Story Babble

Solid Advice About Storytelling (mingled with nonsense)

Brittni Miner: “Buy m’Junk.” 05/18/2021

Brittni Miner: “Buy m’Junk.” “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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/19144121

Bernie Van De Yacht: Looping Master 04/20/2021

Bernie Van De Yacht: Looping Master 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/18787781

Operation Varsity Blues: The Future of Documentaries? 04/07/2021

Operation Varsity Blues: The Future of Documentaries? 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/18632381

Operation Varsity Blues: The Future of Documentaries? 04/07/2021

Nomadland: All wander, no destination? 03/16/2021

Nomadland: All wander, no destination? 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/18340808

Hollywood and Cancel Culture 02/22/2021

Hollywood and Cancel Culture 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/18040862

Kara McDowell Again! 02/13/2021

Kara McDowell Again! 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/17937341

What makes iconic scenes iconic? 01/20/2021

What makes iconic scenes iconic? 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? /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/17616230

Biopics: History or Art? 12/31/2020

Biopics: History or Art? Biopics: History or Art? /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/17418137

Homer v Dr Who 12/24/2020

Homer v Dr Who 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/17323628

The Luck of the Irish - Steve Vinovich 12/07/2020

The Luck of the Irish - Steve Vinovich 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/17097413

The Value of Misery in Storytelling and in Life 11/09/2020

The Value of Misery in Storytelling and in Life 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/16741856

Why you love/hate country music 10/24/2020

Why you love/hate country music 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/16532612

How to Become a Composer and Just What is Temp Lust? | J Bateman 10/05/2020

How to Become a Composer and Just What is Temp Lust? | J Bateman 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/16273247

Sonny Carter is Dead 09/17/2020

Sonny Carter is Dead 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) /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/16043720

Metaphors 09/05/2020

Metaphors 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/15900815

Are the movies you love gay enough? 08/25/2020

Are the movies you love gay enough? Simon Nissen talks about the portrayal of gay men in cinema. Are these portrays doing right by the gay community? /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/15743609

Ben Tyler: Arizona’s playwright 08/08/2020

Ben Tyler: Arizona’s playwright 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. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/15529700

Hamilton: Masterpiece or Disasterpiece 07/21/2020

Hamilton: Masterpiece or Disasterpiece If you want to hear two old farts try and make sense of a rap musical, well, then, this episode is for you. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/15295280

Does your art have passion? - Ryan Woodward 06/29/2020

Does your art have passion? - Ryan Woodward In the world of animation, Ryan Woodward is the ultimate utility man. He’s an A-list character animator, effects animator, and storyboard artist. Check out his social media (@ryanwoodwardart) and you’ll quickly discover he has a massive following for all the right reasons. He’s an iconoclast who refuses to settle. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/15011606

Father's Day Takeover 06/20/2020

Father's Day Takeover Mark and Brian's children take over the podcast for Father's Day. Suzanne Arnett O'Dell, Kate Arnett Mower, and Simon Nissen reveal what it was like being parented by father's who never fully grew up. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14902358

A Tribute to the Wallace and Ladmo Show 06/16/2020

A Tribute to the Wallace and Ladmo Show It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years since we performed our final Citrus Valley Playhouse performance which told an improbable tale of the most unique children’s show in American TV history. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14837762

The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Suzanne O'Dell 06/01/2020

The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Suzanne O'Dell Mark’s daughter, Suzanne, has thought a lot about the stories she tells herself...about herself. Sometimes they hurt. Sometimes they help. Can better stories change your life? /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14641847

Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle 05/25/2020

Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle We haven’t run out of Ridley’s yet. Mark Ridley is the founder and owner of Detroit’s famous Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle. Think of your favorite comedian. He or she has played the Castle at one time or another. Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres. Tim Allen got his start there. The list goes on. Mark gives us a peek at how the world of stand-up comedy works. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14560328

An A List Lyricist: David Zippel 05/16/2020

An A List Lyricist: David Zippel Lyricist, David Zippel has worked with a lot of big names in Hollywood and on Broadway. Alan Menken, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Larry Gelbart, and Marvin Hamlisch to name just a few. His credits include City of Angels, The Goodbye Girl, Hercules, Mulan and The Swan Princess. And yet he took the time to talk to little ol’ Storybabble. You’ve heard his stuff. You know how talented and clever he is. You’ll pleased to know he’s as nice as he is witty. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14447912

Mike Ridley: Michigan Man 05/04/2020

Mike Ridley: Michigan Man Mark and Brian talk to another member of the prolific Ridley clan. In a family that boasts actors, jazz singers, impresarios, and filmmakers, Mike is the touring balladeer, Michigan’s “Michigan Man”. To see his weekly Facebook concert is to see a man who loves music and people in equal measure. And they love him right back. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14267294

Are you breaking the most important writing rules? Lou Florimonte 04/27/2020

Are you breaking the most important writing rules? Lou Florimonte Probably more than any person, Lou Florimonte influenced Brian Nissen's acting and writing career. Once a professor at the California Institute of the Arts, Lou is now retired and living in California. He took the time to talk to Brian and Mark about the three most common mistakes a writer can make. This is a Master Class taught by a master of his craft. Enjoy. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14159024

Is the Corona virus killing your creativity? 04/16/2020

Is the Corona virus killing your creativity? Filmmaker Aaron Meyers is stuck inside just like all the rest of us. But unlike Mark and Brian he’s trying to stay busy. He’s got some tips on how to sharpen your skills in the age of Corona. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/14010383

Frank Ridley, a.k.a. Gil Fulbright the honest politician 03/30/2020

Frank Ridley, a.k.a. Gil Fulbright the honest politician Mark and Brian talk with Frank Ridley, Brian‘s cousin, who has appeared in numerous movies, TV shows, and even in an opera or two. But perhaps his most memorable role has been Gil Fulbright, a 2016 fake candidate for the US Senate. The so-called Honest Politician campaign was a viral phenomenon, drawing attention to the undue influence of money in politics. /episode/index/show/storybabble/id/13765166

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