Just happy wiggly soundwaves

As promised, I did Doctor Jane Gonzalez <3 of the @pasitheapowder Bit rushed out because Artfight is coming up, but I had to!! she deserves to be alongside her trusty pilot. You go, you funky traitor to the crown <3

Also, I totally made their little illustrations technically slot together!

200 years ago, the world ended.

Cast & Crew

Rachel Pierce was played by Nhea Durousseau.

Naomi Henderson was played by Bailey Wolfe.

Shiloh Crane was played by Kale Brown.

Zaley Allen was played by Jordan Cobb.

Written, directed, edited and produced by Daisy McNamara.

Sound design was by Derrick Valen.

Music was by Dana Creasman.

Art by Kalgalen- find their work HERE: https://www.kalgalen.com/

Today's theme is, "Developer Blindness in Audio Drama"! When I'm making something, I am deeply invested in the person on the other end -- the listener, the player. In terms of target audience, I'm usually picturing someone in the middle of a real slog of a workday -- or coming off of one, putting something on to unwind. It's what drives my intense focus on wonder, awe and spectacle. More than just an 'escape', I love the idea that our art can be something that re-enchants the world for somebody who's had that part of their spirit challenged. Nothing is better than that feeling of softly putting your earphones down, and going "wow", when you've hit the end. That said -- it can be hard to hold all that in your head when you're Making The Thing. And the more ambitious stuff we're packing in there -- to us, it's super exciting seeing this thing grow in complexity. But that added density of Cool Stuff can sometimes be taxing on the bandwidth.

Happy Audio Drama Sunday!!!

I didn't keep track of what I listened to this week (even though I should have because Killjam XXX? Vesta Clinic??? Hallowoods????? Englewood After Dark????????), so I thought I'd zoom in on another thing that happened this week: Temujin released a supercut and a talkback episode.

What is Temujin?

Temujin is a historical audio drama, already a rare beast amongst this medium (with some of my favorite exceptions being Bronzeville, Cry Havoc! Ask Questions Later, Divorce Ranch, and Harlem Queen). It's also a rare beast among historical adaptations in general because it tells the story of Genghis Khan, a giant of history who is notorious outside of Mongolia and The Historical Guy inside.

What's it about?

Temujin is an epic sweeping story, a tragedy (depending on how you look at it) about our man Temujin, as he struggles to fulfill his destiny to be Khan, and his closest friend Jamukha, who bears witness to his struggles. It hits like a frikkin train. Based on the oldest Mongolian historical document, The Secret History of the Mongols, Temujin takes this close, intimate look at a single relationship and provides a window into this huge swath of history.

Why do you like it?

Oh man dude, the sound design? The writing? The foley? The music? The tiny wrenching little moments where people debate the virtue of brotherhood vs. their own wants or needs for power? There's nothing I don't like about Temujin. It's glorious. Beyond that, it's also unpretentious. In the talkback episode, the writer, Roshan Singh Sambhi (who also composed the music), talks about how he didn't really know anyone in the audio drama scene when they made it. Sometimes with these one-off productions, especially the ones outside of the typical indie scene, you get folks who are convinced that No One Is Doing It Like Them, and they get weird about that. But Roshan said their goal was only to give it the significance they could give it, and I think that shows through. It doesn't try to be important, it tries to be true. And it succeeds.

In conclusion, listen to Temujin, boy

Do you love:

Mystery fiction, especially paired with a comedic tone, like Knives Out, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, or Only Murders in the Building?

Sherlock & Co, and want another, different take on the Holmes canon to add to your rotation of shows?

Irreverent historical comedies with surprising heart and messages about the people who often get left in the margins of history like Operation Mincemeat and Our Flag Means Death?

Re: Dracula, and other audio dramas that present unique takes on classic literature?

British audio comedy like Wooden Overcoats, Victoriocity, Cabin Pressure, and Bleak Expectations?

The original ACD Sherlock Holmes stories but wish there was explicit, textual representation of gay, lesbian, and ace identities that are celebrated and centered within the actual text?

Adorable senior cat mascots?

May we present ourselves, Fawx & Stallion, a mystery-comedy podcast about the best detective team on Baker Street! (Not that one.) Our full first and second seasons are available now, and we are currently crowdfunding for Season 3! If a queer, Victorian mystery-comedy set in the world of Sherlock Holmes sounds like it might be up your alley, please consider giving us a listen, and if you're able, supporting our crowdfund so that our indie team can bring another mystery to life!

Rudyard Ruins Everything will be released in your podcast feed as a mini-series, recorded in studio. Just like the rest of the show.

Last year, we performed our tenth year special at the London Podcast Festival to a sold out audience. Rudyard Ruins Everything was a new 90 minute story that took place between seasons two and three. If you made it to our birthday party in person or online, thank you. It was amazing.

So amazing, in fact, that we want to share it with even more of you.

We recut the script into a four episode mini-series, set over four days on Piffling. Then we booked a studio and recorded it all over a weekend in May. For once, we didn't need a fundraiser: your live show ticket sales helped us over the line and into the studio!

Rudyard Ruins Everything: A Very Mini Series will be available to you, for free, wherever you get your podcasts.

Thursday 24 September: Rudyard Ruins Everything - Day 1 Friday 25 September: Rudyard Ruins Everything - Day 2 Saturday 26 September: Rudyard Ruins Everything - Day 3 Sunday 27 September: Rudyard Ruins Everything - Day 4

This is so deeply surreal to share, but Desperate Hollow, the queer romance western that I've been working on for the last eight years, is finally going to be something you can actually read. I'm trying a totally new-to-me thing - releasing it chapter by chapter on the @atypicalartists Patreon. Sign up for free now to read the first five chapters (which will be available for everyone) as they come out!

But more importantly, LOOK AT THIS ART BY NOAH DAO!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!! THEY'RE SO GORGEOUS!!!

If you don't see this art and immediately want to know who these men are, you are a stronger person than I but also I should tell you a bit about the story.

Seven years after a near-fatal argument, two former friends and outlaws find themselves face to face once again, forced to work together to hide from the law and confront their complicated feelings in the process. 

It's friends-to-enemies-to-lovers. It's second chance except the first chance ended in bloodshed. It's guard dog character vs. guy who didn't ask to hold his leash character. It's one bed. It's presumed dead. It's would-kill-for-you/would-die-for-you except that actually really sort of happens.

It's probably my favorite thing that I've ever written. And I can't WAIT to share it with you on my own terms.

We are casting!!! We're looking for a range of types, both based in LA and remote.

@thelionheartacademyofmagic looks like such a lovely cozy fantasy show with vibes that are right up my alley. Please consider pledging or sharing it around. It seems like something the people who follow my projects might enjoy!

Check it out here: https://grifff17.github.io/audiodrama-reviews/

Here at It Burns(tm) Coporation(alsotm) we greatly appreciate the work done by Syrensyr's Industry.