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
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
14
Dec
This coming Saturday, I get the chance to interview the director of Hive Mind. What is Hive Mind? What drove this guy to make a film like this? Are there any tips to escape from Hive Mind? What’s up with the trailer? These are some of the questions that may pop up during the interview. As an experiment, we will be taking your questions on Twitter. Be sure to be following both @FilmLadd and me @AstralAudio and submit your questions with #hiveqs in your tweet. Check out the trailer and start asking questions! Read more
18
Jul
With the opening of the floodgates to Google Voice, we at Astral Audio Productions are considering making a jump to the service to better serve you. Many of the features will help make us a more engaging and interactive product for your entertainment wants and desires. But before we can take that leap of faith, we want your input. You get to help choose the number. Your mission is simple: When you read or hear the words “Astral Audio,” what word first pops into your head? Ponder this question and do at least one of several things.
1. Answer the question in the comments by leaving the word you thought of and why.
2. Retweet this post and ask your followers this prompt.
3. Respond to me on Twitter.
4. Call 206-338-2138 and leave your answer.
5. Record your response and send it to me as an mp3 file. (Instructions for mp3 files are on the contact page of our site.)
If you can do more than one, great! The more feedback we receive, the better our choices will be when we decide on the number to use. And as a side note, the K7 number will still be kept as a backup.
Astral Audio Extra: Episode 10 (Right click, download,, and experience.)
An odd title for an episode eh? Trust me, I do have a reason for it. I have tried with each audio presentation to bring to you something that engaged me emotionally in some way. Even the themed ones have had something in them that struck a chord. So when I read a blog post regarding a contest that wanted people to write about such experiences, I became excited. The post discussed the wave of celebrities that have been populating Twitter as of late; most not caring to interact with people but to rack up a number of followers. While I could easily slip into a diatribe, I will instead take a different approach and highlight someone on Twitter who has used the given medium for what it is; a method of interaction between interested parties who follow each other. The band Collective Soul has broken the mold and remembers through each reply given or picture posted that it is thanks to their loyal fans that they are popular. So I did as that blog post instructed and followed @collective_soul, sent a direct message, and thus, the seeds for the podcast episode were planted. Read more
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (24.4MB)
Never mind the fact that our Future Dark Overlord™ does have a middle name or the fact that Tabz is Mur’s sister in Nocturnal, these are the two you chose. Both have loyal cult followings so I expect, (dare I say practically demand), a huge voting turn out. 65 votes were cast in the previous poll, and to those who voted or got the word out, my sincerest thanks; you are needed once again. I also ask that other nominees or bloggers would take it upon themselves to blog about this poll; it is a chance for you to tell your readers why each candidate is worth consideration.
You will decide the fate of one of our nominated participants. In return, they will have to endure time in front of a microphone, they will talk to an object that doesn’t move and to no one in particular, they will look for a way out and find none, and they will be answering questions hand-picked from Astral Audio Productions members and you, the fans. (Hey, at least there will be cool music to go along with the stream of information they unleash upon us all.)
If you are asking yourself, “Why do we have to vote again?” My response is this: Tabz edged out Scott Sigler by four votes; not only that, but neither one got a true majority. In US elections, a winner is declared if someone obtains over 50% of the votes cast. Needless to say, that is why I knew that another poll was required. So enough of my build up, and as Mills Lane would say, “Let’s get it on!”
1
Jun
Astral Audio Productions will be releasing a new behind the scenes interview series, and I’d like you to decide who we feature first by voting in our latest poll. The series will focus on some of the typical questions like, “What got you interested in podcasting/voice work?” “Who do you try to emulate?” “What do you have to tell for aspiring (insert related label here)?” Also, we will delve into their listening habits, the music that moves and motivates them, the shows they enjoy for fun, and more. It is a wide open field to start with. You can choose no more than two answers
. The top two vote-getters will move on in next week’s poll to determine who’s voice you want to go beyond.
Feel free to share this post on Facebook, through email, retweet it on Twitter, stumble it, etc. This poll will close next Sunday, and the next one will begin the following day. Good luck to all those involved, and don’t hesitate to ask your listeners/fans/followers to vote for you.