A Podfest Inititive for Staten Island

Proposal by John Madigan

www.jmadigan.com

Dear Commissioner, Renee Sarno, and Jennifer Sammartino,

Hello, my name is John Madigan. I am a twenty-year-old college student,

currently attending the College of Staten Island for my degree in Communications.

From a young age, I have always enjoyed the inner workings of Film, Television and
Radio.

From the age of six I was listening to Elvis Duran and The Morning Show

on WHTZ (Z100 NYC), this is where I discovered my love for talk radio. At the age
of ten, I created my very first podcast, it was called VMK NEWZ, it was a weekly
podcast that revolved talking about my favorite game at the time, called VMK, an
online free-to-play game created by Disney, it was also the very first podcast about
the game. In 2006, podcasting was not as popular as it is today, but I received many
listeners, and it was the first time I provided content for others online. Eventually
VMK shut down, so the podcast ended as well.

We fast forward, to the year 2016, I am ten years older, and at the age of

twenty, I created my new podcast with my best friend Joseph Vassallo, and its
called The J & J Podcast, a weekly podcast about two best friends, with very
different opinions, joking about the news and other current topics. Our goal is to
entertain people, make people forget about their troubles for an hour or so, and to
just laugh and listen to what we have to say. To this day, we still cannot believe we
actually have people listening to us, and that is why we do this.

My idea for a podcast festival came from the fact that, California and Manhat-

tan has a Podcast Festival, and I know there are plenty of incredible Staten Island
based podcasts, that get put in the shadows, that need exposure. We all want to
do this to help one another, and most importantly, entertain any and every one that
comes out and attends.
Thank you,

John Madigan

The following exhibits, showcases the numerous

podcasts (listed in alphabetical order) that have already
expressed interest in being part of Staten Island
PodFest.
A general introduction and statement were provided by
each podcast with the question bearing:

What is your podcast about,

and
why do you want a Staten Island PodFest to happen?

Starring
Alex Richter & Sean Madigan

Alex Richter and Sean Madigan are two martial artists

from New York who discuss Wing Chun, Jeet Kune
Do and the martial arts in general. They also touch on
the fitness, weight loss and of course the history and
traditions of their arts.

DUDES OF KUNG FU

The Dudes of Kung Fu is a Podcast recorded locally, but heard around

the world. It focuses on many aspects of the martial arts collectively
known as Kung Fu. The two main martial arts that are discussed are
Bruce Lees Jeet Kune Do and the only art that Lee ever studied formally,
Wing Chun. On the Podcast we discuss the traditions, training methods
and histories of these arts and how to apply these lessons to the modern
world to help better ourselves as both people and as martial artists.
A Podfest that features local podcasts will help in several ways, most notably it will help Staten Island residents that have podcast gain exposure, and
by getting together we can network with each other, cross promoting the
local podcast in an effort to make all involved grow. Whats good for one
of us, will be good for all of us. This in turn is good for Staten Island as a
whole. Listeners will see that the people of Staten Island are well versed in
many topics, we are well read and well spoken. A Podfest will help shatter
the negative stereotypes that have been unfairly attached to Staten Island.

Starring
Jay Miller

Jay Miller is a Staten Island comedian known for his

popular online and public access talk show Midevenings with Jay Miller, which airs on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Wednesdays at midnight.

MID EVENINGS WITH JAY MILLER

Jay is also a producer for the TruTV show Impractical Jokers.

Midevenings with Jay Miller is a Staten Island-based underground talk
show. Starring comedic host Jay Miller, the show melds live music, and
written comedy sketches while spotlighting local businesses and talent.
Operating with a crew of over 20 volunteer people, the show boasts a talented writing and a writing staff that includes Casey Jost (Late Night With
Jimmy Fallon, Impractical Jokers), Tim Duffy (Comedy Central) and Sal
Vulcano (Impractical Jokers, The Tenderloins). Show guests run the gamut
including writers from Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, The Daily
Show, Best Show Ever, indie musicians Kevin Devine and The Front Bottoms, Chris Gethard and local Staten Island personalities like lounge singer
Nick Williams and hometown Real Estate icon Douglas Franks.

Starring
Brian Ruppert and Mark Kellog

Brain and Mark tackle random and absurd topics.

THE HOWARD CARTER HOUR

My name is Brian Ruppert.

For over two years now Ive ran and operated my podcast The Howard
Carter Hour. During that time, weve built up a small but passionate fan
base. Because were located on Staten Island most of our fan base is on
Staten Island as well.
Podcasts are very different than other forms of information. It allows listeners to connect with the speaker on a very personal level. Its one of the
only mediums where the person experiencing the show, and creating it can
have the same experience.
Staten Island has been my home my entire life. It is the bedrock of who I
am and all my stories spring from this wonderful Island. I know Im not the
only podcaster that feels this way. This event could be a great way to make
the forgotten borough just a little bit less forgotten, via the best resource
we actually have, our people.

Starring
John Madigan and Joseph Vassallo

Two New York dudes whos only goal is to make you

laugh.

THE J&J PODCAST

The J & J Podcast stars John Madigan & Joseph Vassallo. John is a local
videographer, disc jockey, photographer, and most notably is on the MTV
International show, Video Love, which airs in 120 countries, and is currently
filming their second season. Joe is a Christian preacher with, epic facial
hair and great Italian genes. They are two best friends for nine years
who are the complete opposite from one another, and they live eight hours
away from one another. They are a comedy podcast who talks about the
news, current events, super heroes, video games and entertainment in the
world today.

Starring
Casey Jost & Joseph Imburgio

Casey & Joe recount moments from their storied 16 years of

friendship as well as new adventures and awkward situations
they keep finding themselves in.

THE JV SQUAD

The JV Squad -- Casey Jost & Joe Imburgio aka The What Say You
Podcast JV Squad are comedians & producers for truTVs Impractical
Jokers.
JV Squad usually records on location at various Staten Island
establishments. Speical guests includes writers, prodcuers and stars of the
Impractical Jokers.
JV Squad would love to be part of the Staten Island Podfest if it happens!

Starring
Sal Coladonato, Anthony Misciango,
Lisa Misciango, Christine Smith,
Steve Martinez & Irena Werner
Tagline: We riff on the everyday. From current events to whats
up in our lives, were laughing about it and hope you are too.
The Slant is a weekly podcast where local Staten Island comedian Sal Coladonato (producer/host) and Co Host Anthony
M along with a cast of others tackle topics from local goings
on to current event to their daily lives creating a familiar continuity. There are also sketches and themed entertainment on
the show.

THE SLANT

The show at its core is an uncensored comedy podcast which brings on

guests pertaining to show subject matter and mostly other local comedians and podcast hosts to promote the growing podcast and local Staten
Island comedy scene which is starting to boom. The Slant will also host
side shows on the Slant Radio network that include interviews with retired
police, 9/11 survivors and the comic book world. It is varied network offering in depth interviews as well as laughs.
A Staten Island PodFest is very important to this growing scene and will
shine light on this bustling
community of free broadcasters as well as the people and other communities they highlight.

Starring
Anthony Strano, John Lucarelli & Howard Forest

The term shoot in the wrestling world means to keep it as

real as possible. On The Sunday Shoot, we do exactly that.

THE SUNDAY SHOOT

We are 3 lifelong fans from Brooklyn, NY that aim to keep it as honest as

possible about our opinions on the world of professional wrestling. We preview and try to predict upcoming events and recap the weeks shows from
most major wrestling promotions; including WWE, NXT, Ring Of Honor,
New Japan Pro Wrestling and more. We discuss the sports current news
stories and rumors and try to make the listener feel like the are part of the
conversation with our on air chemistry and experience in radio.
When we were told about the possibility of a Staten Island PodFest, we
jumped at the opportunity. With the amount of quality shows and talented
hosts included in this project, it was a no brainer to try and get involved.
Plus, with our very niche subject matter, we feel we can bring something
different to the table.

Starring
Craig Loydgren, Johnny Smallwood
& Bobby Parker

Its more than just a flesh wound!

TESTOS2RONE SHOW
My name is Craig Loydgren and I am a professional stand-up Comedian from Staten
Island. Born and raised in Tottenville I am very proud of where I came from. In recent
years Staten Island has tried to keep up with the times having festivals such as The
Staten Island film festival and comedy festival. I have been fortunate enough to be
part of both. It is very exciting to have such festivals right here on what some call the
forgotten borough.
But we need to continue to keep up with the times and stay on top of the curves of
our future. Internet radio and podcast are clearly just that. I have had 3 Internet radio
shows over the last 7 years one more successful than the next. One funnier than the
next. All of my shows have basically the same theme and the way I describe it is. It is
three guys sitting around a table talking about nothing and having a great time doing
it! Sometimes we have guests sometimes we dont but we always have a great time
and a lot of laughs.
People always want to be a part of our show so we even have a small audience every
week. If you allow us to have a PodFest not only would fans of various podcasts and
Internet radio shows be allowed to participate and be a part of their favorite show but
it will generate another fun festival that will allow people to come together to have a
good time. People will be able to interact with one another because of social media
but still get them out of their houses.
In closing I would just like to reiterate the fact that this is the future, we could be on
the forefront of something amazing, trendsetting something that other counties and
cities will try to duplicate. The Staten Island Pod fest. Sounds good to me.
Thank you,
Craig Loydgren
Stand-up Comedian and Host of The Testos2rone Show.

Starring
Bill Sweeney

We pop culture for you and deliver it hot and fresh!

THE WICKED THEORY PODCAST

Commissioner,
Our, show, The Wicked Theory Podcast, is a weekly recap of geek related
pop culture news, delivered with jokes and marginal critical thinking. Weve
been going for about a year now and have developed a small yet faithful
following.
But not locally.
You see, podcasts are born, raised and exist solely on the internet, so our
fans are globally scattered. We dont have a true local following. A podcast
festival would be an amazing opportunity for our show, and others like it, to
receive exposure to a local audience, many who may not even realize this
entertainment medium exists.
A PodFest presented much in the same way a comedy festival operates
would be an opportunity for local businesses or venues to offer an entertainment alternative to patrons looking for something different. A locally
branded, created and sponsored festival, featuring local talent, would create a new type of community interaction and would be mutually beneficial
to the podcasts and venues.
Thank you for your consideration, the WTP team and I look forward to
hearing your thoughts.

Starring
John Szeluga, Chris Sorrentino & Bryan McGuckin

Super Live Adventure is a weekly podcast hosted by

John Szeluga (Impractical Jokers), Chris Sorrentino
(Wahoo Skiffle Crazies) and Bryan McGuckin. Listen
as they share a few drinks, tell a few stories, geek out
over pop culture, and talk with interesting guests from
all walks of life.

Starring
Socko Jones, Tiger Jones, Waffle Jones, Babyface
Jones, Make the Body & Tuff Tiger Jones

The official broadcast of the award winning Comic Book

Jones. They discuss popular comics, entertainment and
everyday life all within the envrionment of their store.