“A shameless act of self-promotion”. We’ve all heard the phrase. But how do you sell your song, your art, or in Brittni’s case, your book without making a direct appeal. Now that she’s figured out a way to write and get published consistently, Brittni’s navigating the process of promoting her work. And it’s good work. She’s a talent, people.
Sponsor: The Forever Young Foundation
Imagine this movie scene: Jesus driving out the moneychangers from the temple. What kinds of things would people be saying? What language would they use? Would some be angry and others frightened? Those are the kinds of questions looping designer, Bernie Van De Yacht of ProADRlooping has to answer while helping to build the human sound bed for the wildly successful series, The Chosen. His credits also include Fargo, Lovecraft Country, and Mom to name just a few. Did we mention he’s also a successful novelist and screenwriter? Bernie and his partner ML Gemmil are quickly becoming Hollywood’s go-to loopers.
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
Ken Burns’ didn’t invent the documentary 30 years ago. He just gave it a shot in the arm. Since then, documentaries have taken a thousand directions. The most recent is Operation Varsity Blues: the College Admissions Scandal. Unlike most documentaries, this one has a script, actors, and well-lit scenes. How is that a documentary, you ask.
Ken Burns’ didn’t invent the documentary 30 years ago. He just gave it a shot in the arm. Since then, documentaries have taken a thousand directions. The most recent is Operation Varsity Blues: the College Admissions Scandal. Unlike most documentaries, this one has a script, actors, and well-lit scenes. How is that a documentary, you ask.
Ken Burns’ didn’t invent the documentary 30 years ago. He just gave it a shot in the arm. Since then, documentaries have taken a thousand directions. The most recent is Operation Varsity Blues: the College Admissions Scandal. Unlike most documentaries, this one has a script, actors, and well-lit scenes. How is that a documentary, you ask.
Though joined by a common theme, Nomadland and Prime Video’s recent release, Bliss, could not have had two more different approaches to the plight of homelessness.
Sponsor: Forever Young Fondation
What happens when an artist, filmmaker, or performer gets caught in a serious indiscretion. Is it still okay to love their art? What are the ethics of this situation? And is it okay to “cancel” an artist for their stupid, insensitive but not illegal remarks? We don’t pretend to have the answers, just a lot of questions.
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
We don’t often have guests come back for a second visit, but then again we don’t often know people who get published for a second time. Kara talks about the challenges and joys of writing for Young Adult readers and offers a little insight on her latest book for Scholastic, One Way or Another.
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
Kara's book: "One Way of Another" on Amazon
Let’s face it, due to recent events, it’s hard to talk about anything else. The storming of the capitol got us to thinking about why those visuals struck such a cord? What will turn out to be the most iconic images from that day? Why are Washington landmarks so often used as the backdrops of popular movies?
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
Biopics: History or Art?
Some biopics cleave to true history and the movie suffers for it. Other biopics set out to “say something”and true history suffers. Is there a balance? What do filmmakers owe to the dead and the living?
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
Mark introduces Brian to a couple of his favorite Christmas shows. Is it possible that anyone could improve on A Christmas Carol. Mark thinks so.
SYSK Selects: The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978
Mark's Christmas Video 2016 (Episode 1)
Mark's Christmas Video 2017 (Episode 2)
Mark's Christmas Video 2020 (Episode 3) NEW
To say Steve Vinovich lucked into a successful acting career wouldn’t be fair. But by his own admission, it’s a little bit true. His career was made, however, with a lot of talent and hard work. Steve’s credits include a prodigious amount of stage, film and TV. His performance as Puffin in the Swan Princess was the pinnacle, of course. (We’re winking here.) He’s got a lot of great stories and one about Seinfeld that will blow your mind. Enjoy.
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
No good story is devoid of misery. Misery means struggle. And struggle means drama - the heart and soul of every great story. No protagonist, real or fictional, is misery-free.
The Game: Stuff Happens
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
On his wonderful podcast, social thinker, Malcom Gladwell, opines on the power of country music...we did not see that coming. What about you? Country music lover? Hater? Lets talk about it. Well, we’ll talk, you listen.
Revisionist History: The King of Tears
Mark's Country Song Apple Music: Send Me Back Home
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
J Bateman is just like us, but a lot more talented. And such a nice guy. Growing up, he didn’t know he wanted to be a composer, but here he is with more than a few movie credits under his belt. If you’ve seen any of the last six Swan Princess sequels (that’s right, there’s ten all together - time to catch up!) then you’ve heard his scoring and songs. Speaking of scores, we felt lucky to have him on Storybabble. Enjoy.
Sponsor Forever Young Foundation
Mark and Brian review and try to fix Brian’s first stab at writing. Sonny Carter is Dead (1972) is the story of a fictitious football superstar who (no surprise here) dies on the field. (Incidentally, the only NFL player to ever die on the field was Chuck Hughes, a wide receiver for Brian’s beloved Detroit Lions in 1971)
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
Great storytellers from Jesus to Modern filmmakers used parables or metaphors. Why not just tell the actual story you want to tell? The Point, an animated film from the 70s might offer a few clues.
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
Simon Nissen talks about the portrayal of gay men in cinema. Are these portrays doing right by the gay community?
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
A consummate and versatile actor, Ben did a lot of the heavy lifting for Citrus Valley Playhouse from 2004-2008. But long before we came around Ben had made his mark on Arizona entertainment. Whether it was as a writer and cast member of the Wallace and Ladmo show or the creator of the wildly popular sketch musical GUV! or countless other creations, Ben has distinguished himself as Arizona’s playwright. He’s got some good advice and great stories.
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
If you want to hear two old farts try and make sense of a rap musical, well, then, this episode is for you.
Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation
Rapper: Rino
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