By popular demand…
The TL;DR version:
The Ritual Misery Podcast
The Ritual Misery Podcast goes live with video on diamondclub.tv and twitch.tv/ritualmisery at 7:00 PM Pacific time on Thursdays for about one hour.
Guests join via Skype.
RMP is mostly a freeform conversation but follows a rough format as follows:
- The show title, host & guest introductions.
- A brief recap of events since the last show.
- Geeky Thing of the Week: We talk about the geekiest thing we did this week.
- Stream Team Movie Draft
- Patreon Plug
- Kent’s Game
- Main Topic and Personal Topics: These are chosen throughout the week by the hosts and guest(s). They are general discussion items. Feel free to interject at any time. In fact, on most guest shows, the guest IS the main topic. Be prepared to talk about yourself and the things that interest you.
- Feedback
- Plugs (We want to plug your things. Prepare to self-promote and provide links to your things.)
.
.
…and The Full Version:
Guest Guide
Welcome to the Guest Guide! This guide is meant for anybody who is going to be a guest on a Ritual Misery show that broadcasts on <>.tv.
Pre-Show Checklist
If the show is about to start, review the following checklist to make sure you are ready!
- Skype audio tested
- All unnecessary programs closed
- Show doc opened (if applicable)
- Remember you will be live & recorded as long as you are connected!
Pre-Show Communication
This is important. The host that booked you should be talking with you consistently in the week leading up to your show. Be sure to respond to all communication in a timely manner. Ask any and all questions you have. Also be sure to keep the host informed of life events that could delay your appearance. The more ways the host has to communicate with you the better.
Computer Prep
To improve audio & video quality, please take some time before the show to prepare your computer.
Skype
Before show time, please take the opportunity to make sure that Skype is working and has been properly configured! If you are connecting any external devices (camera, headset, etc.), plug them in (and let Windows do its drivers thing) before starting Skype. Then, let Skype install any updates that it wants to do.
Wireless connections are not as stable as we would like for high-quality Skype calls. If at all possible, use a wired connection for the computer that is running Skype.
If you won’t have a computer (or Internet connection) available, we can call you in by phone. Please contact the host as soon as possible, so that they can get you call-in information, or so that they can get your phone number. Be sure to also email links to some photos of yourself, so that they can be shown on screen while you talk!
Audio
The best audio comes from a professional microphone. If you have it, please use it! Otherwise, a USB headset is fine. The built-in microphone should be used as a last resort. Connect USB devices directly to your computer (not through a hub). For laptops, plug in to the USB port that is closest to you.
Audio coming back to you should almost always go through headphones (or a headset), unless you have taken measures to keep your microphone from picking up noise from the speakers.
Using the Skype Test Call is particularly helpful, as that will confirm that Skype is using the correct audio inputs/outputs. Please do at least one Skype Test Call before the show, to make sure your Skype configuration is good. If you do not know how to do a Skype Test Call, read this article from Microsoft.
For musical guests, you will probably have you own special setup that you have used before (a mixer, multiple microphones, etc), but please try a Skype Test Call before the show, to make sure your setup sounds OK.
Beware of ducking! When multiple people are speaking, and especially when one person is playing something (like a video or sound effect), other voices might not make it on to the stream. If some music or sounds are playing, talk louder, and eventually you’ll get through!
Video
The podcasts on this network record video and audio, so if you have a good external camera, please use it! Otherwise, the camera built in to your computer will be fine. For external cameras, place the camera as close as possible to the top of the screen. Adjust the camera so that your head takes up the top 3/5 of the image, with the top of your head almost touching the top of the image.
If you do not have a webcam, and are not able to get one, then you can connect audio-only. Please contact the hosts ahead of time to let them know you will be audio only, and please also email links to some photos of yourself, so that they can be shown on screen while you talk!
Other Apps
To keep your computer from bogging down during the call, please be sure to exit all unnecessary applications before show time. A web browser is the exception, as that is typically needed to read show notes, and (if you don’t have an IRC client) the web chat. In particular, make sure you don’t have the live stream playing while you are on Skype!
Finally, if you are participating in the chat, or have a Twitter (or other) client running, make sure that those clients are not playing any sound effects when your name is mentioned (or when you are tweeted, etc.). The Chatrealm will notice that sound effects are on, and will leverage that fact for maximum entertainment.
Show Structure
Each show has a different structure, with guests playing different roles in different shows. Start times can vary, especially around the holidays or big events.
The Ritual Misery Podcast
The Ritual Misery Podcast goes live with video on diamondclub.tv and twitch.tv/ritualmiserypodcast at 7:00 PM Pacific time on Thursdays for one hour.
Guests join via Skype.
RMP is mostly a freeform conversation but follows a rough format as follows:
- The show title, host & guest introductions.
- A brief recap of events since the last show.
- Geeky Thing of the Week: We talk about the geekiest thing we did this week.
- Stream Team Movie Draft
- Patreon Plug
- Kent’s Game
- Main Topic and Personal Topics: These are chosen throughout the week by the hosts and guest(s). They are general discussion items. Feel free to interject at any time. In fact, on most guest shows, the guest IS the main topic. Be prepared to talk about yourself and the things that interest you.
- Feedback
- Plugs (We want to plug your things. Prepare to self promote and provide links to your things.)
Show Doc
Each show has a different means of keeping track of their agenda for the episode. Your host will provide you a link to the show doc (if applicable).
* The majority of this page has been plagiarized from http://dctvpedia.com/Guest_Guide