Saturdays with The Story Dude: Recent Episodes
Spring Whales Productions
A Podcast that is about Anything Film and TV related, including Film and TV show reviews, favourite quote or dialogue from a film or TV show and Screenwriter news.
They have great expectations that only the most expensive equipment can produce the best image quality needed for professional filmmaking. My classmates from film schools fell for this trap. They also have the notion that if a certain piece of equipment from a specific brand isn't used or certain software tool isn't used, the user isn't a 'professional'. I debunk this.
May be you don't see it just yet, but Hollywood has had a practice of sidelining creatives who make bold choice and excuse their own flaws. They don't criticality look at their own missteps and reflect on it. They simply thrive on reboots, remakes, prequels, sequels and book adaptations to get that extra dollar or to save that extra dollar. The critics are just a worse.
Every film industry (including Hollywood) had to start somewhere, but do you know what or who gave Bollywood and Tollywood their starts?
Bollywood belongs to north India, and Tollywood (his little brother) belongs to south India.
On top of the secret I have revealed that Hollywood doesn't want the average Joe to know about, there are other more sinister ones that they don't want us to know either. I discuss this.
Mainstream cinema is set in its own ways. It is still stewing in the 1950s or in the early 20th century. I understand the need for making money from having the widest possible audience having access to content, but come on, the tactics used to silence some voices is deplorable and or unconscionable.
If you've had enough with the boy meets girl love stories and are wondering what's up with that? The answer is simple but it may be a hard pill to swallow or change for some.
Pseudonyms are used by creative professionals like film directors and screenwriters alike to distance themselves from projects that have been completely changed beyond recognition or for another reason.
Quality criticism is super hard to come by. If there were requirements to hire or find a quality critic to objectively critique your work, certain criteria need to be met. Destructive criticism is not an option.
The predictability and the non risk taking of holiday themed movies. Why I won't be engaging in them. There are however, a few good ones out there, but most are garbage right from the get go.
It's time for Hollywood to break free from those unqualified critics who are hindering quality content and preventing aspiring talent to flourish in the business and not allowing the market to decide what content reigns supreme or be a timeless classic.
Source:
Dustin Hoffman: Film is at its worst.
My objective analysis of the TV show franchise Degrassi: The Next Generation and The Next Class.
I describe what Cognitive dissonance theory is and its significance in the Film and Television industry.
Plus, what have I been upto? Restructuring the show of course.
Sources:
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Cognitive Dissonance Theory - AMA Paper
If you were to ask anyone this exact question, you'll probably get a few reasons that could be unrelated to the topic at hand, but I will be giving you what I believe to the reasons why.
I finally made it to Ireland as part of my bucket list. I also review the TV series with the most obvious and insufferable cliches on the planet and advice you filmmakers and TV show runners to avoid producing crap shows like this - even though they are well received by the general public.
Does the benefits of outsourcing your TV and film production needs helpful or is there a cost that you are not considering another view point?
Film and TV production tax credits - Ireland
Funding for Film and TV in New Zealand
Funding for Film and TV in Australia
Caution and careful planning is advised.
I list top 5 bromances that are significant in fantasy TV.
Update on why audiences may be obsessed with a celebrity's sexual orientation.
I discuss briefly about the collapse of Hollywood and my reasons for this, including aspiring to be in mainstream cinema like Hollywood.
I mention the benefits of Independent filmmaking.
Writers that came before, during and after Shakespeare's reign of theatrical excellence.
Phrases you didn't know originated from Shakespeare's works.
My source for the writers comes from Encyclopedia Britannica online as mentioned in the episode.
Supernatural investigation type movies and TV shows are in their own realm within the SCI-FI genre. What do they have to offer than the normal run of the mill crime investigative shows in cinema and TV?
And if you were to write one of these, what is the structure, if any?
Game shows have been around since the popularity and or the invention of television. Are they still worth watching and is the quality any good?
I have discovered the best screenwriting workflow that worked for me when conceptualising ideas for a movie or any media content for distribution.
Link: https://screencraft.org/blog/three-reasons-why-you-should-write-your-first-draft-by-hand/
Is it really worth getting a job in the industry via social media?
Considering there are other options out there when it comes to screenwriting software packages for writers to choose from, it is a no brainer to not have those options on the list when picking the right tool for the job and the write software package for the screenwriter and or filmmaker.
Also a short touching base on my options to distribute my films and content after choosing to abandon mainstream cinema aspirations.
It is obvious that festive days like Valentine's Day are being devalued. What's more is that it is saddening to see that filmmakers are using these days as an excuse to justify their poor choices in movies as self expression or satisfy their gratification disease.
A lot of opposing viewpoints being raised against the so called 'woke' culture and why everyone should be upset about it.
Discussing period pieces in Film and Television and should you as creative practitioners make movies in this genre and add to your portfolio.
Physical media versus streaming services. A big thank you to my listerners and of course, plans for the new year.
Recap of what was discussed in the year 2023. What movies I would recommend watching rather than the usual Christmas watchings + my Christmas message of the year.
Why would you choose the wrong kind of microphone based on the hype on social media. Microphone sound is subjective as per my research and asking a few experts in the field of sound capture. You should be using the best microphone for the job.
Critics of the Smallville TV show may be criticising the show for the wrong reasons while not remember the premise of the show.
I learnt more about filmmaking and screenwriting after I graduated from the New York Film Academy (NYFA) - the worst of the worst film schools that I have gone to and the most expensive. I share my experience with Y'all and recap the worthiness of learning your filmmaking craft at film schools. I give a few examples to illustrate my point.
Avoid NYFA at all costs.
Based on my experience studying Bollywood and Bollywood, I've put together a tips lists for you to study should any filmmaker want to make content for the Indian film market.
But first, you need to understand the mindset of both the filmmakers and the audience members in India.
Given the odds of getting into mainstream film and TV, I advise aspiring filmmakers and other content creators on their next steps.
My review of the Tollywood film Rakhi, which I have come to realise that this is a propaganda film that has had a negative effect on society in India.
There are a lot of filmmakers out there (this includes the independent world of film) that have a few misconceptions or a mindset that is more hurtful to them than being helpful.
My suggestions on how to fix this - simple, yet achievable ones.
Now that the world famous writers' strike has ended in Hollywood and an agreement was reached, I briefly discuss the outcome, including using tools to get the job done. I throw in another round of misconceptions from the film and TV world from when I went to film school.
No qualification is needed to be or become a film critic in the film business. Producers rely heavily on them to determine whether a project is going to be a viable endeavour or have a healthy ROI.
How can this qualification be set?
How to fix Boy meets Girl and other romance stories. This includes Holiday romance stories that focus too much on the falling in love in every single storyline.
Bollywood and Tollywood have sinned again and they keep sinning.
Do not for one second think that the critics are better content creators than you. Most of them are not qualified to give an opinion.
What is it with the rise in popularity of TV shows lately? My reasons for this. I also put out a Wishlist for what I hope to see in movies and TV shows moving ahead into the future.
A brief rundown on the writer's strike and what are best use cases to assist show runners, producers and creative practitioners with content creation using AI.
Useful links:
Shows impacted by the writers strike
Hollywood goes on strike
Writers Strike and what it means for the industry
Viewers to soon feel the effects of the writers strike
Do you really need that agent or manager considering you can easily make content on the cheap and upload to something like YouTube? Are critics in the business really qualified to critique what they are criticising after all? Tune in to find out.
Content for kids in films and TV shows. Don't be a hypocrite. Are Villains in films and TV shows more interesting than protagonists of the story now?
Film stock is being used less and less. Access to facilities is also getting less and less + what is causing for the steady decline of quality Sci-fi shows on Network TV?
Useful links:
Film is Back
Film Stock vs Digital: A comparison
Can't decide between film and digital?
There are some fundamental problems with screenwriting courses that aren't allowing aspiring screenwriters to put out quality content, which leads to more fierce competition and make it difficult for critics to say no to a script.
If you are a creative producer, show runner, screenwriter, filmmaker or any other type of creative practitioner, you should never give away your power or authority to the critics. You need to let the market decide whether your movie is good or bad.
While movies and TV shows in a few specific genres are predictable in nature, there is something that can be done to fix it or make them more interesting so that it makes it difficult for a critic to tear them apart. I offer a solution or two to address this.
Give a producer or the showrunners a reason to say "Yes" to you, the creative practitioner - and how about some tips to help you come up with ideas while making a film on a budget?
More industry misconceptions revealed. The right tool for the job when it comes to content creation.
A list of movies that Tollywood copied from Hollywood. Is playing it safe really the way to go?
The glorification of reality is currently the biggest and the most unaddressed problem in the creative film and TV show space in the industry. Filmmakers do not adhere to the: "put your money where your mouth is" maxim. What can be done to minimize this?
Film criticism today isn't as good as it once used to be like in the old days. It has become detriment to the quality of most films and TV shows we see today as we can also see how it is causing many filmmakers and TV show runners to choose the safer route or take the easy way out when it comes to ideas.
How can the Film and TV industries influence societal norms so it can be a positive change for the LGBTQ+ community? I share a few ideas after discussing the matter.
Believe in your characters and your story to be a better filmmaker and create quality work.
Welcome to the new year and my possible forecasts for the year 2023.
Also a quick recap on criticism and film schools.
A recap of what 2022 was for the podcast and my recommendations for the film and TV industry on a positive note.
Some great concepts or quality work are floating around in the indie filmmaking world. What mainstream film industries like Hollywood can do to capitalize on this so that both the sectors and the creative professionals win in the end - and as an added bonus, the audience gets to decide who gets to stay rather than the critics.
YouTube's Content ID is a Mess. I propose a simple solution on how to fix it. YouTube versus film schools when it comes to aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters alike. How basic knowledge can be gained for free.
Why is Hollywood wondering that they wish they could have made movies like RRR? I will list and discuss briefly three factors that are stopping them from achieving this goal. Also an update on what types of movies are currently coming from Tollywood.
Is it a good idea to make a movie first and then turn that into a TV show? I discuss briefly on the subject and list the best movie to TV show adaptations. I will admit that some of the TV shows I have never even heard of/watched, but they are on the list anyways.
My brief analysis and explanation (with examples) on why or why not prequels and sequels are worth the time and expense of producing them in the first place.
I found a list of what the blog post at Final Draft referred to as clichés and add a few of my own that filmmakers should be avoiding.
Ever wondered what the difference is between using Stage Plays and or Screenplays to tell your story?
I briefly touch on the subject while also discussing what is the best choice given the type of writer you are.
Has owning movies on Blu-ray and or DVD become obsolete to the point where it is not practical in this day and age? I think not. There are still a few benefits to consider even when the majority of the world has moved on from this type of content ownership and distribution.
A summary of stereotypical characters and how they can be humanized and how to go about creating them.
Given the subscribing behaviors of the target customer base, the streaming services can learn a thing or two apart from having their own in-house produced content. I also recommend what TV shows and movies need to be kept and or removed from the streaming platform to make the viewing experience more competitive.
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." - Late J.F.K.
Movies and TV shows that explore time travel and the multiverse seem to be declining in Sci-Fi.
What can you do to give back to your country using films and TV shows? I use a few examples to illustrate.
Is there any benefit to owning movies and TV shows on physical media rather than streaming them by paying a monthly subscription fee for both your Internet service provider (ISP) and your preferred streaming provider like Netflix?
What would happen if Superheroes turn on themselves or those that they've sworn to protect turn on them? Why are critics hating on movies from DC Universe and not those from Marvel?
I explain through extensive personal research how the equipment that you use to produce content does not make or break it - you the content creator does. I also touch on the relationship between the filmmaker and the cinematographer based on personal observations.
After receiving quite a few DMs when posting a video giving advice on deciding to watch a film, a lot of people were defending the critics. I set the record straight (no pun intended).
I also review the TV show Walker after giving my first impressions when I first started watching the show. I give you my objective review of this show.
While I critique the critics here in this podcast, for the most part, this is only part of the problem leading to bad writing. Writers are also to blame for this as well.
I give a suggestion to screenwriters about the next steps.
In this episode, I use my personal experience from working with a producer to determine whether Independent filmmaking or working with a producer is the right choice and guide you to making that important decision yourself.
I ask the question why people obsess over a celebrity's sexual orientation or preference and give a few examples. plus I propose the idea of more and more films and TV shows with LGBTQ characters as the main characters.
A lot of people believe that movies and TV shows are at their absolute worst, but also believe in the wrong reason why this is. I explain my reasons for why and also talk about having confidence in your creative projects and not giving away your power to someone else.
This topic was at the back of my mind for a while and it did bother me when a couple of the TV shows that I liked got canceled all of a sudden and for no apparent reason.
I also explain why I believe certain TV shows deserve more seasons than they had.
If you have any input on any of the subjects covered here, let me know.
Explaining why scheduling and budgeting is important in the world of film production and if there are any alternatives to achieving the same purpose with competing software packages designed to help the average Joe.
Why do Bollywood and Tollywood still produce mediocre content even in 2022.
This has been my experience with the Blacklist website and their evaluation service. I explain what happened and what turned me off from using their services despite being competitive on price.
Also, while the independent filmmaking industry is blooming and slowly taking over, I would be on the lookout for those films and filmmakers that do not produce quality content.
A lot of aspiring creative practitioners (screenwriters, actors, and filmmakers) comes to the home base of the Film Industry and expect to find an agent to sell them to the highest bidder.
I use my experience gained working in the industry and give you the answer.
What agents and managers do for you
I didn't get to discuss this interesting yet bizarre topic, but here I am. I am also glad that one of my favorite actors escaped this.
A brief rundown on what brought me to this point and where I will be headed in the future in 2022.
What Christmas-themed movies do well and yet suck at something else.
I also review the recently canceled TV show Krypton.
How filmmakers can better their chances of having their films reviewed and getting paid for them + how screenwriters can benefit from this proposal. The key ingredient will be the streaming platforms. Find out how.
I analyze 4 TV shows that have had successes three times in a row and what was it that worked and what did not. I also saw potential in a couple of TV shows that could have crossed over but didn't.
This discussion is about the best approach when a filmmaker or a screenwriter wants to write a movie with dinosaur characters in them.
I also share a story that I remember to this day about Buddha.
In the interest of Shakespeare and his iconic works, why aren't filmmakers continuing the tradition of making movies using Shakespearean language? A brief talk on the subject.
I am so against critics on YouTube who critique movies and television shows. They are, for the most part, disingenuous and do not know what they are critiquing. They simply do it for the sake of critiquing and do not offer their honest and unbiased opinions.
What are Bollywood and Tollywood Audiences looking for in the movies?
What happens when film producers and showrunners alike rely on critics and readers to help with the decision-making process when deciding whether or not a project will go ahead.
Today's Filmmakers need to put their money where their mouth is.
With AI being increasingly used and discussed in certain areas, this begs the question of what implications it may have on the Film and Television business and the creative professionals who work in it.
What does the movie industry look like post-pandemic?
While one could have hoped that all practitioners in the movie and television show business would use the lockdowns as an opportunity to contemplate the quality of their next projects, but Alas, one cannot affirm such a statement.
What are movie theaters doing to adapt to the pandemic while some are going bust?
There are some people who still prefer to learn anything, including screenwriting and filmmaking in a traditional classroom setting. In this episode, I discuss the ideal screenwriting and filmmaking degrees with a specific mix of core and elective units that you need to be looking out for when selecting a screenwriting and or a filmmaking degree program.
No screenwriting or filmmaking degree program is perfect, which is exactly why I used the word "ideal" when talking about these degree programs.
95% of Writing is problem-solving: Screencraft.
https://screencraft.org/2016/04/29/95-of-writing-is-problem-solving/
I know what you're thinking: How dare I suggest that the filmmakers have a disease, but it needs to be said. Filmmakers today aren't doing themselves any favors when they make mediocre boy meets girl love stories, glorify the scenes with the boy and girl making love, or undertaking other relationship tasks and calling it art.
This disease isn't an official part of any diagnostic and statistical manual yet for therapists to refer to, but it should be.
I also provide tips on how to approach future boy meets girl love stories should filmmakers still insist that these types of movies be made.
I also give you my personal definition of what marriage is.
Even professionals working in the film and television business and in screenwriting have fallacies.
What I talk about in this episode is just the tip of the iceberg.
Welcome to the first episode of season three of the podcast.
As someone who grew up watching Tollywood movies, I can attest to everything that is being said in this episode.
Not very well known around the world and it is all Bollywood's fault.
When browsing through the YouTube feed, a video popped up (link below) where the Interviewee (Adam William Ward) talked about how most script readers in the business aren't really qualified. I explain why that is for the most part by drawing on my own experience with these so-called "script readers" or "critics" and reiterate my stance on why they are detrimental to the film business, and why they are contributing to the poor quality of films being produced.
Link to said video proving why most readers in the business aren't really qualified: https://youtu.be/Kq093BTb_rw
New Screenwriting Podcast that I came across while browsing my YouTube feed and what I really got out of film school based on what the host of this new Podcast talked out when it comes to is Film School even worth it.
The Writer's Mind Podcast
Tyler Mowery's YouTube channel
is Social Media for filmmakers really worth it? I explain why or why not. I also explain what the fallacies concerning filmmaking and filmmaking gear are and debunk them.
Link is below.
Best social media sites for filmmakers
I've even had one classmate pass me over as DP because he found one who used "a better camera". His. explanation: "Because the quality is good". It didn't serve him well though.
Is it a good idea for producers to hire script readers in today's day and age? I think not.
https://scriptmag.com/features/20-little-things-make-script-readers-hate-screenplay
What is seriously wrong with mediocre filmmakers and how they influence public attitude for the worse.
The thesis for this episode is whether or not film and TV show critics are helpful or detrimental to the industry. The latter is preferred.
The discussion is about faith-based movies and if you ever get a chance to write one or are itching to write one, there are tips on how to go about formulating them.
One of the questions that was asked on the Internet and this is something that most of the creative professionals in the film industry need to be thinking about.
How Peter Jackson used videoconferencing in the filming of the Lord of the Rings trillogy.
https://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Projects-Processes/Videoconferencing-Kept-Lord-of-Rings-on-Track
Also, The clip notes version of the Story of Krishna, the one that is known as the Supreme amongst the Indian deities.
The cardinal sin of Bollywood and Tollywood.
Is your idea any good for producers and other industry decision-makers to produce?
Fact: Only 1 out of 10 scripts are ever produced.
This episode is concentrated on what to look for when you choose a film school because a lot of them only teach you the basics, which you can learn from books and teaching yourself.
Recommended reading: The Visual Story by Bruce Block.
Ever knew about Tollywood. If not, this episode is what you would listen to for this information.
You will also find out about the legendary actor known as NTR, who put it on the map in the first place.
Why the critics are wrong about the realism aspect of a movie and why you shouldn't focus on how realistic a film or tv show is. Movies and tv shows aren't realistic by nature.
Movies and television shows are at their all-time worst and it is not for the reasons you believe to be true.
Welcome to the New Year. This episode is all about representation for the LGBTQ+ members and what is stopping these show runners and filmmakers from putting their money where their mouth is.
Why I decided to start this podcast now and what's in it for you the listener. Tips for screenwriters and their next project is offered.
This is the first ever episode of the Saturdays with the Story Dude. I the host introduce myself in this episode, and tell you a little something about being a screenwriter and what it takes. So, if you are an aspiring screenwriter, listen up.