Sadly observed: “Last Alaska language speaker dies” January 24, 2008
Posted by William Spear in >> Dramatic Radio, >> News, >> Out Basket.add a comment
BBC News reported the passing of Marie Smith Jones, age of 89, believed to be the last native speaker of the Eyak language in Alaska ( BBC NEWS; 24 January 2008; http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7206411.stm ).
Along with her accomplishments in conservation and securing indigenous rights, she worked with the University of Alaska to compile an Eyak dictionary for future generations.
This publication offers condolences to Ms. Jones’ family over its loss. We also offer respect for her body of work.
We ask sorrowfully, and perhaps too late, a few questions: How does a culture survive when no one speaks its language?
How does any culture’s great and tragic moments speak to its next generation when its language has died?
How does any culture imbue its neighbors with its brilliance if the culture has no voice?
All voices matter. All voices count. When one is gone, all are lessened.
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Why, or perhaps, how radio might work: 1) Audio drama-as-a-service and 2) The rise of the producer-networks January 23, 2008
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A blog entry from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland described Salesforce.com as “Software as a Service”. Salesforce.com provides Customer Relationship Management tools through its website.
IBM defines Software as a Service (SaaS) as an application whose “functionality is delivered through a subscription model over the Internet. The customer does not take ownership of the software, but instead rents a total solution that is delivered remotely.”
Founded in 1999, Salesforce.com’s Chairman and CEO, Marc Benioff, is expecting to reach $1 billion in sales in 2008. Not bad for collecting rental fees.
What if a producer were to co-opt the Salesforce.com model and offer its catalog as “Audio Drama-as-a-Service (ADaaS)? A listener plugs into the day’s schedule and the producer’s website delivers the show.
Even a live show might be offered the web. Log on at the date and time of the performance and enjoy.
The consequences of this approach is that audio producers should be strategizing on how to deliver programming rather than sell CDs. Audio streams would be the unit of monetization rather than tracks. Collect payments for the stream when and how it is used rather than sell an entire CD. Ask iTunes how many songs it sells compared to CDs.
Further, producers could develop web-based networks for distributing content through internet, satellite, and broadcast operators onto larger audiences. This week’s Lit Between the Ears programming, produced by parent company Two Plus Plus Productions LLC, could be picked up by other outlets at varying times and on different days.
Live events would still be viable. A virtual network of partners might present the Lit Players Theatre every Monday at 7:30 pm and again at 9:30 pm for the west coast.
This model would encourage the websites of producers such as Two Plus Plus to showcase their own work and schedule offerings from others. Hence, the producer-network.
Radio rocks. The internet turns up the volume.
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Radio Drama Revival!: Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. on WMPG FM 90.9 and 104.1 in Portland, Maine USA or on the web January 23, 2008
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Radio Drama Revival! is a weekly radio show/podcast dedicated to stories told through sound, showcasing the diversity and vitality of modern audio theater. Operated by Frederick Greenhalgh of FinalRune Productions, the show features audio theater stories and discussion with contemporary dramatists from across the United States. Radio Drama Revival! airs live on WMPG FM 90.9 and 104.1 in Portland, Maine, streams on the web at http://www.wmpg.org/ , and podcasts from http://www.radiodramarevival.com/ .
Details for Radio Drama Revival!:
Thursdays 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Broadcasting on WMPG FM 90.9 and 104.1 in Portland, Maine
Streaming on http://www.wmpg.org/
Podcasting on http://www.radiodramarevival.com/
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Checking in with Lance Roger Axt, Founder of Play it by Ear Productions January 22, 2008
Posted by William Spear in >> News, >> Out Basket, >> Radio Drama.add a comment
On 12 January 2007, Lance Roger Axt spent time with us offering his views and insight on radio drama, sorry Lance, we meant to write audio drama (Three Questions: an interview with . . . Lance Roger Axt, Founder of Play it by Ear Productions; http://twoplusplus.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/three-questions-an-interview-with-lance-roger-axt-founder-of-play-it-by-ear-productions/). It’s been over a year and he stopped by with the following update:
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“Since September of 2006, Play it by Ear Productions has been presenting a series of informal old time radio recreations in Pacific Grove, CA, called the “Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear” series. Each show has a specific theme: we’ve had “Danger is my Business” (detective shows), “The Sunday Funnies” (comic strip-based serial episodes), and “Things That Go Bump” (the Halloween show, featuring The Shadow). This Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 and 7:00 respectively, we’re presenting “New York, New York” featuring Grand Central Station and The Damon Runyon Theatre at The Works Bookstore and Cafe on Lighthouse Avenue in PG. Two months of comedies to follow: Topper, The Bickersons, Duffy’s Tavern, and Our Miss Brooks.
“And I’m teaching audio for kids at the School of Dramatic Arts at Pacific Rep in Carmel. Over the course of ten classes eight kids will write a ten minute episode of a made-up serial where they play pre-teen superheroes. In March, they will go into a recording studio in Monterey to record their original play, the result being a personalized CD at the end of the recording process.
“The new “We Have Ignition” plays will record at the end of this year (Turn to Stone and another TBA).
“AudioComics is now a separate entity from PibE; we’ll be announcing the first title this year. Also, there are four co-producers in this venture; myself, Bill Dufris, Sue Zizza, and Dan Bernard. Bill and Sue’s contact info is on the NATF Members list if you’re looking for more “Three Questions” guests.”
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Thanks for the news, Lance. And let Sue and Bill know we’ll be in touch.
For more information, Mr. Axt may be reached at the following:
Lance Roger Axt
Producing Director
Play it by Ear Productions
13 Glen Lake Drive
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 869-9995
playitbyearproductions@yahoo.com
http://www.playitbyearproductions.org/
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L. A. Theatre Works: Deed of Trust by Claudia Allen on Saturday 19 January 2008 January 18, 2008
Posted by William Spear in >> News, >> Out Basket, >> Radio Drama.add a comment
This Saturday, January 19 from 10 pm - midnight on 89.3 KPCC, L.A. Theatre Works ‘The Play’s the Thing will air Deed of Trust by Claudia Allen, starring Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless. A family’s long-standing feud is brought to the fore when two sisters learn that their estranged brother is making a coffin and planning to pay $500 to anyone who will kill him. Set in rural Michigan in the late 1930s, this poignant comedy is a unique and memorable take on the dysfunctional family. The broadcast includes an interview with Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless.
L.A. Theatre Works’ radio theater series, The Play’s the Thing, airs locally every Saturday night from 10 pm to midnight on 89.3 FM KPCC Southern California Public Radio, and is streamed on the KPCC website (www.kpcc.org) for one week following each broadcast. The series can also be heard on 89.7 WGBH in Boston; 91.5 FM WBEZ in Chicago; 94.9 KUOW in Seattle; 93.5 FM KRTS “Marfa Public Radio” in Texas; 90.5 FM KUT in Austin; 88.9 FM KUNM in Albuquerque; 94.1 KPFA in Northern California; 91.1 FM KRCB in Sonoma County; 89.1 KUOR in Redlands; as well as on many other public radio stations nationwide and XM Satellite Radio. Selected programs from LATW are also heard internationally over BBC World Service, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Telefis Eirann (Ireland), Radio Hong Kong, and Radio New Zealand. The L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collection is available in bookstores, libraries, through their catalog, digitally on itunes, overdrive.com, audible.com, and on the L.A. Theatre Works website at www.latw.org.
Thanks to a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the first broadcast each month of The Play’s The Thing is a science-themed play. Next month (Saturday, January 5), the series continues with Mrs. Klein by Nicholas Wright, about the eminent psychoanalyst. Each play in the Relativity series is available for podcasting at www.kpcc.org for three months following the broadcast.
On XM Satellite Radio, The Play’s the Thing now airs on Sonic Theater three times a week. Each broadcast premieres on Friday evening at 8 pm eastern/5 pm pacific and repeats the following Monday in the same time slot. On Wednesday, XM offers an encore performance of a previously-broadcast program.
To get a full schedule, go to the L.A. Theatre Works website at www.latw.org and follow the link through the “Radio Theatre Series” heading and then “Episode Guide” or go directly to www.scpr.org for KPCC.
Additional support for the series is provided by AudioFile Magazine. Listeners can visit their website at www.audiofilemagazine.com to view 65 reviews of LATW plays and hear sound clips from them. The Beverly Hilton hotel is the official hotel for The Play’s the Thing.
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