Geeks in Space, Take Two

Well, the fine folks over at The Sync have informed me that episode two of Geeks in Space is ready for listening-with Nate, Rob and I's commentary, and featuring a live report from CowboyNeal from Martha's Vineyard, concering JFK Jr. Honest! *grin*

Comments

How to Improve

[Skyshadow]

It's not *too* terrible (for first-time radio people), but here's how to improve the show:

1. Assign Roles: By giving each person a specific role, you'll make listening to you easier. Specifically, someone needs to play facilitator; that means opening/closing the show, setting up the topics and helping to direct who should talk (making sure everyone gets a turn and that you all don't try to talk at once). This leads to...

2. Stop Stepping on Each Other: Yeah, I know it's hard sometimes to decide who will talk at any given time, especially when you're recording. Until you get used to the whole setup, I'd suggest only having two people with a live mike at any given time; even people with a lot of radio experience can have troubles coordinating three people, and (no offense) you guys can't handle it yet.

3. Cut down on the jokes: I know it's hard to ad-lib, but try to cut down on the jokes -- you put too many in and you just sound nervous. Besides, humor on even funny-newsy shows is best if it's paced a bit. Otherwise, you end up sounding like (again, I mean this with no offense intended) a bunch of giggling morons.

4. Stop saying "um": I cured myself by having my then-girlfriend stand behind me with a yardstick while I practiced and had her thwack me every time I said "um" (she got mean with that thing).

5. Slow down and enunciate: Remember all those public speaking classes you had to take in your liberal arts program? Well, here's your chance to make use of them. Slow down a bit and make an effort to be clear.

Again, I'm really not trying to rip on the guys here. What I might suggest is that they find someone whose done some radio work to help with their delivery (or even, if that person has a sizable geek side, play the "facilitator" role; think Adam Corolla to Dr. Drew on Loveline). Again, the idea isn't to be like every other radio show, conform, or be unrealistically professional. The idea is to smooth your delivery to make your show more enjoyable.

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Re:How to Improve

[Trepidity]

Well, I'd have to mostly agree with the other AC reply to this thread, but I do agree that it's hard to tell everybody apart. Through 8.5 kbps realaudio, Rob, Jeff, and Nate's voices don't sound different enough for me to be able to tell them apart. It'd be easier of one of them was female :P

Re:If YOU were lost, would they search this hard?

[Skyshadow]

I dunno dude, I think there's a certain level that most humans are owed.

I mean, c'mon. They guy and his wife (who were still pretty much newlyweds) died on their way to a family wedding. That's really depressing, no matter how it happened or who he was. Besides, it's not like it's his fault that the press is swarming all over it.

Sure, maybe the feds are giving this one special treatment; that doesn't make it funny.

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Heh

[drwiii]

Hey, I just heard.. Some MSNBC fighter jets just shot down the Slashdot Copter and the Slashdot Infrared-Equipped Airplane. Will the news media now be obsessed with finding CowboyNeal? :P

Neat show.

Ouch.

[unclei]

OK guys, that does it. From this point on, you
are commanded to never communicate with any
living being again except through /. posts or
email. I don't care if you're going into
anaphylatic shock - if you don't wanna die, post
it. "HEART FAILURE! - from the 'I dont wanna die
department'"
Oh yeah, and have some cards made up for when the
paramedics arrive. "Yes, that hurts a lot."
"WHERE are you going to stick that?!"