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 guys
The reason I have written this blog is so that I can continue giving you a better understanding of who you're listening to, in my last blog I spoke about where my passion for science fiction stemmed from!
Whereas in this blog I would like to give you a better understanding of where my affection for podcasting comes from. I'm hoping to achieve this by, explaining to you which podcasts I have listened to, and why they have inspired different elements of The Engage Podcast!!!
The first podcast I listened to (and subsequently Jamie listened to) was Make It So Podcast, from the Simply Syndicated network.
Due to this podcast is the main reason why your able to listen to The Engage Podcast. Because after Jamie had listening to a quite sizable number of their episodes he said to me one day "Si, why don't we do a Star Trek podcast?!". Which lead after two long years of development and an awful lot of time and effort to The Engage Podcast.
Make It So is my inspiration for the joviality and juvenility elements of TEP as I have listened to episode's of Make It So more times than I would like to count! All due to the fact that each and every show is enjoyable and entertaining, due to the conversations and hilarious tangents the hosts (Richard Smith and co) get onto! Making it a podcast well worth listening to!!!
The second podcast I would like to mention is the Trek Mate Podcast, as they are a podcast I am very fond of. Oddly though they weren't 'on my radar' due to their podcasts, that only happened when we were at DSTL 2012.
Through they're many Fan Panel's (with the lovely Trekkie Girls) and through their DVD box set competition flyers. The flyers lead me onto a quite interesting tangent!
At the convention they were giving out flyers promoting their current DVD box set competition. In the competition each flyer had a unique code on it, which you could type into their website giving you the chance to win a DVD box set of a Star Trek series of your choosing.
I got home after the convention and typed it into their website! A month goes by and I get an e-mail explaining that I had won the prize, which you can imagine was an absolutely surprise to me! If you don't believe me just listen to Trek Mate: A Star Trek Podcast – Episode 45: Star Trek London Wrap Up.
Once I listened to that initial episode I was hooked, as (in their old format) they had a section of the show I always enjoyed listening to...I am of course talking about the Quiz. Which they always called Stump The Quizmaster, as they had a very clever and unique way of hosting it! Have a listen to see what I mean!!!
I think Stump The Quizmaster was an inspiration to me due to the complexity of the quiz, and because of the competition between the hosts (Wayne and co). Both elements added an extra and unexpected layer to each show, making it more enjoyable to listen to!
Although they've changed the format to their shows I would still recommend listening to the Trek Mate Podcast!!!
The third podcast I would really like to mention is the Mission Log Podcast. The hosts of the podcast (John Champion and Ken Ray) has reinvigorated a lot of fans passion for the franchise around the world (including mine) by analysing each and every episode and film.
At this point it sounds no different than any other podcast around...but they look for what I like to call "The Three M's". Which stand for the Morals, Messages and Meanings within the episode or film they are examining.
At the time that I write this they are making they're way through Season 1 of The Next Generation, after watching (and analysing) the whole run of Star Trek: The Original Series and The Animated Series. On top of that they have also watched (and analysing) all the Original Series six films right up until Undiscovered Country!
The Missions Log Podcast is an inspiration to me, because it allowed me to see a different side to a franchise I've lived with for most of my life! Giving me a chance to view the film or episode from a more balanced (and informed) point of view. As you can imagine being balanced and knowledgeable are two quite traits to have when your in charge of a Star Trek podcast!
It is my hope to bring this to the podcast via "The Three M's"!!!
The third podcast I would quite like to mention is Starbase 66, which is another podcast brought to you by the Simply Syndicated network! This podcast is a general Science Fiction and speculative fiction podcast. Which combines a lovely mixture of Science Fiction with real science. This is because part of their team used to work for United Space Alliance (one of NASA's primary contractors). So when they do the News at the beginning of each show you know that the real science is super accuracy!
It is for this reason that they are an inspiration to me, because I want to attempt to bring the balance between our Science Fiction and real science news to the podcast!!!
The final podcast I would quite like to mention is First Contact The Next Generation Introcast from The Spoilist. Which is a recent addition to my playlist (first episode debuted on the 12th of April 2013).
This podcast is like a mixture of the Mission Log Podcast and The Make It So Podcast. As Andrew, Alex and James analysis each episode of The Next Generation (currently doing Season 2) with an unequivocal element of wit in each and every show, making it a podcast worth listening to!
This is (by part) due to the fact that James hasn't seen any Star Trek before. It is because he's a new fan of the franchise (and the series) that he is able to watch it 'blind'. Giving him a unique perspective on the show. Combine that with the combined Star Trek Universe knowledge of Andrew and Alex...and you've got some very interesting discussions!
It is for this reason that they are an inspiration to me, because I want to try and bring a balance between our analysis of the franchise and the friendship between the three of us...like they do on the First Contact The Next Generation Introcast!!!
I would just like to point out that I haven't mentioned all of our Podcast Fraternity friends (unfortunately). So I would like to thank all the podcasts for their support since we launched back in October!
We really appreciate it!!!
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 everyone!
Firstly I have to admit my last blog post might appear quite alarmist of me as...obviously your reading my new blog post!
Which is a surprise to all of us I assure you, as when I wrote the last blog post it appeared as though all my preparations were going to take the rest of the month. But it occurred to me while I was looking over the Fan Panel PowerPoint and Prompt Sheet that I was being a bit of a pessimist (which is very unlike me!). As it appears we're ahead of schedule for the Fan Panel!
Because of that I have a bit more time available to me, so I can write a blog post explaining what we are going to release in the next few weeks. Before our official launch on the 3rd of October at Destination Star Trek!!!
The first thing we'll be releasing is our Promo, which you can already listen to over on our Downloads Page! Our Promo is a quick promotional introduction to the podcast. Which you'll be able to download it along with everything else via iTunes and Podomatic.
Podomatic is still being developed, so there might be a few teething problems, until we get the page looking and working how we like! The site will be linked up with the aforementioned Downloads Page in order for you to download our podcasts!!!
Then we go onto what we like to call Teaser Episodes, which as the name suggests teases at what you can expect from us once the full length episodes are recorded and released! All three Teaser Episode's have their own topic, which we discuss at length.
As they are special episodes, we thought it was appropriate that they have a unique format. So at the beginning of each episode one of us introduces ourselves and explains how they got into Star Trek. Once they're happy that they've achieved it, we then discuss the topic at hand!
The first topic we discuss is,
was
it right for the Federation to sign the Treaty of Algeron? Should the
Federation have cloaking technology?
In the first episode we discuss the moral and ethical dilemma's surrounding the Federation's decision to sign the Treaty of Algeron in 2311. A peace accord making it illegal for them to use cloaking technology. I have the honour of introducing myself first!
The second topic we deliberate over is,
the
Memory
Alpha Random Page Game
In this episode we have a little bit of fun! As we play one of the most fun and unpredictable games related to Star Trek on the internet. The Memory Alpha Random Page Game is a pastime that makes use of the website's Random Page function. The game can be played as a single player or multiplayer.
You play by pressing the button and seeing who has the most interesting page. The person who gets the most interesting pages overall is the winner! Phil had the opportunity of introducing himself in this Teaser Episode!
The last topic we debated was, Which series is it best to be a Federation Citizen?
In the final episode we debate, which era is the optimum time to be living on Earth in the Federation. To work this out we used a criteria. The points of comparison were the technological advances, the chances of survival and the feelings of security. Jamie had pleasure of starting this Teaser Episode!
We are really looking forward to meeting you all at DST3!!!
Simon, Jamie and Phil
Hi guys
I just want to make you all aware that over the next few weeks the number of blogs written by me are likely to fall, as I am still quite busy preparing, writing (and finalising) the different elements that will go into our DST3 Fan Panel!
As you can imagine there is an awful lot I need to complete before the month is out!
One of the main elements that we will rely on at the convention is our Prompt Sheet. Which (once finished) will detail the format of our discussion, and the notes needed to fully explain how we come to the conclusions we've come to!!!
The other vital element to any Fan Panel is a bright and colourful PowerPoint, which as you can imagine will be a visual representation for the discussion. We hope it will spur the audiences imagination, so that they ask themselves fascinating and interesting questions about the famous (if not infamous) cyborg race!!!
On top of all those preparations, I've also got the herculean task of getting the podcast ready to go live on the same day we host our Fan Panel on stage!
This has got it's elements which have still got to combine to make a whole. As you many have seen over the past month some of the preparations have already gone live!
See this post for more details: TEP Podcast Media Live!
Although we've got an awful lot more to do, before we're capable of releasing podcasts on a regular basis. Me, Jamie and Phil have got our own jobs to complete before the deadline runs out!
I think this is best time to admit to you all that once we start broadcasting. Some of the episodes you will hear will be one's we've recorded in the past.
I know that doesn't sound great but it isn't as bad as it's sounds. Because we feel that these episodes have got interesting ideas and concepts in them. Which we would like you to hear! All the podcasts will all be labelled so that you'll be able to identify them with ease!!!
Make sure you check out and vote in our Borg poll over on the right of your screen. The results of the poll will be revealed and used in our Fan Panel, so every vote counts!
We'd love to know what you think!!!
The poll finishes at 5:00pm on Friday 3rd of October 2014!!!
Simon
Hi everyone
With Destination Star Trek and our Fan Panel quickly approaching we would love to hear your thoughts on whether the Borg are villains or victims?
So we have set up a poll on the blog to gather your thoughts on the topic. It is our hopes the results of the poll can be used in our Fan Panel. Feel free to leave your views below in the comments or you can send us an e-mail, as we'll be really interested to hear what you voted and why!
Do you think the Borg are villains for assimilating millions of people by controlling their every move?
Or are actually unfortunate victims of the Borg's search for perfection?
Could they even be a mixture of the two, starting off as a victim and ending up as a villain?
There's no right way or wrong way to answer the question! The results of the poll (so far) will be revealed and used in our Fan Panel, so every vote counts!
We'd love to know what you think!!!
The poll finishes at 11:59pm on Friday 31st of October 2014!!!
The results of the poll are as following:
Villains
1 vote (14%)
Victims
2 votes (28%)
Both
4 votes (57%) winner
So in conclusion people think that the Borg are a combination of villain's and victims!
Yesterday it was announced on the Destination Star Trek website and startrek.com that that me, Jamie and Phil will be hosting a Fan Panel about the Borg on the Excelsior Stage! We will be on stage between 17:15pm-18:00pm on the Friday afternoon. We won't be alone as we will be discussing our topic with the Excelsior Stage host, Neil Green!
The topic will be centred around the two part question:
Why do the Borg assimilate worlds rather than conquer them? Are the Borg villains or victims?
Hi guys
Make sure you stay tuned into The Engage Podcast Blog next week, as we have some very exciting news concerning the podcast...that your going to want to hear!
But before you ask it's not the news that we're going live we're not going live...just yet!
Although next weeks news will concede with when we do go live!
We know it's a bit cryptic...but unfortunately we can't tell you anything else!!!
