Story Matters with Curt Mega

How do you make a character death really count? In the wake of Avengers: Endgame and Game of Thrones: The Long Night, we break down the question of how to go about sticking the landing of a character's final chapter and fate with a NON-spoiler conversation reacting to Marvel's epic conclusion to their 22 film Infinity Saga and the much anticipated Fire vs. Ice battle for Winterfell! Then, at the 31:15 minute mark, we move into an IN-DEPTH SPOILER-FILLED discussion about both the film and the episode. Enjoy!

You can email us at [email protected] and you can listen to all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! 

In the wake of spoiler leaks surrounding Avengers: End Game, Game of Thrones and even Star Wars, does science actually prove that spoilers are a good thing in helping the audience better appreciate the story?! In this episode of the podcast, Curt, Mike and Kim dive into the world of spoilers to examine their impact on the viewing experience and the weight of responsibility storytellers have in creating suspense while also sticking the landing of a dramatic and shocking ending. How do YOU feel about spoilers? Do you seek them out? Do you avoid them at all costs? We'd love to hear from you! You can email your thoughts and answers to [email protected] and you can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com 

As the final season of Game of Thrones begins to roll, we ask the question; Does the show mark the end of the water cooler conversation as we know it? Has the binge-watching model changed the way we engage with stories? We'd love to hear from you! Email us your thoughts at [email protected].  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com!

Corey Lubowich (Tin Can Brothers, Starkid) joins us to talk about how internet criticism affects the creative process and shares some personal insights on how fandom and audience interaction has impacted the way he creates and collaborates with other artists and storytellers.  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and you can email us your questions, comments and feedback to [email protected]!

Are expectations ruining the way we watch movies? In this episode of the podcast, we explore what sort of films were impacted by negative reviews but have come to be fan favorites in hindsight, despite an initially poor critical reception. Then we take a deep dive into Jordan Peel's newest nightmare with a spoiler-filled roundtable discussion about the meaning, symbolism and interpretations of Us! You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and you can email us your questions, comments and feedback to [email protected]!

We wade into the controversial waters of the recent J.K. Rowling backlash and examine what sort of authority creators have over their own work once it’s released out into the world. Should they be allowed to explain their intentions with a character or story when those elements are seemingly missing from the text? Does the demand for a creator to stay relevant put them in a position of baiting an audience without really paying it off in the material they create? What sort of authority or weight should we give to creators commenting on their own work? We then continue the conversation about how sites like Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and Cinema Score impact the moviegoing experience and ask whether or not the need to rate movies in a black and white sort of way actually... ruins them? How does expectation affect our perception of the quality of the stories we listen to?

You can find all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com!

Each episode of Imagined Life takes you on an immersive journey into the life of a world-famous person. It’ll be someone you may think you know, or even admire. You’ll get clues to your identity along the way. But only in the final moments will you find out who “you” really are. So sit back, let go, and -- imagine your life. Subscribe now at wondery.fm/storymatters.

Curt, Kim and Mike brave the sea of internet trolls to examine the function of movie review sites like Rotten Tomatoes and explore their impact on the filmgoing experience. We also explore the validity of "hot takes" for the sake of clickbait and the nature of toxic criticism. 

Story Matters alum Joey Richter returns for the 3rd year to take a deep dive into THE ACADEMY AWARDS! We break down the wins and losses, the snubs and successes, and we ask the question... what sort of impact will this year's awards have on future generation of filmmakers and artists?

You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]!