The tool is not the content : I Should Be Writing inspired me to finally put down my thoughts on the Podcasting Upheaval of 2010. I will say that what follows isn’t anger or frustration at one individual. This is my opinion as I personally view it. I don’t claim it to be right or wrong. Keep that in mind. If anyone feels like they want to comment on this post, go right ahead. But if this turns into a shouting match, shout amongst yourselves, I’ll be eating popcorn while working with those who take what is said for what it is and use it (because that is what writers do, they take criticism and turn it into magic shiny things of brilliance). Oh, and said shouting match participants will have their comments deleted. As a ref once said, “Let’s get it on!”
Nonconformity is one of those hidden gems not discussed much as a motive for podcasting fiction. It is implied that the product can’t be put into a nifty little box. “This is horror. This is science fiction.” And the ways podcasted novels have evolved into full cast productions can be considered logical, amazing, and a wonderful use of the tools given. Why are authors choosing to turn the written word into audio drama? Engage the listener (and potential customer) by creating a richer experience. Hutch is breaking away from the mold and I applaud him for doing so because the world needs more misfits. (Side note: You should read the latest newsletter I received from Chris Brogan; it expands on this not fitting in thing in better detail)
We all create worlds in our own ways and while there is a growing urge to focus on the self, (How can I get a better bang for my buck? Do I switch to producing some free content and have listeners pay for the rest? etc), there isn’t that sense of raising the bar. If we want to make podcasting a truly lasting part of the written culture like movies/tv/video games etc, we have to become more tightly knit. As it stands, this body is wriggling on the floor at moments, observing individual parts flex their muscles, running hard with fast starts out the gate, dazzling the crowds occasionally (Amazon sales rankings anyone?), but that well-oiled machine vibe isn’t present. Sure, a lot of us focus on our individual projects and encourage each other on Twitter FB etc, but there is more to support than retweets, promoting content, and buying books. We have discussions on forums and some people will chat on skype … what about conference calls so authors can bounce ideas back and forth? The skeletal framework is in need of some old fashioned physical conditioning. We should be willing to branch out and have podcasting as part of the whole … go into more uses of YouTube. (We like web series like The Guild. Surely, there can be web series based on the podcasted written content.) We like comics … figure out how to get more works done as graphic novels.
There are two glaring excuses looming over it all: “We don’t have the time,” and “We tried that before.” You get what you put in when it comes to creativity and I’m as guilty as anyone in not including more people of different backgrounds into my projects. But if we feel we don’t have the time, stop writing, stop creating, say you are done and move on; a “Poor pity me” cynic is worth cutting off. If we have tried that before, we wouldn’t be in the spot we find ourselves in; filled with doubt, debating over how to play the hand we are dealt, and feeding into the fear of failure.
The only way to break the cycle in my view is to stop being a reactionary community and start being a truly proactive one; this means quality over quantity, embracing all forms of entertainment to keep the listeners we have and attract new ones who may in turn buy our work, and also tap into markets that aren’t embraced much at all save for strictly best-selling books. (I am specifically meaning braille books in this case.) Audio is great but what 99% of you take for granted is the fact that there is a large community of patrons just waiting to get fiction and read it. Braille is a dying breed thanks to technology, but I feel that it still has it’s place. I personally wouldn’t have been introduced to a little book series about Harry Potter if I hadn’t gotten my hands on a copy from a braille publisher. There are many options open to us. Let’s stop looking at door numbers 1,2, and 3 and open them all. What do you say?
18
Feb
Jared Axelrod » Appropriate Questions To Ask Oneself While Writing.
This jumped out at me today and is definitely appropriate for the overall writing process I am undertaking. It is also good for those of you who are writing single episode audio dramas, short stories, you name it. What questions do you ask yourself as you write? How can the questions mentioned in this post help you improve your work? Something to think about.
This is your chance to shine. As one of our own has come under personal and financial difficulties, we can band together as one voice to lift him up and show how much we care. Tee Morris is synonymous with playing Shakespeare in Chasing The Bard, and it is with this in mind that we are going to do a reading of John Donne’s Holy Sonnet X. What we need from you is simple, a quick comment on this post telling me that you’d like to be a part of this project. Pip and I will break down who will say which line. And what is more, the rest can say the entire poem and will be added in as a background chorus of sorts. At the end of the reading, there will be a call to action for the listener to donate to the Chip In fund as well as a declaration of our emotional support to Tee Morris.
Update Sat Jan 9, 2010 at 6:45 PM CST — Due to the overwhelming support and volunteers, we are going to also do a reading of A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for the auction for Sonic Boom so if you aren’t used for the first poem, you will be used in the second! Read more
Every year, around this time of year (where the last one ends and this one begins), a vast majority of humanity makes one mistake. I don’t mean having too much to drink; that is the obvious answer. What I’m talking about is the whole concept of that habitual promise to improve oneself just because a new year is knocking on the doorstep. The fact that everybody is doing it makes it as cliché as reality TV shows or like all the so-called musicians who are using autotune as if it were the greatest application since the microwave. Does the idea of having resolutions for the new year have as much of a damaging effect on the product as reality TV for the television industry or autotuning for music? Let’s take a look. Read more
30
Sep
The following is a reprint of a notice given at BloggerLinkUp. If you are interested in contributing, email me at all...@astralaudio.net. Copy the below announcement and reblog it if you wish (being sure to give credit to Astral Audio Productions) or email it to anyone you know who might be interested; this includes any audio drama groups who want to showcase a sample of their work. As always, feel free to retweet and share this post. The more people who do this, the more chances there are for October to be a breakout month for Astral Audio Productions.
Astral Audio Productions is looking to fill October with plenty of gruesome goodies for its listeners and readers. We are looking for horror authors who want to share a short story or two, musicians that have horror-themed music they want played in a podcast,film-makers that have any horror short films they want viewed, (any audio drama organizations that have horror-themed material they wish us to play), or anyone who wishes to review any of the films coming out in October.
Posts must be a minimum of 300 words. Any music offered must be owned by the band/artist who submits it for podcast inclusion. Short films must be able to be embedded on the Astral Audio Productions website. (Audio dramas can be one or several episodes in length but must include a call back to the audio drama group’s website.) Film reviews must be for any of the horror-themed variety. All participants will have appropriate links given at the end of each contribution.
Previously published OK?: No
Posts needed by (date): 10/31/2009
Emails sent to: allen at astralaudio.net with “October 2009″ as the subject line
24
Feb
Astral Audio: Announcement (Right click, download, and experience.)
A quick, (nearly five minute), notice calling for production people. If you have worked with or would like to participate our audio drama group, be sure to email me at auditions@astralaudio.net with either a sample of your production work or a link to where your work can be found on the net. The more examples, the better. The deadline for submission’s is in three weeks. Feel free to spread and repost this on your blog, website, podcast, MySpace, FaceBook, email, Twitter etc. Thanks for your help.
Allen Sale
Executive Producer
Astral Audio Productions
12
Nov
For several months, I have been working on a project; a sound file that would represent the Astral Realm. It is quite large and clocks in over an hour. I would categorize it as an ambient piece; not something to listen to unless you wanted to relax or the like. With that being said, I would like to turn it into something completely different. Instead of me modifying and tweaking the audio design, I am going to give you the opportunity to work your magic. Read more
14
Oct
Astral Audio Productions is looking for talented individuals who have experience in producing audio dramas and/or podcasts. As with all positions, this job is volunteer-based. If you would like to be a part of the creative experience for our productions, please send an email to Allen at astral audio (dot net). Be sure to include a couple samples of your work and website for more examples if possible. If you have your own range of sound affects and/or music, it will work in your favor. In future, there will be a form for this sort of position (and others), but for now, reply in the comments and email me. Thanks!