(3WC pt1) Production Notes

Whew, I was editing this one right up to the last day. It varies from the HPMoR episodes in several regards. Most notably, I’ve adopted a less “announcer”-like voice for narration, which I feel is better. I’ll keep it, but it makes the reading more energy-intensive for me, as it doesn’t come naturally. I guess I naturally tend to have a declaiming tone. Good for teaching/instructing perhaps, but not so good for storytelling.

Also of note – the inclusion of general background music. Previously I’d only ever done music for very specific scenes were I already had a soundtrack in my head. But lately I’ve been listening to Welcome to Night Vale, and they use background music to great effect. It really heightens the mood of that podcast, and the mix of occasional background music and silence really makes both stand out in striking ways. I was amazed how much more time it takes to add those touches. Not only do I have to familiarize myself with a whole new collection of music*, I have to add another listen-through to listen for places to insert it, and then review to make sure it sounds alright. I’m sure that with familiarity the stress level and time investment of this extra step will ease, but I was not ready for how much it would take.

(*I decided to only use freely available public-use sources. I’m ok using bits and pieces of copyrighted songs here and there, such as for the intro/outro. But to use the entirety of a song without permission seemed both unethical and of dubious legality)

(BTW, if you’re not listening to Welcome to Night Vale, you may want to give it a shot. It’s a series of events that happen in a small creepy town in the desert, as relayed by their local community radio guy. There’s no narrative or story development so it won’t be to everyone’s taste. Mainly it’s cool quirkiness and mood pieces. From the pilot – “The City Council […] would like to remind everyone that dogs are not allowed in the dog park. People are not allowed in the dog park. It is possible that you will see hooded figures in the dog park. Do not approach them. Do not approach the dog park. […] The dog park will not harm you.” It’s like what A Prairie Home Companion would be like, if it was supernatural, and didn’t suck.)

Also I removed the use of the Page-Flip sound for breaks. I’d gotten so used to them after all this time that not hearing them was actually startling. I’ll keep it that way for Three Worlds Collide, but I really like them and they’ll be back for HPMoR.

(98) Production Notes

I got my cameo!!! Huzzah!

So we have come to that time again – where the podcast has caught up with the published material. Fortunately I am not unprepared! In two week’s time this podcast will be broadcasting the first chapter of Eliezer’s “Three Worlds Collide” – a first-contact story that just keeps the punches coming. It’ll air in seven parts, so it seems likely that Methods of Rationality will have more new material by the time it is completed. I’m trying out some new things with it – hopefully improvements. We’ll see!

(97) Production Notes

Quite a few updates to previous episodes to report. Most notably – I completely redid the narration for Chapter 96. If you have the inclination, give it another listen and let me know if this is better or worse. It’s certainly different. I’m narrating all of Three Worlds Collide in a similar style, so hopefully it isn’t terrible.

In addition, all the Millicent lines have been updated with voice work from Novina Caine,  all of Harry’s dad’s lines have been replaced with Robert Doss’s work, and all of Harry’s mother’s lines have been replaced by Annie McCabe s contribution. Finally, Paula Rizzuto has added Lady Greengrass to her list of voices. Thank you again to all!

There are still a few minor roles available for those who wish to contribute, but it’s a fair bit of work to make these replacements, so please contact me first. I am actively seeking someone who can do a convincing Irish accent for the voice of Seamus Finnigan, I’ve been told my mutilated Scottish/Irish/English patchwork makes true Irishmans’ ears bleed. :)