BB002 - Art & Criticism

[iago]

The Butcher Block - Episode Two - "Art & Criticism"

Download the podcast here

Fred talks with Chris McGrath, cover artist for The Dresden Files.  He also delves into the nature of "good" vs "bad" criticism, how to handle the negative varieties of both, and looks at some of the best art in small press RPGs from 2006.

The Music:

• The PodSafe Music Network: http://music.podshow.com
• 2006 Pl@stic Soul: http://tinyurl.com/y6k69q
• .22: http://tinyurl.com/tel5v

Promos & Bumpers:

• The Dresden Files TV Show: http://www.thedresdenfiles.com/
• The Sturgeon's Law Podcast: http://www.sturgeonslaw.com/

Mentioned During the Show:

• The Jim-Butcher.Com Forums: http://www.jim-butcher.com/bb/
• Don't Rest Your Head: http://www.evilhat.com/dryh.php
• Spirit of the Century: http://www.evilhat.com/?spirit
• Dresden Files on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486657/
• Jim's LiveJournal: http://jimbutcher.livejournal.com/
• Chris McGrath's website: http://www.christianmcgrath.com/
• The "Scientific" Dresden Files ad: http://www.jim-butcher.com/bb/index.php/topic,1366.0.html

Quick Plugs from Fred:

• Burning Empires: http://www.burningempires.com/
• Jennifer Rodgers: http://www.jenniferrodgers.com/
• Mortal Coil: http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/products.php?publisherLink=galileo
• The Dictionary of Mu: http://bobgoat.com/mu/index.html
• Sorcerer: http://www.sorcerer-rpg.com/

[Willowhugger]

In the spirit of the Second Episode, I will deliver you some constructive criticism as the opener to this post.  I think that while the link to constructive Criticism on Jim's blog was interesting and relevant, too much of the opening blog was devoted to talking about what is really something more for an English or literary review class than something related to Jim Butcher's books per say.  Surely, this time might have been better devoted to talking about White Knight and things to expect from it or one of the many aspects of the Dresden world (or Jim's fantasy series)

On the other hand, I very much enjoyed the artist interview.  Good stuff. 

I also enjoyed your addressing the scientific America ad and pointing it out to non-regular fans. I can take or leave your other recommended readings though they're always handled excellently.

But yes, could you talk more about the books next podcast? At least until we're getting weekly new episodes of the Dresden Files when I assume you'll just HAVE to review them each podcast :-)

[iago]

I think that while the link to constructive Criticism on Jim's blog was interesting and relevant, too much of the opening blog was devoted to talking about what is really something more for an English or literary review class than something related to Jim Butcher's books per say.

Well, the negative reviews were related to Jim's books, but I hear what you're talking about.  I'm just trying to keep the podcast from being too one-note, though I'll agree I might've done it a bit earlier than I should've.

Surely, this time might have been better devoted to talking about White Knight and things to expect from it or one of the many aspects of the Dresden world (or Jim's fantasy series)

White Knight stuff's down the road. :>

On the other hand, I very much enjoyed the artist interview.  Good stuff.

So far, I think the interviews tend to be the main features, which is why I'm wrapping the rest of the podcast content as bookends to that.

I also enjoyed your addressing the scientific America ad and pointing it out to non-regular fans. I can take or leave your other recommended readings though they're always handled excellently.

Thanks!

But yes, could you talk more about the books next podcast? At least until we're getting weekly new episodes of the Dresden Files when I assume you'll just HAVE to review them each podcast :-)

Well, right now the suggestion I've gotten that has the most legs is to talk about "getting up to speed on the Dresden Files in preparation for the series"... I'll probably thwak that out sometime about a week prior to the airing, give or take a few days, and maybe get in some content about the audio books (either in the form of extra previews of the Summer Knight material or talking with the Buzzy Multimedia gals).

But I wanted to take on the nature of the podcast to some extent now, at the beginning of the year, since I expect the rest of it is going to be too full of other stuff to make space for such a thing. :>

All that said, thanks a bunch for the feedback.  I'm definitely taking it into account.

[Willowhugger]

Well, it was a bit slow in the beginning is just what I'm saying.  It was still an excellent podcast and I'm looking forward to three already. Not everything can be like the first one with a surprise interview from our object of devotion ;-)

I also think you don't need the interviews to succeed as a podcast either but I can understand how you want to keep the format. 

It's a pity you're the interviewer though since your involvement in the RPG makes you an excellent subject for the interview ;-)

[iago]

Well, it was a bit slow in the beginning is just what I'm saying.  It was still an excellent podcast and I'm looking forward to three already. Not everything can be like the first one with a surprise interview from our object of devotion ;-)

If I can get Jim in every three to five episodes, I think I'll be doing good.

I also think you don't need the interviews to succeed as a podcast either but I can understand how you want to keep the format. 

Funny -- i tend to think it's the strongest part of the show, and even detractors seem to agree.  (Check out the comments on the actual podcast's blog, for example)

It's a pity you're the interviewer though since your involvement in the RPG makes you an excellent subject for the interview ;-)

That's what I've got co-authors for!

[Willowhugger]

Oh the interviews work fine, I'm just saying that if you filled up that blog of time talking about a Dresden files book with a review or the process of making the Dresden RPG or whatnot then it would still work is what I'm saying.

:-)

[Mickey Finn]

There's an idea...get Jim to interview YOU (and Rob) about the RPG

[iago]

There's an idea...get Jim to interview YOU (and Rob) about the RPG

Heh.  I don't want to waste any of his writer-time asking him to come up with a list of questions.

[Priscellie]

I enjoyed this ep, though I feel it was somewhat less engaging than the first.  I think the discussion of criticism was very timely given Jim's recent LJ posts, but I would have liked to see more of the podcast devoted to direct discussion of Jim's works, rather than a tangential issue.  I think you did admirably linking it back to Jim and your RPG experience, but it still felt kind of "surface."

I agree with some of the other commenters that the interviews have been the strongest part of the show so far.  While your monologuing has improved a bit from the first episode and a half, you're still much more dynamic when you're actually interacting with another person.  You might consider digging up some podcasts or radio programs that have one host and listening to what they do to keep their shows fresh.  It was quite ambitious of you to set out on your own--every other podcast I listen to is co-hosted (Comic News Insider with Joe and Jimmy, The Signal, DiggNation, etc), with the exception of "Ask a Ninja." *grins*

It was cool to hear from Christian, and I delighted at the tidbit about the rerelease of the earlier books.  I wish you'd asked whether they would be in hardcover or paperback (though I'd assume paperback), and how many books they were rereleasing with new covers.  We'll have to poke him the next time he stops by the boards!  I also kept waiting for him to mention that thanks to fan input (and now that he's actually read some of the books), Harry's glove will start appearing on covers, beginning with White Night.  Keen!

Good show, Fred!  Looking forward to Episode 3.  (It'll be bound to be more fun than Lucas's!)

[iago]

I agree with some of the other commenters that the interviews have been the strongest part of the show so far.  While your monologuing has improved a bit from the first episode and a half, you're still much more dynamic when you're actually interacting with another person.  You might consider digging up some podcasts or radio programs that have one host and listening to what they do to keep their shows fresh.  It was quite ambitious of you to set out on your own--every other podcast I listen to is co-hosted (Comic News Insider with Joe and Jimmy, The Signal, DiggNation, etc), with the exception of "Ask a Ninja." *grins*

The big dog in solo podcasting is, if you ask me, Paul Tevis in Have Games, Will Travel.  And honestly I don't feel like my method is all that deviated from his -- I just have less experience at it.  Unfortunately for my listeners, the podcast is how i'm gonna get that experience.

It was cool to hear from Christian, and I delighted at the tidbit about the rerelease of the earlier books.  I wish you'd asked whether they would be in hardcover or paperback (though I'd assume paperback), and how many books they were rereleasing with new covers.

He seemed to be saying it was the first five.  I didn't expect him to know if it was hardcover or not, actually. :>

Good show, Fred!  Looking forward to Episode 3.  (It'll be bound to be more fun than Lucas's!)

Smirk.

[Priscellie]

It was cool to hear from Christian, and I delighted at the tidbit about the rerelease of the earlier books.  I wish you'd asked whether they would be in hardcover or paperback (though I'd assume paperback), and how many books they were rereleasing with new covers.

He seemed to be saying it was the first five.  I didn't expect him to know if it was hardcover or not, actually. :>

Only five?  Poor Blood Rites gets no love!

[iago]

Only five?  Poor Blood Rites gets no love!

I have to admit I'd be a little surprised if they didn't rerelease Blood Rites as well, for art consistency.

[Mickey Finn]

"Heh.  I don't want to waste any of his writer-time asking him to come up with a list of questions."

Oh, he'll have plenty of time in between the end of this month, when Captain's Fury is due, and the next Dresden book starts.
(24 hrs is plenty of time, right?)

[iago]

Oh, he'll have plenty of time in between the end of this month, when Captain's Fury is due, and the next Dresden book starts.

Mr. Finn, your pants are on fire.

[Abstruse]

My problem with the podcast has always been the ending.  I never know what your closing music sounds like because the last 5-10 minutes is always reviews of RPGs I'm never going to get to play (hell, I can't even get a D&D game together, let alone something more esoteric).  But other than that, it's pretty good.  I think a co-host in a color-commentator position might help you out with the whole feeling stiff thing (which is a vibe I got off the first podcast as well, but one that doesn't bother me much).  An extra person might make it seem more like a conversation instead of a guy reading his blog instead of typing it.  But try to get someone in person as skype just causes too many problems to be used on a regular basis like that, especially if you're doing an interview or round table where sound quality due to bandwidth is an issue.

Great job, though.  Keep up the good work!

The Abstruse One
Darryl Mott Jr.