Variant Frequencies

Well, I bet you didn’t expect to hear from Variant Frequencies again. To be honest, neither did I. Thanks to the resuscitative efforts of Matthew Wayne Selznick, and Summer Brooks, Variant Frequencies is still alive. You will find the archives here on this site.

I also want to tell you something. I’ve missed you all. My schedule, and other circumstances limit my time, but I want to produce some new episodes. So, if you are interested, let me know. If I get enough interest, I will send out requests for submissions of stories. This is only if I get some responses telling me that you want it. So, what say you? Do you want more stories from Variant Frequencies?

I can’t promise a regular schedule. I can’t even promise that you will get stories as often as once a month. What I will promise is that you will get some great stories that are produced to the best of my abilities.

Thank you so much to Matthew for offering to host the site, and to Summer for all of her help transferring everything. Thanks to them, we are not dead yet!

In 2005, I was listening to the audio book of Douglas Adams’ “Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy,” narrated by Stephen Fry. I loved Mr. Fry’s narration of the book. I wished that I could narrate even remotely as well as him. His narration did inspire me. That was what gave me the idea to produce Variant Frequencies. So, I convinced Anne and Matt to let me produce their stories for the podcast.

We had some success. I think we were well respected among our peers, and we did win four Parsec Awards. I don’t know how many other podcasts managed that feat, but I know it isn’t many. Matt and Anne both also managed to get some acclaim along with getting some of their work published.

The absolute best thing about Variant Frequencies was the friends that I made all over the world. That is the big take away for me. I’m now friends with people whom I never would have met without the podcast.

Now for the bad news. Farpoint Media is making changes. That means they won’t be hosting Variant Frequencies after August 31. First, I want to thank everyone at Farpoint Media. They have been great to us, and I truly appreciate everything they did for us. Since I have not produced a new episode of Variant Frequencies in over two years, I’ve decided it is time to let the podcast go. As of August 31, episodes of Variant Frequencies will no longer be available for download. So, if you still want to hear some of our shows that we did, now is the time. After August 31, 2012, Variant Frequencies will go dark for good.

So, with a little nod to one of my favorite authors, so long, and thanks for all the friends. -Rick

Ever wonder what I would sound like as a 70s exploitation film director? Well, this is your lucky day! The guys at Redline Theatre have put together one fantastic story. This one is most certainly not work or kid safe. So, check out this great production by these Parsec Award 2011 Finalists.

RLT016: The Cutting Room Floor
It is 1974 in California’s San Fernando Valley, and veteran film director Roger Adamson has begun production on his low-budget action exploitation film “Candy Dynamite”. Adamson’s old world values are out of place amidst the sleaze of swinging seventies Hollywood. What’s a man to do when his code and that which he holds most dear both end up on the cutting room floor?

*CREDITS*

Written and Produced by Jim Bultas

Music Composed and Performed by Jim Bultas

ROGER ADAMSON: Rick Stringer

NARRATOR: Eric Schulte

CANDY: Michelle Campbell

STEVEN: Justin Warner

DOCTOR DIETER: Eric Schulte

BRICK: Eric Schulte

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Michael Oettle

SOUNDMAN: Chris Stewart

WARDROBE: Barb Schulte

BOUNCER: Jim Bultas

WOUNDED WOMEN: Sarah Rosendahl, Misty Myrick

—

REDLINE THEATRE

The 10,000 Horsepower Podcast With a Need for Speed

2011 Parsec Finalist

Website: http://www.redlinetheatre.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/redlinetheatre

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/rlt-facebook

Google+: http://tinyurl.com/rlt-googleplus

The Cutting Room Floor from Redline Theatre [ 49:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’m a guest narrator on Pseudopod 228: Flash On The Borderlands VII. I narrated the story “Hunting” by Kirsty Logan.

“There was only one inner door, so the hunter opened it. He held his candle at arm’s length, but still could see nothing more than the foot of an ocean-sized bed. The hunter crawled across its length, disregarding the brief waft of mold from the blankets. He placed the candlestick on the squat table beside the bed and pulled the covers up over his body.”

There are two other stories as well. “What Makes You Tick?” by David Steffan, narrated by W. Ralph Walters, and “Pageant Girls” by Caroline Yoachim, narrated by Mur Lafferty.

Thank you to the wonderful people at Pseudopod who let me play in their sandbox again. We hope you enjoy the stories!

Pseudopod 228 [ 28:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

There is a fun podcast out there called Redline Theatre. I did a guest part in one of the stories. “Good Man in the Badlands” by Justin Warner, is western tale about about a man trying to do good, and save his son. It has some nice twists in it.

The story was produced, directed, and scored by Jim Bultas. Other voices in the story are: Justin Warner, Barbara Schulte, Jim Bultas, Misty Myrick, Eric Schulte, and Glen Perkins.

The crew at Redline Theatre did a great job with this story. It moves quick, and the voices are excellent. I also really liked the score by Jim Bultas. Redline Theatre is worth checking out. I’m certain that Variant Frequencies fans will enjoy it.

Good Man in the Badlands – Redline Theatre

Good Man in the Badlands [ 30:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is a special live recording from Balticon 44. Recorded on May 30, 2010
***
Written by Jonathan C. Gillespie
Narrated by Rick Stringer & Michael Spence

The Encroacher
Copyright 2010 Jonathan C. Gillespie
http://jonathancg.net

Variant Frequencies
Copyright 2010 Rick Stringer
http://www.variantfrequencies.com

***

VF115: The Encroacher [ 38:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is a special live recording from Balticon 44. Recorded on May 28, 2010.

On Sunday May 30, we will be recording our final episode at Balticon 44.

***

Written by Matt Wallace

Narrated by Rick Stringer

A World Made of Wax
Copyright 2010 Matt Wallace http://www.matt-wallace.com

Variant Frequencies Copyright 2010 Rick Stringer http://www.variantfrequencies.com

***

VF114: A World Made of Wax [ 26:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We have had five awesome seasons of Variant Frequencies. However, in recent months my work life has gotten to be more challenging than in the past. It is harder to concentrate on the podcast.

All good things must come to an end. On May 30, 2010 we will be doing a live show at Balticon 44. That will be the final episode of Variant Frequencies. We hope that any of you who will be at Balticon 44 will come join us for this farewell performance. It is an opportunity to celebrate and say goodbye, instead of simply fading away.

We can’t thank the Farpoint Media family enough. It has been an honor and a privilege to be associated with this wonderful group of people. We will keep the site going as long as FPM is willing to let us. That will keep all of the stories available. It will also leave open the possibility of one day returning if I get the bug again.

Then we have the amazing writers: A.R. Yngve, Adrian Grey Marsden, Bryn Sparks, Carmelo Rafala, Christa Faust, D.K. Thompson, Darren Reid, David Tallerman, Dennis Egan, D.J. Burnham, James P. Hogan, Jason McDowell, Jonathan C. Gillespie, Johathan McGoran, Michael Natale, Ray Banks, Scott Sigler, Seth Harwood, Matthew Warner, Jack Mangan, D. M. Moehrle, Michael A. Stackpole, Ray Banks, Jack Westlake, and of course the two authors for which this podcast was originally started, Anne Stringer and Matt Wallace.

Variant Frequencies could not have existed without the incredible voice talents of: Stacey Griffith-Livingston, Tom “DevoSpice” Rockwell, Ian Jones, Anne Stringer, Maia “KnitWhitch” Whitaker, Anton Buntic, Heidi Jones, Jan Dalton, Evo Terra, Neil Stringer, Adrian Grey Marsden, A.R. Yngve, Jeff Frank, Scott Sigler, Ali Groves, Rich Sigfrit, Dani Cutler, Nan Worthington, Tee Morris, Mur Lafferty, Michael R. Mennenga, Chuck Tomasi, Leann Mabry, J. Marcus Xavior, John Cmar, Jack Hosley, Tony McCartney, Matthew Wayne Selznick, Will Hoffacker, Phil Rossi, Jack Ward, Lonnie Ezell, Ciaran O’Carroll, Nobilis, Paul S. Jenkins, Lorrie Mennenga, TD-0013, P.G. Holyfield, Seth Harwood, Thomas “cmdln” Gideon, Marck Pearlstone, Matthew Warner, Heather Welliver, Kreg Steppe, Matt Wallace, J.C. Hutchins, Chris Lester, Marilyn Taylor, Michael A. Stackpole, Sean “Dogg” Robertson, Benjamin Grundy, Christopher Mott, and Alasdair Stuart.

We also had some beautiful artwork by: Deena Warner, Paul Drummond, and Vincent Chong.

A major part of Variant Frequencies has been the music. We have been honored to feature music by: Abney Park, Cagey House, Evan Tate, Greg Seaman, Mue Sephei, Neil Stringer, and the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.

Finally, we want to thank you, the listeners. Without you, Variant Frequencies would have had no reason to be. It has been truly an honor to have you listen to our stories. We can only hope that we entertained you, and distorted your reality…

for just a little while.

In the far future, the last leader of a reviled messianic religious order explores her faith as she struggles to save the planet from an apocalypse.
***
Written and narrated by Matthew Warner

Music
Digital Juice
http://www.digitaljuice.com

Noah’s Temple
Copyright 2010 Matthew Warner
http://www.matthewwarner.com

Variant Frequencies
Copyright 2010 Rick Stringer
http://www.variantfrequencies.com

***

VF113: Noahs Temple [ 1:14:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We have a special treat for you.

A few months back, Kenn Crawford was looking for voices for his new podiobook, “Dead Hunt.” I agreed to do one of those voices. We are sharing with you episode one of Dead Hunt. I think you are going to like it, and if you do be sure to go to http://deadhunt.kenncrawford.com, or soon you will be able to subscribe to the entire story at http://www.podiobooks.com.

“Dead Hunt“ episode one by Kenn Crawford

Off the coast of Nova Scotia on a remote island, a lonely scientist, a powerful computer, a simple mistake. Unleashes a new threat, somewhere in the hills of Margaree.

“Dead Hunt” is Kenn Crawford’s chilling tale of a desperate father’s undying love, a daughter frozen in time, and the small group of teens trapped in the aftermath.

“Everyone makes mistakes. Some are small, some are bigger. My father’s mistake, born of an innocent heart and fueled by sadness, was the greatest mistake. Some thought the death of his little girl drove him to the point of insanity; some thought he was trying to be God. But, this is not how it happened. The truth is, he wanted to save me. To give me life. And, in doing so, everyone was doomed.” ~Robin

Dead Hunt is narrated by R.E. Chambliss (Dreaming of Deliverance), and features the voice talents of: Kimi Alexandre, Brian Brown, Ry Stevenson, Melissa Bartell, Erk and Kim Butler with special guest appearances by Andrew Ball, Arlene Radasky, Judy, Kristopher Lamont, Lindsey Burns, Lisa Tobias, Neil Stringer, Nobilis Reed, Randall Carruthers, Tom Storms and Featuring Rick Stringer of Variant Frequencies as the voice of Professor Patrick Heslin, and introducing “Robin” as herself.

Dead Hunt [ 15:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download