Storybeater

A podcast about writing, for new and aspiring writers. Hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

Storybeater Episode 074: Oscars 2019 02/17/2019

Storybeater Episode 074: Oscars 2019 Anthony and Andrew discuss the ten nominees for best original screenplay and best adapted screenplay at the 91st Academy Awards in the fifth annual Storybeater Oscars special, including: The Favourite First Reformed Roma Green Book Vice The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Can You Ever Forgive Me BlackkKlansman If Beale Street Could Talk and A Star Is Born. Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/8672555

Storybeater Episode 073: Batman and the Vigilante in Fiction 01/26/2019

Storybeater Episode 073: Batman and the Vigilante in Fiction On the occasion of Batman's 80th anniversary, Anthony and Andrew look at how the character has evolved over the decades, and at his contributions to the archetype of the vigilante in fiction. Why do we keep revisiting Batman's origin story? What makes Gotham unique? Why is Batman's core supporting cast so huge? What are the essential Batman tropes? Where do vigilantes fit in to our moral view of the world? And how do writers approach the tension between "campy Batman" and "macho Batman"? Anthony and Andrew break it all down, plus they reveal what they're writing and what they're reading! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/8407904

Storybeater Episode 072: Mary Poppins 12/19/2018

Storybeater Episode 072: Mary Poppins Is Mary Poppins a protagonist? Is she a witch? Is she mean? Is she a Manic Pixie Dream Girl? Is she fighting the patriarchy and tearing down the Empire? Anthony and Andrew look at the 1964 Mary Poppins movie and the character of the nanny with the brolly. Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/7982384

Storybeater Episode 071: Robin Hood 11/27/2018

Storybeater Episode 071: Robin Hood Storybeater unpacks the literary tropes and traditions surrounding the British folklore hero Robin Hood. How has Robin Hood evolved? Why is archery a popular skill for heroes? What's the definitive trope of a Robin Hood story? Who is the best Merry Man, why are some Merry Men more iconic than others, and how gay is Will Scarlet? Anthony and Andrew discuss all these questions and more! Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/7708595

Storybeater Episode 070: Halloween 10/26/2018

Storybeater Episode 070: Halloween For this year's special Halloween episode, Anthony and Andrew discuss the tropes and conventions of the slasher genre, including the recently rebooted Halloween movie franchise. The conversation covers the sexual politics of slashers, the appeal of fear in storytelling, the post-modern deconstruction of the genre, and more! Plus, what we're writing, and what we're reading! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/7328753

Storybeater Episode 069: The Dragon Prince and Other Stories 09/28/2018

Storybeater Episode 069: The Dragon Prince and Other Stories Anthony and Andrew discuss the new Netflix animated show The Dragon Prince and its tropes, characters, and prospects. They also talk about what they're writing, and discuss Spider-Man... and Thomas Mann. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/7103507

Storybeater Episode 068: Rom-Coms 08/29/2018

Storybeater Episode 068: Rom-Coms Anthony and Andrew discuss the blockbuster rom-com Crazy Rich Asians and how it compares to the tropes of the genre. They also talk about favourite rom-coms and how the genre has changed over time, and where the future of the rom-com might lie. As always, Anthony and Andrew also talk about what they're writing and what they're reading! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6984977

Storybeater Episode 067: Another Marvelous Episode 07/26/2018

Storybeater Episode 067: Another Marvelous Episode Anthony & Andrew discuss the new Marvel movie Ant-Man & The Wasp and the second season of Luke Cage on Netflix, and break down the tropes, the villains, the ways the stories use power, and much more. They also discuss whether it's time to stop talking about Marvel all the time! Plus, what they're writing, and what they're reading, including Yahtzee Croshaw's Jam, and Mackenzi Lee's A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6852107

Storybeater Episode 066: The Heist 06/27/2018

Storybeater Episode 066: The Heist We're putting a team together. Andrew and Anthony discuss the story beats behind heist movies, with a focus on Ocean's 8 and the other movies in the Ocean's franchise, but also touching on heist movies as different as Topkapi and Lucky Logan. Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6748824

Storybeater Episode 065: Infinity War 05/18/2018

Storybeater Episode 065: Infinity War Anthony and Andrew look at the big "season finale" of Marvel Studios' ten year cinematic universe project, Avengers: Infinity War. Does it work as a movie? Does Thanos work as a villain? And what might be next for the MCU? Plus, what we're writing, and what we're reading! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6607313

Storybeater Episode 064: Lost In Space 04/28/2018

Storybeater Episode 064: Lost In Space Anthony and Andrew break down what works and what doesn't about the new Lost In Space TV show. Is Parker Posey the Dr Smith we need right now? They also discuss space-based sci-fi, and talk about what they're reading and writing. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6533179

Storybeater Episode 063: Jessica Jones Returns 03/30/2018

Storybeater Episode 063: Jessica Jones Returns The first season of Jessica Jones had a very clear story to tell about living with trauma, but did it leave anywhere for the second season to go? Anthony and Andrew dig in to the new storyline and ask all the big questions, like 'Can Jessica be happy?', 'What is Malcolm for?' and 'How famous is Trish meant to be anyway?' /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6426201

Storybeater Episode 062: Black & Gold 02/25/2018

Storybeater Episode 062: Black & Gold Anthony and Andrew share their thoughts on the ten nominees for best screenplay in this year's Academy Awards, including The Big Sick, The Shape of Water, Lady Bird, Call Me By Your Name, and Logan. Then they share their thoughts on the latest hit Marvel movie, Black Panther. 00:10:17 Academy Awards 01:17:47 Black Panther /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6299480

Storybeater Episode 061: The Last Year And The Last Jedi 01/21/2018

Storybeater Episode 061: The Last Year And The Last Jedi Anthony and Andrew offer their take on the writing and world-building of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, plus a look back at some of their favourite genre works of 2017 (and a couple of duds). /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/6171968

Storybeater Episode 60: Werewolves & Monster Men 10/26/2017

Storybeater Episode 60: Werewolves & Monster Men Anthony and Andrew talk about monsters and the id of man, with a special focus on Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and the classic Universal monster movie The Wolf Man. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5878235

Storybeater Episode 059: Musicals! 09/27/2017

Storybeater Episode 059: Musicals! Anthony and Andrew talk about their favourite musicals, and how musicals approach story. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5782586

Storybeater Episode 058: The Defenders 08/30/2017

Storybeater Episode 058: The Defenders Anthony and Andrew break down the highs and lows of Marvel's Defenders series on Netflix, bringing together the characters from Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and also Iron Fist. It was a bold television experiment, but did it work? /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5690519

Storybeater Episode 057: Spider-Man Homecoming 08/01/2017

Storybeater Episode 057: Spider-Man Homecoming Breaking down the heroes, villains, and world-building of the latest Spider-Man movie. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5597003

Episode 056: Guardians of Wonder 06/30/2017

Episode 056: Guardians of Wonder Anthony and Andrew offer their belated story-related thoughts on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and DC's Wonder Woman. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5497456

Storybeater Episode 55: The F8 of the Furious 05/12/2017

Storybeater Episode 55: The F8 of the Furious We recorded this podcast a quarter mile at a time. (And then uploaded it super late.) /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5350608

Storybeater Episode 054: Iron Fist 04/03/2017

Storybeater Episode 054: Iron Fist Breaking down (almost) everything wrong with Netflix's Marvel's Iron Fist. Plus, what we're reading and what we're writing! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5231461

Storybeater Episode 053: Oscars 2017 02/23/2017

Storybeater Episode 053: Oscars 2017 Anthony and Andrew offer their thoughts on this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay, including La La Land, The Lobster, Manchester By The Sea, Arrival, Hidden Figures, Lion, and Moonlight. Plus, what they're reading and what they're writing! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/5110251

Storybeater Episode 052: Rogue One 12/24/2016

Storybeater Episode 052: Rogue One Breaking down the strengths and flaws of Gareth Edwards' Rogue One. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4940153

Storybeater Episode 051: Doctor Strange 11/25/2016

Storybeater Episode 051: Doctor Strange Anthony and Andrew break down the story elements and the successes and failures of the new Doctor Strange movie, including its use of tropes, its treatment of women, and the question of how sympathetic its lead character is meant to be. Plus, what we're reading, and what we're writing! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4860549

Storybeater Episode 050: Luke Cage 10/22/2016

Storybeater Episode 050: Luke Cage Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler break down the storytelling, heroes, villains, women, and cultural significance of Cheo Hodari Coker's Luke Cage show as best as they are able! Plus; what they're writing, and what they're reading! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4765190

Storybeater Episode 049: The Magnificent Seven 09/29/2016

Storybeater Episode 049: The Magnificent Seven Anthony and Andrew look at the strengths and problems of the latest version of The Magnificent Seven, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. How does it compare to previous versions, and to other "build the team" and "defend the castle" movies? Plus, in What We're Reading, Anthony talks about Raina Telgemeier's Ghosts, and Andrew talks about the podcast My Favorite Murder. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4703910

Storybeater Episode 048: Suicide Squad / The Get Down 08/28/2016

Storybeater Episode 048: Suicide Squad / The Get Down Anthony and Andrew tackle Suicide Squad, a movie that just begs to be rewritten, and check out the first six episodes of Baz Luhrmann's The Get Down on Netflix. Spoilers ahead! Check us out at Fan Expo in Toronto, September 1-4. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4623543

Storybeater Episode 047: Ghostbusters 2016 07/31/2016

Storybeater Episode 047: Ghostbusters 2016 Andrew and Anthony talk about Paul Feig's 2016 reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. What worked, what didn't, and how did the weird controversy around the movie shape our appreciation for it? Plus, what we're writing and what we're reading! /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4555657

Storybeater Episode 046: Storybeater Apocalypse 06/13/2016

Storybeater Episode 046: Storybeater Apocalypse Anthony and Andrew go in-depth on the latest X-Men movie, X-Men: Apocalypse, and take a detour into another Biblical comics adaptation, AMC's Preacher. Plus, the latest look at what they're writing and what they're reading. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4437665

Storybeater Episode 045: Captain America: Civil War 05/12/2016

Storybeater Episode 045: Captain America: Civil War Anthony and Andrew discuss the secrets behind the success of Captain America: Civil War, including its place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe canon and the establishment of new characters Black Panther and Spider-Man. Plus, inevitably, they compare Civil War to Batman v Superman. Also in this episode: TCAF, I Hate Fairyland, and Thomas King. /episode/index/show/storybeater/id/4363534

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