By Charlie Dorsett
The podcast currently has 585 episodes available.
In this episode of Project Shadow, hosts Charlie and Brian dive into the new Star Wars series 'The Acolyte,' analyzing its character developments, themes, and the impact of the High Republic era. They reflect on the importance of stakes and emotional control in the narrative, providing insights into the deep connections between characters. The conversation broadens to include bold storytelling approaches in modern sci-fi and fantasy series like 'Ahsoka' and 'Rings of Power', discussing the need for stories to stand on their own and the importance of evolving mythologies for contemporary audiences. The hosts highlight the challenges creators face in balancing respect for source material with innovation and celebrate successful genre diversification within franchises. The first 43 minutes is spoiler free.
00:00 Introduction to The Acolyte
00:54 Welcome Back to Project Shadow
02:14 Non-Spoiler Review of The Acolyte
03:00 High Republic Era Explained
08:27 The High Republic Publishing Initiative
13:37 The Stakes in The High Republic
16:26 Comparing The Acolyte to Other Star Wars Media
30:32 The Force and Its Importance in Star Wars
37:01 The Acolyte's Unique Approach
43:05 Spoiler Zone: Deep Dive into The Acolyte
52:59 The Jedi's Emotional Struggle
54:05 Character Dynamics: Osha and May
55:39 Killing Jedi: A Complex Challenge
57:06 Flashbacks and Perspectives
01:00:49 The Dark Side's Influence
01:08:55 Bleeding the Crystal: A Star Wars Moment
01:13:39 The Future of Star Wars Storytelling
01:34:28 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
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The episode of Project: Shadow titled "Writing for a Subscription Platform" features Charlie, a non-binary sci-fi and fantasy writer, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities of writing for a subscription-based platform. Charlie contrasts this model with traditional novel writing, highlighting the constant need for engaging content in subscription writing and the different kind of pressure it entails.
Charlie explains that in subscription writing, each part of the story must be captivating, unlike a novel where the overall narrative holds precedence. This model allows for the story to evolve and grow over time, offering a more dynamic and interactive experience for both the writer and the audience.
The subscription model is detailed as a process where readers pay a small fee for early access to drafts and the opportunity to influence the story's direction. Charlie emphasizes the benefits of having committed beta readers (or alpha readers) who provide valuable feedback throughout the writing process.
Charlie shares personal experiences and strategies, including a shift towards more outlining than usual, while still allowing room for spontaneous creativity. They also express the vulnerability and fear associated with sharing early, unrefined drafts and the worry that their work might not resonate with readers.
The discussion then shifts to the mechanics of using a platform like Ream for publishing drafts and the fear of judgment that writers face. Charlie questions traditional publication methods' sustainability and suggests that the subscription model aligns more closely with modern readers' preferences for interactive and regularly updated content.
Finally, Charlie invites listeners to join them on their writing journey through their podcast, "The Nonbinary Writer," and teases future episodes focusing on media analysis, specifically Star Trek and Star Wars.
In this heartfelt episode, Charlie shares their personal journey through a period of burnout, not from overwork, but due to the overwhelming nature of current global and personal challenges. They discuss the difficulty in balancing their passion for discussing media with the increasingly toxic environment in fandom debates and the broader societal turmoil.
Charlie reflects on their disappointment with recent media, like the adaptation of "Dune," and how it missed capturing the essence of the source material's themes, which are so relevant today. They express frustration with the public's misinterpretation of their work and the struggle to find relevance and joy in creating art amidst the chaos of the world.
This episode delves into the importance of finding joy in small things and the necessity of living in the present rather than waiting for a better future. Charlie emphasizes the significance of the little joys in life and how they keep us going, despite the overwhelming nature of global issues like climate change and social injustices.
In 1990, two things happened that would change the course of my life forever. One. I heard the Nine Inch Nails song, Head like a Hole, for the first time . The second thing that happened was I told my friends that I liked it.
Up until this point, I had been a kid of the eighties and early nineties. I liked a lot of the hair metal and a lot of the pop music that was around at the time. But there was something about the sound of this song that just drew me in and made me want to hear more.
And so when I told my friends that I had been listening to Head like a Hole, they were like, oh, You like that? Have I got something for you. This Is when my world of music expanded and changed, and I got into a lot of genres I had never thought about before. I started listening to punk music, had a friend introduced me to the Dead Kennedys, and TSOL. The True Sound of Liberty. And the more he realized that I liked that band, especially songs like. Darker My, Love, the more he started introducing me to other bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, and eventually, we got into the really amazing goth music of Christian Death.
There are so many bands I could list here. There's so many bands that I could talk about that really helped foster this change in my musical taste. And it's hard to say exactly what it was about this music that called out to me. It may have been the atmospherics. It may have been the tone. The sarcasm that's most of the singers delivered their lyrics with.
It's hard to say exactly what it was that drew me first into Gothic music, but I can tell you what held me there, and what converted me into the scene and into the subculture. And that was the album Rise by Nosferatu . still to this day, one of my absolute favorite albums.
From it's haunting intro track, to the title track Rise, Lucy is Red, I fell in love with the sound, the storytelling, this world that was being open to me. The more I got involved with the music, the more I got involved in the scene. The more I started dressing the part, playing around with the makeup.
What I found in goth music was a community of like-minded individuals that had a sarcastic view towards life, a morbid curiosity, and who joked about death.
I always find it funny when I hear people talk about goths and goth music, because they tend to confuse us with other scenes and other crowds. And I get it. The aesthetics are similar. But that's all that they are, aesthetics. Goth music is an umbrella term for a whole bevy of sub genres from coldwave to shock-a-billy, and everything in between. . It arose from the post-punk scene and took a lot of its cues from the New Romantics.
Whether you believe the genre started with Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, or Magazine, there is one band that was at the forefront of the sound, and that was Bauhaus. Most people that have any familiarity with the goth scene, are familiar with them from the haunting sparseness of Bela Lugosi’s Dead, to She's in Parties, to the myriad beautiful albums that Peter Murphy did after leaving the band.
There's a haunting quality about goth music and it speaks to something deep down within you. It's not about telling our stories. It's not about connecting to real feelings.
Goth is a dark fantasy world, where monsters lurk in the shadows, where technology is out to get us and to rob us from some of the simple joys of life.
It's a genre that refuses to die, and continues moving on even to today with bands like. Vision Video and Male Tears. Though they aren't together anymore, O Children is one of the best goth bands of the last, maybe 10 years. Disco Dancers Dead is a quintessential goth track that if you haven't heard it, you need to check it out. It's a good entry point into the genre .
And it's hard to explain exactly what the music is, because, like I said, it's an umbrella term for a lot of different genres. Shock-a-billy is rockabilly, think Elvis if he was a regular guest, on Elvira's show, talking about all of the splatter flicks and creature features that were coming out.
Cold wave takes on the aesthetics of new wave music, but. It makes them more distant, more echoing more haunting, and of course, more synthesizers. And I would be remiss if I didn't point out if you wanted a really good example of this genre to check out the Frozen Autumn's wonderful song. I love you, but I've chosen synthesizers.
And in that song, you get a sense of what I'm talking about. This sense of humor that pervades the Gothic music, from Christian Deaths. Jesus, if you love me, where's the sugar.
To the sarcastic love songs, Spectre (love is dead) by Christian Death.
There is. Just a macabre tongue in cheek humor that fills. All of the music. And unites the scene together.
Now, if you ask two goths to define goth music, you will get four to five different answers, and that again is a problem because it's not one genre. There are many debates as to what actually constitutes a Gothic genre. And I feel like I should say since I started out talking about how my entry point to this world that led me to goth music was Nine Inch Nails, Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson are not goth. They may share a certain aesthetics, especially in their early music videos. But. They have nothing to do with and no connection to the musical aesthetics, and goth is after all a music scene.
When I first started thinking about writing this post, it came about because my friend, Megan McCarthy who writes is writing a post about her love for Emo, and my initial ideas for this post were, quite scathing of Emo because. Goth and Emo are both very different genres of music and they're often confused for each other. Again, because some of the visual aesthetics are the same, even though the lyrical content and the just style of instrumentation is so different. And so I have grown to have a distrust and a subtle dislike upon hearing about any emo act, or emo band. I'm getting better. I'm not as bad as I used to be about it, but it persists and it's still there.
The biggest problem that I faced in writing this essay was asking myself, why does it matter?
There are so many ways I could have approached this. I could have broken out the dynamics of the music and done a tear down of all the genres. I could have listed all of the bands that you should check out and I will list some I've already listed a few.
But I think the most important reason for me to write something about goth music is just to say how much it's meant to me. Not just the songs. While, there are some songs that have over the years taken on a very special meaning to me.
Time of Legends by Nosferatu
Black Planet by Sisters of Mercy
Almost anything Rozz Williams ever recorded for Christian death.
The music and my love for it is important, but what goth really gave me was a sense of community.
In so many ways goth music works like a shibboleth, if I mention a goth band that I like or a goth song that I really, really love, and I see somebody respond to it, while we may not be best friends forever, I know that we have certain things in common, and this is somebody I want to talk to. In fact, I've made a lot of friends over the years that way.
Or people will be talking about music and something that they really love, or obscure bands that they're into that most people haven't heard of and I'll bring up like Clan of Xymox or Alien Sex Fiend, Virgin Prunes. And amongst people that are not in the scene, they start geeking out about the names of quite a few of these bands. But when somebody reacts knowingly. I know that I can have a conversation with them.
We probably share certain aspects of our sense of humor in common. We've probably read a lot of the same books, watched the same movies, and have a similar taste in common. That goes beyond just that band.
Got music is a scene after all.
And that sense of community has been so important for someone like me who has a hard time making friends. I am not a big fan of talking to strangers. I am fairly introverted and don't like putting myself out there. And to have this kind of a shorthand, where I can just mention something in conversation and see where my people are. I've done this with other things too, with Star Trek and Star Wars and some of the other literary and film and TV franchises that I am fond of. But goth music has been much more consistent in bringing my attention to people that would become valuable, and integral parts of my life. People that I would talk to for years, decades. Build longterm relationships and friendships with.
And I'll forever be grateful. To this dark, moody and broody genre for bringing that to me. Because it seems like such a paradox that a music genre known for its obsession with death and murder, and vampires, and demons, and dark stories. Would be able to bring people together, and to bring them together in ways that are so fulfilling. But it happens.
Now don't get me wrong, not all goth scenes are perfect, or good. And there are a lot of toxic goths out there. There are toxic people in every scene. But to this day, my love of all things, goth and Gothic, has not only inspired my art, brought comfort in the darker times in my life, brought me humor in the good times, and brought me friends. When I needed the most. It's been a gift.
And if you're not familiar, maybe you should check it out. It's not for everyone, but if it is for you. You know what? We might have more in common then you think.
In this introspective and philosophical episode, Charlie delves into the complexities of mental health, particularly focusing on the challenges of self-doubt and depression. They discuss the struggle to balance self-esteem and self-doubt, framing these as a spectrum rather than binary opposites. Charlie shares personal experiences of interpreting support from friends as pity, a manifestation of their ongoing battle with depression and self-esteem issues.
The episode touches on the broader societal context, including the ongoing difficulties faced during Pride month and the seemingly apocalyptic state of the world, which exacerbates personal struggles. Charlie also explores the concept of oscillation, derived from metamodernism, as a way to navigate between extremes of thought and emotion, offering a nuanced perspective on handling life's complexities.
Themes of self-awareness, the subjective nature of reality, and the importance of understanding one's mental health narratives are central to the discussion. The episode aims to provide comfort and guidance to listeners who may be experiencing similar challenges, encouraging them to find balance and strength in their oscillation between different states of being.
In this emotionally charged episode, Charlie reflects on the changing nature of Pride in a time of increased legislative attacks on the trans community and a rise in societal tensions. The episode, titled "This Pride is Difficult," provides a candid and heartfelt commentary on the current struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in the context of widespread drag bans, legal challenges to trans rights, and the impact of societal violence.
Charlie shares personal experiences and insights, highlighting the difficulties in creating content amidst ongoing tragedies and the complexities of navigating life under restrictive state laws. This episode also addresses the sense of guilt and responsibility felt in the face of these challenges, emphasizing the importance of community support and action.
Despite the serious tone, Charlie strives to foster a sense of hope and solidarity, urging listeners to acknowledge the realities of the situation while also finding ways to safely speak out and support each other. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to engage and communicate through Charlie's platform, encouraging continued dialogue and action within the community.
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Welcome to Project: Shadow! I'm excited to announce that my new album, Born in Shadow, is finally out! This album marks the beginning of a lot of new music that I have in store for you. If you've been following my music, you may recognize some tracks on this album, but let me break it down for you.
The first two tracks, Motion and Disharmony in Accord, are blasts from the past from my first album, Manifesto, which was released over 20 years ago. These tracks have been remastered and give you a glimpse into where my music journey started.
The next two tracks on the album are covers of the Ghost songs, He is and Cirice, which were the first tracks I made when I started making music again a couple of years ago.
The rest of the album features remastered versions of the singles I released over the last couple of years, including Finding Joy, Have Mercy, Into the Dream Realm, Salvatrix Mundi, and Don't Want.
I'm thrilled with how this album turned out, and I feel like I'm finally making music the way I want to. If you want to learn more about the album, head over to Project: Shadow!
Check out my other podcasts and writing at ProjectShadow.com.
Music: Intro music by Project: Shadow
If you want to support the work that I do, you can join the project on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cedorsett
Or buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi.
Join my Discord.
Myth Weaving, my Writing and World Building Podcast= https://anchor.fm/mythweaving
Project: Shadow YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/c/Projectshadowsite/
Personal YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/user/cedorsett/
Site: https://www.projectshadow.com
Dragon's of Night: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/dragons-of-night
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cedorsett
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectshadowsite/
In this episode of Project: Shadow, we dive into the gay episode of The Last of Us and explore the problematic tropes that it leans into. We examine the harmful effects of these tropes and how they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigmas about the LGBTQ+ community.
We start by discussing the first trope, which suggests that all gay people are the same and have the same experiences. This trope is harmful because it erases the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and reduces individuals to a monolithic group.
The second trope we discuss is queer male body shaming. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the harmful idea that there is only one acceptable way to look as a gay man, and anyone who does not fit that mold is ostracized and ridiculed.
Next, we delve into the third trope, which portrays queer relationships as predatory and domineering. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the idea that same-sex relationships are inherently dysfunctional or abusive, which is not the case.
We then examine the fourth trope, which suggests that death or "un-aliving" can be romantic for queer characters. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the idea that queer love can only exist in the context of tragedy or pain, which is a harmful and limiting representation.
The fifth trope we discuss is "bury your gays," which suggests that queer characters are disposable and can be killed off for shock value. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the idea that LGBTQ+ characters are less valuable than their straight counterparts and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Finally, we touch on the issue of tokenism, which is when a character is added to a story solely for the purpose of diversity without giving them any real depth or development. This trope is harmful because it reduces queer characters to a checkbox and fails to give them the same treatment and consideration as other characters.
Throughout the episode, we ask the question: Why did this episode and series get a pass? We explore the various factors that may have contributed to the acceptance of these harmful tropes, and examine the ways in which we can work to be more mindful and inclusive in our media consumption and creation.
Check out my other podcasts and writing at ProjectShadow.com.
Music: Intro music by Project: Shadow
If you want to support the work that I do, you can join the project on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cedorsett
Or buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi.
Join my Discord.
Myth Weaving, my Writing and World Building Podcast= https://anchor.fm/mythweaving
Project: Shadow YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/c/Projectshadowsite/
Personal YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/user/cedorsett/
Site: https://www.projectshadow.com
Dragon's of Night: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/dragons-of-night
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cedorsett
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectshadowsite/
On this episode of Project: Shadow, we'll be discussing a personal struggle: the rise in transphobia and how it affects me, C E. Dorsett, as a nonbinary trans writer. We'll explore the challenges of creating content while also facing discrimination and hatred in the current social and political climate.
We'll discuss how I navigate my identity as a nonbinary trans writer and how it influences my creative work. We'll also talk about the importance of representation in media and the responsibility of creators to accurately and authentically portray marginalized communities.
We'll dive deep into my personal experiences and share tips for staying motivated and productive in the face of adversity. We'll explore how self-care and finding a supportive community can help us navigate difficult times.
Join us for this raw and personal episode of Project: Shadow, as we shed light on the struggles faced by nonbinary trans writers in the current state of things and explore the importance of representation and authenticity in media.
Check out my other podcasts and writing at ProjectShadow.com.
Music: Intro music by Project: Shadow
If you want to support the work that I do, you can join the project on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cedorsett
Or buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi.
Join my Discord.
Myth Weaving, my Writing and World Building Podcast= https://anchor.fm/mythweaving
Project: Shadow YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/c/Projectshadowsite/
Personal YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/user/cedorsett/
Site: https://www.projectshadow.com
Dragon's of Night: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/dragons-of-night
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cedorsett
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectshadowsite/
On this episode of Project: Shadow, we dive into the topic of asexuality and aromanticism in the character of Wednesday Addams from the Netflix series, "Wednesday."
Join the discussion here.
Check out my other podcasts and writing at ProjectShadow.com.
Music: Intro music by Project: Shadow
If you want to support the work that I do, you can join the project on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cedorsett
Or buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi.
Join my Discord.
Myth Weaving, my Writing and World Building Podcast= https://anchor.fm/mythweaving
Project: Shadow YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/c/Projectshadowsite/
Personal YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/user/cedorsett/
Site: https://www.projectshadow.com
Dragon's of Night: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/dragons-of-night
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cedorsett
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectshadowsite/
The podcast currently has 585 episodes available.
85,099 Listeners