The Ceiling Fan Contest

We've hit the summer lull where Odyssey news is about as scarce as water in the Saraha. But that doesn't mean the fans haven't been busy! Over at the Ceiling Fan, hosts Kevin and Mark have recently posted a video podcast in which they combine regular elements of their show with a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into the production of a typical podcast. It's definitely worth checking it. Also, don't miss their first ever contest, in which you take over the Ceiling Fan! The winner will have their production aired and will also receive a free t-shirt!

Catching Up on Odyssey

Unless you've been living under a rock the last couple weeks, you've probably already watched the most recent video podcast. It was a real treat to actually see the Odyssey crew in action and hard at work - proof that they've been keeping busy during the current hiatus. And they shared a lot of inside information. All this time I thought they were just lounging around eating fizzy cola, greasly chips, and jello pudding pops.

As we've known for the last month or so, Darien's Rise will be adapted for an epic 9-part radio dramatization. I'm a huge fan of Paul McCusker's work, so it'll be fun to see this Odyssey classic turned into an audio drama - much like Focus' Radio Theatre has already done with books like The Chronicles of Narnia. Like the beloved series by C.S. Lewis, Passages is built around this idea of normal kids visiting an alternate reality. But the similarities don't end there. Many Biblical parallels are drawn throughout the kids' journeys in the land of Marus. What's particularly special about Passages is that it offers a story simple enough for children and yet deep enough to be enjoyed by adults.

Something that hasn't been brought up much is the casting for Passages. Up until the video podcast was released, we didn't know who would be voicing the two main characters, Anna and Kyle. After hearing the short clip from Jonathan Crowe, we now know that these two roles will be filled by Rachel Fox and Shane Baumel. These two actors are better known for playing Kelly and Everett, so it'll be interesting to see if those two characters will be returning in Album 51. I've already made it clear that I wouldn't mind hearing more from Kelly now that she's a Christian, but what I'd really love is to hear episodes with Everett and his father, Leonard. Either way, I'm looking forward to hearing from both Rachel and Shane in Passages.

Most book adaptions will inevitably involve some sort of change to the script. Darien's Rise is no exception, as it appears Whit will be narrating at least part of the drama. With news leaking out that there will be a new Whit, it would definitely make for an interesting surprise if listeners tuned in on September 12 to hear part one of Darien's Rise and were greeted by a new John Avery.

Speaking of surprises, I really enjoyed getting a look inside the renowned Odyssey vault - otherwise known as Focus' audio library. Among the multitude of audio cases neatly arranged on the shelves sat some real gems, such as Bonhoeffer and Father Gilbert. With thousands of individual episodes and radio broadcast archives sitting on those shelves, it's no wonder they're all stored inside a locked room! Watching the guys recreate the scene from A New Hope was priceless, especially Rudy's "call" for C-3PO. Haha.

It was nice of Paul McCusker to invite the Official Podcast hosts to his home - it took me a moment before I realized that. We hadn't heard much about what's going to happen in Album 51 since the March 11th Q&A with the producers. And, sadly, Paul doesn't divulge too more information, other than the fact that the first episode of the March 2010 season is tentatively called The Inspiration Station and will probably be a two-parter.

Does this Inspiration Station have anything to do with the red button Connie pushed at the end of The Best Small Town? Quite possibly. Over at the Town of Odyssey, different theories have been floating around. All we know for sure is that it was part of Whit's new invention that looked like a radio. That immediately makes me think is has something to do with story-telling, although I'm not sure in what way. Does it alter the way Adventures in Odyssey is told? Or would that be breaking the third wall too much?

One thing we know with absolute certainty is that several new families will be introduced, including the Parkers. We also know a little bit about one of the Parker kids, Camilla - she's an eight year old athlete who reminds me of a young woman who helped raise seven kids in Austria (hint: she climbs a tree and scrapes her knee). According to the character description we heard from Carol Rusk, Camilla is also "prone to pranks and trouble." Between her boisterous and tomboy-ish personality, Camilla sounds like a cross between a Curt Stevens and Traci Needlemeyer.

While there's still ten months to go before Album 51 episodes air on the radio, there's only three months left until Passages: Darien's Rise hits the airwaves. But if you're the impatient sort, you can always pre-order your copy of the 9-part drama at Amazon.com or Amazon.ca. Then let me know your thoughts on the future of Odyssey!

What did you think of the latest video podcast? And which was the best moment?

(a) Jesse high-fiving Whit
(b) Jonathan asking for a sound of a guy being punched in the face
(c) Bob skipping out of Christopher Dehl's studio
(d) The recreation of the garbage compactor scene
(e) Carol Rusk inviting Tom Hanks and George Clooney to a party
(f) Andy Serkis

Q&A Video: Part III

And now for the one you've all been waiting for... Dave Griffin returns to reprise his role as Jimmy "Donna!" Barclay.

Q&A Video: Part II

Just one clip to share today - I mentioned in our last podcast that there was a "moment" between Will Ryan and Katie Leigh. Here is that scene!

Q&A Video: Part I

Today marks the official release date of AIO: Live! As of this afternoon, it isn't available for ordering yet - but I'm sure that'll change within the next few days. In the meanwhile, I thought I'd kick off the weekend with a couple videos clip from the second Q&A session. Check back for more clips this weekend!

Video from Q&A!

It's hard to believe it's already the end of April! With the AIO Live! CD/DVD available in only a couple days, I thought it'd be neat if I posted some of the videos I shot during the Q&A sessions following each Saturday show. Those of you who have already listened to our latest podcast will remember the question posed to Dave Griffin at the end of one of the Q&A sessions. Since the Q&A video footage will not be featured on CD or DVD, I figured this would be a great opportunity to show you guys some of my footage.



Want to see the video? Then cast your vote on the poll in the sidebar!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 55

04.25.09. It's been a long time coming, but we finally did it! It's the long-awaited conclusion to our recap of the birthday bash in Colorado Springs! After a three month hiatus of her own, Sarah returns to the podcast with renewed vigor (like Mitch's flossing) as she recounts some of her most memorable experiences. And then I talk for a little bit, too. Lots of fun stories, some un-aired clips from our interviews at the podcast booth, and a whole lot more!


Celebrating 20 years of Adventures in Odyssey!


Inside Whit's End


Inside the recording studio


Chris Anthony and Aria Curzon


Hundreds of fans crowded into Focus' Chapelteria


Sarah with the 7-foot tall "Eugene"


Chris with Genni and Don Long


The amazing cast of Odyssey actors... and Eugene!

Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 1:01:47

AIO Live! Preview

Almost eight months to this day, I sat in the Focus auditorium with over a thousand Odyssey fans, cheering, laughing, and watching in sheer amazement as the actors performed BTV: Live! It truly was a once in a lifetime experience like never before. While I knew they were recording the episode, I didn't know that they would be producing a DVD product - and am I ever glad they chose to do so. Not only will it give me and the five thousand other fans who attended a chance to relive the moment, but it'll give the rest of you the opportunity to check out what you missed!

I recently received a preview copy of the DVD from Focus - here's a quick preview of what you should expect:



1. B-TV: Live! Motion Slideshow

This 45-minute presentation features numerous video clips and hundreds of photos from all three shows. What I particularly enojoyed about the slideshow were all the close-ups of the actors. You don't truly get an appreciation for what the actors do until you actually see them perform. I was somewhat disappointed the video quality wasn't consistent throughout the entire slideshow, but most of it is pretty good. The seventeen minutes of footage accounts for over one-third of the presentation and it's absolutely hilarious to watch. Check out a short clip from the show by clicking the play button below.



At the end of the show, there's also a 3-minute blooper segment with Chris Anthony desperately trying to pronounce, Rashonmyfeet, one of the characters in the show. Hilarious.

2. Event Slideshow

This 5-minute presentation features 43 photos recapping the everything from the live shows, podcast recordings, autograph session... and lots of cast and crew photos. Great stuff!



3. Fan on the Street Interviews

They aired this same 5-minute clip on the Official Podcast, but it's nice to have a high resolution version of the interviews. I'm definitely liking the new question menus!





4. Special Call-In Broadcast

Back in 2007, during Odyssey's official 20th anniversary, they had a special two-part tribute to the show on Focus' daily broadcast with John Fuller and Dr. James Dobson. Hearing from fans across the country (and even one caller from Australia!) express their appreciation for Odyssey is a huge treat and something you won't want to miss. I found it interesting that they included this segment on the DVD rather than the CD, especially considering this is something you might want to listen in your car rather than watch on your TV.



Overall, I was extremely impressed with the DVD. I'm glad it was edited and produced at 16:9 widescreen format rather than the standard 4:3 aspect ratio. It looks great on the HD television, that's for sure! Adventures in Odyssey: Live! will be available on May 1st. If you haven't already pre-ordered your copy, I highly recommend doing it now - the links are in the sidebar.

Novacom Boxed Set Review!

After knowing about this product for over six months, I finally received my copy of the Novacom boxed set in the mail last week. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the box (to which I will refer henceforth as the Novabox) was significantly smaller than I had expected it to be. Compared to a typical CD album, the Novabox is not that much bigger - which is a definite plus in my mind. Since it's so compact, it makes for a great traveling package. It's a lot more convenient, for instance, to bring something like this on a road trip than four CD albums.





Another thing I liked about this set is the whole look of the Novabox. Not only is the cover art fantastic, but the gloss finish is also a nice touch. The packaging is rather durable as well - none of this cheap, flimsy cardboard. As for the actual contents inside the box, you've got the "Top Secret" document as well as the ten discs. You can check out the high-res photos of the Novacom set here.

Obviously, you must be wondering what's contained in the Top Secret document. It basically offers a quick introduction to the saga, a casting listing for the main characters, and an episode guide listing the episodes and a short synopsis for each.

Then you have the only information that's truly new - Novacom's "evil" master plan. Essentially, it's the entire story arc summarized through various plot points as written in a letter from the Chairman to Bennett Charles. It lists the ultimate goal of Operation Think Tank, its purposes, and initiatives required in order to accomplish the master plan. It's quite an interesting read, as it explains various plot points not explained in the actual radio series - for instance, it reveals the person responsible for convincing Mary Hopkins to install security cameras in Whit's End Connellsville.

I've only listened to the first few minutes of the bonus disc because I'm trying to save some of the behind-the-scenes material for later. I'm sure I'll have more to say on that in a few weeks. It's pretty hard for me to find any fault with the Novabox, although I'm a little concerned with the binding right at the hinge, which, over time, could definitely wear out. But overall, I'm very impressed.

If you don't own all the Novacom episodes, this is a must have product. And even if you do, you won't want to miss the one hour bonus disc. Listening to Jess Harnell create the voice for Bennett Charles is absolutely priceless.

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 54

04.11.09. More Canadian goodness returns to the podcast as Catspaw and Boswell join me once again for another round table discussion about all things Odyssey. Mostly. Be sure to check out Boswell's recent discovery of the next upcoming Odyssey album - the Dusty Episodes!



Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 51:35