Podfic Roundup: Podfic Appreciation 101
A growing number of people love fanfic and storytelling so much that they read/create/perform audio recordings of fic and share their own voice with fellow fans everywhere. Whenever you want to, you can listen to someone telling you a story about characters and personalities who've already won a place in your heart. How awesome is that?
Not a rhetorical question, as it turns out. It's so awesome that spnroundtable now includes a monthly podfic roundup. (Think they'd let me change the name to "listen up"? ;)
The inaugural topic is Podfic Appreciation 101, a roadmap navigating at least part of the wonderful world of podfic.
First stop: http://audiofic.jinjurly.com, aka the audiofic archive. This is a massive undertaking by general_jinjur and many hardworking podfic addicts to preserve, organize, and provide access to pan-fandom podfic. (Fandoms not involving goat-bits, flutes, lechery, or theatrical criticism are also welcome.) Their mission statement includes the idea that secondary fanworks such as podfic are an important part of our creative culture and are central to honoring our own and each others' efforts and ingenuity as fans.
Podfic is downloadable as mp3 (like songs) or m4b (like audiobooks) files. Search for your favorite author, reader, language, pairing (or gen), character, etc. There are over a thousand entries in the Supernatural fandom, plus half as many in spn-flavored RPF. Neither number is nearly high enough, of course, ;) but it's a start. The audiofic archive is extra-cookie-awesome.
Next stop: a crossroads (smooching optional). Where do people post their finished (finally! damn editing…) podfic? Hopefully they crosspost to amplificathon and one of the following: motelwincest, spn_gen_podfics, podslash. Those last three are reported on in the spnnewsletter. There are several other multi-fandom podfic communities as well.
Why single out amplificathon? Well. Amplificathon is many things. It's an annual event organized by a community of the same name, but the community is active all year, runs other events (amplirecathon and podbang), and is a forum for all things podficish. It (by which I mean "they," amplificathon's friendly, helpful, and too sexy for their collective shirts mods) also has tendrils to the audiofic archive - podfic posted to amplificathon will be tagged and added to the archive. I almost said "automatically," but I imagine it's not so automatic from the mods' point of view ;)
Ok, pitstop to download like crazy, because you're ready to put on headphones and start listening! [:-)
If you've been thinking about maybe recording some podfic yourself (please please please do!) you're basically ready for that too. You don't need much (if any) special equipment, and there's no particular "correct" way to do it. A lot of computers have built in microphones. If yours doesn't, a simple $20 or so (USD) mic will be fine, or maybe you can even record through your phone. Other than some kind of mic, you just need editing software. If you have a mac, presumably you have GarageBand already. Otherwise, download free software and you're good to go.
Read some of your favorite fics out loud. :-o You might start to feel yourself shape the words - the meanings, the emotions - with your voice, with your body, with your heart. If you start grinning, then start recording! :D
If you plan to post a podfic, you'll probably want to find a story by an author who's given open permission for people to record, or ask an author, or record one of your own if you're a writer. Here's a long list of authors who've given permission. Also, you could scan the requests at the Fall Fandom Free-For-All - a lot of people have asked that someone podfic any of their fics. Which reminds me…
AUTHORS: if you think it would be cool if someone might podfic one of your stories, add your comment to this list :)
Here's a very helpful post from mklutz on how to create podfic using GarageBand, and one from isiscolo on using Audacity, a free cross-platform editor.
A lot of people have written tutorials on how to podfic, which means there's no single correct way. Once you've discovered you enjoy it, the tutorials will likely be interesting, and you can polish your personal technique by reading some. podfic_tips and/or these tutorials might give you some good ideas. Yay podfic!!! \o/
As coincidence would have it, there's a lot to hear in the wonderful world of podfic right now. Last week, thoughts and ideas were shared on a grand and audible scale through pod_aware. A few of the topics were Why We Podfic, Blanket Permission from Authors, Readers' Accents, and Giving Feedback.
Feedback rates for podfic performances are extremely low compared to those for written fic. The likely primary reason is very practical - when someone finishes a written text fic, they're right there at the computer looking at a prompt to leave a comment - which they might or might not do. On the other hand, when someone finishes listening to a podfic, they're probably on their commute to work, or were able to relax into sleep at bedtime, or in any case probably aren't sitting at their computer.
Podficcers realize that, and aren't holding their breath waiting for feedback. Think about it, though. Someone sends their real voice, carrying their passion for the fandom, out into the void. Remember the first time you heard a recording of your voice? Most people are surprised at how they sound, it seems weird (or worse). Despite that, the reader was probably trying to make Sam and Dean's voices sound at least a little different from each other, and trying to make crack sound silly rather than stupid, or porn hot rather than silly, and maybe they gave themselves a sore throat and a crick in their neck trying to talk like Cas.
They might not have been confident that fans in another country could understand their pronunciation or would like their accent.
They were definitely trying to share how the fic made them feel, and hoping at least some listeners would feel it too.
The void is big, and empty, and quiet. Don't leave them hanging, at least not every time. If you have any feedback and you happen to remember when you happen to be at your computer, please go for it!
Actually…
You're at your computer now. Heard any good podfic lately? ;)
Onward to the recs portion of this roundup! Most will come with recs, but don't worry, most roundups won't come with this much prodding to do anything.
On the audiofic archive, "comment to the author" almost always links to the author's journal, whereas "comment to the reader" usually links to the amplificathon post. Use that if you don't have time to go to the reader's journal - it's so very much better than nothing!
My "Text" link goes to the author's journal (please leave them comments too!), plus I always try to save you a step by linking to the post on the reader's journal (if there is one). My nefarious, but not at all secret, plan is to encourage podficcers as much as possible, in the hopes that this will lead to the production of more podfic for me everyone to enjoy!
(Have you been meaning to leave feedback on a podfic mentioned on spnroundtable? Handy shortcuts to recent podfic recs: Sam/Dean First Times, J2 non-au Porn, Humor, Podfic to listen to twice.)
Amplificathon Recs:
One of the goals of the yearly amplificathon competition is to encourage podfic in rare and new fandoms, so participants with their eyes on the prize don't post a lot of Supernatural and SPN-RPF fic. On the other hand, it's Show, hence *extremely* hard to resist. :D
2008's winner was twasadark. These two were among the many great podfics she submitted.
And we are here as on a darkling plain by lyra_wing, read by twasadark.
A spell gives Dean angelic and Sam demonic characteristics for a month. Dean is pissed that he literally can't curse or lie… but at least the wings are cool. Performance-wise, kudos for hissing "s" sounds whenever Sam speaks but not accidentally sprinkled throughout. I'm guessing that wasn't easy.
30min, rated hard R, Sam/Dean. Text, mp3, m4b. Leave comments for the reader here.
Hush, Hush, Hush by nilchance, read by twasadark.
Jensen and JDM, with Jensen on ecstasy. Very hot!
12min., NC-17, Jensen/JDM. Text, mp3. Leave comments for the reader here.
2009's winner was sly_hostetter. I love The mountains in reply (Sam, Cas [gen]; 20 min., rated PG), which is a sequel to maychorian's Entertaining Angels series (gen, 5 hrs, PG): Cas takes refuge in the form of a child, and shows up on Dean and Sam's doorstep. I recommend the whole story, but I'm highlighting "The mountains in reply" because what really gets to me in this series is how much Sam cares about (and takes care of) the child version of Cas even though he doesn't have the close relationship to normal-size Cas that Dean has. sly_hostetter's podfic has a sweet, nostalgic feel and a nice integration of background music.
Text, mp3. Leave comments for the reader here. (The main body of the fic was posted during the competition, but the sequel came later. As they do.)
In 2010, the first place reader on the original deadline (I guess it's complicated), was 2naonh3_cl2. She recorded rageprufrock's Asunder - a "real wold" setting for SPN characters. It broke Dean's heart to try to help Sam through his drug addiction, and now Sam and Ruby (his "crazy cokehead skankbasket fiancee") are getting married. What comes across as irritability - to the point of being a jackass - is actually the tip of an iceberg of love poisoned by dread, as Dean forces himself to go "home" (to Bobby's) for the wedding. Luckily, his perceptive, handsome, compassionate friend Cas goes with him to provide much-needed moral support.
2hr 15min, Dean/Cas, NC-17. Text, mp3, m4b. Leave comments for the reader here which, bonus, gives a list of her podfics.
Of the many readers I love so much, 2naonh3_cl2 is the only one so far who I've actually followed into other fandoms. She's fantastic.
This year's first place winner was the phenomenally talented and prolific reena_jenkins, whose voice is bright, clear and expressive.
I think her top entry this year was Sacraments, written by keerawa.
Author's summary: "I’ve been known by a thousand names over the ages. Raum, Akoman, Mara, Azazel’s Hound. Lately, I go by Dean Winchester."
20 min., Sam/Dean, NC-17. Text, mp3, m4b.
This is a very well written dark!fic. Even if that's not your favorite genre you might want to give this a try; it's not about cruelty, and it sends a shiver down your spine without explicit torture scenes. reena_jenkins weaves a subtle sick twist through her naturally sweet voice; this combination of writing and performance resulted in an exquisite podfic.
Leave comments for the reader here. Seriously.
In Get Some (Ink), by bewaretheides15, reena_jenkins reads with an exuberance consistent with the inexperienced and excited Jared character. About 2/3 of the way through the final scene I did a "whoa, wait, what?!" double take, and rewound. This is a great example of one way a podficcer can create an experience that goes beyond vocal transcription of the text. The listener can get a layered effect by centering on the Jensen POV while letting the Jared POV swirl and crash around it like a wave. (Maybe that will make sense if you listen to the podfic, I don't know.) In any case, I think this is the tattoo kink scenario that other tattoo kinks fantasize about.
1 hr., Jared/Jensen, NC-17. Text, mp3, m4b. Leave comments for the reader here.
Not a rhetorical question, as it turns out. It's so awesome that spnroundtable now includes a monthly podfic roundup. (Think they'd let me change the name to "listen up"? ;)
The inaugural topic is Podfic Appreciation 101, a roadmap navigating at least part of the wonderful world of podfic.
First stop: http://audiofic.jinjurly.com, aka the audiofic archive. This is a massive undertaking by general_jinjur and many hardworking podfic addicts to preserve, organize, and provide access to pan-fandom podfic. (Fandoms not involving goat-bits, flutes, lechery, or theatrical criticism are also welcome.) Their mission statement includes the idea that secondary fanworks such as podfic are an important part of our creative culture and are central to honoring our own and each others' efforts and ingenuity as fans.
Podfic is downloadable as mp3 (like songs) or m4b (like audiobooks) files. Search for your favorite author, reader, language, pairing (or gen), character, etc. There are over a thousand entries in the Supernatural fandom, plus half as many in spn-flavored RPF. Neither number is nearly high enough, of course, ;) but it's a start. The audiofic archive is extra-cookie-awesome.
Next stop: a crossroads (smooching optional). Where do people post their finished (finally! damn editing…) podfic? Hopefully they crosspost to amplificathon and one of the following: motelwincest, spn_gen_podfics, podslash. Those last three are reported on in the spnnewsletter. There are several other multi-fandom podfic communities as well.
Why single out amplificathon? Well. Amplificathon is many things. It's an annual event organized by a community of the same name, but the community is active all year, runs other events (amplirecathon and podbang), and is a forum for all things podficish. It (by which I mean "they," amplificathon's friendly, helpful, and too sexy for their collective shirts mods) also has tendrils to the audiofic archive - podfic posted to amplificathon will be tagged and added to the archive. I almost said "automatically," but I imagine it's not so automatic from the mods' point of view ;)
Ok, pitstop to download like crazy, because you're ready to put on headphones and start listening! [:-)
If you've been thinking about maybe recording some podfic yourself (please please please do!) you're basically ready for that too. You don't need much (if any) special equipment, and there's no particular "correct" way to do it. A lot of computers have built in microphones. If yours doesn't, a simple $20 or so (USD) mic will be fine, or maybe you can even record through your phone. Other than some kind of mic, you just need editing software. If you have a mac, presumably you have GarageBand already. Otherwise, download free software and you're good to go.
Read some of your favorite fics out loud. :-o You might start to feel yourself shape the words - the meanings, the emotions - with your voice, with your body, with your heart. If you start grinning, then start recording! :D
If you plan to post a podfic, you'll probably want to find a story by an author who's given open permission for people to record, or ask an author, or record one of your own if you're a writer. Here's a long list of authors who've given permission. Also, you could scan the requests at the Fall Fandom Free-For-All - a lot of people have asked that someone podfic any of their fics. Which reminds me…
AUTHORS: if you think it would be cool if someone might podfic one of your stories, add your comment to this list :)
Here's a very helpful post from mklutz on how to create podfic using GarageBand, and one from isiscolo on using Audacity, a free cross-platform editor.
A lot of people have written tutorials on how to podfic, which means there's no single correct way. Once you've discovered you enjoy it, the tutorials will likely be interesting, and you can polish your personal technique by reading some. podfic_tips and/or these tutorials might give you some good ideas. Yay podfic!!! \o/
As coincidence would have it, there's a lot to hear in the wonderful world of podfic right now. Last week, thoughts and ideas were shared on a grand and audible scale through pod_aware. A few of the topics were Why We Podfic, Blanket Permission from Authors, Readers' Accents, and Giving Feedback.
Feedback rates for podfic performances are extremely low compared to those for written fic. The likely primary reason is very practical - when someone finishes a written text fic, they're right there at the computer looking at a prompt to leave a comment - which they might or might not do. On the other hand, when someone finishes listening to a podfic, they're probably on their commute to work, or were able to relax into sleep at bedtime, or in any case probably aren't sitting at their computer.
Podficcers realize that, and aren't holding their breath waiting for feedback. Think about it, though. Someone sends their real voice, carrying their passion for the fandom, out into the void. Remember the first time you heard a recording of your voice? Most people are surprised at how they sound, it seems weird (or worse). Despite that, the reader was probably trying to make Sam and Dean's voices sound at least a little different from each other, and trying to make crack sound silly rather than stupid, or porn hot rather than silly, and maybe they gave themselves a sore throat and a crick in their neck trying to talk like Cas.
They might not have been confident that fans in another country could understand their pronunciation or would like their accent.
They were definitely trying to share how the fic made them feel, and hoping at least some listeners would feel it too.
The void is big, and empty, and quiet. Don't leave them hanging, at least not every time. If you have any feedback and you happen to remember when you happen to be at your computer, please go for it!
Actually…
You're at your computer now. Heard any good podfic lately? ;)
Onward to the recs portion of this roundup! Most will come with recs, but don't worry, most roundups won't come with this much prodding to do anything.
On the audiofic archive, "comment to the author" almost always links to the author's journal, whereas "comment to the reader" usually links to the amplificathon post. Use that if you don't have time to go to the reader's journal - it's so very much better than nothing!
My "Text" link goes to the author's journal (please leave them comments too!), plus I always try to save you a step by linking to the post on the reader's journal (if there is one). My nefarious, but not at all secret, plan is to encourage podficcers as much as possible, in the hopes that this will lead to the production of more podfic for me everyone to enjoy!
(Have you been meaning to leave feedback on a podfic mentioned on spnroundtable? Handy shortcuts to recent podfic recs: Sam/Dean First Times, J2 non-au Porn, Humor, Podfic to listen to twice.)
Amplificathon Recs:
One of the goals of the yearly amplificathon competition is to encourage podfic in rare and new fandoms, so participants with their eyes on the prize don't post a lot of Supernatural and SPN-RPF fic. On the other hand, it's Show, hence *extremely* hard to resist. :D
2008's winner was twasadark. These two were among the many great podfics she submitted.
And we are here as on a darkling plain by lyra_wing, read by twasadark.
A spell gives Dean angelic and Sam demonic characteristics for a month. Dean is pissed that he literally can't curse or lie… but at least the wings are cool. Performance-wise, kudos for hissing "s" sounds whenever Sam speaks but not accidentally sprinkled throughout. I'm guessing that wasn't easy.
30min, rated hard R, Sam/Dean. Text, mp3, m4b. Leave comments for the reader here.
Hush, Hush, Hush by nilchance, read by twasadark.
Jensen and JDM, with Jensen on ecstasy. Very hot!
12min., NC-17, Jensen/JDM. Text, mp3. Leave comments for the reader here.
2009's winner was sly_hostetter. I love The mountains in reply (Sam, Cas [gen]; 20 min., rated PG), which is a sequel to maychorian's Entertaining Angels series (gen, 5 hrs, PG): Cas takes refuge in the form of a child, and shows up on Dean and Sam's doorstep. I recommend the whole story, but I'm highlighting "The mountains in reply" because what really gets to me in this series is how much Sam cares about (and takes care of) the child version of Cas even though he doesn't have the close relationship to normal-size Cas that Dean has. sly_hostetter's podfic has a sweet, nostalgic feel and a nice integration of background music.
Text, mp3. Leave comments for the reader here. (The main body of the fic was posted during the competition, but the sequel came later. As they do.)
In 2010, the first place reader on the original deadline (I guess it's complicated), was 2naonh3_cl2. She recorded rageprufrock's Asunder - a "real wold" setting for SPN characters. It broke Dean's heart to try to help Sam through his drug addiction, and now Sam and Ruby (his "crazy cokehead skankbasket fiancee") are getting married. What comes across as irritability - to the point of being a jackass - is actually the tip of an iceberg of love poisoned by dread, as Dean forces himself to go "home" (to Bobby's) for the wedding. Luckily, his perceptive, handsome, compassionate friend Cas goes with him to provide much-needed moral support.
2hr 15min, Dean/Cas, NC-17. Text, mp3, m4b. Leave comments for the reader here which, bonus, gives a list of her podfics.
Of the many readers I love so much, 2naonh3_cl2 is the only one so far who I've actually followed into other fandoms. She's fantastic.
This year's first place winner was the phenomenally talented and prolific reena_jenkins, whose voice is bright, clear and expressive.
I think her top entry this year was Sacraments, written by keerawa.
Author's summary: "I’ve been known by a thousand names over the ages. Raum, Akoman, Mara, Azazel’s Hound. Lately, I go by Dean Winchester."
20 min., Sam/Dean, NC-17. Text, mp3, m4b.
This is a very well written dark!fic. Even if that's not your favorite genre you might want to give this a try; it's not about cruelty, and it sends a shiver down your spine without explicit torture scenes. reena_jenkins weaves a subtle sick twist through her naturally sweet voice; this combination of writing and performance resulted in an exquisite podfic.
Leave comments for the reader here. Seriously.
In Get Some (Ink), by bewaretheides15, reena_jenkins reads with an exuberance consistent with the inexperienced and excited Jared character. About 2/3 of the way through the final scene I did a "whoa, wait, what?!" double take, and rewound. This is a great example of one way a podficcer can create an experience that goes beyond vocal transcription of the text. The listener can get a layered effect by centering on the Jensen POV while letting the Jared POV swirl and crash around it like a wave. (Maybe that will make sense if you listen to the podfic, I don't know.) In any case, I think this is the tattoo kink scenario that other tattoo kinks fantasize about.
1 hr., Jared/Jensen, NC-17. Text, mp3, m4b. Leave comments for the reader here.