I think it would be a great idea. The behind the scenes stuff seems to be really popular here.

Yes, that's what I was thinking. My initial plan is to approach a local museum that has a rather large, but relatively unknown, puppet collection. I thought it would make for a good vodcast, touring their facilities (assuming I can get a camera and permission to do it).

But then I realised listening to Andrew - the first interviewee - about people going backstage and I realised that individual studio tours would be a good idea as well. Plus, it has the benefit of it being user-submitted which is less work for me

Oh yes please! Back stage and behind the scenes footage is always a treat to see. (and kudos on the 'less work for Me' motif! I like it!) :D

Oh yes please! Back stage and behind the scenes footage is always a treat to see. (and kudos on the 'less work for Me' motif! I like it!) :D

Haha, the 'less is more' is mostly because setting up the interviews: easy. Doing the interview: couple of hours of preparation, but still easy. Writing up the transcript: an hour's worth has taken me about a good day or so... :P
That's the bit I didn't count on taking me so long!

Hmmm, I will have to think about getting a couple of people to start the ball rolling on behind-the-scenes vids, and then open it up for submissions I think. I have one or two immediately in mind...

Actually the good thing about this podcast is that my schedule is monthly, so it's quite easy to keep it up to date. I already have this month's (tomorrow's) podcast mostly done, I have March already recorded, and April will be pulled from an old interview I did a few years ago. Add in the videos and there should be content for a while to come!

First episode is up:
http://www.schoolofpuppetry.com.au/tutorials.php/podcast-1-interview-with-andrew-young-puppetvision

or on itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/school-of-puppetry-podcast/id600371728

The second episode is out - an interview with a puppeteer who is just starting his own business, all the things that relate to that, and using a government scheme to help him learn the business side of things.

http://www.schoolofpuppetry.com.au/tutorials.php/podcast-2-interview-with-brett-hansen-larrikin-puppets

or on itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/school-of-puppetry-podcast/id600371728

Third episode available:
http://www.schoolofpuppetry.com.au/tutorials.php/podcast-3-interview-with-ronnie-burkett-theatre-of-marionettes

The great Ronnie Burkett!

Wow you are really doing great with these! Keeping right to a schedule which is nice. Keep up the good work.

Thanks. Though I can't really take all the credit so far... 2 interviews from 2009 which I can re-post (and half have now), plus I was lucky enough to get two interviews recorded in a fortnight a few months ago.

I specifically chose the monthly schedule actually because I knew it would be easier to organise around:
a) other people's schedules in booking up some time
b) figuring out topics and doing research and prep for the interview itself
c) it wouldn't be too much of a hassle timewise

The most time taken organising this is in arranging interviews, prep work, the interview itself... but actually mostly it's the transcription that's taking up my time.

But what I like most is that I can easily get 12 interviews together and that's a whole year's worth of podcasts on this schedule.

Now my only issue is ensuring I can always arrange interviews!

The next episode: interview on how to make caricature (look-alike) puppets with Brian Hogg
http://www.schoolofpuppetry.com.au/tutorials.php/episode-4-interview-with-brian-hogg-hoggworks-1

or on itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/school-of-puppetry-podcast/id600371728

By the way, for my next episode I am doing a video showcase of *you*. If anyone here wants to show off their studio and/or their work, please find the info about it at the end of the first link above.