Episode 0 – The Pilot

The pilot episode of Crowded was made way back in January of 2009 and had a very simple premise.  The worker listened to a song (Episode 0 songs), and recounted a story that the song reminded them of.  The actual instructions follow.  I found that I actually had to be very specific, which accounts for the length of the instructions.  And I hadn’t yet sorted out an easy way for the workers to submit their recordings.  I pointed the users to the YouTube QuickCapture service, and to HoundBite.  I also provided a Grand Central (now Google Voice) number that they could call and leave a message.  Both had time restrictions that proved to be trouble.

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Tell me a story

I am working on a radio show called [Crowded] where all of the material comes from Mechanical Turk workers. And I need your help! Just follow the 6 steps below.

• Listen to the songs below.
• Think of an event in your life that reminds you of that song. This could be any story, but it should be important to you, or something that you think other people would enjoy hearing.
• Find a quiet room where you won’t be disturbed
• Tell me your story! Follow the instructions below to record the story. Some tips:
  • Please don’t mention the song that you chose while telling your story, or even that the story you are telling was inspired by a song. Just tick the circle below and the song will play underneath your story.
  • You can use either your computer microphone or a telephone.
  • The story should be between 8 and 15 mins. Please try to stay on topic and don’t ramble. That being said, just relax and don’t rush through it.
  • Speak up, speak slowly, and speak clearly. No bonus will be given if I can’t understand what you are saying.
  • Do not play the song while you are recording.
• Tell me how you recorded it here
• If you wish to be credited in the final production, please enter your information here. I cannot guarantee that your story will be used, or that it will not be edited or re-told. But don’t let this dissuade you! If you have a problem with any of this, let me know and I will work with it

Below are the submissions that I received.

Julian Fane – Exit New Year

• FaeJinx-record-uzaf469qb42t.mp3 – (AWP2TKTG82IX8)
• FaeJinx-record-vvnz0jb7nc0z.mp3 – (AWP2TKTG82IX8)
• FaeJinx-record-y41rr9hn5myr.mp3 – (AWP2TKTG82IX8)
• Jonathan01.mp3 – (A21Y3YW3PIFA – 1/15/2009)
• Jonathan02.mp3
• Jonathan03.mp3

Secede – Big Day Out: Junebugbetty-record-wzpoxgzbb48a.mp3 (A1CUT3GA914MXU)

The Dead Texan – Girth Rides a Horse

• BethH01.mp3 (A3QG4E1VG413GV – 1/14/2009)
• BethH02.mp3 (A3QG4E1VG413GV – 1/14/2009)

Freescha – Holiday Frost

• StewieRadio.mp3(A20R672MXJ9NMJ – 1/15/2009)
• smashmazing-upload-1c334g2yq51w.mp3 (A312KFQ78WB3A4 – 1/15/2009)

Muddy Waters – Mannish Boy

• jmostyle-record-omp46f45fm3c.mp3 (A3PIP9BPN0R408)
• Justin01.mp3 (A3PIP9BPN0R408 – 1/14/2009)
• Justin02.mp3 (A3PIP9BPN0R408 – 1/14/2009)