Topic: Episode 5: Lithium Doll, D'Argo, Vorlags 101

[Brent Barrett]

The ScapeCast, Season 1, Episode 5

Released: June 14, 2006

Download The Episode Here

Hosted by: Kevin Bachelder and Lindy Rae
Additional voices: Kimberly Thompson, Ken Shupenia, Brent Barrett, Wendy Hembrock, Kurt Armbruster, Hank Shiffman and Nicola Wood
Written by: Kevin Bachelder, Lindy Rae, Nicola Wood, Brent Barrett, Kelly Morris, Don Vorleone, Kurt Armbruster, Wendy Hembrock
Edited by: Brent Barrett

(00:00:22) Our hosts Kevin and Lindy welcome listeners to The ScapeCast
(00:03:07) Eema and Orville the slightly annoyed tell us the Word of the Episode
(00:04:57) Farscape Trivia Question
(00:06:18) Scapecast Beacon
    Spokane Fox 28 Schedule Change
    Sammy's request for vidding panel help
    Help The Beacon Spread YOUR Request/Call To Action
(00:07:20) Interview with renowned 'Scaper Lithium Doll
    Fan Vid bother by Birthsister
    Alter-idem Lithium Doll's website
    Lithium Doll's Fan Vids on Farscape Fantasy
(00:20:04) ScapeCast News with Wendy Hembrock    Television Without Pity recaps the entire Farscape series
    The Space Channel will air The Triangle mini-series in the fall schedule
    Sci Fi channel promoting Rockne O’Bannon (The Triangle) for Emmy consideration
    Michael Shanks talks relationships on SG-1
    Chicago Tribune notes Ben Browder and Claudia Back as part of the "geek dream team" on SG-1 Season 10
    Claudia Black video interview about the film Stolen Life
    Jason Clarke (Jenek in Prayer and We're So Screwed trilogy) stars in Showtime's new series Brotherhood on July 9th
    Gigi Edgley recently completed filming in St Louis MI on a new movie (working title was Alien vs Alien)
    Raelee Hill appears in the upcoming Superman Returns film
    Farscape Starburst 4.2 DVD due August 8
    Farscape 2005 Convention DVD released
    The Convention Report
        June 23-25 ApolloCon 2006 Houston, TX USA - David Franklin
        July 7-9 Shore Leave 28 Baltimore MD - Gigi Edgley, Kent McCord
        July 20-23 Comic Con San Diego CA - Gigi Edgley, David Franklin
        July 31-August 6 Timeless Destinations, Richmond (Vancouver),BC - Lani Tupu, David Franklin, Gigi Edgley and Wayne Pygram
        ]November 3-5 Farscape Convention, Burbank CA - Raelee Hill, Wayne Pygram, Dave and Lou Elsey, Guy Gross Composers Workshop and Tutorial
    Brian Henson at Fangoria (Nightmares and Dreamscapes)
    Late Night Buffet, a late-night Henson talk show featuring puppets and celebrity guests for a mature audience will tape the first episode on July 22 before a live audience at Henson studios
    The Smithsonian Museum of American History retrospective of Jim Hensons’ work called “Muppets and Mechanisms: Jim Henson’s Legacy” until September 4
    Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship
(00:27:42) D'Argo Character Review
(00:33:46) Vorlag 101 with Don Vorleone
    Claudia's Birthday Bash on Terra Firma
    Cyberlobster Productions
(00:40:29) Question of the Week
    Answer on our Forums
    1-206-350-MOYA (6692)
(01:03:16) Farscape Trivia Answer
(01:04:10) Word of the Show
(01:04:17) Hosts Close Out the Show

[ugatweety2]

Not trying to be a trouble-maker here, but this just isn't doing it for me. I never knew people could talk so much about Farscape, WITHOUT ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT FARSCAPE. You have your Farscape news and Farscape trivia, Farscape fan stories and Farscape conventions. But where's the talk about actual episodes? Story arcs? Insightful reviews? Even some criticisms? I've listened to five episodes of your show now, waiting for something substantially insightful and refreshing about Farscape, but so far...still waiting. The only thing that comes close is your character review section, but even then, you only test the waters of exploring character psychology with the tip of your toe.
Dive in! What makes this show so original? What makes these characters and their relationships so compelling? What episodes drive the Farscape story forward better than others? What episodes don't always work for every audience? What did the producers/writers have in mind for particular scenes and stories? Just examples...but these are the kind of questions I've been waiting for you to explore in your podcast. Farscape isn't dead and forgotten. Sure, there hasn't been any new material since 2004, but I want to hear someone talk about this show like it's still living and breathing, like I just watched an episode yesterday, like it's fresh on my mind and we fans are all scurrying around trying to make sure no one missed a beat.
And if nothing else, at least put excitement for the show first, script second.

Sorry for the rant, but it's tough love from the bottom of my heart.

[Kevin Bachelder]

Not trying to be a trouble-maker here, but this just isn't doing it for me. I never knew people could talk so much about Farscape, WITHOUT ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT FARSCAPE. You have your Farscape news and Farscape trivia, Farscape fan stories and Farscape conventions. But where's the talk about actual episodes? Story arcs? Insightful reviews? Even some criticisms? I've listened to five episodes of your show now, waiting for something substantially insightful and refreshing about Farscape, but so far...still waiting. The only thing that comes close is your character review section, but even then, you only test the waters of exploring character psychology with the tip of your toe.
Dive in! What makes this show so original? What makes these characters and their relationships so compelling? What episodes drive the Farscape story forward better than others? What episodes don't always work for every audience? What did the producers/writers have in mind for particular scenes and stories? Just examples...but these are the kind of questions I've been waiting for you to explore in your podcast. Farscape isn't dead and forgotten. Sure, there hasn't been any new material since 2004, but I want to hear someone talk about this show like it's still living and breathing, like I just watched an episode yesterday, like it's fresh on my mind and we fans are all scurrying around trying to make sure no one missed a beat.
And if nothing else, at least put excitement for the show first, script second.

Sorry for the rant, but it's tough love from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks very much for talking the time to share your thoughts with us!

Feedback from our listeners is an important part in helping to shape the podcast and in finding ways for it to improve.

As you pointed out this was our 5th podcast and a podcast is much like a TV show in that it usually takes some time for it to "hit its stride and find its identity".  I wouldn't want to make any final judgements on the quality of a show (TV or podcast) after only seeing or hearing the first five episodes.

Rest assured that the entire podcast crew will read your message just like we do for all the feedback we get.  We encourage everyone to share their thoughts and ideas.  Don't feel like you have to wait and save up your thoughts. 

One additional request I would like to make to ugatweety2 and any other forum user is that you sign your posts with your name so that we all know a little about who is behind the screen name since we'd rather be able to talk and exchange ideas as friends. 

Thanks again,

Kevin

[Brent Barrett]

Thanks for the feedback.  As Kevin said, we're just now starting to feel comfortable with the show, and I have to point out three things about the sort of content you're requesting:

1. I think you may have missed Nicola's wonderful intro to Farscape and Wendy's cool analysis of the Farscape universe.  Both are long essays into what Farscape's all about, what works and doesn't work, etc.  Just what you say we haven't done. 

2. We've had on the writing and episode schedule for some time a number of articles that dive deep into the analysis of the show.  These are being written and fine tuned, but that takes time.  As always, we will deliver excellent content as we get it in.

3. And finally, this show is by, for, and about Scapers and what they want to know or discuss.  Our mission is not to just sit here and ramble on about the show.  If we did that, then we'd satisfy only a small number of Scapers.  We're all different.  Many folks want to hear the show to get their dose of news.  Yes, no new Farscape since 2004, but plenty of happenings and cast/crew activities that folks want to know about.  Ultimately, however, the show is what the audience makes it.  If you think we're not talking about something the way you want us to talk about it, then write something for us and send it in.     We'd love that.  Or voice a response to the "What is Farscape?" question and send it to us.  You can talk for five minutes if you want, and we'll play it all. 

You are The ScapeCast. 

[lindyrae]

Hey ugatweety2!
Wecome to the forum and thanks for your note.  We all empathize with your need for more meat and we're getting to it.    As an experienced (aged/seasoned? I dunno) scaper, I am also looking forward to moving on to Seasons 3-4 and hearing the stuff our writing team is addressing regarding relationships, style changes, etc. ( Not to sound immodest on behalf of our writers, I think that they've done an excellent job presenting the beginning stuff.)

I think that both Brent and Kevin have answered the other issues; but I did want you to know that you're not alone in your request.

Also, I've now taken Kevin into the back room and beaten him about this name thing.  Then, while he was asking for mercy, he said that he was just trying to make sure that you were a real person cuz, you didn't fill out any info in your forum profile.  While kicking him, I explained that you were probably just in a hurry to tell us how you felt and you'll probably go back later to put in the info about your hobbies, where you're from and whether you are a male or female of your species.

So, I understand tweety.  Tell me about uga 

[Kevin Bachelder]

One additional request I would like to make to ugatweety2 and any other forum user is that you sign your posts with your name so that we all know a little about who is behind the screen name since we'd rather be able to talk and exchange ideas as friends. 

Thanks again,

Kevin

Lindy and some other members of the crew showed me the error of my ways in making this request.

My intent in asking ugatweety2 to include a name on their post was simply a way for me to be able to properly address any responses to them.  I just find it odd to say "Dear ugatweety2".  It must just be me.   

No one should ever feel that they have to provide any information that they don't want to. 

I thought ugatweety2 made some excellent points that I'd like to explore further both here on the forums as well as among the scapecast crew and I, personally, find it easier to refer to folks by a name rather than just a log-in or screen name.  Just a habit of Kevin's.


Kevin

[lindyrae]

 

[Jarrak]

Good interview (pt1) with Lithium Doll, checked out some of her videos and they are exceptional, really like "Glorious"
Many thanks to Don Vorleone for Vorlags 101 , it all becomes so much more clear now and with the videos it's mildy annoying how much creative stuff I have missed over the last couple of years.
It's funny how a character review (D'Argo in this case by Kelly) brings more of his character and actions into focus, it's like putting his deeds into print makes them more real, watch the episodes a few at a time or weekly you lose something or more likely don't pick up on some of the more subtle interpretations, you can always learn something from listening to anothers viewpoint

[Nicola Wood]

Good interview (pt1) with Lithium Doll, checked out some of her videos and they are exceptional, really like "Glorious"
Many thanks to Don Vorleone for Vorlags 101 , it all becomes so much more clear now and with the videos it's mildy annoying how much creative stuff I have missed over the last couple of years.
It's funny how a character review (D'Argo in this case by Kelly) brings more of his character and actions into focus, it's like putting his deeds into print makes them more real, watch the episodes a few at a time or weekly you lose something or more likely don't pick up on some of the more subtle interpretations, you can always learn something from listening to anothers viewpoint

Thanks Jarrak - nice to hear your feedback.

[jeffrabb]

Great podcast as usual

However, for this one, I DO have a very serious nitpick:

Why did the file size jump enormously from the usual 26MB to 46MB?

Even on my work computer's broadband, it was a 5-10min download and Lordy!  My poor ole dailup on my home computer at 55K was an agonizing 2hrs 40mins 

This episode was only about 9-10mins longer than normal, so I don't understand why the jump in file size.

Jeff

[Brent Barrett]

Why did the file size jump enormously from the usual 26MB to 46MB?

Thanks for the feedback. 

Our show has never been 26MB.  Here are the file sizes for all episodes so far:

ScapeCast#1: 35MB
ScapeCast#2: 42MB
ScapeCast#3: 44MB
ScapeCast#4: 40MB
ScapeCast#5: 48MB

ScapeCast#5 was about 8 minutes longer than anything we've done before.  That's about the biggest show you'll ever see from us.  We want to keep them around an hour long if possible, which is the ~40MB range shown in ScapeCast#4.

[jeffrabb]

Thanks for the feedback. 

Our show has never been 26MB.  Here are the file sizes for all episodes so far:

ScapeCast#1: 35MB
ScapeCast#2: 42MB
ScapeCast#3: 44MB
ScapeCast#4: 40MB
ScapeCast#5: 48MB

ScapeCast#5 was about 8 minutes longer than anything we've done before.  That's about the biggest show you'll ever see from us.  We want to keep them around an hour long if possible, which is the ~40MB range shown in ScapeCast#4.

You're right!  I've checked the files on my harddrive and they ARE that big!  Yet, I distinctly remember when downloading, they were only showing 26MB during the download requiring only an hour and a half or an hour and 45mins to complete the download.  Were you compressing the files by any chance?  Because my downloads have NEVER been this long.

Jeff

[Brent Barrett]

Nope, we never compressed them (beyond the MP3 compression we get with this file type).  The sizes you see above are the sizes they've always been. 

[jeffrabb]

Hmmmmmm........puzzling and puzzling

Jeff

[jerseygirl]

I also found the interview with LithiumDoll interesting...especially her comment that virtually any song could be made to work in a Farscape video. My problem was, I couldn't watch any of her videos. They just wouldn't work! Kind of frustrating after listening to her talk about her work. Oh well, I'll try again.