Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Scarlett Kefford and I founded Script Sirens, a Midlands based group for female and non-binary scriptwriters. I produced and directed our new show Script Sirens Presents: Siren Screams a six-part horror anthology series of audio plays, each designed to frighten the listener in their own unique way.  I also wrote one of the plays and acted in a few of them, it all got a bit ‘write the theme tune, sing the theme tune’ (ironically two of the only things I didn’t do) – Shout out to the very patient David Bernie!

The Script Sirens. Top Row: Carmen Capuano, Annabel Brightling, Scarlett Kefford, Miriam Sarin, Cassiah Joski-Jethi Bottom row: Kayleigh Watson, Alexandra Taylor, Louise Osbourne, Melly DeNiro, Holly Louise Psaliou

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

It was either The Adam & Joe Show or Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

Well in all honestly, I was kind of forced into it by the coronavirus…with the usual film & theatre avenues closed I wanted a way to keep our group sane, safe & scripting during this time. Having had success (I was nominated for a Royal Television Society Breakthrough award) with producing our own web series Script Sirens Presents:#GoingViral (all on zero-budget) this year and being a podcast fan myself I saw it as means of producing and distributing our own radio plays. And this time we bagged Arts Council Funding to boost the project. Enterally grateful to them!

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

The main inspirations for the series weren’t actually podcasts but The Archers (we’re mostly Brummies of course!) and the TV series Inside No. Nine. However some of the podcasts we take inspiration from into our writing practice and living ethos are: Films to Be Buried With with Brett Goldstein, Script Apart, Fuckbois of Literature, Writer’s Routine, The Final Girls and The Guilty Feminist.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

As our podcast is audio theatre rather than interview-based I’d say if we do another season I’d like to feature some spooky music by Birmingham band Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam as they do these incredible Halloween albums every few years. And a dream actor to feature would be Susan Wokoma – besides being generally incredible I can’t get enough of her voice.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far as podcasters?

It’s definitely worth paying the back end fees for proper analytics! And also you can create a soundproof booth out of a tent, a chair, a walking stick and many throws.

What episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

As the series is an anthology, each episode a unique story, you can start and listen in any order. My personal favourite happens to be called ‘Perfect – By Alexandra Taylor’ – in every stage of the process from the first draft to record and edit it made me laugh. I wish I’d written it.

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

You can find us on our Script Sirens website and social media channels. We also have a web series on YouTube.

Listen to Script Sirens Presents: Siren Screams on Acast, Spotify, and your favourite podcast app.

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