Sci-fi & horror genre film and television reviews and discussions.

"As I said, do it because you WANT to do it. You are likely not going to get famous doing a podcast."

More details on Listen Notes.

Today Christopher and Tom, the creators of The Time Shifters Podcast share their story of TV & film podcast.

► Tell us about you and your podcast

The show actually started in 2010 and was simply called "The Jonja.net Podcast" after the forum that was active at the time. Podcasts seemed to be the new big thing, so we decided to try our hands at it. It was about that time that social media began taking hold, and the popularity of the online forum was beginning to wane, so it felt like a natural progression.

When the forum activity really started to decline, we changed the name to "Time Shifters". We all had 9-5 jobs and families, so we rarely got to watch the newest things when they aired or were released, so like many of the DVR generation, we time shifted, hence the name.

At the time it was hosted by myself, and a couple of friends, Steve and Floyd. We eventually brought on a friend and coworker of mine, Shonda. We ran for several years and had a great deal of fun! But as it often does, life got busy for all of us and we found it increasingly difficult to find time to record, so the show eventually faded.

After a couple years, I decided I wanted to revive the show. (I had been doing my best to keep the feed active with the occasional one-person reviews and such.)

A local gaming and movie fan community held get-togethers near my house so I went up a couple nights and let it be known that I was looking for a cohost. Matt volunteered and the show rebooted! He was a great host and brought a variety of films, many outside of the sci-fi and horror genre, to the show. We ran for a few years but his schooling and job made it difficult for him to continue so I was once again in need of a host. Fortunately, an old friend and I had recently reconnected and Tom took the second seat!

Being both sci-fi fans we have focused primarily on that genre along with horror and fantasy. We discuss and review both big budget Hollywood films and low budget independents.

► Why & how did you start this podcast? 

I was a listener of several podcasts long before starting my own. I think sending in emails and voice messages to shows is a gateway into hosting your own. Hearing your thoughts read out or played back and having the hosts discuss those thoughts is a bit of a thrill. It was only a matter of time before I thought, "I want to do that".

My original goal was to be like those shows. I wanted an excuse to have those discussions, and to hear other people's thoughts on the subject.

After continuously 'casting since 2010, I also have another show that started in 2012 and is still going (Orphaned Entertainment), I can't imagine NOT podcasting. My cohost and I are several hundred miles away from each other, so it is a great excuse to connect a couple times a month, catch up on life and discuss the things we both enjoy!

► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

Time Shifters has historically been an every other week release schedule, but this past year we have been very fortunate to have been given access to a lot of newly released independent films that have allowed us to do what we call "Time Hop" episodes that fill in the weeks in between the main show. I also watch plenty of random films that just come up and I record "5-minute(ish) Reviews", which are just what the title says. I do a single person review of a film that lasts about 5 minutes. With these two bonus recordings, we have been able to have something going down the feed every week!

Finding time to do all of this can be daunting. We record every two weeks in the evening from 8pm to sometimes 11 o'clock. We will record one or two "Time Hops" and a main show. The two week gap between recording helps us find the time we need to watch the films we need to, and prepare any notes, etc.

It is a labor of love to do all of this. Along with a Ko-Fi donation page, we have a TeePublic store that we sell show related and genre specific merchandise that brings in a little money, but never enough to cover the hosting fees or any expenses that might come up, so for the most part it is all out of my pocket.

► What do you gain from podcasting?        

Something that has come from podcasting that I never expected is the many, many people that I have met over the years. I have everything from acquaintances to people I can legitimately call friends all over the country, and even one or two overseas! We have supported each other's endeavors, shared and promoted each other's shows, guested on one another's podcasts, and have even met once or twice a year at comic or entertainment conventions! It is awesome when, after listening to them for so long, to get the chance to sit down across a table and actually talk to them!

The show has also given me the opportunity to meet and interview so many celebrities and filmmakers big and small! None of that would have been possible without podcasting!

► How does your podcasting process look like? 

I have always been a fan of the KISS method of podcasting, Keep It Simple Stupid!

When I started I just used a generic over the head headset mic. Over time I invested in better microphones, beginning with a cheap USB dynamic microphone, to a couple of medium grade XLR mics and a secondhand ZOOM H4 when we record in person, to what I use now which is a Blue Yeti Snowball.

When Matt was the cohost, he was in town so we could record in the same room, so I used the XLR mics and the H4. Now that we are back to recording remotely we use Skype to connect and we each record our sides of the conversation with Audacity. I also record a back-up of the call with MP3 Skype Recorder. The latter I spent a few bucks on for the "professional" version but otherwise everything else is free. Audacity is what I use to edit the shows with as well. It works really well, and I'm sure I am only using a fraction of what it is capable of.

► How do you market your show?

Marketing the show and getting it out to more people is the biggest hurdle any indie podcaster is going to face. There is only so much a social media post is going to do if that post isn't widely shared.

I share the episode on as many social media platforms as I can, and just hope that it is seen.

Getting accurate statistics on your listenership is difficult as well. Some hosting platforms provide some amount of insight, but since I am effectively self hosting I have to rely on third-party plug-ins.

We are not a large audience, maybe getting only a good 40-50 downloads on release of the episode as far as I can tell. We may get more, or that may be exaggerated. The numbers can get you down if you dwell on them, so you have to podcast because you want to podcast. You are talking with your friend(s) about the things you love, and that is what is important.

► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

As I said, do it because you WANT to do it. You are likely not going to get famous doing a podcast. You are not going to be recognized for what you do, and it may feel like no one is listening, but if you focus on the person or persons in front of you or on your screen and you are all smiling and having a good time... that is what matters.

Outside of that, my advice would be to do your best on providing at the very least GOOD AUDIO! I have turned many new shows off because of poor audio quality. If you are going to spend any money, spend it on a half decent microphone. There are many blogs and reviews of the best mics for podcasting. Do a search and read up a little.

► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

You can find the show wherever you listen to podcasts, or visiting www.timeshifterspodcast.com.

All the links to our social media and donation accounts can be found by following this link. https://linktr.ee/TSPandOE_Podcasts