We’re pulling back the curtain. We’re lifting the lid. We’re showing you how we make an All The Best story.
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‘How We Do What We Do’ by Allison Chan and Danni Stewart
All The Best is a training ground for producers to learn how to make narrative audio documentaries. We want to be transparent about what we do because we want you to be involved, regardless of your experience.
Danni Stewart kindly, and honestly, shared about what it was like to make her first story. If you’re curious or inspired, get in touch with us at contact [at] allthebestradio [dot] com
Music: ‘Bark’ by John Deley And The 41 Players, ‘Teamwork’ by Scott Holmes
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‘The Secret Life of Plants’ by Danni Stewart
Danni Stewart has a track record of owning plants that end up looking worse for wear. She decided it was time for an intervention, with a bit of wisdom from the 1970s.
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Music: ‘Mama’s Whisper’ by 126ers, ‘Plantasia’ by Mort Garson, ‘Minuet’ by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, ‘Back In Black’ by AC/DC, ‘Sitting In The Palm Tree’ by ABBA
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‘Friday Arvos’ by Zacha Rosen, Jess Meier and Allison Chan
Our production deadline is on a Friday. What are we doing? And what on earth is mixing and compiling?
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Mixer and Compiler: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Jason Rosewell
To make this episode an actual episode, we needed a theme to tie our stories together. We decided to call on a backup: a Plan B. It’s that letter that comes after A.
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‘Iron Mistress’ by Romy Sher
If you drive out of the small town of Traverse City in Michigan and into the State Forest, you’ll find Black Rock Forge. Dan Nickels, the expert blacksmith, shares his experience and work ethic that’s kept in the field for over 30 years.
This piece was originally produced as part of a Transom workshop in Interlochen, Michigan. Many thanks to Rob Rosenthal from Transom and Morgan Springer from Interlochen Public Radio (IPR). The original story can also be heard on the HowSound podcast.
Supervising Producer: Evana Ho
Music: ‘Setting Pace’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Arbic Tallow’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Taoudella’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Can the Gwot Save Us?’ by Kaki King
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‘The Red Bag’ by Regine Clarke
Regine Clarke, a storyboard artist from Western Sydney, is thrown into Florence, Italy and uses her sharpened skills to drive a hard bargain at the markets. Based on a true story.
This story was originally produced for, and performed at, Read To Me. This is a wonderful bimonthly comic book reading event in Sydney,
Sound Recordist: Zacha Rosen
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‘Bionic Limbs’ by Imran Ariff
B is also for bionic limbs!
Supervising Producer: Bec Fary.
Additional thanks to Louisa Lim and Dr Ryan Jefferies. It was part of a collaboration between All The Best and Science Gallery Melbourne – with Masters of Journalism students at the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne. ‘Perfection’ is the theme of this year’s Science Gallery exhibition, which has just opened at the Melbourne School of Design.
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‘Riding To His Own Rhythm’ by Larissa Shearman, Drew Mackay and Emma Roffey
Nick Kohn doesn’t believe in letting life pass him by. He’s currently on a solo bike ride in Central Asia, which began in China in May. We chatted to him before he left Australia to figure out why someone would leave their comfortable northern beaches life to ride sometimes 100km a day through tough terrain.
Additional production assistance from Daniela Mizzau and Liv Manuel.
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Additional thanks to Luke for his recording of bumplings.
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Mixer and Compiler: Jess Meier with Sarah O’Malley
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Pexels CC: Magda Ehlers
Music: ‘Letter B’ by Sesame Street, ‘Bossy’ by Kelis
As we get to work, you’ll hear about our previous work experience and our ability to remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
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‘Dodgy Jobs’ by Angela Moran
When Sarah arrived in Melbourne from Belgium on a working holiday visa she was told it would be easy to find a good part time job. Instead she found a thriving environment of underpaying cash-in-hand jobs with little to no security. Lucky she’s got a good sense of humour and was willing to share a few stories from her unsuccessful attempts to earn a decent crust.
Supervising Producers: Nina Enever and Bec Fary
Music: ‘Mountain’ by Text Me Records/Bobby Renz, ‘Beer Belly Blues’ by John Deley, ‘Jazz Organ Trio Cool Blue’ by Doug Maxwell/Media Right Productions, ‘Travel Light’ by Audionautix .
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‘Brunching Above My Weight’ by Lee Robinson
Working in the hospitality industry involves more than just serving smashed avo on toast. Erin McConchie is a writer and comic artist who began drawing her most cringeworthy customer moments.
Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman
Music: ‘Retro Soul’ by Bensound, ‘Kobo Cafe’ by Uncan, ‘Enigmatic’ by Bensound, ‘Coffee Morning’ by Olga Scotland, ‘Torture’ by VYVCH
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Mixer and Compiler: Jess Meier
SYN Community Coordinator: Victor Mims
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Saad Salim
Some neighbourhoods have backwards road signs, while others are known for their cul de sacs. Join us as we travel into the small enclaves of Australia where people have whole lives and whole communities.
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‘The Glebe Community Op Shop’ by Karishma Tanvi
In the inner city suburb of Glebe, there’s an op shop run by volunteers that’s more than just a shop for second-hand goods.
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Music: ‘People Everywhere (Still Alive)’ by Khruangbin, ‘Steady’ by Fujitsu
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‘In The Neighbourhood’ by Sam Loy
There’s a suburb in Melbourne where there are some reservations on the pronunciation on its name. This neighbourhood also has its own song.
This story was inspired by the song ‘In The Neighbourhood’ by Tom Waits (and radio producer, Scott Carrier) but it’s actually it’s nothing like it.
Sam Loy produces the wonderful podcast, Human/Ordinary, and you can hear a longer version of this story on the website and podcast.
Original Music: Kent Sutherland
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Music: ‘Reservoir Stomp’ by Danny Walsh and Emma Peel
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Mixer and Compiler: Will Ryan
SYN Community Coordinator: Victor Mims
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Jackson Hirsch
