Story Babble

“A shameless act of self-promotion”. We’ve all heard the phrase. But how do you sell your song, your art, or in Brittni’s case, your book without making a direct appeal. Now that she’s figured out a way to write and get published consistently, Brittni’s navigating the process of promoting her work. And it’s good work. She’s a talent, people.

Brittni Miner on Amazon

Sponsor: The Forever Young Foundation

Imagine this movie scene: Jesus driving out the moneychangers from the temple. What kinds of things would people be saying? What language would they use? Would some be angry and others frightened? Those are the kinds of questions looping designer, Bernie Van De Yacht of ProADRlooping has to answer while helping to build the human sound bed for the wildly successful series, The Chosen. His credits also include Fargo, Lovecraft Country, and Mom to name just a few. Did we mention he’s also a successful novelist and screenwriter? Bernie and his partner ML Gemmil are quickly becoming Hollywood’s go-to loopers. 

proadrlooping.com 

Bernie's Amazon Books

Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation

Ken Burns’ didn’t invent the documentary 30 years ago. He just gave it a shot in the arm. Since then, documentaries have taken a thousand directions. The most recent is Operation Varsity Blues: the College Admissions Scandal. Unlike most documentaries, this one has a script, actors, and well-lit scenes. How is that a documentary, you ask.

Forever Young Foundation

Though joined by a common theme, Nomadland and Prime Video’s recent release, Bliss, could not have had two more different approaches to the plight of homelessness.  

Sponsor: Forever Young Fondation

What happens when an artist, filmmaker, or performer gets caught in a serious indiscretion. Is it still okay to love their art? What are the ethics of this situation? And is it okay to “cancel” an artist for their stupid, insensitive but not illegal remarks? We don’t pretend to have the answers, just a lot of questions.

Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation

We don’t often have guests come back for a second visit, but then again we don’t often know people who get published for a second time. Kara talks about the challenges and joys of writing for Young Adult readers and offers a little insight on her latest book for Scholastic, One Way or Another. 

Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation

Kara's book: "One Way of Another" on Amazon

https://www.karajmcdowell.com

Let’s face it, due to recent events, it’s hard to talk about anything else. The storming of the capitol got us to thinking about why those visuals struck such a cord? What will turn out to be the most iconic images from that day? Why are Washington landmarks so often used as the backdrops of popular movies?

Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation

Biopics: History or Art?

Some biopics cleave to true history and the movie suffers for it. Other biopics set out to “say something”and true history suffers. Is there a balance? What do filmmakers owe to the dead and the living? 

Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation

Mark introduces Brian to a couple of his favorite Christmas shows. Is it possible that anyone could improve on A Christmas Carol. Mark thinks so. 

SYSK Selects: The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978

Mark's Christmas Video 2016 (Episode 1)

Mark's Christmas Video 2017 (Episode 2)

Mark's Christmas Video 2020 (Episode 3) NEW

Forever Young Foundation

To say Steve Vinovich lucked into a successful acting career wouldn’t be fair. But by his own admission, it’s a little bit true. His career was made, however, with a lot of talent and hard work. Steve’s credits include a prodigious amount of stage, film and TV. His performance as Puffin in the Swan Princess was the pinnacle, of course. (We’re winking here.) He’s got a lot of great stories and one about Seinfeld that will blow your mind. Enjoy. 

Sponsor: Forever Young Foundation