After the success of 2012’s Critical Role, the demand for actual-play shows is on the rise. Podcast listeners and stream viewers want to see friends gather and tell stories through the medium of tabletop games more than ever. If you’re ready to turn your Saturday sessions into a show, start by learning how to create your own actual-play podcast!
Find Your Cast
If you’re thinking about starting an actual-play podcast, you probably already have a handful of players in mind. However, if you’re releasing a show, scheduling consistent sessions is more serious than it is in casual games. You’ll need to find players who can show up for the scheduled dates and do so over the entire course of the campaign or podcast season. It’s also important to focus on finding players who are comfortable on camera and confident about having their creative endeavors recorded and released.
Arrange Your Set
Tabletop campaigns are typically brimming with emotional moments, from exciting discoveries to heart-breaking losses, and these emotions show on the faces of your players. If you plan to record the visuals for your actual-play podcast, it’s important to create a reliable, usable set. This set can be a simple, organized dining room table or a complex, themed space. No matter what your set looks like, it needs to accommodate your players, table, and supplies. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure you make room for your essential video podcast equipment.
Choose a Platform
Podcasts and video podcasts are available across several platforms these days. You can choose to release edited YouTube videos or livestream your sessions on Twitch. Many social media platforms also have livestreaming functions now, so the choices are practically endless. Determine where you have the largest audience, or consider which platforms you’re most comfortable using. The platform you choose will influence how much revenue you’re capable of bringing in, should your goal be to earn money from this podcast.
These three steps create the foundation for starting your own actual-play podcast. Whether you plan on crafting expert homebrew campaigns or guiding players through infamous Dungeons and Dragons books, how you go about starting your podcast will typically look the same. However, you should weave your creative vision into your podcast plans every chance you get. After all, the show you put on isn’t exclusively for your viewers—all tabletop games start as an experience for your players.
Categories: Interesting Stuff
