SerenityMovie.net

Companion Kate · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 2014 Location: UK

Okay guys, here's the thing. It looks like, for Season 2 (which starts on February 1st) we can produce either an hour-long show once every two weeks, or a half-hour show every week. (These are minima. In practice, the shows are likely to be five or ten minutes longer than advertized).

There are pros and cons for both choices.

My personal preference is for an hour-long show every two weeks. An hour-long show allows for a much more flexible format. It allows for many more regular features, and is long enough to accomodate interviews. With a half-hour show, the scheduling is way too tight. Once you've taken out time for emails, news and so on, you've got pretty much no room left for anything but one article.

Of course, you could alternate - like, have a music section every other week, and a chinese segment on the in-between weeks. That's pretty much the same thing as getting half-a-show each week. If we're going to do that, we might as well make an hour-long show, cut it in half, and publish half of it each week.

The trouble is, even if we do that, We would still have to do work every week. There would still be stuff to do, including updating the XML feed, changing the website in several places, writing and publishing the show notes, sending out the email announcement, starting a thread on this forum, and so on. You probably don't think too much about all that ancilliary work, but it still has to be done, every time we release a show. And I would rather have to do that once every two weeks than every week.

Anyway, that's just my opinion. On this thread, I want to hear other people's opinions. (I think Les favors a half-hour weekly show, but I'll let him speak for himself). And once you've read all the arguments and had your say, please vote in the poll, so that we get some rough idea as to which of the two options people would prefer. That information will help (but not dictate) my eventual decision. If there's an overwhelming majority one way or the other, I am unlikely to ignore it. If it's round about 50/50, I'm more likely to be swayed by the reasoning within the posts.

So, let us know.
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kbachelder · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 6:18 am Post subject:

As a listener, I would prefer a longer show done every two weeks.

A devoted fan. Wink

Kevin
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jax · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 413 Location: Connecticut

As suggested I'll hold off on the poll for a few days.

Here's my two cents:

You all have done an outstanding job putting these out. You've heard from many how professional they come across and it obviously is not just the fans either. Universal put a link to you up on their site. The actors took time out of their schedule to be interviewed...which means the cast and others made The Signal talked about at more than one Hollywood party I'm sure. You re truly mighty.

With that said and done nobody but The Signal staff knows how much time and effort goes into creating these broadcasts. As a web developer/designer I know I struggle with aspects but the end user expects a clicked button to perform a function. As your end users we expect to click a link, download a show, and have it sound shiny. We see the end product, not the struggle that sometimes occurs. Your love of providing The Signal overcomes your struggles and we thank you for that.

The team knows how much it takes to create, produce, and make the podcasts available. You know what else you have going on in your lives. If once a week is too often, do them every other. If you struggle for content then do them once a month. As a fan of Firefly as well as your own contributions I ask that you don't get burned out. I trust you to come up with a release schedule that meets the needs of those on the team, but appreciate the fact that you even considered asking us.

Short version: once every other week is fine with me. If it comes out once a week I'll listen to them all though, and if it comes out once a month I still will listen.

For those in Hollywood who pay attention to such things, I'm sure they will be impressed that The Signal did not stop when the movie came out. That the Verse continues to be explorered and analyzed.

thanks again!

kbachelder · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:38 am Post subject:

Thank you very much for your comments 'Jax'.

We really like to hear things from the listeners point of view.

Kevin
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xiao_ka · Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 49

Hi,

I find that the segments that I enjoy the most are the in depth essays, the explorations, the featured articles, the interviews. The chinese of season 1 was candy. The news and emails are enjoyable snacks.

I would say that if going with a one hour show bi-weekly keeps the options open for more of the meat (so to speak), then that is really what I, personally, would prefer.

That said, I'll echo jax: I'll listen no matter what format you guys choose to go with. Weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly.

kurya · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 115

Hi.
I echo the thanx and appreciation for the podcast. EVen before seein the comments I knew that on every 2 weeks is the best. Whatever is easier for you guys, and whatever results in the best product. Plus things will slow down a bit as the dvds are released, so I think its best to pace yourselves.
1 hour every 2 weeks
Prakash
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Companion Kate · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 2014 Location: UK

jax · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 413 Location: Connecticut

I mentioned this a while back and this thread made me come around to the thought again. My thought was we'd run out of material further out if they just did a couple more episodes or rolled out a second movie. That led to thoughts about the collection being taken up for Mal's coat which led to thoughts of fan flicks done for Star Trek, the Mosquito parady, and other fan based efforts. It would be cool to tkae a collection to aid in a fan based shoot, perhaps contacting one of the existing groups that do such things. The problem probably arises with funds exchanging hands though. Anyways, to keep this on topic The Signal reviewing such a production would be cool. Cooler still would be for Joss to release a couple of scripts that could be deemed as canon and let the fans have at it. As an example look at how the Dead allowed shows to be taped, traded, etc and yet they still made money and faired okay. Another example would be how Doom allowed mods to be added and now look at how many games allow for that. It increases the fanbase.

Ok..something like this might be a good topic for a podcast. While I doubt tons and tons of folks read through all the fan based boards I bet most of the fans do download the podcast and listen to it. (The Signal must have those numbers....downloaded casts vs the number of messages read on this board each week). A topic of "possible marketing ploys to increase the fanbase".

Another topic might be ETW, of which a thread I partook in a while ago got real interesting. Covering that with some clarified canon tossed in by Joss or Tim would let the fans speculate further.

VaderDawsn · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 151 Location: Firefly In My Mind

I prefer 1 hour every other week, because it allows for more topics to be discussed and makes listening to the signal more an "experience" than a newscast. Also this gives busy browncoats time to catch up on the latest Serenity/Firefly news/discussion w/out feeling too far behind. When I listen to the podcast, I like feeling like I am still listening to to relatively fresh stuff. If I get too busy and miss and episode I feel a bit behind.
Of course I'll admit listening to an episode or 2 while at work.

I love the signal!
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SmellOfGreen · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

I'm sorry to make more work for y'all, but I have to vote for a weekly show.

There's just something wonderful about getting a weekly dose of The Signal. As soon as I hear the music start and Kaylee introducing me to Serenity, I feel like I found my home. It's just not the same when I requeue an old episode.

williamjamesw · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 6:39 pm Post subject:

Personally; I would have to hope for the half hour every week. I'm on a dial-up connection and iTunes keeps timing out the connection before the download completes. I've had to make due with dirrect downloads from the main site.
Also two weeks seems like too long to wait.

lhoward · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 271

Sevens · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

I think I would personally like a 30 minute cast every week...but I wouldn't complain about a 1 hour cast every week...I'd be happy with either one really...
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Companion Kate · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 2014 Location: UK

WildCard9 · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

I am a late comer to The Signal. I was introduced to it at Dragon*Con this year, but did not get the chance to start listening until after Thanksgiving. I am trying to listen to one show per work day when in the office to catch up, which is not easy since more shows keep getting posted even though season 1 is over Smile

I like the 1 hour format, it gives a lot of time to do many things without feeling rushed. Going to a bi-weekly show gives the crew more time to put the show together and still have a life. I work on a weekly internet radio show as their archivist, so I know how much time I need to devote to it every week, editing the show and all the work involved in making it available for download. It can get tiring and does eat into my time that I could be devoting to other things.

The weekly show made sense prior to Serenity's release. I think now that the Firefly news has slowed down, there is no need to force yourselves to finding something to talk about every week. And if this also means doing only 30-45 minutes every 2 weeks because that is all the material that you have, then that is fine too. Don't feel that you have to fill that set amount of time just because that is the format you announced. We're Browncoats, we can be flexible here.

Wayne

slgn* · Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 90

longer show, less frequent makes more sense to me... and frankly, it gives me more time to stay current.

xie xie Signal'ers
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YourLeader · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 113 Location: Texas

On the whole I'd be happy with whatever you guys can do. If you can get an hour long show out every two weeks great. If you can only get a half hour long show out every two weeks that is still great. Heck if you did a five minute daily podcast that would be fine with me too. Y'all have done an excellent job with the podcast up to this point.

Looking forward to Season Two and beyond.
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erico · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 49 Location: Maryland, USA

As an avid listener of The Signal, I have to go with quality over quantity. If less frequent production means a greater depth and more variety to the show, I'd definitely vote for every other week.
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cubeslave · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Lexington, SC

I like the longer, but less frequent format. I would really like to say something profound and longer, but much like finding new material after the film has come out, it would take more time than I currently have.

jseifried · Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Dayton, OH

as long as firefly talk comes out every week i would prefer a biweekly signal.

hawkeyeseven · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Apopka, Florida

I think the 1 hr. show would be better. that way I can keep up with the Pod Cast and also like you said you would be able to do interviews.
Thank You all for the hard work you put into this Pod Casts to keep us informed of Serenity.
I've been a fan since it aired on Scifi. back in 2002.
I've already ordered the DVD and the Soundtracks for the movie and the TV show.

Thanks Again and Keep Serenity FLYING,

hawkeyeseven[/code]

writerserenyty · Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 11

mvazeditor · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Atlanta, GA

Ni hao!
I would prefer a longer, more extensive show every 2 weeks. Many thanks to the entire crew for all of your hard work. I'm new to this verse and really enjoy the podcast.
-MV

toxicprof · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 143

I have to go with the hour also. I think you can do a better job of sticking to the format you have developed (and which works very well0 if you stay with the length for which it was developed. Also, I have a hunch that after the DVD deadlines pass you might occasionally strain to find conent. You would be less pressed by deadlines in the two week format if you came upon a "dry" spell.

The biggest reason though is that while the show length might be about the same, the production time for the half hour format would be a lot greater. You know better than we do that the behind the scenes work will not decrease by half merely because the length of the show does.

In the long run (It's not even a long run; it's more of a 5k fun run.) The 2 hour format will be better for you, and that will be better for us.

Bucho · Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 15 Location: Papakura, NZ

The hour long show because of more opportunity for in depth stuff. If anything comes up in the 13 day meantime there's always the opportunity for bonus shows I'd guess.