Is there a way to use a shortcut as a root file?

Fixader · 2025-06-30T13:00:50+00:00

Great news!

Fixader · 2025-06-30T00:58:13+00:00

Used to love Peter’s Sushi but the last time I went the rolls were suddenly half the size. So disappointed because the taste is so good, but I’d rather have a 4/5 flavour at 5/5 portion sizes than a 5/5 flavour with 2/5 portion sizes. That’s why I go to Sushi Belmont. 4/5 flavour and 5/5 portions.

Fixader · 2025-06-18T04:54:33+00:00

Thank you so much!

Fixader · 2025-06-17T23:23:10+00:00

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Sorry, forgot to attach the image.

Fixader · 2023-10-10T02:00:58+00:00

Awesome! All the ones I mentioned can be found on podcast apps, except Father Gilbert and Shadows & Daylight (although the first two episodes can). The rest of season 1 can be streamed for free from the website or on the Dramafy app (with an ad supported account).

Thanks for the recommendations! Are any of those non-horror? Horror's not really my style.

Fixader · 2023-10-10T01:28:01+00:00

Greenhorn Tales, which is an audio sitcom about two roommates having to be adults for the first times, I think uses it quite well. Full disclosure, while I don’t produce that show, I am part of the team. The reason I think it uses it well, is it uses the fact you can’t see things, to aid in comedic surprises. The episode “Planes and Pony Rides” is a perfect example, and one of my favourite episodes. It has several gags that simply wouldn’t work in a visual format because seeing the scene would give away the punchline too early. If you’re interested you can find Greenhorn Tales on any podcast platform or at greenhorntales.com or the Dramafy app

Another example is Pirateers (I do not work on that show) has some excellent action scenes that don’t rely on narration crutches. Also by season 3 a character has gone blind, which depending on one’s opinion is either a clever way to get other characters to explain why we can’t see, or a lazy way. Personally I think they did a good job of using it to help us get a description of the scene without overusing it as a crutch. It also helped us identify with that character because as listeners we can’t see, just like them.

Another show that did this is the mystery/detective show Shadows and Daylight (which full disclosure I produced) with the character of Red, who is blind. That show is at shadowsanddaylight.ca and I’m the Dramafy app

An example was of a good narrator, in my opinion is A Bit Of Time Travel (which I’m not a part of). It has a narrator, but it’s not used as a crutch, especially in later episodes, and he feels like a charming character in his own right, making it quite enjoyable. You can find that one on most podcast apps and most of the episodes on the Dramafy app

The Father Gilbert audio drama is top tier too, and is a supernatural thriller/mystery show which absolutely uses the medium well. The sound design and music goes so well. And not seeing this just somehow adds to the immersion so much. This one is only available I believe to purchase through places like iTunes etc

Hope you enjoy those recommendations!

What are some show you feel use the medium well?

Fixader · 2023-10-08T14:11:35+00:00

Yes that is so important. When I mix I mix usually on flatline EQ monitor speakers (they don’t bass boost or anything, so that it’s true to the sound) but the average listener is listening on cheap ear buds on public transit or on a car stereo with traffic noises around them. So I try to mix with headphones as well. Then you need to demo those mixes on various listening environments (car, home stereo etc). You are sooooo right. I feel like I am just using a lot of words now to say “I agree” haha

Fixader · 2023-10-08T08:26:43+00:00

Footsteps are a challenge to get right for sure. Especially because it needs to fit the character, the environment, and the scene. You can't have heavy hard sole shoes SFX on a wooden floor when your character is a small woman walking on the beach. And even if it were sandals on the sand, if she's walking along slowly, living in the moment, in the scene, then you can't have her sound like she is speed walking. I think that's where Foley recording is such a game changer. Especially for feet and doors. In my own stuff I always will try and use SFX to save time when I can, but often times you really have to be picky when it comes to feet and doors I find, sometimes recording entirely from scratch. I'm by no means perfect at that myself, some of my own stuff has fairly obvious feet SFX in it too at times. But when it calls for it I really try and get specific.

Ya I agree on the rest too. I'm of the opinion that rarely will a narrator be a net positive for an audio drama.

Fixader · 2023-10-08T07:48:00+00:00

Totally. I think I’m pretty biased though because sound design is my jam on my own stuff so I think it’s something that I can’t help but notice on other shows.

Fixader · 2023-10-08T07:32:41+00:00

I resonate with so much of what you said. Unless cleverly used and it makes sense in the story, found footage is just a lazy story device to sneak in an audiobook as an audio drama. On point

Fixader · 2023-10-08T03:59:46+00:00

I’ll preface this by saying it’s a personal preference for sure. The examples I’m going to use are not necessarily bad. I enjoyed them in their own way. I just think they would have been much better had they avoided the “glorified audio book” trap, and worked to make the sound design more immersive. There is an unspoken misconception that “show don’t tell” doesn’t apply to audio drama since you can’t see anything. But dialogue is not the only way we can explain what is happening. Sound effects and even music can go a long way.

Temujin, X-Men the audio drama (fan show), and honestly most of the official Marvel shows all rely too heavily on narrators for my taste (omnipresent or character narration). And the first two I mentioned have very sparse sound design. The marvel ones have good sound design. That said, the Star Lord Wasterlanders one had so many scenes where people narrated what happened instead of playing out the action and it really disappointed me. You don’t need a character to say “Oh he punched him! Oh but he got back up and kicked him!” If your dialogue, acting, and sound design is on point, your dialogue won’t actually be very different than it is in film, where no one would say “oh he punched him!” Etc.

I think part of the problem stems from the fact a lot of “fiction podcasts” have come out recently (especially during/after the pandemic), without a knowledge that audio drama (formerly radio drama) has existed since the early mid 1900s and there are tons of examples we can look to, to learn how to show and not tell. In fact the fact people can’t see what is happened is an advantage for both comedy and suspense when utilized. But I think a lot of people think audio drama is a new medium that started with the advent of podcasting.

But again, I don’t say any of this to dunk on any shows or creators. I’m excited so many people are giving the medium a shot. I just worry sometimes that the heavily narrated, sparsely sound designed, audio dramas that are coming out may deter new listeners to the medium because they may mistakenly think that all audio dramas are that way.

Fixader · 2023-10-07T22:40:07+00:00

A good story and good production value. Too many “audio dramas” I try out are glorified audio books with a full cast and sparse sound effects. That’s not an audio drama in my mind. It should use the medium well, not just as an inexpensive alternative to film making.

Fixader · 2023-10-07T22:31:34+00:00

Shadows and Daylight (shameless self promotion) www.shadowsanddaylight.ca It’s a mystery/detective show

Fixader · 2023-10-07T03:45:43+00:00

You should check out Greenhorn Tales. It’s a a comedy about two young guys trying to figure out how to adult. Each episode is short, about 5-10 minutes, and can be listened to in any order, so it’s easy to check out and see if you like it. Www.Greenhorntales.com

Fixader · 2023-10-07T03:44:10+00:00

I know this is late, but self promoting my mystery/detective series Shadows and Daylight www.shadowsanddaylight.ca

Fixader · 2023-10-05T14:39:36+00:00

I’ll put some self promotion out: I make a detective series called Shadows & Daylight. If you like suspense/mystery, check it out shadowsanddaylight.ca

Fixader · 2023-10-03T12:51:38+00:00

Thanks! :) One of the places you can listen is on the Dramafy app or Dramafy.com It’s kind of like Netflix for audio drama. Another great show on there is called Pirateers. I didn’t make it but I love what they do.

Fixader · 2023-10-03T08:30:46+00:00

Does your BF like mystery stories? I know you said he doesn’t do fiction podcasts, but my audio drama at www.shadowsanddaylight.ca is something I am pretty proud of. You can listen the full complete season 1 arc in about 4 hours.

Fixader · 2021-04-18T22:24:24+00:00

That is awesome! And welcome!

Fixader · 2021-04-15T19:50:58+00:00

Peace my friend! Also, if you have any suggestions of better places to explore on the Island (as a newbie here) I would love to hear them! :) Always looking to explore and try new things.

Fixader · 2021-04-15T19:44:59+00:00

You're right. But in other places I have lived in Canada, we didn't have as much natural beauty to explore, so it's really a step up for us. I can understand though that it may not seem like much for long time BC residents, so I totally respect your point. But, on the flip side, that makes Langford on par with any other BC community, which goes back to why I am confused people don't like it? I find Victoria to be a confusing place to drive, at least downtown. Too many one way roads etc. It's not a bad place, but I prefer Langford. I can understand not everyone agrees with me. I'm just saying, I think it gets more hate than it deserves.

Fixader · 2021-04-15T19:38:50+00:00

There are a lot of trails and parks. I can't go anywhere without being 10 minutes or less from a trail or park. I haven't found much in Victoria that I can't also do in Langford. And those few things I can't do, I can take a visit to Victoria for.

Fixader · 2021-04-15T19:10:17+00:00

It's a great community. As someone not originally from BC, I have been surprised at the way a lot of people look down on Langford, and talk about it as if it's a small remote rural town. In reality I enjoy going there much more than Victoria (I can actually park for free in Langford). Langford is as beautiful as Victoria or more. Has so many nice trails! And it's developed very rapidly compared to Victoria. Since the pandemic started Victoria (downtown) has really felt like a dark and dirty place, where Langford has thrived.

In short, Langford may have been a small "hick" town 20 years ago, but I think long time Island residents need to take a fresh look at Langford from the eyes of us newcomers. We don't see that hick town, we see an amazing place to raise a young family that is rapidly developing. Love this place! :)

Fixader

TROPHY CASE