STACK #222 April 2023

TECH FEATURE

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MEET THE MAKERS Brendan Dando Content: The Simpsons -themed podcast, Four Finger Discount How did you get started? “Back in 2015 I realised Nina Nikolic (aka Kid Kerrigan)

TIPS “Don't panic if you can't find an audience right away. I remember our first show only had 13 downloads and I immediately wondered if I was wasting my time. Dedication and passion will always shine through to your audience.” - Brendan

powerful cameras and access to the internet, so you could start shooting and uploading videos today.

Content: Video game streamer, voice actor How did you get started? “I'm an only child, but wanted to make new friends who were into the same kinds of games that I was. Streaming on Twitch seemed like a good place to do that. While I met a few people within the games I played, there seemed to be opportunities for developing longer term friendships there.”

that there were only a handful of Simpsons podcasts, none of which were Australian. We have such a strong Simpsons community Down Under, so I knew it'd be fun to bring an Aussie perspective to the show. Thankfully many local listeners found our conversations about watching The Simpsons at 6pm weeknights and collecting Simpsons Tazos very relatable.”

“For most use cases, iPhone cameras work great and for many topics, this is all you need,” says Julian. “A good story well told is more important than gear.” “I started with the cheapest microphone I could get, which was a Razer Seiren,” says Annie. “I based myself in our spare bedroom and all I had was my iPhone, a desk, a small portable tripod with a ring light and some fairy lights on the wall behind me!” A recent upgrade to an iPhone 14, with its powerful back cameras, elevated her visuals. If you choose to go that way though, all four of our tipsters agreed on one thing – audio is the most important aspect to focus on if you want to stand out. “A decent microphone is absolutely essential,” says Nina. “Being able to hear your voice clearly is ideal. It's your primary connection with your audience.” And obviously, that’s especially true for an audio-based medium like podcasting. “With the podcast landscape so saturated now, professional-sounding audio goes a long way to helping you stand out above others, as well as keeping new listeners engaged long enough to want to hear more,” says Brendan. “I've always thought that the better your podcast sounds, the more likely a listener will stick around. Chemistry and sound quality are what I believe are the key ingredients to a successful podcast.”

Julian O’Shea Content: Educational on-location videos

Annie Whispers Content: ASMR, relaxing videos designed to help people sleep How did you get started? “During COVID lockdown I developed severe insomnia and nothing seemed to help except for ASMR. I had never really heard of it until then, but I became obsessed (in a healthy way), and after about a year of watching different content creators on different platforms I decided to set up my own!”

How did you get started? “During the lockdown I had time to spare, so started learning how to edit and the basics of filming. When we were allowed out and about, I started an educational YouTube series about my home city called Unknown Melbourne. Since then I've made a series of educational videos about design, cities, and interesting places around the world on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. ”

A desk microphone could be a worthwhile investment if you’re making stuff at home, but even if you’re shooting out and about you don’t need to skimp on sound quality. Wireless microphone kits can plug into phones and cameras to elevate your audio. “I'm generally after good gear that isn't heavy or too hard to use,” says Julian. “Audio is important - wireless mic systems are great for this. I’ve filmed stories out in the world - like a to-scale model of the solar

TIPS “Make good content is the first most important step. Then

keep making it. These days there is an algorithm which is aiming to link the right content with audiences, so having a good idea about who you're making it for is

much space available, or it could be a whole room. Next you’ll want to think about how to decorate that

to help with reflections can make a huge difference,” says Nina. “For example, attaching foam to flat walls, a rug on your hardwood floor or tiles, etc. Those surfaces can amplify certain frequencies and make your voice sound harsh.” Insulating your recording room isn’t just to improve sound inside – it can keep unwanted noise out. “A few years ago I sound-proofed the room with foam panels covering the walls,” says Brendan. “It was essential after becoming a father and there were now two small kids running around the house! It also gives the studio a professional look and feel, which goes a long way to finding the energy needed to be creative.”

useful. I tell interesting real world stories for a curious audience.” - Julian

space to suit the content you’re making. The Four Finger Discount studio is wallpapered with Simpsons

system on the St Kilda beach in Melbourne, a notoriously windy location, and it turned out great.” How do you set up a room/studio in the house? Having a dedicated space to work in can help make your content consistent. That can be as simple as a desk in a corner if you don’t have

trading cards, while Annie Whispers uses a sunset lamp to cast a gentle glow on the back wall. Anything from pot plants to Funko Pops could make for a nice backdrop. Besides improving it visually, there are things you can do to improve the sound quality in a room. “Easy things like making sure big, smooth surfaces have soft, sound-absorbing material

36 APRIL 2023

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