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?
Astral Audio Productions is teaming up with Zack the Mothman Daggy to bring his novel Project 31
For the audition file requirements and where to send them, visit the contact page and follow the instructions given. If you have any questions, please contact me on Twitter or email me. Lines are due March 27, 2010; the results will be released on here and also on the Moth Pod at a later date. Read more
8
Mar
It is early in the morning and I find myself contemplating what I want to do in the next couple of months as far as the main Astral Audio Productions website is concerned. Already, I have some ideas. Mostly, this is content related. There a nice group of people behind the scenes waiting to be heard and I haven’t given them the proper credit they deserve. So once the next few planned podcast episodes roll out, I plan on haulting any podcast creation for the near future or at least cut down to one a month or so. I want to really buckle down and improve what you see when coming here. This means more about the actors – who they are, noteable roles they’ve been in, recent projects etc – more about myself, my personal thoughts on issues, my goals, and the random cool bits of info I find on a regular basis – more about podcasting in general, defining and showing examples of podcasts that influence us here at Astral Audio Productions – an. . . .
What do you want to see? Seriously, you come for the podcast episodes or because someone told you to check this place out. But what do you want from us to keep your interest?
The Boom Effect Special (Right click, download, and experience.)
This episode is different in the sense that it highlights one gender. Female vocalists are an awesome bunch when you find the right mix, and this episode dedicated to Sonic Boom showcases quite a few. As I explained to one of the artists:
Women play a huge role and often get overlooked in the mass media markets as far as music. And unfortunately, the ones who do get noticed frankly don’t catch my ear. I wanted to show that in independent circles, women can not only sound good but be just as diverse. For example, Klaryssa from Chamber of Echos had to find out the hard way what happens if you let others have creative control of your work, but with the songs I played, she was given creative rights and showed how enveloping she could make each song; as if it were an audible onion full of different layers. Your song and several others also had this characteristic for the most part. And the fact the podcast starts out with a dig on Hollywood and ends with a song on someone who thinks they have it all, it makes the overall experience that much more ironic.
We hope you enjoy and don’t forget to spread the experience! (This episode was recorded in time for most of the auction but do to extenuating circumstances could not be released until after the event. Find out how the auction did after the break.) Read more
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (135.3MB)
22
Jan
Tomorrow night marks the recording date of a new podcast series. We have the concept, but not a really cool, in your face theme. Here is where you come in. Suggest a band or artist you want me to check out that we might use for the intro and outro for Mind Fuck. Leave a comment here on this post with your suggestion(s). Just remember a couple things:
1. This band or artist must be podsafe or have their work released under a creative-commons license.
2. This band or artist must have material as recent as last year.
Now, feed us your pick(s) for the band or artist you want us to use.
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
Word blindsided many as those in the podcasting and social media space were rocked with the news of Tee Morris’s loss. His wife’s sudden death has impacted those of us who know Tee, know the love he has for his daughter, and our collective hearts go out to both of them. We at Astral Audio Productions would like you to help in any way you can. The industrious Kiwi in our cast started a chip in fund to help offset any costs Tee will have in the coming weeks. Any amount you can give is encouraged. (This post will be updated with more information of what those in the podcasting community are doing for the Morris family as it develops.)
New Year 2009/2010 Part 1 (Right click, download, and experience.)
Part one of our New Year event featuring Jonothan Coulton.#music #podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:12:57 — 83.5MB)