What is True North Ice?

The True North Ice Podcast is a platform where my buddy Jacob Ewing, and myself discuss anything regarding Canadian hockey. We focus on all the international competitions Hockey Canada participates in. Then we indulge regarding the NHL, PWHL, and whatever else catches our attention in the hockey world.

Where is it published?

The True North Ice Podcast is published on many podcast platforms through a Spotify Podcast RSS Feed. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more. The podcast has a video version which is published on YouTube.

Video Podcast
Audio Platforms

Thumbnail for the YouTube Video Format.

Created using Adobe Photoshop.

My Role

  • Co-Host, Co-Produce

  • Technical Producer

  • Editor

These roles require myself to research topics, setup up the cameras, and audio, switch cameras live production using a switcher, and speak in a professional manner.

Our video setup up for recording, the studio is located at TMU.

The Overlay was created using Adobe Photoshop.

Process & Developments

Notes and Preparation

Sheets is used most for my preparation of an episode

I like to have as many stats, or notes I can on my sheets, so I am able to bring additional knowledge quickly to the conversation. Players names are hyperlinked to their HockeyDB or Elite Prospects page, so I am able have even more stats in an instant. I find notes, and preparation pivotal when it comes to a hockey podcast, because it adds an extra layer to my already extensive knowledge.

Post Production/Editing

All post production is done in Adobe Audition, and Premiere Pro

The Post Production aspect of the podcast is quite minimal, we treat the podcast more like a radio show. There isn’t many cuts or edits made to the podcast. The main focus is on the audio levels, I keep the audio hard limited at -9 db, and have the audio within -20 db to -10 db.

Thumbnail Creation

Organization allows me to quickly create thumbnails

Every episode I stay consistent with the thumbnail, as I build them in Adobe Photoshop. I keep the same Red and Yellow gradient text, and then add 3-4 players or personnel to the thumbnail that were mentioned in our episode. Keeping all the thumbnails on one Photoshop file allow me to speed the process up, and allow me to use other thumbnails as a reference. It allows me to identify that the thumbnail is still consistent with the others.

Credits

Photos

I did not take any photos of the players or personnel used in the thumbnails. Credit goes to the IIHF, NHL, or PWHL.

15 Second Intro

The audio in the introduction at the start of every podcast was created by Jacob Ewing (The other Co-Host). I created the montage of clips for the video aspect, the clips came from TSN Sports, or CBC Sports.