Story Matters With Curt Mega

We launch our November exploration of the MUSICAL BIOPIC genre by taking a deep dive into Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic from 20th Century Fox. We also ask the question of what makes a good biopic? What is the moral responsibility the storyteller has to tell the story exactly as it happened versus creating under the banner of “based on a true story”? When does artistic license cross the line into assassination of character? You can email us your feedback, questions and comments to storymatterspodcast@gmail.com! You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Overcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Please rate and review this podcast on iTunes and tell your friends, your family and your fellow storytellers! Article link: New Rules for "Based on a True Story" by Ann Hornaday | Washington Post

We are OVERHAULING THE SHOW in a major way and are very excited to share the details about this new format with you in this episode. We also discuss our ongoing creative projects, examine the the value of reprioritizing and simplifying your life to better achieve your creative goals and talk about the power and freedom that comes from learning to FINISH PROJECTS. In our WHAT WE'VE BEEN WATCHING SEGMENT, we talk about The Amazon original series Forever, the new Drew Goddard film Bad Times at the El Royale, the new Netflix horror series The Haunting of Hill House, the new horror film by Luca Guadagnino Suspiria, the 2018 Halloween lega-sequel starring  Jamie Lee Curtis. You can email us your feedback, questions and comments to storymatterspodcast@gmail.com! You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Overcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Please rate and review this podcast on iTunes and tell your friends, your family and your fellow storytellers!

In this episode of the podcast, we take a look back on the summer movies of 2018 and the films that most impacted us, disappointed us, excited us and made us fall in love with the cinema all over again. We also take a hard look at the trend of sequels and prequels and the fact that the top 10 grossing films of 2018 are ALL tied directly to a previously existing franchise. Then for our deep dive, we explore the rise and fall of MoviePass and its impact on the movie-going experience as a whole and ask the question of what exactly defines a "cinematic experience". You can listen to all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast@gmail.com and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts by visiting us on iTunes!

In this episode, Curt, Mike and Kim sit down with actor Wesam Keesh (MTV's Awkward, ABC's For the People and more) to tackle the recent headline news of The Cosby Show's Geoffrey Owens' candid discussions on the realities of the jobs we take to pay our bills while trying to pursue a career in the arts. In this roundtable episode, we talk openly about the craziest side-hustles we've all had to work to pay the bills, the societal stigma and shame that seems to be applied to people working regular day-jobs to support their art, the discipline of training like an athlete even when it comes to creativity, and the value of trying new things that scare the living daylights out of you.  You can find all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music or wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a review and rating and let us know how the show has inspired you in your storytelling journey!  About Wesam Keesh: Wesam was raised most of his life in T

It's the 10 year anniversary of Christopher Nolan's genre changing super hero crime drama The Dark Knight! In this episode, Curt, Kim, Mike and Eric take a deep dive into the 2nd installment of Nolan's Batman trilogy and examine the influence the film has had on the super hero genre as an art form, explore Heath Ledger's brilliant performance as The Joker and examine how the film holds up 10 years after its release. 

We take a look at the life and legacy of Fred Rogers and break down our reactions and thoughts to Morgan Neville's latest documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor, an in depth look at the the life, philosophy and heart of Fred Rogers. We also talk about Mister Roger's Neighborhood and the impact it had on our lives as both children and adults and its call to action for our modern age. In our What We've Been Watching segment, we dive into HBO's brilliant documentary Spielberg, Season 2 of the harrowing Hulu original series The Handmaid's Tale, and the poignant and essential manual for aspiring writers Letter's To a Young Novelist. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review! 

In this SUPER episode of the podcast, we take a look back at Pixar's groundbreaking 2004 film The Incredibles to discuss what influences it's had on the superhero genre as a whole and examine how it holds up 14 years later upon a rewatch. Then, we then delve into an in-depth, spoiler-filled roundtable conversation on Incredibles 2 to discuss our reactions, thoughts and takeaways on the super-sized super sequel 14 years in the making! You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod 

In this SUPER-SIZED episode of the podcast, Eric Carroll joins Curt and Mike to remember the amazing storytelling that Anthony Bourdain brought to the world. We also talk about the incredible new horror/drama film Hereditary. Then we delve into the delicate and controversial waters of toxic tribalism, specifically in reference to the backlash of The Last Jedi and the fallout of bullying on social media. Is the pop culture we consume a substitute for virtue and what is the right way to approach criticism over a particular franchise, fandom or story? LINKS: WHY TOXIC TRIBALISM IS DESTROYING OUR SOCIETY AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT https://medium.com/@zaiderrr/why-toxic-tribalism-is-destroying-our-society-what-to-do-about-it-e05c3391d143 You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspo

In this episode of the podcast, Curt, Kim and Mike reflect on their vacation travels throughout the Caribbean and South America and see what stories inspired/impacted them during their adventures! They also discuss the positive impact that rest and reflection can have on the creative process. Take a listen as they share with each other how travel inspires story! You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod   

In this episode, the conversation continues with our "Story Matters Film Retrospective"! We take a look at Mike's film choice with LA Confidential and its examination of police corruption and institutionalized coverup and look how it mirrors so much of the real world that we see today. Then we delve into Curt's pick of The Social Network and its insightful critique of social media and its sharp examination of a system that was specifically created to keep us distracted by and addicted to a never-ending validation feedback loop. We are so excited for this new roundtable format of the show and can't wait for you to hear what we've been working on! You can email your thoughts and feedback on this week's conversation and more by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Story Matters is made possible by Patreon.com/storymatters! Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagra

Please welcome new co-hosts Kim Whalen (@itskimwhalen) and Mike Tobias (@miketobias) to the show! In this first episode of the new format of Story Matters, join Curt, Mike and Kim as they take a look at the world through the lens of story. In this episode, we talk about what we've been working on creatively and what obstacles we're facing in our own storytelling journey including the play Mike is writing, the stage musical Kim is directing and the feature film Curt is about to begin editing. We also take a look at the world around us and the stories we observe in our first "There's a Story Here" segment featuring an abandoned coffee shop, an open house and an Uber full of complete strangers! And then for our main course of the episode, the first edition of our "Story Matters Film Retrospective" where we take a deep dive into a trio of films that have all come to mean far more to us now years after their release on both a personal and cultural/societal level. First up is Kim's pick: the Pixar classic WALL-E! W

In this episode, I take you back to the first time I donned a costume and became The Texas Ranger, hero of the Wild West. Along my journey into my past, I rediscover the power of embodying a character, the wonder of imagining a world beyond your reality, and the magic of superhero cape made from the leftover scraps at the craft store. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Story Matters is made possible by Patreon.com/storymatters! Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod    

In this special bonus radio play episode of the podcast, David is in WAY over his head on a first date with date Zoe, a comic-book super-fan and cosplay aficionado, at the midnight premiere of Avengers Infinity War. Unfortunately for David, his dad, Bruce, is making the date even more awkward then he could have possibly imagined...  This episode is brought to you by the amazing Patrons over at Patreon.com/storymatters and was written by Sebastian Gregory, Alex Barrett, Sammi-Jayne Blackman and Curt Mega. It features Rachid Fakhoury as David, Kim Whalen as Zoe and Curt Mega as Bruce!  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and become a Patron of Story Matters at www.Patreon.com/storymatters!

We live in a world of instant connection. The fact that we can share our thoughts and ideas with millions of people all over the world with the tap of a fingertip is an incredible and miraculous thing... right? Or is it? What are the drawbacks? What are the dangers? What do we stand to lose when our entire culture becomes fueled by instantaneous reaction? This episode also features the guest voice talents of Kim Whalen! Story Matters is made possible by Patreon.com/storymatters! All episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod    

In this special POST-OSCARS episode of the podcast, Curt recaps the 2018 Academy Awards, discussing all the big wins and what made this Academy Award's show stand out from year's past! Also featuring the original radio-play "THE NIGHT TOM THE INTERN RUINED THE ACADEMY AWARDS!" about a hapless intern as he single-handedly ruins the Oscars by misplacing an awards envelope on a urinal in the bathroom at the Dolby theatre during the big show. Brought to you by Patreon.com/storymatters!! All episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod

In this special OSCARS EPISODE, Joey Richter (Tin Can Brothers, Starkid) joins me once again to talk all things Academy Awards and share our takes on this year's nine nominees (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Shape of Water, The Post, Phantom Thread, Call Me By Your Name, Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, Lady Bird, and Get Out). We also discuss some of our favorite films left out of the running for best picture and take a look back at 2017 from a cinematic perspective and what it means going forward for filmmakers, creators, and storytellers both in front of and behind the camera. I had such a blast talking Oscars LAST year with Joey so please join me on this official Story Matters tradition as Joey and I take on THE 2018 ACADEMY AWARDS! Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast

In this second part of my conversation with singer, actor, dancer and renaissance man Re'Sean Pates, he takes us back to his small town roots of Toney, Alabama and tells the tale of his surprising, unexpected and incredible journey from his hometown to the sets of Hollywood and stages all over the world to remind us that when we work hard, are excellent in our craft, and stay humble and stay hungry, impossibilities CAN happen! Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast

In this episode of Story Matters, I sit down with my Warbler Brother Re'Sean Pates! A singer, dancer, actor, and artist extraordinaire, Re'Sean is a diverse and multifaceted artist who embraces storytelling in all its forms. From his small town roots in Alabama, to the set of Glee, to stages all over the world alongside Katy Perry, Re'Sean has an amazing story to share full of insight, wisdom, humor and pure inspiration. I also talk about weathering the storm of disappointment, hating your own work and finding inspiration in the midst of self-loathing.  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast

This VALENTINE'S DAY EPISODE of Story Matters is all about THE "L" WORD! Love! Romance! Passion! But not in the way you might think... The creative process of storytelling is very much a mirror of romantic relationships; the highs, the lows and everything in-between. This episode also features a special VALENTINE'S THEMED radio play: "ALEXA, MY LOVE!" and may make you think a little differently about just how close of a connection and bond we have to our devices that help (and/or control) us. Love to you all! Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast

Sometimes, the opportunity and success we chase after comes at a price. How much are we willing to sacrifice to live out our dreams?  How much are we willing to inconvenience ourselves? Are we prepared for the success we think we want to have? In this episode, I delve into the sacrifice of what it is to live a life as an artist. I also take some listener questions for our January mailbag!  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast