Adam Gratrix is an independent audio and video producer from Vancouver. He joined the PAB community in 2007, our second event, when he took the stage on a panel about authentic voice. Adam quickly became a strong voice in the community and has been to every PAB since.
Adam returns to the PAB stage this year with his session, Cult of Listener: Podcaster as shaman in the post-literate Global Theatre. During the session, he will propose a different way of thinking in the Internet and Ecology age, and build a case for podcasters to embrace the role of modern shaman.
As with all of our speakers, we put an important series of questions to Adam.
What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?
Most of the friends I have at this point in my life I’ve either recorded podcasts with or met through, or because of, podcasting. There’s a lot of shared memories tangled up in this media. It’s heart warming to hear the stories other people have associated with the content I’ve put out in the world.
Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?
I owe a lot to Scarborough Dude for his encouragement and helping me believe in myself as an artist. I’ve been listening to podcasts for over five years now. They’re an essential part of my life. There’s many shows I could list but The Dude is at the top. His Dicks n Janes podcast is timeless; did you know it used to be a newsletter that circled the globe by mail? Did you know mail used to be sent using paper?
What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?
Do people still say “Content is King”? Well, Context is everything. We’re not just consumers anymore; we’re producers, editors, distributors, etc. Nothing is truly conatined. Timeslots are irrelevant. TV shows spawn their own online metacommunities like Lost and Glee. Media has become a deep personal investment. Read any good fan fiction lately?
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Produce quality podcasts. I started so haphazardly; so unmarketable. Over the years, I developed a unique style and voice but also certain habits that keep me from reaching a wide audience. Above all, I wish I had more confidence in my artistic intuition and followed through on some ideas that just need a little push to blossom. The one that got away is such a boring story but let it serve as a warning for those who hesitate to create.
How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?
I don’t like the term “content producer”. What is content really? Creativity crammed into a fancy box. Let’s be unafraid to call ourselves “artists”. Or if that term seems too wishy-washy, how about “imagination engineers”. Building the media of today with the dreams of tomorrow.
