Looking for radio plays (loosely defined)

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Tom or Jason, let me know if this is out of line in any way.  I think it should be OK but don't want to overstep my bounds here.

Those of you who are on Facebook might already know about this, but just to extend an invitation to the FOT at large: some friends and I have pitched a "radio play" show to Ken Freedman at WFMU (more like the weird avant-garde stuff on the station than what Tom & Jon do, though we're still figuring it all out).  We'll probably only produce original work once out of every 6 or 7 shows and mostly act as DJs.  If any of you guys or your friends have anything that fits the bill, let me know.  It would be awesome to have some FOT participation in what will hopefully not be the worst show on WFMU.

Here's the official call:

Hello, everyone.  I'm writing now because Karinne Keithley, Danny Manley and I are attempting to put together a radio play program for the legendary freeform radio station WFMU and are looking for recorded radio plays and monologues, weird interviews, rants, found audio, etc.  The more idiosyncratic the better.

We'll consider everything, but we're not after 1920s nostalgia acts so much as sound-driven art that redefines and expands the idea of what radio theater can be.  If you're unsure whether or not what you've got is a legitimate radio play, it probably is what we're looking for.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR RECORDED AUDIO MATERIAL ONLY.  Lo-fi, do-it-yourself stuff is OK.  It should be suitable for broadcast, which means that (1) it should not contain any obscenities as defined by the FCC, (2) you should be able to clear the rights yourself, or it should be in public domain, and (3) it should be somewhat short, from 1-55 minutes.  Under 20 minutes is ideal.  Most but not all silence is generally to be avoided.

We are not taking unsolicited scripts at this time but we'll let you know if that changes.

Submissions:
Mp3/Zip/other files should be posted to Divshare, Sendspace, or whichever such site you prefer, and links emailed to
jason (at) jasongrote.com.

CDs or other recorded materials should be send to:
Jason Grote - WFMU radio theater project
c/o New Dramatists
424 West 44th Street
NYC, NY 10036

Deadline: if you've got something, please send it immediately, but if you're looking to prepare something: July 8, 2008.

Thanks!
Jason

[Martin]

Jason, I think this is a great idea and I wish you the best of luck with it! I would love to help out, but as I don't have anything to share play-wise, I don't exactly see how I can. If you can find something for me to do, let me know.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Thanks, Crimestick.  It's all pretty wide open at this point, so if you come across something you're doing that seems like it might be even remotely related, let me know.  I'm hoping that we can figure out more imaginative ways to let people participate as the show develops and we figure out exactly what it is we're doing.

[Forrest]

I'm so excited about this Jason, especially after having heard you tell me about this idea. I fully intend to answer the call and see what I can cook up or find by the deadline. Seriously, I can't wait to hear you on the air.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Awesome, Forrest.  We're just doing 2 demos for now - one of other people's found/submitted material, and one that we produce ourselves (we commissioned about 12 playwrights to write 911 calls, which we'll cast with actors and produce in-studio).  Hopefully it won't be a train wreck.  Our first demo was so awful and boring that Ken suggested he just skip listening to it.

But if we can get a slot, we've got Mike Daisey on tap to do a one-hour performance, which would be awesome.  Though I think Dorvid is the only Daisey fan here ((sob)).

[Laurie]

Lamont, I have nothing to offer other than my voice and Ken Freedman's apparent love for it.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Lamont, I have nothing to offer other than my voice and Ken Freedman's apparent love for it.

This came up in our meeting, and yeah, he definitely loves your voice.  I have an idear - more soon.

[yesno]

Nothing to offer either, other than my observation that I've listened to a few podcasts that were just fiction being read, and it works.  "Escape Pod" is a pretty good one that does that with science fiction. 

I'd recommend doing a Best Show fan fiction full-on radio play, however.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

I'm giving Tom a wide berth (not personally, just creatively).  There's no way I'm competing on that playing field.  I'm no fool!

If Tom ever did retire (heaven forfend), I'd probably try and play at least one S&W bit per show, though.

[samir]

If you need Brindian accent work, I'm yer man!

[Chris L]

All I gots is a microphone, no old radio plays.  I'd be willing to help out if there's anything to do though.