Zombie Audio Podcast - We're Alive

[Dodgerchick]

Has anyone listened to it? I feel like I'm spamming my FB friends with these posts but damn, it's such an awesome podcast. Each episode is like 20 minutes long, and although the acting isn't the best, the story is fantastic. I finished season 2 in 2 days while at work, I couldn't stop myself.

Check it out if you guys get a chance, I already got Frogman into it ;) - We're Alive - The Zombie Story of Survival (http://www.zombiepodcast.com/)

Thanks to Antmeister for introducing me to this show, after months of pestering me, I finally caved in. So glad I did and I hope you do too.

[molson]

Love it, I've listened to the whole thing, and some of the recap shows, and have been involved in the message board a little. It's not at the acting and production quality of say, the World War Z audiobook, but it gets better and better throughout the series, it really hooked me in, and the characters are really well done. I caught up with it during its most recent season and listened to the last few episodes live (or, you know, as they were released, which is it's own experience with the pre-game and post-game shows and message board speculation.) Next season starts this fall, I believe. I'm going to try to listen to the whole thing again before then, and I slmost never re-watch movies or TV shows.

[AnalBumCover]

I've heard the first few episodes, but couldn't get past the poor acting. Maybe I'll start up again.

[Dodgerchick]

I've heard the first few episodes, but couldn't get past the poor acting. Maybe I'll start up again.

Yeah I had the same problem too. It gets better. Before you know it, you won't even notice it.

[AnalBumCover]

5 Chapters in, and the actors have gotten much more comfortable in their roles. I'm really enjoying this now.

Except for....

the intelligent and super fast (50 mph?!?) zombies.

[molson]

Maybe they should re-record the first episode, now that they're a part of the Nerdist Podcast Network (I don't know exactly what that means for them, but presumably they'll have a lot more exposure). I think the main guy, who plays Michael, in particular, gets much stronger as an actor throughout the series. And all of the new characters that come around later are much stronger acting-wise than everyone was at the beginning, so I think the producers learned how to direct voice actors somewhere along the way too.

[Ragone]

THe layoff between last season's finale and this seasons premiere.. (August)
is QUITE long..

Bert cracks me up.. just saying

[Dodgerchick]

Finished Season 3 this week, HURRY UP AUGUST!

Victor and Saul crack me up, but Bert... man he's somethin' else.

[Dodgerchick]

5 Chapters in, and the actors have gotten much more comfortable in their roles. I'm really enjoying this now.

Except for....

the intelligent and super fast (50 mph?!?) zombies.

Yay!

Oh and I freaking hate Scratch... with a mad passion.

[FrogMan]

DC, as you know, I'm one of those who fell for your FB spamfest, I'm hooked :)

I have a 25 minutes each way so I've been listening to the three parts of a chapter almost every day since Monday. Now up to chapter 6 or something like that.

I speak French first so the bad acting didn't bother me too much when O was I started listening to the first few episodes and now that I'm used to it, I pay more attention to the story so it's ok for me...

And as I said to DC on FB, discovering this story revealed to me a whole new genre: audiodramas. I'm sure I'll be listening to a few different ones at some point. But for now, I want to get done with the available episodes of We're Alive before the new season starts this Fall...

FM

[BYU 14]

OK, got me listening. After finally getting into the walking dead this year and catching up on all three seasons I need something to fill the zombie void.

Agreed, the acting leaves a bit to be desired but it seems like it is a good story. Will be starting chapter 2 in a bit.

[Dodgerchick]

OK, got me listening. After finally getting into the walking dead this year and catching up on all three seasons I need something to fill the zombie void.

Agreed, the acting leaves a bit to be desired but it seems like it is a good story. Will be starting chapter 2 in a bit.

:thumbsup:

[Blackadar]

I'm quite enjoying this. Been listening all day at work. :)

A bit illogical at times and no one really seems to die, but those are minor quibbles.

[AnalBumCover]

Still only 9 chapters in, but it sure does get my heard pumping at times.

[FrogMan]

just started season 2 yesterday...

FM

[molson]

This isn't a specific spoiler about anything that actually happens, just my broad general impressions, but just out of caution

Things get really epic at the end of season 2. I've listened to that season finale a couple of times. There's real game-changing plot points occurring regularly from then on. They almost happen too fast, as in, they create these mini-worlds that I wanted them to spend more time in.

Now come on, more people need to listen to this and catch up so I can read some impressions of stuff. I'm going through the whole thing again right now.

[BYU 14]

Listened to a few chapters going to San Diego, up to 15 now and the wife is hooked too.

[jaygr]

Thanks to this thread I started listening a few weeks ago. I think it is great. I listen to it on the way in to work. The acting was so-so at first but now it has either gotten better or I don't notice anymore.

I'm just wrapping up chapter 7 and so far I like that while it does share some of the same typical zombie themes, there are some different characteristics about the zombies that is a nice change of pace.

[Dodgerchick]

Yeah, new listeners!!

Now come on, more people need to listen to this and catch up so I can read some impressions of stuff. I'm going through the whole thing again right now.

Indeed :)

I'm curious to see how they explain why Saul and his mom aren't infected.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I started listening to it as well. I listen while walking my dog and running. Been enjoy it so far. I just started Chapter 7.

Good stuff! Thanks for the head's up.

[DaddyTorgo]

Think I'll DL and listen on my upcoming vacation. Zombies while on the beach sounds like a great idea.

[molson]

Just finished up my re-listening of the whole thing. There are parts of season 2 that drag a bit but I really like season 3. I love how things are setup for the final season. The writer/producer is very involved on the show's forum and he answers fan questions (that don't involve giving up spoilers). He says he'll answer any questions after the show's over, and I think they're announcing the season 4 premiere date in the next week or two.

[BYU 14]

Still plugging along, listening to 2-3 chapters a week when I am not listening to Stern or music

[molson]

Season 4 premiere date and poster. No spoilers in it, but you might think it's a spoiler if you're not caught up. There's different speculation out there about some of the imagery.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1003720_10151823750773185_334149702_n.jpg

[Honolulu_Blue]

I just started Season 2. Still enjoying it.

[FrogMan]

I'm up to some point of season 3. Was listening to about a chapter per day on my commute to work but since I'm on vacation, I've pretty much stopped listening. If I don't want to get spoiled what's the starting date for season 4?

FM

[molson]

I'm up to some point of season 3. Was listening to about a chapter per day on my commute to work but since I'm on vacation, I've pretty much stopped listening. If I don't want to get spoiled what's the starting date for season 4?

FM

August 26th.

[FrogMan]

August 26th.

oh crap, it'll take some tight timing for me to be done with season 3 on time since I go back to work on August 12th.

I used to listen to the three parts of a chapter in one day, one and a half going in to work, one and a half coming back home. Will have to see how many chapters I've got left to listen to.

Thanks for the info!

FM

[FrogMan]

ok, I'm not in bad shape to be donw with season 3 in time for season 4. Just finished listening to chapter 29 so that leaves me with 7 chapters to listen to. At one per work day or so and starting back on August 12, I should be done by August 20th...

FM

[molson]

A few things I'm looking forward to in season 4 (speculation and spoilers up to the end of season 3 below)



A resolution of the whole mystery about what happened at the water works. This didn't seem like a huge deal when I was listening through the first time, but the forum has put a lot of the facts together and it seems like it will be an important part of season 4. A few days before they were overrun, C.J. sent "Randy", Duncan (aka Skittles), and others to the water plant to try to get it running again. For some reason, the fact that it was raining at the time is important - C.J., Saul, and Hope's mother (Amanda?) all referenced a big rain storm around this time. Randy and Duncan never come back, and the "other tower" they were living at is overrun in the meantime. Michael and friends show up at the water works at around the same time. Michael is left behind, but re-appears later with a broken arm and refuses to talk about what the hell happened there. But, he clearly knows who Randy is now - he talks about him in his sleep, and recognizes him in Zombie form near the tower later. Randy, interestingly, never seems to attack anyone while he's in Zombie form. Kind of like all those Zombies that just sort of waited outside the colony without attacking. I've read a couple of theories on that - one, that there may be "good zombies" that will at some point battle the "bad zombies," and that Randy somehow saved Michael, perhaps when he was already a Zombie. It was mentioned early on (by Burt, I think) that people who were intelligent as humans were intelligent as zombies - perhaps some of this intelligence manifests itself as human-like awareness about the world and morality? Randy was intelligent, some kind of "techie". Two, that these intelligent leader zombies may realize that they need some humans to survive, both for food, and to continue the species. Therefore, they take a special interest in certain humans, whom they don't kill, and in some cases, try to kidnap alive, for some purpose. Maybe to "harvest" them into the super-zombies, or maybe to try to breed them for food?

The season 4 poster seems to confirm that the guy with the pinstripe suit (they call him "Ink" at the forums), has some type of leadership authority and control over the zombies. Ink may or may not be Bill Roberts, the insane murderer mentioned in season 1, who was being transported when all this went down. It does seem like there was some conscious human-like thought that went into the creation of at least some of the zombies in the mental ward of the hospital, where Riley and Kalani found the tattoo needles, etc. Ink may or may not have had some pre-existing relationship with the mallers (since all of them were criminals), or at least, Scratch, that may tie in somehow to that secret society involving Scratch and Angel. And why is Scratch so interested in Lizzy's unborn kid? It just seems like there's a lot of pieces there that may add up to an interesting origin story. I do hope we get some kind of explanation or resolution of those things. But I also wonder if the departure of the series of the guy who played Angel (who was also a co-producer) may have deep-sixed some of the planned storyline involving the secret society.

I also would love some kind of bigger picture about what's going outside of Southern California. We got a little of that once they found Fort Irwin, but if there were at least 3 or 4 separate little civilian societies, and a fully operational military base right in the middle of where the zombies originated (for at least a little while), you'd think there would be significant pockets of survivors around the world - probably even bigger, more successful groups. Some kind of big military force showing up in Southern California and investigating ground zero is a wild card that could come up any time. Seeing how things have gone for the humans and how they keep losing ground, some type of intervening force, either human or "good zombie", seem necessary if the humans are really going to "go on the offensive", per Michael's speech that ended season 3.

[jaygr]

Finished this up over the weekend and I am now caught up. I'm actually kind of bummed because the show has been a bit of a constant companion on my work commutes over the last two months. Plus, it was nice to find out what happens next right away instead of having to wait one or two weeks in between.

Thanks again to Dodgerchick for bringing the show to our attention.

I can't wait for season 4 to start, but like I mentioned I think it is going to suck having to wait one or two weeks in between each ~20 minute show. On the flip side, it will be nice to finally be able to follow the discussion and speculation on the site forum and not be afraid of spoilers.

On a related note, this has gotten me in the mood for more radio dramas. I did some searching, but it is not to easy to find them. However, two shows that I see recommended are Wormwood and Leviathen Chronicles. I am going to try to check them both out soon.

[DaddyTorgo]

That's right - I was gonna check this out.

[FrogMan]

I've got about 8 episodes, not chapters, to listen to so I'll be just fine to end it this week then move on to season 4. :)

FM

[FrogMan]

On a related note, this has gotten me in the mood for more radio dramas. I did some searching, but it is not to easy to find them. However, two shows that I see recommended are Wormwood and Leviathen Chronicles. I am going to try to check them both out soon.

did you check this place?
The Audio Drama Directory - Free Original Audio Movies: Zombies, Spaceships, Immortals, Superheroes and More! (http://www.theaudiodramadirectory.com/)

There seem to be plenty, although I've not checked any of the links...

FM

[molson]

Season 4 premiere posted today.

[AnalBumCover]

I'm still working through Season 2 right now.

At the end of Chapter 19, Part 3 of 3, where Datu meets Hope for the first time.

I just arrived home and closed the garage door when this part came up through my car speakers. I sat in the dark of my car and listened to this moment. The music, the acting, and the overall atmosphere got to me, and I couldn't help but shed a tear.

[molson]

I'm still working through Season 2 right now.

At the end of Chapter 19, Part 3 of 3, where Datu meets Hope for the first time.

I just arrived home and closed the garage door when this part came up through my car speakers. I sat in the dark of my car and listened to this moment. The music, the acting, and the overall atmosphere got to me, and I couldn't help but shed a tear.

That's awesome.

So I guess you were able to get past the acting that stymied your first attempt through? I had thought the acting improved as show went on, but after I listened through the whole thing again, I realized that I just got used to the style and kind of realized that they were utilizing audio drama-acting, which is its own thing. They need to be a little more demonstrative and distinctive and halting than maybe a TV or film actor would be. Once you know the characters, it just kind of works.

Anyway, it's great to have the new episodes posting every Monday after the long layoff, and I think they're coming out pretty much every week until the finale in July sometime.

[AnalBumCover]

So I guess you were able to get past the acting that stymied your first attempt through?

Yeah. It didn't take that long for me to get past it. I just understood how young the show was at the time and knew over time it would get better. Just a couple of chapters in, and I was completely lost in the story.

[Blackadar]

Any recommendations on stuff similar to We're Alive? The link FrogMan posted has bunches of stuff, but I don't know what's good and really don't have the time to try to just try it because I'm usually listening on airplanes.

I've followed the Leviathan Chronicles, but that one is hit-or-miss. Some of the later writing is absurd and entirely unbelievable. Some of it is decent.

Since We're Alive does the zombie thing well, I was hoping for more of a non-zombie story, but I'll take any suggestions so long as they're good.

[molson]

Some thoughts on the new season:


I was kind of bored out of my mind the first two episodes. No zombies, way too much C.J., a marriage proposal, Michael/Peggs awkward relationship conversations, very little plot development. The highlight was the bantering and bigger role of the newer military guys, but they haven't actually done much either. Back before I caught up in real time and always had another episode to listen to, no big deal, but to have 2 months where that's all we got, was kind of a downer after the long layoff.

Things seem to have picked up with the first part of the third episode of the season that went live yesterday though. I'm glad they jumped forward months and actually have some kind of infrastructure again (60 cameras tracking zombies around the area, data analysis using laptops, Tania doing blood work and making progress). The stuff I've liked the most in this series is the Fort Irwin/Boulder/First Tower organizational stuff, where humanity kind of digs in and uses what technology and human resources they have to take on and defend against the zombies from a position of strength. I was also really hoping we'd get into some zombie origin stuff, as in, what the hell happened, and Randy carrying around some kind of can depicting Radon Labs is a very promising call-back from season 1 in that regard. And Burt and Riley are bound to run into Scratch (or someone else interesting) soon, so I'm fired up for the rest of the season again.

[AnalBumCover]

For some reason I can't download Chapter 40, Parts 2 & 3. I'm using Podkicker app {edit: for Android} and I keep getting the message "Not Found"

Anyone else having this problem?

[Honolulu_Blue]

For some reason I can't download Chapter 40, Parts 2 & 3. I'm using Podkicker app {edit: for Android} and I keep getting the message "Not Found"

Anyone else having this problem?

I am just using whatever basic iPhone podcast app, but I did have a bit of an issue with Chapter 40 Part 2 or 3, forget which one. It wouldn't automatically download, so I had to do it manually.

[Honolulu_Blue]

One question about something I can't recall:


Victor keeps asking Michael to go on missions and what not, but Michael keeps shooting him down because of a time when Victor fucked up or something. What did Victor do again that was so bad?

[Honolulu_Blue]

did you check this place?
The Audio Drama Directory - Free Original Audio Movies: Zombies, Spaceships, Immortals, Superheroes and More! (http://www.theaudiodramadirectory.com/)

There seem to be plenty, although I've not checked any of the links...

FM

I haven't listed to Chapter 41 yet (part 3 just came out yesterday), but ever since I caught up with "We're Alive" at the end of the summer, I have been trying to find other podcasts/free books to listen to while walking the dog, shoveling snow (so. much. shoveling) and other tasks.

I came across two (both available via the podcast app on the iPhone and elsewhere I presume):

1. Infected - Scott Sigler.

I am in the middle of this one right now. It's more of an audio book than a radio telecast. The author reads it all and does all of the voices (most poorly). Still, it's been an entertaining read and I've been looking forward to doing chores to hear more. Not zombies, but still horror/sci-fish stuff. A lot of it is set in Ann Arbor (where the author lives) and in Michigan more generally, so I am a bit partial to that.


2. F.E.T.I.D.U.S. - The Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned Undead and Supernatural.

This story is sort of hardboiled, noir detective story set in an alternative future where there was a zombie outbreak, vampires, ghosts, demons and all sorts of things. It's over the top. Waaaay over the top. There are hot dames and all of that stuff.

[molson]

So the last couple of episodes.



Damn. To quote a post on the We're Alive forum, apparently, "they just lost their communications guy, chief mechanic, helicopter pilot, and door gunner all in the space of, what, 2 days? That is some heavy hits to take for the Colony..."

Definitely seems like another game-changer for the story. It now seems more like the random band of survivors from season 1 than any kind of group that could sustain the operations of an effective "colony." And, Burt and Riley and back, and Scratch and some of the mallers are apparently still out there - maybe they were the ones that ambushed the soldiers at the jail. I'm looking forward to see how all this winds down. It's getting harder and harder to see the humans "winning" at the end, and I know the creator of the podcast has described the zombie genre as being this futile human struggle against a force that it can't overcome. On the other hand, I still have this idea that if all of this human activity in Southern California, where the whole thing started, there has to still be bigger, more successful groups of human survivors elsewhere in the U.S. and world, and contact with them might be another series game-changer at some point.

[molson]

Series finale coming up. I will be in L.A. this weekend and will be attending their live event - which includes a live cast reading of the second-to-last episode, the playing of the finale episode, and then some kind of party with the cast afterwards. I believe this is the nerdiest thing I've ever done and I'm fired up.

[jaygr]

I'm really looking forward to the finale. I will probably pay the $5 to listen to it a few weeks early, plus I don't mind supporting them as the whole series has been amazing. I wish I could attend the live event.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I just started to re-listen to this again.

Good to know that it will be wrapped up by the time I get there.

I've enjoyed the ride thus far!

[molson]

So it was a fun time at the We're Alive finale. The night before, some of the cast was at the Tinhorn Flats bar in Hollywood - Angel, Kalani, Puck, Victor, Tanya. It was very surreal just talking to these strangers who had these voices I'm so familiar with.

The show itself was pretty great too - they did the live performance of the second-to-last episode, which was a pretty impressive undertaking. The 12 or so actors who had a part in that episode sat on stage, and they all had to get up and deliver their lines at the exact right moment, since the whole thing was accompanied by the sound effect track.

The finale itself - very satisfying. I believe its available for purchase later today and for free next week.

Edit: And they did announce their next project, "Tales from We're Alive" - it sounds like these will be stand-alone 2 to 3 hour podcasts depicting some of the other stuff that was going on in this world, with all new characters. Later this year or early next year. Purchases of the finale today (which is now live) will support that project.

[Ragone]

Scott sigler also does a football themed series of books that is REALLY good..

[Honolulu_Blue]

I bought the finale early download for $5. I figured I got waaaay more than $5 worth listening to it.

I enjoyed it.

The free streaming comes out tonight.

[Kodos]

Just finished up listening to this. It was better than I expected, but probably not as enjoyable as the World War Z audiobook. Still, it was nice to listen to when doing some of the more boring tasks at work.

[molson]

Kickstarter for the We're Alive spinoff, Lockdown, is live. Rewards include scripts, CD sets, an outgoing voicemail message from the actor who played Burt, and acting roles in the new podcast of between 1 and 4 lines.

We're Alive: Lockdown by Grayson Stone — Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/werealivelockdown/were-alive-lockdown?ref=nav_search)

[molson]

The first episode of the We're Alive: Lockdown spinoff has been released to Kickstarter backers and has its general release this weekend. It will be 6 episodes of about an hour each released weekly.

I loved the first episode, it was great to jump back into this world. The production and voice acting has come so far since that first episode of the original series. Steven Weber is on the cast.

I wish there were more serial drama podcasts out there, but I never found a single one that clicked with me like this one did. I think KC Wayland, the creator, would love to make this his full-time gig, a production company that releases serial audio dramas, but I'm not sure there's a market for it. This one, I think, will be ad-free and cost money to download, and I'm not sure how many people will be willing to do do that.