2008 Woodie Awards
Podcasting: An interview with Richard Smith
Bill Rhein
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Entertainment
As technology progresses, new forms of media emerge. One of the newest is podcasting, which allows any Internet user to post audio or video online for others to download and play on their computer or iPod. One of the pioneers in this industry is Richard Smith. He is the founder of Simply Syndicated, the largest independent podcast in the United Kingdom. His first and most popular show is "Movies You Should See," where each week he and others discuss a must-view movie. Other shows include "Make It So," a Star Trek themed show, "The Definitive Word," a weekly discussion about society, "Weekend Watches," a look at upcoming movies and television shows, "…or do you think that's just bo!!#*ks?," a rant about society, "Left Field Cinema," which features in depth studies of cinema, "Men of the House," a scripted comedy show, and the self explanatory "Albums You Should Hear" and "Games You Should Play." Recently I had the chance to ask him about this expanding and free entertainment.
How would you describe podcasting to someone who is unfamiliar with it and why should people be interested?
"Podcasts are video or audio shows that you can download freely. Because of how easy it is to create and publish a show, just about anyone can do it. That means that there's a whole range of shows covering just about any topic you can think of. What ever you're interested in, chances are there will be a show out there that will grab your interest."
What got you started in podcasting?
"I think the desire to start podcasting comes from listening to shows and either thinking you could do better, or not finding a show that features exactly what you want it to. That's the beauty of the medium, if you aren't 100% happy with it, you can do something about it."
What are the best and worst parts about what you do?
"The best part is definitely the people who listen to our shows. Nothing makes your day like an email from someone you've never met, telling you that you make their day go a little easier or their trip to work fun rather than a chore. The worst part is the obsession you get for download statistics and chart position on iTunes. I still continue the search for a mobile phone that will let me check our downloads on the move."
What is your favorite show that you do? And by someone else?
"It's hard to say which is my favorite. I love them all for very different reasons. Seeing as you're asking, I suppose it has to be ...or do you think that's just bo!!*#ks? It's the only place I'm free to be as outrageous as I like."
How can people make the podcasting world better?
"I've always thought I could do with being more famous than I am, and there certainly aren't enough photos of me around the internet. Just kidding, podcasting needs to be easier to do. Apple have done a great deal towards that with iTunes and its podcast directory, but it's never good when one company has as much of a hold over things as they've developed. I'd like to see podcasts available on a variety of devices, like mobile phones. "
Since you have become a podcaster, how has your life changed?
"People send me far more Star Trek DVDs than they used to and I suddenly get far more email in a day than any normal person can handle. I'm ashamed to say that most of it goes unanswered. Apart from that as I said earlier the best part is the people who listen. When I had an operation to remove my appendix, I received a barrage of support and good wishes from people around the world, something that still blows me away today."
If someone was interested in their own show, how should they go about doing it?
"The most important thing to consider when you do your own show is the subject matter. The key is to cover a topic that you are interested in. Make the show about something you could talk about with no research. If you don't do that you'll make a great deal of work for yourself and it won't be fun."
Do you have any final thoughts or comments?
"I'd recommend that anyone should have a look for a podcast that interests them. When I downloaded my first one, three years ago, I never thought it would take me on the journey that I'm on."
The website for Simply Syndicated is www.simplysyndicated.com, where internet users can find more information on the shows and how to download them. To download the shows on to an iPod, search for "Simply Syndicated" on the iTunes store. Podcasts are a new and exciting media, and even better because they are completely free.
How would you describe podcasting to someone who is unfamiliar with it and why should people be interested?
"Podcasts are video or audio shows that you can download freely. Because of how easy it is to create and publish a show, just about anyone can do it. That means that there's a whole range of shows covering just about any topic you can think of. What ever you're interested in, chances are there will be a show out there that will grab your interest."
What got you started in podcasting?
"I think the desire to start podcasting comes from listening to shows and either thinking you could do better, or not finding a show that features exactly what you want it to. That's the beauty of the medium, if you aren't 100% happy with it, you can do something about it."
What are the best and worst parts about what you do?
"The best part is definitely the people who listen to our shows. Nothing makes your day like an email from someone you've never met, telling you that you make their day go a little easier or their trip to work fun rather than a chore. The worst part is the obsession you get for download statistics and chart position on iTunes. I still continue the search for a mobile phone that will let me check our downloads on the move."
What is your favorite show that you do? And by someone else?
"It's hard to say which is my favorite. I love them all for very different reasons. Seeing as you're asking, I suppose it has to be ...or do you think that's just bo!!*#ks? It's the only place I'm free to be as outrageous as I like."
How can people make the podcasting world better?
"I've always thought I could do with being more famous than I am, and there certainly aren't enough photos of me around the internet. Just kidding, podcasting needs to be easier to do. Apple have done a great deal towards that with iTunes and its podcast directory, but it's never good when one company has as much of a hold over things as they've developed. I'd like to see podcasts available on a variety of devices, like mobile phones. "
Since you have become a podcaster, how has your life changed?
"People send me far more Star Trek DVDs than they used to and I suddenly get far more email in a day than any normal person can handle. I'm ashamed to say that most of it goes unanswered. Apart from that as I said earlier the best part is the people who listen. When I had an operation to remove my appendix, I received a barrage of support and good wishes from people around the world, something that still blows me away today."
If someone was interested in their own show, how should they go about doing it?
"The most important thing to consider when you do your own show is the subject matter. The key is to cover a topic that you are interested in. Make the show about something you could talk about with no research. If you don't do that you'll make a great deal of work for yourself and it won't be fun."
Do you have any final thoughts or comments?
"I'd recommend that anyone should have a look for a podcast that interests them. When I downloaded my first one, three years ago, I never thought it would take me on the journey that I'm on."
The website for Simply Syndicated is www.simplysyndicated.com, where internet users can find more information on the shows and how to download them. To download the shows on to an iPod, search for "Simply Syndicated" on the iTunes store. Podcasts are a new and exciting media, and even better because they are completely free.
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