Got a question for the crew? comments@whatthecast.com
So, what is the point of this podcast?
There isn’t much of one … Brian, Stephen, Crispy & Patrick like to talk about damn near anything. When Brian wanted to start a podcast, these were the first people he thought of to counter his weird look on life.
How much scripting do you do for each show?
HAAAAA! HAAAAA! HAAAAA!
Oh, that’s funny! “Scripting?”
HAAAAA! HAAAAA! HAAAAA!
No, seriously …
Oh, you were asking a real question?
Yes. *sigh* So how much do you script for each show?
Very little. Sorry, we thought you could tell. Each show has a few main topics we pick about a week ahead of recording. Once the show begins, Brian tries to keep Crispy, Patrick & Stephen on task as we meander through the topics.
There will be some scripted items now & then, mostly fake commercials to run in the breaks. Most of the show will continue to be pulled from … um, thin air.
Ok, I’m a geek. What equipment do you use to produce WhatTheCast?
Brian is responsible for recording & editing the podcast. There are two types of recordings - a multi-ended recording and a regular studio recording.
The multi-ended recording method replaces our old “Skype casting” method, which resulted in low audio quality (Episodes 0,1 & 4).
- When we’re on Skype conference call, each cast member records their local microphone using MX Skype Recorder.
- Brian collects the audio files at the end of the show and synchronizes the audio so it sounds like we’re all in the same room (no bandwidth-reduced Skype output).
- Editing is done using Sony Vegas. Music, promos & sound clips are added in editing.
A studio recording is when everyone is in the same room. Here’s a quick list of the junk on his desk:
- Brian uses a Behringer UB1202 analog mixer. It’s cheap and low on features , but it does the job.
- Brian’s local microphone (Sennheiser MD511) is mixed with Skype through the Behringer 1202. The cast uses Shure SM57 microphones.
- The mixer output is recorded using Sony Vegas. Yes, this is video editing software, but it makes a great audio editor.
- Audio is cleaned up using Levelator prior to editing.
- Editing is done using Sony Vegas. Music, promos & sound clips are added in editing.
The website runs on WordPress & PodPress, hosted by DreamHost.
How are you associated with Dragon*ConTV?
Brian co-founded Dragon*ConTV back in 2003. He’s the “executive producer” (yes, it’s his fault). The rest of the cast members contribute as actors & script writers. Crispy was in our 2006 VW spoof (”Vader, if you want us to unpimp your space station … say what.”) and is writing material for DCTV 2007. Stephen writes, directs, edits & dies on camera a lot (”red shirt”). Patrick hasn’t been on camera yet, but we’re working on that.
What’s “Farpoint Media”?
Farpoint Media (farpointmedia.net) develops & distributes podcasts. They are responsible for such podcasts as Slice of Scifi and Dragon Page: Cover to Cover. Farpoint started distributing WhatTheCast after we joined the “family” in May 2007. This doesn’t mean they own the show, but we get to benefit from their experience in producing great audio content.
Where does the intro music from show come from? Where did you find those old audio samples about the tape cartridge?
Brian constructed the music from loop samples in his production library (”royalty free” music). The “tape cartridge” speech samples are from a old promotional program called “A Revolutionary New Triumph in Tape” (1958), available in public domain from archive.org. The short samples we use on the show can be found on ccmixter.org.
Hey, I have [unspecified problem] with something [cast member] said in Episode [number]. What methods are available to smite [cast member] with my [special mental skill and/or prowess]?
Hey, we love comments from listeners … even if they don’t agree with our opinions. E-mail us at comments@whatthecast.com or hatemail@whatthecast.com (depending on how you feel about us). Well formed thoughts & opinions will be read on the show. You can also send audio comments as MP3 attachments (please limit audio comments to two minutes).
I like your podcast, but not enough to send you money (sorry). What can I do to help?
Good question. There are a variety of answers.
- Tell your friends.
- Keep listening.
- If you have a podcast of your own, play our promo on your show. Let us know when you do play it so we can return the favor.
- Review the podcast at iTunes so other people can feel the love.
- Digg the podcast or your favorite episode (more sharing of your love). You can submit our podcast to various “social networking” websites using the “Share and Enjoy” buttons at the bottom of each post.
- Yeah, we know you’re broke … so you don’t have to use the donation box over to the left of the webpage. I’m sure Crispy doesn’t need to eat this week.
