Once again you'll notice that this is a complete schedule. As we’re quite happy with how the balanced schedule worked out over the past couple of years so we’re doing it again. But I’m still going to insist on saying that "this schedule (at the time that I write this) is subject to change". As we’ve learnt (the hard way) that things don't tend to go the way we plan.
So again, we’re both going to get an equal amount number of episodes scattered throughout the year.
This still means that, we also have an awful lot of different options (and ideas) available to us. Which we'll decide on at the time (when needed!). Meaning that new extra episodes maybe added to the schedule at any time.
Hopefully making 2024's schedule an exciting year to be a follower of The Engage Podcast, we hope that you enjoy what we've got in store for you this year!!!
Although it should be noted that this year we're experimenting with the February release dates. By trialling shifting the dates back a week, so that after ten years we can celebrate my Birthday on the podcast!
Meaning that we'll be moving the first episode [of the month] from Wednesday 7th of February to Wednesday 14th of February, and the second episode [of the month] from Wednesday 21st of February to Wednesday 28th of February.
Leading up to the podcast's first Birthday (3rd October 2014), I just wanted to celebrate by taking a look back at the day the podcast launched.
That day we 'dived in' to the world of podcasting head first by covering Media 10's three day extravaganza...Destination Star Trek 3 up at the London Excel centre.
But on top of our convention covering duties, we were also fortunate enough to host a Fan Panel about the Borg on that day. Where we asked the question:
As it was the centrepiece of that day (and of the whole event) for us. I wanted it to be the main focus of this blog post as well.
To see whether I think looking retrospectively back on it, if it (as John & Ken from the Mission Log podcast say) "still holds up" one year on?!
Before I start going into the what we said at DST3, I would just like to take a moment to blow your mind!
Something you may not know, is that originally the topic was going to be our third Teaser Episode. But we had to replace it, as we were covering it in our Fan Panel at DST3.
So
As we didn't know (at the time) whether we could obtain a recording of our DST3 Fan Panel. So we pre-recorded a version before we attended the convention!
Meaning that somewhere in our 'Lost Files' is an unaired version of our Borg topic!!!
Because we recorded that, I think we had a reasonably good idea what sort of things we were say up on stage.
This meant that when we finally got there, gave the impression that the topic was scripted. Which is partly true, as I had created some sub-topics for the Fan Panel to explore!
I think this only happened as we'd never done anything like it before...and trust me in that situation it's very difficult to plan for something you've only witnessed at previous conventions.
That being said, if we were to do the topic again. I would definitely stand by that decision, as I would rather be prepared (and organised). Than being the complete opposite, and ending up standing on stage looking like compete lemons!
This leads me nicely into something you won't be able to pick up from the recording, and is kind of related to my last point!
As when we stood up on stage presenting our Fan Panel, I think the nerves got to us...as we stood in the same places throughout.
Giving us the appearance of novices and amateurs, making us look (unfortunately) like complete lemons!
Because of our experience at DST3 I think we're going to be more confident and more...well animated!!!
One source I wish had existed last year is the video featured above from the (amazing) Trekspertise YouTube channel.
As it discusses (at length) the 'known' canon history of the Borg, which could have come in an awful lot of help when it came to deciding what were going to talk about.
Something else I remember listening back to the recording.
Is that after we'd finished we were saying to each other that we thought the Excelsior Stage had a problem with feedback. As we couldn't really hear what an audience member was saying (or asking) us. I'm hoping this will explain why in some cases our replies were a bit vague!
Fortunately the problem doesn't come across in the recording, mainly due to the fact that my Dictaphone was linked up to sound desk. Which transmitted the sound directly from the microphones straight into my Dictaphone!
We didn't do the Fan Panel, solely on our own...as we had our 'Honouree' member of the podcast Neil Green acting as our host.
Because he played such a crucial role at DST3 for us I wanted to hear Neil's thoughts on our Fan Panel also.
Here is what Neil thought of our efforts:
It was in August 2014 that I was asked to take The Engage
Podcast under my wing.
After all, I was going to be presenting their talk on stage,
I had experience of hosting other talks, and I was going to be one of two main
comperes for the entire weekend in October 2014.
Suzy from Media 10 gave me their contact details, and Sam
from the Trekkie Girls gave mine to Simon, Jamie and Phil. It wasn’t long after
details had been given out that Simon, in his usual excited to be involved
manner, and contacted me via email.
Many emails and phone calls were swapped over the coming
weeks and even a few failed skype attempts. We went over and over the talk, who
should stand where, should people be able to ask questions, who will say what,
every minute detail! This type of stuff doesn’t create itself you know?
The third of October had arrived. We had arranged to meet on
one of the outside balconies of the Excel to make our very first contact.
However, due to the amount of phone calls and emails we had ping ponged across
the cosmos, I knew the guys already. I knew what they were capable of even
though we had never met.
I had only just enough time to arrive from my train from Derby
to St Pancras and hot foot it across London to the Excel, get changed and make
contact with Simon, Jamie and Phil. I only had a limited amount of time, I had
to get back to introduce a viewing of Star Trek the Wrath of Khan. Time was
against us so I ran from the organiser’s office to the meeting place. The guys
were already emblazoned in their very own Engage Podcast uniforms, (their
t-shirts!). Hellos were made and we quickly got into discussion on what will
happen during their talk. But, there really was no need for any of this! The
guys knew what they had to do, they knew what was expected of them, and I knew
they could do it. You don’t have constant contact with people and not learn
anything about them!
Here’s your cheesy movie bit…
The time had arrived, three boys walked onto the Excelsior
Stage, but, walked off as men. Good eh? But, they did! They really did. It
takes, for want of a better analogy, huge balls, to be able to get up onto a
stage and deliver an hour of information and entertainment and hope to get some
audience participation at an event that pulls in 30,000 people over the
weekend. And they deserved everything that came from it afterwards. Interviews
on other people’s podcasts, the radio, being able to perform at other shows and
events. If you don’t have what it takes to take that initial plunge into the
murky depths, then you’ll never find out what you’re capable of.
So, what have you learnt from this?
Well, I hope you now have a better appreciation of how much
work goes into something that you’ll sit down and look at for an hour. But, you
should have also learnt that if it wasn’t for three guys from the south,
getting together as friends and saying “you know what we should do…” you
wouldn’t have things like this at conventions. It’s a special breed of fan,
which I am happy to be part of, to be able to bring you some of the
entertainment at these events. Without them, there is no convention.
Neil green is STILL available for all your TV / Sci-Fi
related presenting needs.
So in answer to my original question of does the Fan Panel "still hold up" one year on?!
I think my answer has to be a definite yes!
As it was our first major convention experience I don't think we did a particularly bad job...but I think there is room for us to make improvements for our future convention appearances (talks and Fan Panels).
Looking forward to the future, the next convention we're really excited to be attending (and covering) will be the fan run First Contact Day 2016 (FCD 2016) convention up in Telford next April from Friday the 1st to Sunday the 3rd!
If you'd like to make your own decision...why not listen back to our DST3 Part 1 episode, where there is a recording of our Fan Panel!
I'm also pleased to announce that, in the not so distant future Daniel Houston (@TheeeRealBigDan on Twitter) will be 'joining our blogging rankings' as our "Guest Blogger"!
Hoping to 'learn the ropes', once he's confident enough to go it alone he's planning on setting up his own fantastic blog!!!
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!
Hi #Treksters
A year ago today, I founded this very blog with my first very understated blog post introducing you to the blog, and the podcast.
So I just wanted to write this particular blog post in celebration of it's first Birthday! Which is an honour that will also bestow to the podcast later this year (on the 3rd of October)...so look out for that!!!
Since it's launch on Monday 16th June 2014 me, Jamie and Phil have collectively written (and published) a staggering 43 blog posts (including this one) covering a splattering of different topics!
These blog posts have fulfilled my whole aim for this blog, to give you a better understanding of us. as I didn't want us (me, Phil & Jamie) to be two dimensional to you (our readers & listeners) by just talking about Star Trek.
By giving you an insight into our interests outside of the Star Trek franchise, including our joint interest in history...specifically the Second World War history.
I know I'm the most bias person in the world, but I feel like we've achieved that!
As this is a podcast blog I am obviously not the sole custodian of the words written within. So I thought it would be a nice idea for Jamie & Phil to say a few words to explain what their thoughts and feelings are on this occasion!
Jamie
For me, Jamie here speaking thank you! Getting into blogging has been another great way to express my opinions and interests with you our Treksters!(This is due to Simon for encouraging me to start blogging! Thanks mate!) Not just with my friends and family, but the Trek community at large from my different topics from The Engima Machine, to the Benefits of Classical Music and Game of Thrones! This has allowed our diversity as a podcast to come through in another way, with writing about different topics. Whether this be Star Trek or otherwise that are important and interesting to us as you Trekster's gain a glimpse into the world that is The Engage Podcast! Anyway enough rambling, back to you Simon!
Phil
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I really can’t believe it, sit and think 1 year old, I still
don't get it let me say it again....1 year old!
Where has the time gone?
To all our readers we thank you! I also wanted to
congratulate and acknowledge Simon & Jamie for all their hard work!
Thank you Jamie & Phil for writing those for me!
Even now we're always being astounded by which part of the world is reading what we've written, which is a huge testament to you...and to us!
As without you reading the blog on a regular basis, we wouldn't have a need to write ever more exciting and intriguing blog posts!!!
We would just like thank you all for your continued support!
You have no idea how much we really appreciate it!!!
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!
Hi #Treksters
As you may have seen on our Twitter and Facebook pages I've been teasing about a #TopSecretPodcastBusiness (or #TSPB for short).
Because I sent the e-mails out to the appropriate people recently, I think it's only fair that I let you all in on the secret!!!
I should apologise for the delay in getting this blog post out. But with the loss of my Granddad "Sarge" Eric it has meant that all other considerations have had to be put aside for awhile, including most of the backstage work I do for the podcast.
On top of that you may have noticed that the regular Star Trek Online news on our Facebook page hasn't been updated lately...but I do plan on picking that back up relatively soon. So stay tuned for that!
The #TopSecretPodcastBusiness was a 'cover story' for a project I've been thinking about ever since Destination Star Trek 3 (DST3). Where we obviously launched the podcast and hosted our Borg Fan Panel (see previous posts for details).
While I was there I realised that a rudimental
'podcast fraternity' exists, as we were amazed
at the amount of help and encouragement we received from all
the other Star Trek podcasts (and 'services') who were attending the convention. This is because there is a very strong symbiotic
relationship between the Star Trek podcasts and 'Services', as they rely on
each other to survive. Two prime examples of this in action are convention organisers and Star Trek reference websites.
Podcasts help advertise conventions resulting in more interest, while the
organisers give entry (via Press and Bloggers Passes) to the podcasts so that they can cover the convention, drawing up interest for the next years convention.
The same is true for Star Trek reference websites, as podcasts
use them for the information (and news) they contain on social media (and
in episodes). While the Star Trek reference websites get promotion (and
recognition) from the links, drawing up more interest and viewing figures.
So it got me thinking about how we can strengthen the
foundation's which already exist. Which is why I want to organise an event so
that everyone can chat with each other and form friendships....and
after much discussion I decided to call the event, Podcast Summit.
The
Summit take place in London sometime in September or October, and will primarily revolve around the ‘Meet & Greet’ idea. Although we will also
put on other Star Trek related entertainment available to keep the attendees pre-occupied!
We will keep you updated with all the Podcast Summit's news on Twitter, Facebook and here on the blog as the event gets closer!
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!
Hi guys
In the hopes of giving you a better understanding of who you're listening to, I thought I would help giving you an idea where my love for science fiction grew from!
It means that I will have to travel back in time, which has the risk of crossing into my own timeline (let's just hope I don't contaminate it!).
I know I've already used this trick before in the Convention Guide Post...but I thought it works quite well last time!
As you can imagine, I'm going to make a few changes to the formula...so instead of traveling in the Tardis (sorry Doctor Who fans) I'm going to be using the Enterprise-E (my favourite star ship) traversing through time via the Slingshot effect!!!
As some of you may be aware I had a quite turbulent childhood. Because during that period in my life I was being bullied at Primary school and my parents were getting divorced.
Which drew me towards science fiction and the positive morals, messages and meanings (thank you Mission Log Podcast) it has!
I think the first place I would take the ship back to is around 1993-1995 where...
my first encounter with science fiction starts! Although it's with a set shows originally produced in the 1960's...I am of course talking about Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray!
These three shows were repeated in the early nineties paving the way for my love of the genre!
Trivia: My favourite Thunderbirds craft is Thunderbird 2!
With they're bright colours and they're wonderfully simple filming techniques interested me straight away! I think the fantastic craft they use (in particular Thunderbird 2) formed the foundation for my love of starships and their design!
Moving forward a few years to 1997, where I got to see...Star Wars! As in his ultimate wisdom (which is debatable!) George Lucas decided to remaster and re-release Episodes IV through VI in a Special Edition box set (which we owned). My love for starships and their design grew once again...when my Mum bought me multiple Galoob Action Fleet starships, which I imagined 'flying' them home in my hand! Along with those I also managed to get The Death Star Playset. To my knowledge they are all still in our loft!!!
Trivia: My favourite Star Wars character is R2-D2!
Moving towards the noughties to around 1998. This is when the science fiction genre started to make an impact on an young impressionable Simon Cordell, as this is when I saw my first Star Trek: The Next Generation. I watched it every Wednesday night on BBC2 at 6pm, this lead me to buying Star Trek video's (which are still in our loft).
Around this time I also caught glimpses of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine on Thursday nights and Voyager on the Sunday nights.
Three years go by and we are introduced to a new form of Star Trek, in the form of Enterprise! Not on the friendly Aunty Beeb (BBC) this time...but to Channel 4 where it ran modestly until the season four finale in 2006.
Trivia: Don't bring up "These are the voyages..." with Jamie, as it doesn't exist to him!
Trivia: Phil's favourite character is Marvin the robot!
Then another few years pass...until 2005 when The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was released in the cinema's. To me and Phil, this was something we had to see!
As both of our Dad's had heard the radio plays when they were younger, and encouraged us to see it. So I think we went and saw it in the cinema (I can't remember...Phil?) and loved it!
We loved it so much, that we bought The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Trilogy of Four: A Trilogy in Four Parts, and then travelled up to London in order to visit the Science Museum's exhibition on the film.
2005 was also the year that I was formally introduced to another British science fiction classic Doctor Who.
Trivia: The Tenth Doctor is my favourite!
It's not until 2006 when my love for Star Trek is rekindled, after painstakingly introducing Jamie to the Star Trek franchise! This took quite a while as Jamie had his own preconceptions about science fiction. Once that happened Though his subsequent discovery and enjoyment of the series meant that I could relive the thrill of exploring the franchise for the first time!
As I was initiating a new Trekkie I thought it was about time I reviewed some of my old preconceptions about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Voyager. So we (me and Mum) started to buy the DVD box set's to both, which I watched from start to finish. This is where my 1998 conceptions evaporated.
Three years later (2009) a new form of Star Trek is revealed with Star Trek '09 (or if you prefer Star Trek XI). The first of the Abramsverse films, when I saw the film (3 times in total) I was always struck by the drastic changes made in the film. To point that I was just speechless, due to all the thoughts running around my head surrounding all the implications from the film!
The other amazing thing to come from this film is the fact that I managed to finally introduce Phil to the Star Trek franchise through by this film and playing Star Trek Online! Once again I felt the thrill of discovery coming from Phil!
A year (2010) goes by and another science fiction series arrives, this time it's the remake of V! A very overlooked series, which is well worth a watch...although I have got to admit that I've only seen the first season. Apart from that, I'm really glad I can add another 'string to my science fiction bow'!
2011 is when I finally got to see a series I was longing to get many hands on...I am of course talking about the remake of Battlestar Galactica.
Which (unlike the V remake) is a series that is not overlooked. if you haven't seen this series then definitely check it out, as you won't regret it at all!!!
Another twelve month's passes by, landing us in 2012. This the year that I finally saw the Remastered Star Trek: The Original Series Season three and Star Trek: The Animated Series.
Just like everyone else I assumed that season three was a lost cause...but watching it, and then hearing what morals, messages and meanings John Champion and Ken Ray got out of them. I don't think it deserves the reputation it has been given over the years!
The same is said about The Animated Series, as everyone think's it isn't part of cannon...but why not? It's got as much right to be a part of cannon as any other show! Well worth a watch, even if you only see it once!
This was also the year that the three of us attended Destination Star Trek London, which was absolutely amazing! It is hopes that at some point in time you'll be able to hear our 'practise' episode covering the event!!!
Going back to last year (2013) the big event that occurred in the Abramsverse was Star Trek Into Darkness, which...again I saw 3 times in total! This was the first Star Trek film I'd seen in the cinema with Phil and Jamie making it quite a big event for us. We were able to see it the second day of release, making us very excitable!
Just like Destination Star Trek London 2012, we recorded an episode giving our thoughts on the film. Which we hope you'll be able to hear sometime in the near future!
What can I say about 2014...well it's been quite a year!
In February I went alone to Destination Star Trek Germany in Frankfurt, which was absolutely awesome and amazing! If you were unfortunate not to go, then you missed out big time!!!
Met up with the lovely Trekkie Girls (hi girls!) while I was there, and ended up 'briefly' on stage at the Trek Radio's Transmitting Trek: Taking Entertainment to the Final Frontier talk on the Sunday. Once I got home we recorded an episode giving my opinions on the convention. Which we hope you'll be able sometime soon!
Last month we also attended Destination Star Trek 3, where we hosted our Borg Fan Panel (see The Engage Podcast at DST3 part 1) with the aid of our first 'Honouree' member of the podcast Neil Green (hi Neil!).
On the same day we also launched podcast, by covering all three days of the event...again will an episode giving our thoughts and feelings on the convention (see The Engage Podcast at DST3 part 2).
I hope you found this blog post interesting!
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!
Hi guys
Firstly I have to apologise...yet again for the gap between this blog and my last one! The whole reason that this has happened, is explained in the (fairly lengthy) description that you could fit a starship in!!!
After all the mad preparations (and rehearsals) we needed to do leading up to DST3, and all the coverage we needed to do while we were there! We then had to decide how we were going to cover the event in episode form...which ended up turning into The Engage Podcast at DST3 Parts 1 and 2 after much thought!
While all of this has been going on I've been racking my brains trying to work out a schedule for our episodes to go in. Which I can tell you sounds a lot harder than it looks...trust me!
Before I go any further, I do need to point out that this schedule (at the time that I write this) is subject to change, as I've learnt that things don't tend to go the way I plan!!!
This tends to happen because a podcast is an on-going project, where you have get quite good at 'juggling' a lot of production work (at various stages). So for each and every episode you have to research and 'plan' how the conversation will roughly go, whilst making sure that you can get the content and time that you want from a topic.
With that in mind, I also have to consider at which point has the concept progressed to within it's own production. This can range from an idea needing more work being done to it....to all the hard work being finished, ready to be recorded!!!
Hi guys
With DST3 days away, I thought it was a good idea to write down some useful tips for attending a convention!
Before I start, you maybe wondering "why is Simon in a position to give me advice on attending cons?"
In order to answer your question, I need to make use of The Doctor's TARDIS. Because I'm going to need to use a bit of time travel to explain it!
I think a good place to take the TARDIS back to first...would be between 2003-2005 (ish!).
As around that time, I attended quite a few small conventions with my Mum and Godfather, but they really aren't worth mentioning!
The second place the TARDIS would land, is 2010 where I attended London Film and Comic Con at Earls Court 2. This time I went with Jamie and his Dad...although we only went for a day so I didn't gleam much advice from that event either!
It's not until 2012 where me, Jamie and Phil attended our first Destination Star Trek event. Where my wealth of convention knowledge is formed. As we spend two enjoyable days up there covering the event!
Pop back into the TARDIS for one final trip. To February of this year, where I ventured over to Frankfurt for DSTG on my one man Away Team. This time I was able to envelop myself into the convention whole heartedly, making it possible to attend the convention for the full three days!
OK enough about me! Time for some convention tips!!!
Tip #1-Book early to avoid disappointment!
Depending on whether it is a convention abroad or in your home country, make sure you book your convention ticket (and additions) at your earliest opportunity. As this is quite an important part of your convention I would spend a lot of time researching what ticket you want.
Here are something's to think about for your convention ticket:
Price-fit your ticket around your budget...you will need money left over to enjoy the convention!
Perks- does it have extra's you really want like Reserved Priority talk seating and exclusive content!
'Happiness'- I know this one sounds bonkers...but buy a ticket that will make you feel happy and comfortable while your at the convention. As if you pick the wrong ticket, you won't enjoy the experience as much!
This also goes for hotel rooms, as you don't want to be stuck in the expensive position of traveling to and from the convention everyday!
Just like the convention ticket, I would recommend doing extensive research.
Here are something's to consider while choosing your convention hotel:
Distance from convention centre- make sure it's staggering distance away from the convention!
Price- fit the hotel around your budget...and don't just book the first hotel you see!
Parking- check the hotel has free parking...as you might be able to leave the car there, without spending money on expensive convention centre parking charges!
Food- make sure your hotel has a restaurant or café...just encase you get a bit hungry after a busy day wandering around the convention!
Tip #2- Plan...but don't plan so you avoid disappointment...again!
This is another tip that sounds absolutely bonkers...organise your days at the event 'loosely'. As when your at a convention, you get in the mind-set that you have to see and do everything the convention offers. But in reality, you can't do it!!!
SO don't plan your convention days down to the minute...as trust me it will fall apart within ten minutes of you entering the convention!
My recommendation is to sort the events you want to see into different groups like:
The booked group- which are events you've already paid to see or do.
The quite like to see or do group- events your interesting in seeing or doing...if I get there in time!
I would also recommend buying all your (known) autograph/photo-shoot covers and autograph pictures on the day before the convention or if that's not possible the first day. As Then you can just put the picture into the cover straight away without having to worry about it getting damaged!
Tip #3-Budget
Before the convention your going to give yourself a budget to live on in those hectic few days. From experience I would imagine that would be a pretty big sum. Although though my experiences, I've always found that you always spend a lot less than you anticipate.
So I would recommend that you budget high, spend low! This way you will feel a sense of achievement, when you discover you didn't spend the entirety of your budget!!!
Tip #4- Be sensible
At the convention your going to do an awful lot of walking, so it is in your best interest to wear sensible footwear! As by the end of day one (whenever that it) your going to feel very tired, and your feet are going hurt...a lot!!!
Like I say they are going to be extremely long days, so make sure you rest every now and then during the convention. As your body won't be able to keep up with everything your 'trying' to do.
Your body will also need plenty of sleep before each day of the convention. Listen to your body when this happens!!!
Try to make time to do simple obvious things like having something to eat or going to the toilet...as the adrenaline makes you forget all about these important things. If you miss them then you could end up getting dehydrated making you faint. This unfortunately could make it possible for you to miss all the exciting things you want to do!
I think that's everything, enjoy the event and I hope you find this advice helpful for your convention expedition!
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!
