making a podcast

We get mailbags sent to us about making a podcast, suggestions for how to make a good show, and questions about what got us started on our path to anime podcasting. At 250 episodes we’re going to cover everything that got us to where we’re at and what it takes to produce the show we do.

• Phase 1 – Inception

• Timeframe – Summer of 2009

• Hosts – Mitsugi, Chiaki, Valentine

• Run Length – 6 episodes

• Comments –

1. Podcast was started by a group of friends well versed in anime to deliver entertainment to the anime community
2. Podcast has NEVER used Skype as a primary communication method.  From day one the podcast has always been done in a studio setting, face-to-face.  No skype conversations.
3. Initially the podcast tech was very bad.  We had one laptop, used Audacity and had a single internal laptop microphone.
4. Chiaki develops the first iteration of the www.aaapodcast.com website.

• Show Format:

• Show length gradually lengthens ( 1hr 15 mins – 1hr 30 mins)

1. Podcast introduces “impressions” to cover new anime

• Used to do many anime reviews per episode.

• Phase 2 – Adjustments

• Timeframe – Fall of 2009

1. Reason for phase shift- Falling out between Mitsugi and Valentine

• Hosts – Mitsugi, Chiaki, Kimiko, Hatake, Roukou (Valentine Leaves)

• Run Length – 60-70 episodes

• Comments –

1. Tech is gradually upgraded as the podcast purchases a Directional “Snowball” microphone.
2. From this point, emphasized guest hosting and industry interviews. First interview was the “L33T Street Boys”.
3. Chiaki reinvents website and introduces www.aaapodcast.com v2.0

• Show Format:

1. Show length gradually lengthens ( 1hr 15 mins – 1hr 30 mins)
2. Podcast continues to cover 3-4 anime reviews per episode
3. Podcast introduces “news breaks” to more closely imitate a radio feel.

• Phase 3 – Tech Evolution

• Timeframe – Spring 2011

1. Reason for phase shift – Hatake is phased out, behavioral issues

• Hosts – Mitsugi, Chiaki, Kimiko, Roukou (Hatake Leaves)

• Run Length – About 70 Episodes

• Comments –

1. The podcast begins to ramp up participation at anime conventions
2. Podcast continues to do guest hosting (AWO, others) and performs interviews with many industry guests (Steve Blum, Vic Mignogna, Melissa Fahn, others)
3. Tech equipment is sharply upgraded
   1. Podcast moves to “Podcast PC”, 2 laptops, and the introduction of studio “pencil condenser” microphones, multiple webcams

• Show format:

• Podcast goes live on Ustream.  Utilizes ManyCam video software to manage multiple webcams.  Broadcast time is 8:30pm EST on Sundays.

• Episode length continues to lengthen (90 mins – 2 hrs)

• Podcast reviews are scaled back (about 2 per episode)

• Phase 4 – Japan Relocation

• Timeframe – Fall 2013

1. Reason for phase shift – A Japan adventure

• Hosts – Mitsugi, Chiaki, Kram

• Run Length – 75 episodes

• Comments –

1. Podcast fully relocates to Japan to deliver a more inciteful account of Japan.  Delivering anime entertainment and news from the source.
2. Chiaki again reinvents www.aaapodcast.com website, introducing v3.0
3. Show introduces Kram for his expert knowledge of film, great radio voice and overall good humor
4. Podcast tech is changed as Mitsugi sells “Podcast PC” and moves to high powered laptop.  More suitable studio recording environment is created
5. Guest hosting and industry interviews are scaled back somewhat

• Show format:

1. Podcast continues to be live but shifts broadcast time to 9:30pmEST Satudays.  Webcams are reduced to 1 in total
2. Show inches closer to a 2 hour broadcast time
3. New “Pass/Fail” impression system introduced and reviews move to 1 “group review” per episode

• Phase 5 – Relocation, The Show Goes On

• Timeframe – Spring 2014

1. Reason for phase shift – Japan adventure ends

• Hosts – Mitsugi, Chiaki, Kram, Kimiko(???), Roukou(???)

• Run Length – Unknown

• Comments –

1. Podcast returns to Florida.  Kram remains in Japan to provide valuable insight.
2. Likely reintroduction of Kimiko and potentially Roukou (beyond just hentai episodes)
3. Probably continuing of anime convention attendance

• Show format:

1. Unchanged.
2. Might introduce “kram in Japan” content segment