Featuring special guest actor Karl Huddleston (of “Touched By an Angel” fame), and an exclusive interview with professional Storyteller Rich Knoblich
Considering the Sequels is a monthly film podcast that examines the merits and weaknesses of specific movie franchises. Right-click the title of this post to download this episode free.
In Episode 2 we consider Pixar’s “Toy Story” trilogy. This episode also includes a concept discussion in which we talk about excerpts from an interview with storyteller Rich Knoblich, who discusses the narrative function of “sidebars,” as well as story arcs. And, of course, we each give mini reviews of recent film releases and whatever else we’ve been watching lately.
Your hosts are Andy Howell, Bill Barnes and Jason Pyles. Download this show and hear about Andy’s alternative vampiric lifestyle.
SHOW NOTES:
I. Mini Reviews
Bill — Charlie Bartlett (04:18), The Constant Gardener (04:54), Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (06:23)
Karl — The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (07:00), Avatar: The Last Airbender (08:27)
Jason — The Film Snob’s Dictionary (11:22), Dr. No (12:40)
Andy — Cinemania (16:03), K-19: The Widowmaker (16:29), Zombieland (18:10), Brazil and Yol (18:52)
II. Concept Discussion with Rich Knoblich (19:50)
- Satellite Stories (21:22)
- Satellite Story From Signs (21:40)
- Rich: The Purpose of “Sidebars” (24:05)
- Screenwriting Guru Michael Hauge Weighs in Via E-mail (26:35)
- Satellite Story From Gremlins (29:30)
- Rich Discusses Story Arcs (33:45)
- Rich Discusses the Story Arcs of Sequels (37:10)
— A Quick Word About Our Sponsor, Heftel Studios (41:36)
III. Considering the Sequels: Toy Story
- Toy Story (43:16)
- Toy Story 2 (54:48)
- Toy Story 3 (62:14)
- Franchise Overview (70:22)
Wrap-Up (1:13:55)
End Time (1:16:46)
Karl, Andy, Bill and Jason give their collective verdict on this franchise, from 0 to 100:
Toy Story = 98.5
Toy Story 2 = 89
Toy Story 3 = 82
Overall Franchise = 96
Contact us:
E-mail us with questions, comments, suggestions: SequelsPodcast@Gmail.com, or catch up with us on Facebook by searching "Considering the Sequels." Visit Andy and Jason’s Considering the Cinema discussion blog where we write about unusual films. And if you’re really bored, follow Jason’s mostly film-related thoughts on Twitter.
Credits:
Thanks to our official sponsor, Heftel Studios. Thanks to the Dave Eaton Element for the use of Dave’s music. Thanks to Karl Huddleston and Rich Knoblich for appearing on the show. Rich’s book, “Talking ‘bout the Relatives,” can be ordered through West Virginia Book Co. Rich’s support article and story for the PBS television program “The Call of Story” can be found here.
We’d also like to thank Bill Donovan of Creative Screenwriting Magazine and screenwriting guru Michael Hauge for their contributions to this show. Their sites are www.creativescreenwriting.com and www.screenplaymastery.com, respectively.
Thanks to Bill Barnes and Kara Brewer for their artistic vision and graphic design. Thanks to The /Filmcast and the Creative Screenwriting Magazine podcast for their inspiration.
Episode 2 was recorded on July 5, 2010, and the interview with Rich Knoblich was recorded June 25, 2010. This episode is dedicated in memory of Darlene Baird.
I just spoke with Rich Knoblich, and he reminded me (a former newspaper man), that another use of the term "sidebar" is the design element used every day in newspapers and magazines. Sidebars are those supplemental additions to the main story that are literally situated off to the side of the primary text. They usually explore a particular point more in-depth, much like a lengthy footnote might, or they spin-off into a related but different story.
ReplyDeleteRe: Satellite Stories
ReplyDeleteEven the supposed greatest film ever made, "Citizen Kane," has at least one satellite story I can think of:
During the Mr. Bernstein interview, the old timer tells of a memory he has from 1896, when he was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry and saw an apparently unforgettable girl wearing a white dress and carrying a white parasol. Mr. Bernstein confesses that a month hasn't gone by that he hasn't thought of that girl.
It's short but sweet, and much like the satellite story from "Signs" that we discuss in this episode, it has little effect on the film except for adding some narrative color. Even so, if there are satellite stories in "Citizen Kane," then they are obviously a valid and respectable cinematic phenomenon.
If you don't know what I mean by "satellite stories," listen to this episode. And listeners, readers, let us know your favorite satellite story here in our episode comments or e-mail us at sequelspodcast@gmail.com.
Jason