ChronoRadio #15.5: ConCarolinas 2004
A Review by Jay Mustered

This supplemental episode was one of the many recorded during this last June's ConCarolina fan audio love fest. There are the obligatory bookends, however, most of the episode is a panel discussion whose members included Nathan P. (MO) Butler, Rich, Ron and Janine from the Requiem of the Outcast crew, and Fan Audio Academy Award winner Amy Ferrell.

The purpose of this panel was a Q & A discussing fan audio programs; in which Nathan not only does his world famous Yoda, but also sings! Amongst the topics: the reasons why StarWarsFanworks.com was created; how many of the audio dramas started as fan films that never got off the ground; how none of the panelists minded idea "borrowing" from show to show; and how Nathan dominated the first Fan Audio Awards. On the more practical side, there was some discussion of how people can become involved with audio productions: the basics of what you need (software, equipment, etc); where to go for help (StarWarsFanworks.com or the Fan Audio Forum of the Galactic Senate); and how the fan audio community is one big happy helpful family.

On the positive side: the Requiem crew helps to bring a fun energy into what could have been a more staid recording (they also have fun at Nathan's expense, which is for me worth the download time); there is a real sense of community--wanting others to succeed, etc.--that shows through the entire discussion; the letter at the end by Sean McLean about abuse in Second Strike, and Nathan's discussion about exploration of a character vs. exploiting the character (which starts at about 1 hour 5 minutes 40 Seconds) is an excellent discussion of this issue; finally, it is a short CR Episode.

The only negative is the same that I had was that a few comments and questions are not easy to hear/understand. And the reason is simple--the recording was done live, without an endless supply of microphones for coverage. I will say that this only happened twice that I noticed, but it is distracting nonetheless.

A very good episode--even if you have no interest in making a fan audio or how they are created, I would recommend that you download and listen to the letter and discussion on abuse.