Pathfinder: Recent Episodes
Ollie Judge & Rodger Morley
Pathfinder is a show about storytelling. Each week we explore what makes stories work, uncover the lessons of the past and learn from people who are building worlds with the tools of the future. Written and hosted by Ollie Judge and Rodger Morley
Bit of a history trip on this one. As we started the Pathfinder process of looking into the why and how stories are told, we found that graffiti has always been a symbol of the people. It's the untouched version of history. We've just scratched the surface of this artform but we hope this episode inspires you to see your next city wall in a different way.
This episode was written by Ollie Judge and edited by Rodger Morley. You can find more of their work at Adrift Entertainment.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This is part two of our series on Wonderland and Lewis Carroll. Getting our own heads around this topic was a rather wacky thought process. We hope it makes 'sense' to you, and that you can take something away to give you audiences something new to think about.
This episode was written by Ollie Judge and edited by Rodger Morley. You can find more of their work at Adrift Entertainment.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Ollie here,
I've had a bit of an obsession with Lewis Carroll recently, specifically around his thoughts on logic and narrative construction. We thought we'd turn it into a Pathfinder story. This story actually spans two episodes so make sure you come back next week to learn how to integrate some of this logic into your own world-building.
In this episode:
- A bit of history about the man known as Lewis Carroll
- We breakdown opposites and distractions and how to use them in your stories
- We attempt to make sense of nonsense.
This episode was written by Ollie Judge and edited by Rodger Morley. You can find more of their work at Adrift Entertainment.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Daley Johnson joins us on this episode of Pathfinder to talk us through becoming part of the video game community. We turn the clocks back to look at her inspiration and experience working for companies like Rare and Playtonic. Daley also unpacks the art of game design, there's probably more to it than you think.
A big thank you to Daley for joining us on this episode you can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/daley_kong.
This episode was written by Ollie Judge and edited by Rodger Morley. You can find more of their work at Adrift Entertainment.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
We wanted to try something different this week. A few of you have been asking for a how-to on telling stories, so here it is. We thought we'd take everything we had learned from the last few episodes surrounding the power of nostalgia and break down how you can employ it in your own stories.
From emotion, through atmosphere, and even a bit of pathfinding (yes we get the irony), we really went deep into what creates a brief moment of comfort and escape for audiences interfacing with their favourite characters and places.
This episode was written by Ollie Judge and edited by Rodger Morley. You can find more of their work at Adrift Entertainment.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This week on Pathfinder it's part two of our series unpacking what defines our perception of nostalgia. What better way to understand how our connection with stories starts than turning back the clock to look at children's stories.
We look at why stories might not be seen in the same light you remember them, why sometimes analyzing things a bit too closely isn't the right thing to do, and understanding how storytelling for children is a far different thing than writing for adults.
Clips used in this episode:
Allie Wiggle Ring a ring o rosy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_TibwLfjWE
FMD Baa Baa Black Sheep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKBeoKN9Fvo
Roald Dahl interview and short film - Pebble Mill at One 1982
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Waterstones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXHScpo_Vv8
Penguin KIds - Eric Carle Discusses 50 Years of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYwE8qALm9M
This episode was written by Ollie Judge and edited by Rodger Morley. You can find more of their work at Adrift Entertainment.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Hello Pathfinders. This is the first in a series of episodes on nostalgia. When we tell stories the ultimate thing you can do is hold a place in the heart of your audience, it's a mixture of emotion and experience. To work out what sparks this level of connection we looked to the career of Drew Struzan, world-renowned film poster artist. You may not know his name, but you've seen his work thousands of times over the course of your life.
This episode is for you if you want to develop a deeper connection with your audience and learn just what makes someone's heart skip a beat, even after they've experienced your work.
This episode was written by Ollie Judge and edited by Rodger Morley. You can find more of their work at Adrift Entertainment.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Comics hold a special place in our heart here at Pathfinder, so this week we want to take you on a bit of an adventure into how far reaching they can be. From Dream gods to a Brazilian Obituary writer, we look out how comics can be so malleable. Comic book creators span multiple storytelling styles to bring to life worlds that sometimes can only exist in comics.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Hello Pathfinders! We're back this week with another episode all about music and sound in storytelling. Listen now to find out why silent films never were so silent, how chickens and walnuts made you reel back in your seat and how layering every technique in the book is what leads to you finding an escape when you sit down to watch your favourite film.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Clips used for this episode:
Amazing Plan by Kevin MacLeod - https://filmmusic.io/song/3358-amazing-plan
1920's Silent Hollywood "Sound the End of an Era" - https://youtu.be/TVWRzaQ-Uoc
The Jazz Singer - https://youtu.be/22NQuPrwbHA
Skywatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv30ExfoKcc&t=6s
How to Get a World-Famous Actor in your Short Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZpvVggtwyk
This week we follow Colin Levy's seven year journey to completing his short film Skywatch and how there was more on the line than you may realise.
The episode looks takes a look at creative focus, the process of getting something made that's not attached to any previous intellectual property and how projects change as they grow. Colin's story is an inspiring yet difficult rendition of the process of getting to work on something you love.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This episode on Pathfinder is an adventure, from Amsterdam to Pixar in California, to the non distant future. We bring you the story of a storyteller in Colin Levy. Ollie takes you through what it took for Colin to bring Skywatch to life after a seven year journey, but first we start with where he's been.
You can find more of Colin's work at https://colinlevy.com and watch Skywatch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv30ExfoKcc. A big thank you to Colin for supplying some of the music and sound from Skywatch for this episode.
This is a two part series, come back next week to uncover just what it takes to bring your world to life as we look to how Colin built Skywatch and how a certain Jude Law made it into his short film.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Thank you so much for listening to this Pathfinder mini series. If you haven't already please go back and listen to the previous parts.
This episode we look at the duality of serial killers and why these days we're as obsessed with them as the monsters of the past. We look to Jekyll and Hyde through to the Golden State Killer for why we're so wired on how serial killers function and the curiosity that drives our fascination.
We're joined by Stephen Asma, Professor at Columbia College Chicago. You can find his youtube channel where he offers short workshop videos about how to create meaningful art that is infused with philosophy, history and psychology. He takes you into his own creative process, and offers helpful advice about idea development and image creation. Click here to subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoYSL5KZLdUgtp2rVE2HlYg/featured. You can find out more about Stephen and his books at https://stephenasma.com/.
Quote Credits:
Wondery Introducing Dr. Death
Introducing Man in the Window LA times
Conversations with a Killer The Ted Bundy Tapes Netflix
I AM A KILLER Netflix
The Staircase Netflix
Golden State Killer pleads guilty - LA times
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This is part three of Monster Month on Pathfinder. H.P. Lovecraft has inspired creators, games and artists for decades, so this week we're looking into the man who architected the monsters that go beyond our imagination. We delve into why his way of storytelling was so effective for a modern age and how he may have set us up for the monsters of the future.
In part four of our monster series, we face those monsters of the future head on. We'll see you next week.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This is part two of Monster Month on Pathfinder. This week we take a deep dive into the psychology, history and rationale behind monsters, and how at every step through civilisation they've been with us.
We're joined by Stephen Asma, Professor at Columbia College Chicago. You can find his youtube channel where he offers short workshop videos about how to create meaningful art that is infused with philosophy, history and psychology. He takes you into his own creative process, and offers helpful advice about idea development and image creation. Click here to subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoYSL5KZLdUgtp2rVE2HlYg/featured. You can find out more about Stephen and his books at https://stephenasma.com/.
In part three of our monster series, we tackle the strange, cosmic monsters of H.P. Lovecraft. We'll see you next week.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This episode kicks off our four-part monster month. Monsters have a special place in storytelling. They're the cornerstone of how we tell stories. This episode we look at a time when things didn't go quite their way when Universal Pictures dropped the ball trying to adapt them all into their Dark Universe.
On Pathfinder this week you'll find out why Count Dracula, Dr Jekyll, and The Mummy lost their way only to become action film stars, when they needed something far smaller and intimate to win over audiences.
Come back next week for part two of Monster Month.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
We're using this episode to raise awareness for more important voices than ours. The show stands in solidarity with Black communities in the US, UK and around the world in the fight against systemic racism, police brutality and oppression. Black Lives Matter.
If you can support monetarily, please contribute what you can to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ab_mn.
In moments of uncertainty, sometimes it's helpful to have someone to talk to. Please reach out to the following organisations if you are feeling overwhelmed.
United States
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Phone: 1 800 273 TALK (8255)
Lifeline Crisis Chat
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/lifelinechat.aspx
The Trevor Project (for LGBT youth, friends and family members)
http://www.thetrevorproject.org
Phone: 1 866 488 73865
United Kingdom
Samaritans
http://www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Worldwide
Befrienders
http://www.befrienders.org
Ollie takes you through an obsession of his, director's commentary tracks. We look into why that audio track might have more to it than you realise, and how you can learn so much more about why your favourite stories work by just flipping a switch.
Commentary Tracks Featured:
Toy Story
Gone Girl
Zodiac
Firewatch
Thor Ragnarok
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This week on Pathfinder we're trying something a little different and really trying to unpack what makes a story so special. Animal Crossing has been a big part of people's lives over the past couple of months, so we thought we'd look into what makes the game about nothing feel as good as it does.
If you liked this new format of the show, let us know. We'll do a deeper dive on some of the other stories of the moment to help you get to grips with what is driving them.
Thank you for listening to Pathfinder. You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
Ryan Connolly from Film Riot joins us on a journey to figure out why persistence in the movie business is more important than tools. We cover what that persistence looks like, why creators should be creating to create, how filmmakers are wired and why sometimes the right way might be the wrong way.
You can find more from Ryan at Film Riot on Youtube and check out his short films at FilmRiot.com.
You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/
This week we delve into what the future of podcasting beyond three guys one mic might look like. We're joined by James Cridland of Podnews.net to explore everything from choose your own adventure podcasts and how your data from podcast clients might not be as secret as you think, and why that might not actually be such a bad thing.
Clips used this episode are from:
- This American life
- Wondery's Joe Exotic
- Joe Rogan Expereince
- No Agenda
- Phoebe Reads A Mystery
- Serial
- Twenty Thousand Hertz
- Marvel Wolverine
- The Daily
- Fun Kids Science Weekly
- Welcome to Night Vale
- 99% invisible
- Civilized
News clips:
- KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas
- Good Morning America
- E@ News
- Netflix
You can find out the video version and more information about this show at https://pathfinder.show/