The FAQ Video! - Read the description for ADDITIONAL answers!
24 MORE Questions & Answers not discussed here:
Detailed Fan-created Wikia on the show:
Jonathan Paula takes you behind the scenes of "Is It A Good Idea To Microwave This?" to answer some of your most FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS! (Current As of March 2013)
Q: What happened to new episodes?
A: For reasons explained in detail here, -- the show's bi-weekly format was retired in favor of unscheduled bonus episodes, uploaded a few times a year.
Q: What have you already microwaved?
A:
Q: Who are you guys?
A: I am Jonathan Paula - I produce, edit, direct, co-host, film, and control this YouTube account; Jory Caron is the host & writer, Riley McIlwain is the sidekick.
Q: Age, location, education?
A: I'm 27, I live in Rockingham, NH, having graduated from Emerson College in 2008 with a degree in Television Production & Radio Broadcasting. Jory is 25, he lives in Portsmouth, NH, he dropped out of Emerson in 2008. Riley is 21 and lives in Lynn, MA - and is attending Salem State College.
Q: How do you know each other?
A: Jory and I met at Emerson College in 2006. Riley and I are childhood friends, dating back to his birth.
Q: What's the history behind the show?
A: Jory found a bunch of microwaves... and wanted to "test" one of them. I decided to film the results.
Q: Where do you get the microwaves, how do you afford them?
A: I buy them used on Craigslist.com for around $30 each - the show's budget pays for them.
Q: Where, and when do you film?
A: In a specially made tent-area in my parent's backyard in Nahant, MA. For seasons nine and ten, we moved the JCML to the back deck of my new house, in Rockingham, NH. Production for a 30-40 episode season typically takes about 12 hours a day, recorded all at once, over a three day weekend.
Q: Is the show scripted or improvised?
A: The introduction skits are pre-rehearsed, but most of the show is improvised on the spot.
Q: What software do you edit your videos on?
A: Programs from Adobe Production Premium: Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. I started on version 2.0, and currently work on CS5.
Q: What equipment/cameras do you use?
A: The show is shot using 3 cameras: My DVX-100b for the main angle with a Sennheiner ME66 shotgun-mic for the main audio; a Canon Elura-100 for the microwave-cam attached; and a Canon S3-IS for Riley's Sidekick cam in s5 & s6. For Season 8, a full-upgrade to HD was finally made, our new equipment is: A Panasonic HMC-150 for the primary angle, a Panasonic Lumix-GH1 for the microwave angle, and a Canon SX20 for the new Reverse-POV angle. The same microphones are used. In s9 we added a Canon SX210 for a fourth angle.
Q: Do you get paid to make this show?
A: No, not exactly... but we do earn revenue through YouTube advertisements thanks to the Partner Program. The money varies from month-to-month, depending on views and clicks, but it is enough for me to live quite comfortably, without worry. Both Jory and I do this for our full-time jobs.
Q: How do you get those banner graphics, and custom video thumbnails?
A: I am a YouTube Partner - besides getting paid, we get special perks: See www.YouTube.com/partners for more info.
Q: Who are your sidekicks?
A: We've had many over the years: Zach Schiffman in Season 1; Ezra Horne in Season 2; Ryan Lewis for the first half of Season 3, and Riley McIlwain has been our sidekick since Season 5. It was just Jory and I for Season 4.
Q: How many microwaves have you used?
A: 35 (so far): Unnamed, Diane, Sandra, Helga, Lacey, Vanessa, Tracy, Whoopi, Jasmine, Susan, Beatrice, Jackie, Samantha, Summer, Penny, Cinnamon, Candy, Zelda, Melissa, Gladys, Erin, Sarah, Justine, Margaret, Margaret II, Marissa, Cindy, Esmeralda, Penelope, Rapunzel, Gabrielle, Gina, Shelley, Emily, Heather, Rhianna, Phyllis, and Ivanka. Unnamed, Diane, Lacey, Samantha, Penny, Melissa, Margaret II, and Penelope retired early - and were still functioning when we stopped using them.
Q: How do I donate an item to the show?
A: With the show now retired, we are no longer accepting any future donations. But thanks to all who sent in items over the years!
Q: What kind of computer do you have?
A: My self-built PC's specs here:
Q: What happened to "ideoProductions"?
A: I re-branded my company to "Jogwheel" in August, 2011 for reasons explained in this video:
