Podcast Summary
From Ordinary to Extraordinary: The Power of the Internet: The internet can transform an individual's creative idea into a global phenomenon, as seen with the 'Rome Sweet Rome' Reddit community.
The power of the internet can turn an ordinary person's creative idea into a global phenomenon. This was exemplified by the case of the "Rome Sweet Rome" Reddit community, which was built around a man named James Irwin from Des Moines, Iowa. Irwin, who used to write software manuals but now works as an IT business analyst, created a fictional story about a group of marines who were transported to ancient Rome. His lunchtime Reddit post about this story gained traction and eventually caught the attention of Hollywood, leading to a proposed movie deal. The community around this story grew, with over 15,000 subscribers on the dedicated subreddit. This anachronism, which combined elements of ancient Rome and modern military life, showcases the creativity and engagement that can emerge from online communities. It's a reminder of the unexpected ways that the internet can bring people together around shared interests and imaginative ideas.
A History Enthusiast's Passionate Journey: James, an expert history buff with a degree and extensive research background, inspired by a lunchtime prompt, wrote a story about US Marines destroying the Roman Empire.
James, also known as Prufrock 451, is a history enthusiast with an impressive knowledge base. He has a degree in history and has spent countless hours researching various topics, from medieval clothing to military history and secessionist movements in the US. James's passion for history has been showcased on Jeopardy, where he won twice and even made it to the final round. Despite his wagering missteps, his love for history drives him to write extensively on various subjects. One day, while having a dull lunch, he came across a prompt about the possibility of a battalion of US Marines destroying the Roman Empire during the time of Augustus. This simple question sparked an idea, leading him to write a story on the subject. James's dedication to history and ability to delve deep into a topic make him a valuable trivia team member and an intriguing individual.
Unexpected ideas can lead to unexpected opportunities: Taking risks and trusting unique ideas can transform a lunch break post into a potential blockbuster
An unexpected idea, even if it seems far-fetched, can gain significant traction and lead to unexpected opportunities. James's unfinished Reddit post about a marine battalion mysteriously appearing in ancient Rome sparked chaos and intrigue, leading to offers from major websites and Hollywood production companies. Despite feeling unsure and even cringing at his initial writing, James's instincts and historical knowledge ignited a fire that transformed his lunch break post into a potential blockbuster. This story serves as a reminder that the potential for success lies in taking risks and trusting the unique ideas that resonate with an audience.
From Reddit to Hollywood: The Power of the Internet and Social Media: The internet and social media can transform an ordinary person into an extraordinary one by blurring the lines between reality and fiction, and making anyone a part of a global conversation.
The power of the internet and social media can transform an ordinary person into an extraordinary one almost overnight. The story of a Reddit user who wrote a post about time traveling marines and became a Hollywood screenwriter in a matter of days is a testament to this. It felt unprecedented at the time, but now it's a reminder of how the digital world can blur the lines between reality and fiction, and make anyone a part of a global conversation. The user went from being an anonymous Reddit user to a sought-after interviewee on TV shows and BBC, discussing historical facts and debating the outcome of a battle between time traveling marines and the Roman Empire. Despite the rapid pace of events, the movie based on the user's post was not yet made, and it's a reminder that even in this digital age, some things still take time. The user may not have been into fan fiction, but the power of imagination and the reach of the internet proved to be a potent combination.
Fan Community's Creativity and Passion for Rome Sweet Home: Fan communities can breathe new life into projects, but the screenwriting process involves learning, deadlines, and potential rewrites.
The fan community's creativity and passion for the Rome Sweet Rome project was overwhelming for the original author, James. Fans created music, trailers, and even movie posters, leading to a viral response. James was tasked with writing a screenplay for the project while juggling his full-time job and family. He faced the challenge of learning to write a screenplay while writing one, all within a tight deadline. After turning in his first draft, Warner Brothers brought in another screenwriter to rewrite the script. Despite the initial excitement of more resources being put into the project, it was difficult for James to see his ideas being discarded and starting from scratch. However, this experience showcases the power of fan communities and their ability to bring projects to life, as well as the challenges and complexities of the screenwriting process.
A writer's career journey comes with unexpected challenges: Despite personal circumstances and industry unpredictability, a writer must continue to create and adapt to new opportunities.
The journey of a writer's career is filled with unexpected twists and challenges. James, a writer with a successful online story, received an opportunity to turn it into a screenplay but faced various obstacles. His personal circumstances, including having young children, made the move to Los Angeles seem impossible. Additionally, stopping the online posts to protect the script's value disappointed some fans. Despite this, James continued writing and even had interest from publishers for a novel. However, he chose to self-publish and kept the screenplay on the shelf due to a lack of progress. The experience taught James the importance of creative control and the unpredictability of the industry. While some may view his decision as a missed opportunity, James continues to write and explore new avenues for his work.
Navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry: Maintain a positive attitude and continue pursuing creative endeavors, even in the face of disappointment, as unexpected opportunities can arise.
The entertainment industry can be unpredictable and frustrating, even for those who have tasted success. Despite the excitement and validation that comes with a major movie deal, returning to normal life and continuing to create can be challenging. The potential for countless meetings and no deals can make it difficult to believe in one's own work and take risks. Even in the face of disappointment, it's essential to maintain a positive attitude and continue pursuing creative endeavors. The speaker's experience with the potential revival of their project by a well-known actor serves as a reminder that unexpected opportunities can arise, making the journey worthwhile.
Embracing the Challenges of Creative Pursuits: Despite setbacks and disappointments, persist in creative endeavors, find joy in the process, and believe in the power of supportive relationships.
Creativity and artistic pursuits can be challenging, with setbacks and disappointments being a normal part of the process. However, it's important to keep going and not let anxiety or comparison to past successes hold us back. The speaker in this conversation, Ben, is a writer who has faced these challenges but is determined to continue working on his craft. He's currently collaborating on a new project and is finding joy in the writing process once again. The conversation also touches on the idea that success may not come overnight, but with persistence and determination, it's possible to make progress and potentially achieve our goals. The conversation between Ben and the interviewer also highlights the importance of having supportive people in our lives who believe in us and encourage us to keep going. Overall, the conversation offers a message of hope and encouragement for anyone pursuing a creative endeavor.
The Making of 'Endless Thread' Podcast: A Team Effort: A dedicated team of individuals, each with unique skills, collaborated to produce 'Endless Thread' podcast, bringing compelling stories to life.
The production of "Endless Thread" podcast involves a dedicated team of individuals, each contributing unique skills and perspectives. Iris Adler, the executive producer, sets the tone for constructive feedback with her signature phrase "The truth is here." The team includes Paul Vicus and John Perotti, responsible for mix and sound design, who found inspiration in Rome. Megan Kelly, a web producer, even took a break to explore Folsom memes. Michael Pope, an advisor at Reddit, provided insights on Propaganda posters. Josh Swartz, another producer, created the "endless thread" phrase. James Lindbergh provided extra production assistance, and Candice Lim was the intern. Squelcher composed the theme music. Redditor Joe D Donato designed the artwork for the unofficial movie poster for "Rome Sweet Rome." The team's collaborative efforts and contributions can be seen on their Reddit page, endless_thread, where fans can submit artwork and story tips. Amory Sivertson co-hosts and produces, while Ben Brock Johnson senior produces and hosts the podcast. Together, they bring compelling stories to life.
