Join Stella and Shellie for this extra bonus episode where we review the recent addition to the Monster series on Netflix: The Ed Gein Story.

Did we love it? Yes!

And no, this is not another piece of content that tells you everything the series gets wrong... Stella and Shellie review the show as a peice of drama, entertainment, horror, true crime content. 

And yes, Bundy creeps in there as well. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the series, so, if you've not watched it yet, probably do so first. 

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

This week Stella examines a new Silly Shitbag Sutcliffe media text, Hunting the Yorkshire Ripper, from Prime Video. This two parter focusses more on the hoax tapes, the impact the actions of this idiot had on the investigation, and the later hunt to find this wally. This episode also marks the end of season two as Stella gets ready for teaching. Stella also reveals some exciting book news.......

Hunting the Yorkshire Ripper (available on Prime Video, 2025). 

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

Bloody Hell! This week Stella adapts her paper from the Blood, Myth and Media Symposium, for a chat about the use of blood as narrative device in Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (Netflix), and The Staircase (HBO). 

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

This episode would not have made it out were it not for the incredible help from Phil Minns: an absolute legend who reached out and offered tech skills. For all things podcast tech help, do follow and contact Phil via Instagram @nonfunctionalharmony. 

This is the episode I recorded with Laura weeks and weeks ago, but the audio had a terrible hum. It has been cleaned up, but you might find that speakers or headphones make for better listening. 

Join Stella and Laura as they yap about cults: documentaries, why Laura doesn't like dramatisations, why we don't like the term 'brainwash,' and what you would exactly need to entice Laura into your cult. 

Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at [email protected], or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

This week, join Stella as she dips more toes into the overlap between true crime and horror, with a look at ghosthunting on the trail of serial killers. Stella takes a close look at her new obsession, The Paranormal Files, a YouTube channel which explores all kinds of phenomena. In the episode under discussion, The Paranormal Files hunts the ghost of Ted Bundy, and looks to hear from those that are lost. 

What do they find on the spirit box this time? HINT: It's NOT John!

Which words can we add to the list of Words Stella Cannot Say? 

Find The Paranormal Files on YouTube, and do also have a look at their podcast, Murder in America.

https://www.youtube.com/@theparanormalfiles 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7didcuJyAUG4B3a5RbdDEI 

Sources: 

Basaraba, N. (2023). 'The rise of paranormal investigations as virtual dark tourism on YouTube,' in Journal of Heritage Tourism, Vol 19(2), pp. 287-309

Boyd Smith, M. (2024). 'Fully authenticated by respected scientists:' fact, fiction, and the roots of paranormal reality shows in American television history,' in New Review of Film and Television Studies, Vol 22(3), pp. 669 - 690

Eaton, M. A. (2019). 'Manifesting spirits: Paranormal investigation and the narrative development of a haunting,' in Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, Vol 48(2), pp. 155-182

Lauro, S. J., & Paul, C, (2013). 'Make me believe: Ghost hunting technology and the postmodern fantastic,' in Horror Studies, Vol 4(2), pp. 221-239 

Moon, H., Jongsik, Y., Chua, B., & Han, H. (2022). 'Armchair tourism; Exploring individuals' innovative travel experience in the with-corona era,' In Tourism Management, Vol 93.

Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at [email protected], or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

And we're back, with a look a two media texts, twenty years apart, which tell the story of a bunch of teenage vampires turned murderers. Examining the 2002 film The Vampire Clan, and an episode from Stella's favourite YouTuber, Bailey Sarian, this episode considers the development in true crime from tabloid trash to comprehensive chronologies. 

Bailey Sarian: *strange* blood rituals by a teenage vampire clan turns deadly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWfy87P__v0&t=2127s 

The Vampire Clan (Webb, 2002)

Miskatonic: https://miskatonicinstitute.com/events/if-looks-could-kill-the-spectacle-of-murder-in-contemporary-crime-media-london/

For information and sign up for the Blood Myth Symposium, email [email protected]

Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at [email protected], or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

This week, Stella finally reflects on The Murder Media Symposium and her trials and tribulations at the hotel. Then the episode gets into the serial killer biopic: films which tell the life stories of real world murderers. Exploring My Friend Dahmer and Extremely Wicked, Stella thinks about why these people get films made about them, what myths to they perpetuate, and how do you say the word 'trajectory?'

My Friend Dahmer (Meyers, 2017).

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile (Berlinger, 2019). 

Sources:

Bingham, D. (2010). The Biopic as Contemporary Film Genre. Rutgers University Press 

Gaynor, S. M. (2022). ‘Better the Devil You Know: Nostalgia for the Captured Killer in Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes,’ in Robinson, B,. & Daigle, C. (Eds). Serial Killers in Contemporary Television: Familiar Monsters in post 9/11 Culture, pp. 135 – 151. Routledge 

Joannou, M,. & McIntyre, S. (1983). ‘Lust for Lives: Report from a conference on the biopic,’ in Screen, vol 22(4), p. 147 

Rosenstone, R. A. (2007). ‘In Praise of the Biopic,’ in Francaviglia, R,. & Rodnitsky, J. (Eds). Lights, Camera, History: Portraying the Past in Film, pp. 11-29. Texas A&M University Press  

Simpson, P.L. (2010). ‘Whither the Serial Killer Movie?’ in Hantke, S. (Ed). American Horror Cinema: The Genre at the Turn of the Millenium, pp. 133-152. University of Mississippi Press 

Schmid, D. (2006). Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture. University of Chicago Press 

Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at [email protected], or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

Come and join The Murder Media Cult - we'll need all your money, your house, but we promise some lovely shoes. This week, Stella is joined again by Shellie McMurdo for a chat about cults on screen. Shellie gets to talk about one of her favorite things - The Sacrament - an incredible film from Ti West which retells the horrifying story of Jonestown. 

Stella and Shellie also muse on Waco, cults in video games, and what might feature in a starter pack for someone wanting to start their very own cult. 

Media mentioned: 

The Sacrament (Ti West, 2013)

Red State (Kevin Smith, 2011)

The Last Podcast on the Left - Episode 274 - Oaklahoma City 

The Last Podcast on the Left - Episode 300 - Jonestown

Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at [email protected], or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

This week, Stella explores the conditions of YouTube and how that impacts the true crime and makeup videos from the legendary Brittany Vaughn. Unpacking Vaughn's video on Peter Sutcliffe, Stella explains how the political economies of YouTube shape and effect Vaughn's brilliant content. 

Note: at one point Stella talks about a piano sound effect. It is not a piano! It is a xylophone! 

Brittany Vaughn's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BrittneyVaughn 

Bishop, S. (2018). Anxiety, panic and self-optimization: Inequalities and the YouTube algorithm. Convergence, 24(1), 69-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856517736978 

Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at [email protected], or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

The Murder Media podcast is back! After a break for teaching and then Xmas, NYE, and marking, Stella is back to update on the book proposal progress, and to get cracking on some more overthinking and analysing true crime media. 

This week, Stella looks at two media texts that tell the story of the Unabomber: the 2017 series from Discovery, Manhunt: Unabomber, and the 2021 film, Ted K. 

Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies: https://miskatonicinstitute.com/events/if-looks-could-kill-the-spectacle-of-murder-in-contemporary-crime-media-london/ 

Dracula Returns to Derby

https://www.derby.ac.uk/news/2024/dracula-returns-to-derby/ 

The Murder Media Symposium - [email protected] 

The Net, the Unabomber, LSD and and the Internet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn9BvNAUvcU&t=3129s 

Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at [email protected], or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/

Music:

Cybertruck by Mood Maze

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck

License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert

License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK

All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.