The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna 290 | Aaron Tracy On Building An Audio Drama
Mar 19, 2026
Aaron Tracy, writer-producer and founder of Parallax Audio who teaches creative writing at Yale. He talks about differences between audio and TV, his process for breaking and scripting seasons, directing and recording actors, the role of sound design, pitching to platforms, and when to self-produce. Clear, practical, and full of industry wisdom.
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Gen Z Listens To Shows As Background Audio
- Younger listeners often treat visual shows as audio, listening in the background while doing other tasks.
- Aaron Tracy and Lorien note teens routinely play seasons as background noise while working on homework or chores.
Book Tight Sessions For Faster Actor Recording
- Plan actor sessions tightly; lead roles can often record in 2–4 days and smaller parts in a single day.
- Aaron learned from Aaron Paul's 12‑day booking that most leads wrap much faster with focused studio time.
Let Sound Designers Invent The Details
- Trust your sound designer instead of scripting every SFX; leave door slams and ambient choices to the designer.
- Aaron often delegates to Mark Henry Phillips, letting the designer craft superior audio textures during post.