Podfic Listening Meme

[pslasher]

This was posted by paraka here at podficmeta . There is a version for podfic creators and listeners. I've done the listener version, as I've yet to record a podfic.



When did you first start listening to podfic?
I recced a podfic for the first time in November, 2008.  I'm not sure when I actually listened to it, but I think it was in the month before.  It was Rebuilding Babel by fiercelydreamed , read by wintercreek , SGA, John/Rodney.  It's a magnificent story which was new to me, and wintercreek's reading was emotional and really compelling.  I really enjoyed listening, and the revelation of the beauty of hearing a fic - with the relationship I loved, no less - being read to me was exciting. 

What would you say was your inspiration or motivation to start listening to it?
I have no idea how I found that first podfic, since I didn't know such a thing existed.  It must have just come up in my search for SGA  fic, probably on someone's reclist.  Or possibly fiercelydreamed linked to it on her writing journal, and I saw it there.  Who knows.  I was intrigued, so I tried it.  But the thing is, it actually took me a little while to catch the buzz, despite loving that first podfic.  I had to figure out that podfic makes things like driving to work and housework and exercise better.  For some reason that took me a little while. 

Where and when do you listen to podfic?
When I'm doing something that requires the use of my hands but not a lot of brainpower.  Driving, yard and housework, and exercise are the main things.  (I wouldn't hardly exercise except for the fact that I know I have delicious stories waiting for me.  Podfic is actually the only reliable motivator I have for exercise.  I tried pro audiobooks years ago, but it's too expensive to rent or buy them consistently.  The desire to lose weight comes and goes, but the stories always call to me.  Even still I don't exercise consistently, mind you, but still.)  I can't multitask podfic with anything that requires me to read, not even emails or checking twitter or my flist.  I can't listen to podfic at the computer - I start wondering through the web and get all distracted from the podfic.  If I'm at the computer to read, I have to actually read the words. 

Do you listen to stories you've previously read, stories you've never read, or both?
Both.  Overall I go for stories that I've never read because I like the discovery of something new.  But for stories that I love, I'll look for and collect podfic versions.  Part of that is a format/access thing - if I love a story I want links to the web page, ebook version and podfic versions.  I want the story at my fingertips, no matter where I am.  But  I also love hearing people read the stories I love, so it's also a re-discovery of the story. 

Do you listen to podfic for (previously) unfamiliar fandoms?
I have, yes.  If a podfic artist I love goes into a fandom I don't know, I'll attempt to listen to it anyway because I love their voice.  If it becomes obvious I have no idea what's going on with the story then I sometimes stop.  Often times the story is good enough for me to keep listening anyway.  I've come to many a fandom by following someone's fanwork into that fandom.

What fandoms have you listened to?
Uh, that's a long list.  Here goes:  American Idol, Bridget JonesxAlias, Battlestar Galactica (2003), Calvin &  Hobbes, CSI, Die Hard 4, Due South, Firefly, Inception, J2/CW  RPS, The Kushiel series, Leverage, Lotrips, Master & Commander, Merlin, Mythbusters, NCIS, Original fiction based on fanfic, Psych, Queer As Folk, Stargate Atlantis and SG1, SGAxHis Dark Materials, SGAxMr. Bean, SGAxStar Wars, SGAxThe Dark  Tower, Sherlock Holmes (RDJ and BBC  versions), Smallville, Supernatural, SPNxHarry Potter, Star Trek:  AOS, Star Trek:  AOS RPS, Torchwood, White Collar, X-Files, X-Men (First Class, and one fic that referenced all the movies).

Do you listen to long stories, short stories, or both?
Medium and long.  I have six podfics that are about 10 hours long, and one that's over 15 hours.  I tend to skip anything under, say, 10-15 minutes unless I have a particular interest in the author, reader, or something else piques my interest.  Although I like the idea of embedding short stories so they can be listened to quickly.

What moves you to leave feedback on a podfic?
I'm so terrible with feedback.  Usually it's because I was really loved the reading and just had to tell the reader.  Some days I'm good and leave feedback for the recent podfics I enjoyed.

What are some of your favourite podfics?
Oh man, this one is hard.  I'm going to go by number of plays here, mostly.  (Well, sort of.  My iTunes has been rebooted several times, so none of my playcounts past the last year or so are accurate.  I'm guessing a bit here) 
Ordinary Life by astolat  and cesperanza , read by zoetrope - It makes me laugh, and the characterization is spot on.  I love Zoetrope's accent.
Between the Lines by sholio , read by rheanna - The development of their friendship is beautiful, and again I love her accent.
Rebuilding Babel by fiercelydreamed , read by wintercreek - It's heartbreaking and beautiful and moving, both the story and the reading.
Graduate Vulcan for Fun and Profit by lazulisong , read by templemarker - The characterization and worldbuilding is fantastic.  It has one of my favorite Trek OMCs.  It also makes me laugh so much.  I love the way Templemarker reads Bones' accent, and the way she embraces Jim's enthusiastic cursing.  I <3 it.
Hangin' on the Telephone by veronamay , read by juice817 - Uh, it's fantastically hot, and has been re-listened many times.
Common Knowledge by elucreh , read by juice817 - Meta fic!!  I love it, and the fangirls, and the boys.  I like how Juice hums and sings the song.  It always makes me smile.  <3 

More podfic recs.

What's your opinion on music in podfic?
I enjoy it.  I love it when a reader picks a song that perfectly embodies the theme of the fic, or portrays a character from the fic well.  It can really heighten the mood for me.  It's similar to the way music in a vid accentuates the characters and theme, but a little different.  I like it used at intro and ending, at scene breaks, and even during the story itself.  A few fics that used music really well (to me, anyway) are:
Crush by sonofabiscuit77, read by crinklysolution  - Used music within the story really well.
Pairing Pendragon/Merlin by Anonymous, read by lunchy_munchy - this one is a smorgasbord of sounds, not just music, and I delighted in it.
Love of His Life by julad , read by podcath  - I think this song just perfectly captured the feel of Brian in this fic, and reflects on his growth within the story.
Smoking on the Bus by artaxastra, read by crinklysolution  and podcath  - I love Coltrane, and the smoky sound added to the mood of the flashbacks in the fic.
A Thousand Threads of What-Might-Have-Beens by wordstrings, read by revolutionaryjo  - I really, really love how Revolutionaryjo wove the music in with her spoken words.  She did it right.  (Though I haven't listened to the whole file yet)

But I sometimes have issues with music: I don't like it when I can't hear the reader over the music.  I have no problem mixing music and reading, as long as I can understand the reading.  I also generally don't like to hear the full song in the podfic, especially at the beginning or in the middle of reading.  After about 30 seconds I get itchy to get on with the story - that's why I'm there, after all.  But that's particular to the situation, I think.  If it's a song I really like, and I'm in the right mood, I can enjoy longer song excerpts.  Especially if the song is at the end of the fic, then it can be fun to keep the feeling going for a little while longer.  So take that with a grain of salt.

What's your opinion on non-native speakers recording podfic?
I love accents!  I'm from the southern US, but even accents from across my country are interesting to listen to.  I enjoy accents in general life, but hearing someone with an  accent read a story brings a whole new element to the reading.  Suddenly the most mundane words become interesting, and there are pauses and emphasis on certain syllables and words that I wouldn't have expected.  It's a great exploration, not only of the story but also of the person reading.  I think people worry that John and Rodney, or Kirk and McCoy, are not from England/France/Australia/so on, but that doesn't bother me at all.  They also don't sound like women, but that doesn't hinder my enjoyment in the least.  As long as I can understand the words you're speaking (and that's usually fixed by a quick rewind) I don't care where you're from.

All that being said, I will admit to adoring the fact that FayJay read Homo Ex Machina by toft  because I thought her accent was the perfect compliment to that story.


Favorite readers to listen to 
I'll go by the numbers again here:
podcath                      27
pandarus (FayJay)   13
thalialunacy                     11
juice817                           10

I really enjoy hearing rheanna  and zoetrope , but they both have few podfics.  Otherwise their numbers would be much higher.

What's your opinion on podfic anthologies?
I've only just heard of them, but I like the idea.  I just downloaded my first, the Awesome Ladies Podfic Anthology, so we'll see.  It's so long!  I think that kind of community participation is awesome.

Are there events or community posts that you particularly look forward to? (for example, Amplification, Amplirecathon, chromatic_podfic, Multipodicity, Podbang, pod_together, other event or community)
I'm mostly a podfic lurker, seeking out podfics for my fandoms and fave readers.  I surf on Amplificathon, but I admit that I don't really understand the whole points thing.  I should really keep up with the community more so I can have an answer for this question.

What just drives you up the wall when it comes to podfic?
Uh, this feels bad to say, but I don't like really slow readers.  I just... want to get on with the story.  I realize that's probably the opposite from most people, so I guess I'll just say that it takes all types, you know?  Other than that I'm pretty laid back.  I can mentally ignore background noise and pops and clicks and things as long as they aren't too loud.

What do you just love about podfic?
Hearing people tell me the stories they love.  Having the stories I love with me always.  Looking at the audiobook covers while I scroll through my list.  Listening to the most outrageous things while other people do other things around me.  Having such a rich mode of enjoying fanworks.  Discovering a wonderful story at a time when I'd otherwise be bored.  You guys <3