Illiterate

Here be spoilers! What influenced Jordan Peele to create this genre-mash alien feature? And who the heck knows anything about Muybridge and the horse galloping origin of cinema? You will - just listen and learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Nope (2022) article, interview with scientist John O. Dabiri video, interview with victim of Travis the chimp photo, Muybridge in Yosemite Other similar episodes to check out…Candyman, Jurassic Park, Godzilla vs Kong, UFO, Concrete Cowboy, Gretel and Hansel, Fear Street, Lovecraft Country

A beloved book, a new movie, and scandal about the author’s past. What’s really going on, and is it all sensation, or is there something we can learn about the creative process in the midst of this mess? Come along and learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) footage, from the ABC poaching incident article, the journalism “The Hunted” from 2010 Other similar episodes to check out…The Staircase, You, The Woman in the Window, Little Fires Everywhere, The Goldfinch, Death on the Nile, Motherless Brooklyn

A re-release while we take a break this week - a great look into a quotable classic! How did this endearing, comforting fantasy tale come to be? Learn why the book is so different in the telling, and the life and journey of William Goldman in turning books into films. Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, The Princess Bride (1987) document, the “missing scene” from the book book, Adventures in the Screen Trade (memoir) article, making of the film book, on the life of William Goldman

They’ve caught up with us…we can no longer avoid them…THE MINIONS. Why are they so popular, and how did they come to be the highest grossing animated series of all time? Could we even learn to love them? Let’s journey through the origins of the little yellow dudes! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Minions: The Rise of Gru artwork, the evolution of the Minion design video, giant Minion attack in Dublin article, surviving on only Minion merch photo, Build-a-Bears using Minion skin Other similar episodes to check out…Sonic the Hedgehog, Frozen, Shrek (part 1), Clifford the Big Red Dog, My Hero Academia, Space Jam, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Harry Potter (part 1)

The new Baz Luhrmann film covers a ton of Elvis ground - why did Baz take on such a daunting subject? How did he get the information to bring a lacking lens to the Elvis story? And who the heck is Colonel Tom Parker? Come listen and learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Elvis (2022) video, Austin Butler preproduction singing interview, Baz Lurhmann on Black artistry interview, Nelson George on consulting the film video, Baz with Elvis’ friend Sam Bell interview, Yola on playing Sister Rosetta Tharpe article, the real Colonel Tom Parker video, Lilo and Stich Elvis impersonating scene trailer, Elvis & Nixon (2016) Other similar episodes to check out…Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Nightmare Alley, Being the Ricardos, Billie Holiday

The only feature film adaptation from the prolific short story author has arrived. How did this movie come to be, and why haven’t we gotten more films based on his work? How does the medium change the material? Let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Spiderhead (2022) short story, Escape from Spiderhead (2010) audiobook, Lincoln in the Bardo (with all the actors) book, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain (writing class) interview, George Saunders on the craft video, the pilot for Sea Oak on Amazon Other similar episodes to check out…Jurassic Park, Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Matrix, Lovecraft Country, Books of Blood, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Westworld, Parasite, Joker

What are the origins for the conspiracy and government storylines, and how did the creators of the show pitch the story at the start? Come along and learn the beginnings of the hit show! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Stranger Things (season 4) compilation video, references to 80s movies in Stranger Things trailer, anime Elfen Lied pdf, original pitch document “Montauk” book, “The Montauk Project” (1992) trailer, “The Philadelphia Experiment” (1984) Other similar episodes to check out…Stephen King, It, Steven Spielberg, Fear Street, Scream, Ghostbusters, Enola Holmes, Nancy Drew, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

What are the origins of the mega franchise? How did the book come to be? And did anybody listen to the warnings about messing with the natural order, or will we have wooly mammoths in 5 years?! Come listen and learn! a correction: Pleistocene should be pronounced “PLY-stow-seen”. Apologies to all the ice age aficionados! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) article, original 1982 study on a fly in amber video, news segment with scared kid on ’93 release day video, Crichton’s TED talk from 1992 article, speculative viable dino DNA uncovered in fossil site, Colossal Biosciences (the wooly mammoth company) article, on Pleistocene Park in Siberia book, Jack Horner’s “How to Build a Dinosaur” (2009) instagram, Evan’s Jurassic Park Jeep (TJJP18) Other similar episodes to check out…Westworld, Steven Spielberg (pt 2), Batm

A military and cultural touchstone, but how much is based on fact, or brought about by government influence? We go into the real organizations, old films, and scandals to uncover the inner workings of the Top Gun creative process. Come along and learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Top Gun: Maverick (2022) video, training the actors for flight article, original Top Guns in California Mag (1983) interview, real-life analyst Christine Fox article, analysis of DoD control in film video, kiss scene from Wings (1929) article, the Tailhook Incident article, Production Assistance Agreement for Top Gun: Maverick Other similar episodes to check out…The Fast & the Furious, Halo, Don’t Look Up, Ghostbusters, James Bond (part 1), UFO, Die Hard, Da 5 Bloods

It’s madness! Doctor Strange, Rick and Morty, Spider-man, Everything Everywhere, Chip n’ Dale, Space Jam, and more on the way. Why has the multiverse idea caught on so much recently in media? Where did it start, and how is it a reflection of our current culture? Let’s get into it! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: article, Hugh Everret and his son Mark, and the band Eels trailer, Glitch in the Matrix trailer, The Theory of Everything book, The Nineties Other similar episodes to check out…Justice League, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Batman (part 1), Philip K Dick, Color Out of Space (HP Lovecraft), The Matrix, Harry Potter (part 1), Halo, My Hero Academia, Marvel's What If?, Space Jam, The Plot Against America

The start of the 21st century true-crime series extravaganza has an update! Why is this dramatization different, and what’s the reason for adapting a documentary again? And how come only certain court cases can be filmed? Let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us Extras: trailer, The Staircase (2022) interview, og director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade interview, show creators Antonio Campos & Maggie Cohn trailer, Trial and Error parody, 2017 book, Behind the Staircase - Michael Peterson audio, Supreme Court oral arguments interview, Michael Peterson and Sophie Brunet in 2019 Other similar episodes to check out…Only Murders in the Building, You, Nancy Drew, Death on the Nile, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Pam and Tommy, Impeachment: American Crime Story, The Woman in the Window, Bad Education, Tread

Suit up for an epic tale of the creative process and influences behind one of the biggest entertainment properties. And also - why is a show coming out decades after the hype? Let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Halo The Series (2022) video, Halo test at MacWorld (1999) books, Iain M Banks “Culture” Series books, Larry Niven’s “Ringworld” Series article, the effect of the music in Halo screenplay, Halo film from 2005 article, interviews on making the Halo franchise Other similar episodes to check out…Mortal Kombat, Dune, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Matrix, Squid Game, My Hero Academia, James Bond (pt 2), Army of the Dead, Watchmen

The Offer is out, about the making of the Godfather film. But how did Mario Puzo craft the original story? Was the mob actually involved? And what forgotten book was his true inspiration? Let’s find out! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, The Offer (TV show 2022) book, Mario Puzo’s autobiography (1972) poster art, The Brotherhood (1968) article, Frank Sinatra and the mob article, Peter Bart’s account of the production article, the only NYT reporter on the film set (1971) book, The Fortunate Pilgrim (1965) Other similar episodes to check out…The Irishman, Motherless Brooklyn, Nightmare Alley, Pachinko, Candyman, Shaft, Steven Spielberg, Bad Education, Mindhunter

What is the fascination with Nicholas Cage - is he a genius, or a madman, or just a misunderstood normal guy? Come learn about the creation of a film about him, starring him, as only he could do. Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent video, crazy talk show alter-ego appearance pdf, Blacklist version of screenplay from 2019 video, first time on a talk show in 14 years q&a, recent reddit AMA with Nicholas Cage trailer, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare trailer, JCVD photo, Cage in Kazakhstan trailer, Adaptation article, deep dive into the real Nicholas Cage Other similar episodes to check out…Color Out of Space, Shrek (part 1), Scream, The Beatles: Get Back, Die Hard, Mortal Kombat, Steven Spielberg

This K-Drama of epic proportions came from an equally monumental book. Where did this eighty-year long story originate, and what’s it have to say about the history of Korea? Let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Pachinko interview, historical consultant on Pachinko video, food in Studio Ghibli films website, Thousand Miles Project article, the food in Pachinko video, Pachinko title sequence Other similar episodes to check out…Squid Game, Minari, Parasite, My Hero Academia, CODA, Nollywood, The Crown, Avatar: The Last Airbender

The speedy guy goes big at the box office - but how did such a strange creature come to be? What are the ups and downs of his career, and why haven’t we seen a movie until now? Come find out! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 video, Sonic parade balloon crash in 1993 article, original sketch ideas for fast Sega character art book, History of Sonic the Hedgehog article, Hirokazu Yasuhara’s game design process video, history of Sonic animation video, “Genesis does what Nintendon’t” costume, original 2019 Sonic children’s Halloween design Other similar episodes to check out…Godzilla vs Kong, Mortal Kombat, Space Jam, Batman (part 1), Shrek (part 1), Ghostbusters, Avatar, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

What do you know about Agatha Christie, the best-selling author of the most famous whodunits? What makes them consistently unique and popular, hundreds of years later? And where did she disappear to in the middle of her career? So many questions, and so many answers - let’s get on the case! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Death on the Nile article, Agatha Christie’s surfing secret video, Agatha’s disappearance (Drunk History) article, Agatha Christie biography documentary, Being Poirot (TV series) article, Agatha Christie’s archaeology Other similar episodes to check out…Enola Holmes, Nancy Drew, Motherless Brooklyn, Godzilla vs. Kong, Bridgerton, Emma/Clueless

We learned so much in this episode, about signing, the deaf community, how to write and research a story, and the origins of a language. Come along and find out! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, CODA (2021) video, Troy Kotsur’s Oscar acceptance speech trailer, original French film La Famille Belier (2014) article, history of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language video, Writer’s Guild script breakdown with Sian Heder screenplay pdf, CODA (2021) video, analysis of ASL idioms in CODA interview, Troy Kotsur on Mandalorian sign language Other similar episodes to check out…Minari, Euphoria, The Power of the Dog, Promising Young Woman, Nomadland, Moonlight

Join us and learn about the history of the Joker, and the real world assassinations and scandals that created the Joker character over the years. Now a major film “Joker” with Joaquin Phoenix. Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: image, the comparison photo between “The Man Who Laughs” and Joker video, the trailer for “Joker” video, Batman vs. Alien vs. Predator book, The Joker: A Serious Study book, An Assassin’s Diary (Arthur Bremer) Other similar episodes to check out…Batman (part 1), Batman (part 2), Justice League, Stan Lee, Watchmen (HBO), The Invisible Man

The journey of the Batman film series is as twisted as the Riddler’s schemes. Why are the films continually flipping tone and style? And what are they trying to pull from the source material? Most important - why are the toys nothing like the films? Descend from your gargoyle, and learn along with us! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, The Batman (2022) article, Marlon Wayans as Robin article, Sean Young petitioning as Catwoman article, McDonald’s Happy Meal toys for Batman Returns article, Empire Magazine on Batman Returns trailer, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) article, Robert Pattinson on Mask of the Phantasm trailer, The Lego Batman Movie (2017) Other similar episodes to check out…Justice League, Joker, Watchmen (HBO), James Bond (part 2), Shrek (part 2)