Mike Johnston hosts and produces The Indie Media Show, and internet TV show that features independent musicians and filmmakers. Johnston has also recently added authors to the mix. Artists spotlighted on the show enjoy great exposure. The Indie Media Show is available as a podcast on blip.tv, iTunes, etc. and can be viewed on the web, on TV and on all of the currently popular mobile devices and game systems.
Media Connections Lab:
1.What are you trying to achieve as a broadcaster? Why is this important?
I’ve always been involved with indie media in some way– first as a fan, then a writer, and now with a video show. There’s just so much good material out there that the mainstream doesn’t ever really get exposed to– unless someone like me, who has an interest in it, finds a way to bring it to a wider audience.
Media Connections Lab:
2 .How long have you been in broadcasting? Who/how did your career as a broadcaster come about? Tell us something about a key person behind your media organization- what did they do before, what was their motivation, their other interests? How did they influence you in positive ways?
I’ve been a freelance writer for about 20 years writing on various
topics from politics the environment, alternative energy and music,
film, theater and books. I always wanted to find a way to go beyond the limitations of writing. Two be able to expose my audience to the same things that I got to experience. Now digital technology on the web allows me to do just that.
Last year I started writing about DIY promotion and distribution
methods for independent artists after covering the Future of Music
Conference for Filmmaker Magazine. I saw the potential for sort of
variety show that focused on independent artists, and created the indie media show to test out the potential of the idea.
3.Describe any highs and or lows about working in media- personally or as part of your organization as a whole?
Probably the best part of doing the show is like a positive feedback
from the artists the interview and from the audience.
When I first started doing the show it was focused on music and every week,I would make the trek into NYC to video another band performing live. It was great because I love live music and I soon realized that it just wasn’t making sense financially to do it that way. So that was probably a low point. From that though I learned to evolve and have settled on the show format that fits within the time constraints of video sites and still as me present music, film and authors in the way that I really wanted to do it.
Media Connections Lab:
That is a hard question, since I focus on the indie media, I can’t
name this star ,or that one because no one has ever heard of most of my guests. Plus, I already have access to the guests that I want.
5.Is there anything unique to how you are doing things? What’s your approach?
MJ:
I think the whole show is totally unique. I haven’t seen anybody else doing quite the format that I’m doing in quite the way of doing it. I suppose it is pretty much a standard talk show format, but to be able to do video interviews through Skype, instead of in studio interviews is really unique.
Something else that I built into the show is its ability to reach the
widest possible audience through every viewing medium available. When I was picking sites to distribute the show to, I selected the ones that could put me on every available platform. As a result ,the show is available all over the web, on TV to Roku, Boxee and various other web to TV Services. It is available on mobile devices through iTunes and Zune and on X-Box and PS3.
6.Tell us a key frustration working in your field?
I suppose the biggest frustration is trying to deal with the various
"rules" on destination sites for the show. Many have time limits, or
limits on file size, and quite often I run into copyright fears from
destination sites, even though I have permission from the artists to
use their material –and they themselves are on the show. In addition, I think there’s a kind of "geek filter" on Internet Media. I say that because the site administrators have the final say on what material gets featured and what doesn’t, and quite often the material that gets featured is simply material that they themselves like.
Media Connections Lab:
7.Tell us something about you outside of work.
MJ:
Well, what I’m doing and work right now, that encapsulates the things that I like to do outside of work. I’m kind of politically neutral
with progressive leanings. I like to stay in shape, ride my
motorcycle and perhaps above all discover new things every day.
Media Connections Lab:
8.Where are you located? Geographically, what area(s) do you cover/help?
Right now I live in the middle of Pennsylvania but used to live in
Brooklyn and NYC is still my favorite place. As far as the show goes, the format that I’m using lets me cover pretty much anyone, anywhere.
Media Connections Lab:
9.Explain the type of segments you enjoy doing the most and the type of guests that you are looking for.
I feel that the show right now has evolved to its ideal format. The
guests I’m looking for are authors musicians and filmmakers, and I really enjoyed talking to them in the interview in presenting that
conversation to the audience because I think it gives people a better idea of what the music, or the film or the book are all about.
Media Connections Lab:
10.What do you love the most about your work in media?
MJ:
Being able to introduce the audience to do things.
Video Clips and Links:
Main show link: http://theindiemusicshow.blip.tv/
Website: http://street-punk-productions.com