send samples of his own radio stories. He did, and we picked four.
First up is "Galaxy Master versus the Varn." In this story, a Hollywood movie actor, who plays "Galaxy Master," is abducted by the Varn, aliens who feel his portrayal of the galaxy's leading villain eclipses their own reputation. Let's listen.
SFX: RECORDED ACTUALITY, "THE GALAXY MASTER VERSUS THE VARN," BY JACK J. WARD. APPROX. TIME: 8:31
HOST
You're listening to Re-Imagined Radio. Our episode is "Coast to Coast," four radio stories by Jack J. Ward. We just listened to "Galaxy Master versus the Varn."
Next is "Reservations." Jack's imagination really shines here. After death, he imagines people waiting at a nice restaurant before their final destinations, heaven or hell, are decided. But, for one guest, the decision is complicated by time travel. Let's listen to "Reservations."
SFX: RECORDED ACTUALITY, "RESERVATIONS," BY JACK J. WARD. APPROX. TIME: 13:21
HOST
That was "Reservations" by Jack J. Ward. It's an interesting idea--right?--that after death, one enjoys a meal at a nice restaurant, located in a tall building, while waiting to hear whether you ascend to the penthouse, or descend to the basement?
MUSIC: RIR BREAK THEME
BREAK #1--THE FUSEBOX BREAK
HOST
You're listening to Re-Imagined Radio. This is John Barber, producer and host. We'll return to our episode in just a moment. But first I want to introduce The Fusebox Show . . . radio storytelling, full of quirky conversation and comedy you're not likely to hear in a nice restaurant. Here's a sample . . .
SFX: THE FUSEBOX SHOW TEASER  
HOST
The Fusebox Show is available wherever you get your podcasts, or at The Fusebox Show website, thefuseboxshow dot com.
MUSIC: RIR THEME. ESTABLISH, THEN FADE OUT UNDER THE FOLLOWING
HOST
This is Re-Imagined Radio. Our episode is "Coast to Coast." We're featuring four radio stories by Jack J. Ward, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, at the eastern edge of the country. Hence our title, "Coast to Coast," since Re-Imagined Radio originates in Vancouver, Washington, at the western edge of the United States.
Let's listen now to "Alien Invasion Cancelled." In this radio story, Ward asks, "What if aliens decide not to help Earthers because the effort would not be valued on social media?"
SFX: RECORDED ACTUALITY, "ALIEN INVASION CANCELLED," BY JACK J. WARD. APPROX. TIME: 15:46
HOST
That was "Alien Invasion Cancelled" by Jack J. Ward. You heard it here, on Re-Imagined Radio. This episode is called "Coast to Coast" and features radio stories by Ward. 
We've got time for one more radio story. This one is called "Trans-Humanity." It's about the last woman on Earth and her resistance to being incorporated into the cloud.
SFX: RECORDED ACTUALITY, "TRANS-HUMANITY," BY JACK J. WARD. APPROX. TIME: 15:29
MUSIC: RIR THEME, OPEN. ESTABLISH, THEN FADE OUT UNDER THE FOLLOWING.
BREAK #2--THE RIR BREAK
HOST
This is Re-Imagined Radio. I'm John Barber, producer and host. With each episode we explore radio storytelling using voice, sound effects, and music.
SFX: RE-IMAGINED RADIO AUDIO TRAILER
HOST
More information and listening opportunities are available at our website--reimaginedradio DOT net SLASH episodes.
Re-Imagined Radio is also available as podcasts. Subscribe, listen, like, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
MUSIC: RIR THEME, RETURN. ESTABLISH, THEN DUCK UNDER THE FOLLOWING
HOST CONCLUSION
HOST
This is Re-Imagined Radio. We listened to four short science fiction stories by Jack J. Ward. They showcase Ward's broad range and diversity of creative ideas. And, they're very interesting, and fun!
Our episode is called "Coast to Coast." The title refers to the fact that Ward, makes his home on the eastern coast of Canada, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We're broadcasting and streaming from Vancouver, Washington, on the western coast of the United States. Wherever you are listening, coast to coast, I hope you enjoyed our episode.
MUSIC: RIR THEME, ESTABLISH, THEN DUCK UNDER THE FOLLOWING
HOST CREDIT ROLL
HOST
Re-Imagined Radio is produced with support from KXRW-FM. Vancouver, Washington's community radio station.
Episodes are archived at reimaginedradio DOT net, our website. Follow the "Episodes" menu button. Podcasts are available at the major platforms, or our website.
Content curation and script by John Barber.
Sound Design, music composition, and post-production by Marc Rose.
Graphic design by Holly Slocum Design.
Our announcer is Jack Armstrong.
Future episodes include a Willamette Radio Workshop retrospective, a look behind the "I Have a Dream" speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, and a documentary about the coordinated terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
This is John Barber, producer and host. Thank you for listening, and please, join us again for another episode of Re-Imagined Radio.
MUSIC: RIR THEME UP, THEN DUCK UNDER THE FOLLOWING
CLOSE
SFX: RECORDED ANNOUNCER CLOSE
ANNOUNCER
This is a production of Re-Imagined Radio. Our radio broadcasts are heard on local, regional, and international community radio stations.
For on demand streaming, point your browsers to our website, reimaginedradio (all one word, no punctuation) DOT net.
Thank you so much for listening, and please, join us again for another episode of Re-Imagined Radio as we continue our exploration of radio storytelling.
MUSIC: RIR THEME UP, AND TO END