Hot Mic Summer
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I'm going to let you in on a little secret.
The reason I wanted to make podcasts is because, deep down, I am profoundly corny.
I love podcasts that make me feel things—whether that means uncontrollable laughter (My Dad Wrote a Porno, be warned before you listen in public) or uncontrollable tears (Our Friend David, an episode of This American Life about the late David Rakoff*) or making me have big realizations about my life and myself (On Being). I’m hooked on finding driveway moments wherever I can.
When I started doing this work myself, I thought a lot about how I would create those perfect moments. For me, that starts in the interview. I create a space where the guest feels safe to share candidly, where the listener feels like they’re right there with us. That’s a big enough challenge to do in person. When all podcast production moved to remote at the beginning of the pandemic, that challenge became a whole lot bigger.
Today on The Big Fry, we’re talking about lessons in pandemic podcasting, more than one year in. There are certainly limitations—trying to troubleshoot tech drama over Zoom can cause a headache for everyone (like when they can’t hear you because their headphones are plugged into the wrong port… but you can’t tell them to plug them into a different spot… because they can’t hear you… rinse and repeat until the end of time). But ultimately, there’s a lot we can learn from being forced to produce shows in precarious circumstances.
Writer Tristan Wheeler spoke to podcast hosts and producers across Canada for the Vocal Fry blog. We’ve clipped just a few of those learnings for the newsletter today, but do give his piece a read when you have time.
*Love you always, Micah!
Recording
Co-host of CBC’s Inappropriate Questions Elena Hudgins Lyle had to record the show underneath their comforter in the dead heat of summer before eventually creating an impromptu studio out of wood & blankets.
For season two of Island Crime, Laura Palmer had to drastically rethink production. “I was interviewing a former drug dealer,” Palmer says. “I needed a space that was quiet and outside. So we’re in a park with people going by with their kids and dogs and we’re having this really weighty, deep conversation. Never in a million years would I imagine myself in that circumstance.” Before COVID, Palmer would have conducted sensitive interviews like this in a more private and safe setting, but she’s recently had to forgo that luxury.
Audiences
Michael Mongiardi, co-founder and chair of Toronto-based collective, The Sonar Network, says shows under his umbrella were affected at the beginning of the pandemic. “We almost immediately saw a bit of a downtick in downloads last March.”
Steve Pratt, co-founder of Pacific Content, also noticed this dip, but says numbers have recovered and even exceeded where they were pre-pandemic. Pratt says listening patterns have also changed. “The morning and afternoon spikes have been replaced by a consistent, all throughout the day listening.”
Vibe Management
Hosted by Elamin Abdelmahmoud, CBC’s Pop Chat released its first episode in September 2020. “You’ve got to manage the vibes, manage the warmth, and manage the quality of conversation when you’re not in the same room,” he says. “If you take that atmosphere seriously, you should end up with a pretty good result.”
jobs hot from the fryer
CBC is hiring a full time, permanent associate producer for Cross Country Checkup in Toronto. (Full disclosure: I work on Checkup from time to time).
If you’ve ever found yourself mid-conversation saying, “just to play devil’s advocate,” this may be the job for you!
Apply by 11:59 p.m. on June 1.
Another CBC job: Announcer/Interviewer for the Cree-language radio show, Eyou Dipajimoon.
This one’s based out of Montreal, and is also a permanent, full-time position.
For readers eligible to work in the U.S.:
Gimlet is hiring for a head of development in NYC.
hey freelancer!
Pineapple Street Studios has put out a call for pitches for a new show they’re working on, The 11th. From their website:
“On the 11th day of every month, the show will take on an entirely new shape, length, and style. Think of it a bit like a mystery box. We want to present original reporting, personal stories, musicals, advice columns, miniseries, concept albums, and whatever else you’ve got. A piece may be 5 minutes, it may be 75 minutes. It may be one episode, or three episodes. But every month it will be something new. It’s launching this summer, 2021.”
I have an idea that I’m really excited to pitch… I won’t give it away, but there will be a great deal of yelling.
Pizza Shark is looking for audio producers to add to their freelance roster for a remote, project-based contractor position. They’re taking applications on a rolling basis.
what we’re listening to
Digital producer Emily Latimer has the podcast recco this week. She’s been listening to This Is Actually Happening from Wondery. It features extraordinary true stories of life-changing events told by the people who lived them. (A few recent episodes: What if you spent four years inside? What if you couldn’t stop shining? What if you kept shaking hands with death?)
From a podcast production standpoint, it’s a stripped down show that shines a spotlight on how impactful first-person storytelling can be. There’s no scripting, no host interjections, and minimal music cues. The subject just tells their story from beginning to end. Listeners who love deeply personal narratives, surfing Reddit to read tales of intimate relationship drama, and chronological storytelling should take a listen.
What’s happening at Vocal Fry?
In non-COVID times, summer is the peak season for film production in and around Toronto. You’ll see a random celebrity walking down the street or sitting next to you at brunch, or you’ll be biking downtown, only to find a New York City subway station set up at King and University. If you’re curious about how the film industry has been able to operate during COVID, listen to this episode of Now & Next from back in the fall about how to practice safe sets.
Ok that’s all for this week!
We want to hear from you! What are you looking for in your podcast news? Let us know on Twitter, Instagram, or by email at info@vocalfrystudios.com.
Thanks to Emily Latimer for editing this newsletter, and to Katie Jensen for designing it.
We’ll see you again on June 4. Until then, here’s an update from associate producer Max Collins' cat, Cynthia.
Yours in friends and fries,
Michal
