At a glance: iSoap (eye-sop) n.
- An audio drama typically performed as a serial on the Internet, a cell phone, MP3 player (IPod).
- A modern version of the old-time radio show that enables a user to access a variety of audio books in a dramatized format.
It’s as easy as eating a delicious apple pie that’s just come out of a hot oven and been placed before you. All you have to do is lift your fork and take a bite. Tapping into Newfiction’s iSoaps was simpler than I would have imagined, especially when one considers how technologically superb and detailed these contemporary graphic stories are told and displayed. I registered as a member, obtained my private password and login and clicked on the story of my choice. Now, every time and any time I choose, I can listen to the next segment of my favorite serial on the Internet, my MP3 player (iPod) or cell phone. Each series is separated into 7-8 minute segments by chapters and you can choose where you wish to stop and start.
The only similarity this site has with old time radio serials is just that, they have ongoing serials of continuing stories or soap operas that continue from one chapter to the next. In every other way, they compare like a horse drawn carriage and the space age. You would never hear the type of dialogue included in Newfiction’s iSoaps on the radio in the 1920’s and 30’s. In fact, you won’t hear them on any contemporary radio or TV stations either. It’s not just the language, but also the situations and actions of the characters which make the difference. These folks play like real life. There are no filters, FCC or rating committee telling the writers what they can or can’t do. And of course, there is tangible and realistic background and sound effects which were not available in the past.
I’m not sure where they got them or exactly who they are, but the voice actors that read the parts for Newfiction’s serials are some of the best around. They make you believe that the men and women they portray actually are your boss, your neighbor or the junky down the street that just scored a winning lottery ticket. In audio plays as diverse as WordLotto, Jake & the Jamokies, The Venus de Milo Murders, Fat Cowboy, I Betcha and Senate Parking, they throw their souls into inhabiting their characters. I can’t wait for the next series called The Mexican Lottery.
To tell you the truth, I was somewhat reluctant in the beginning, not being a fan of audio books or listening to people recite the written word, but NewFiction iSoaps are antithetical to that kind of boring fare. After listening to my first serial, After listening to my first serial, and having read the review of Jake & The Three Jamokies written by Peter Falvey,I was quickly converted into a fan of the genre and at times now consider the written word as a second class citizen, in terms of excitement and entertainment.
When Captain Picard said “Make it so,” in the old Star Trek series, The Next Generation, he could have been speaking to the staff at NewFiction iSoaps. The difference being that he would now have to say, “You have made it so and it is good . . . very very good.”
Subscribe today and NewFiction will deliver any of their audio books for FREE. If you are interested, you can also be (if you qualify) one of their writers, Artists, Musicians, and Voice Actors to create the next wave of stories.
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