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Empty Set Entertainment Decade in Review

It’s been a helluva decade

Scott and ARealGirl cover the highlights of a decade of making fiction for y’all. SiglerFest2k20 news, GFL VI update, and more. As deadlines loom and the business of writing changes, we have some good news and some bad news.

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SHOW NOTES:
Want to hear how the FDØ and ARealGirl (also known as “Winston Wolf II”) started working together? Click here to listen.

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Pulp Fiction 25th Anniversary

StorySmack Episode #48

It’s (almost) the 25th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino’s classic movie. We break the film down and talk about its many iconic elements. Joining us this episode is long-time Sigler fan Aaron Singerman, the CEO of RedCon1, and fitness blogger Arielle Singerman. Aaron talks about his own struggles with addiction, and how Scott’s podcast was one element of his recovery.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/scottsigler/48_StorySmack_48_-_Pulp_Fiction.mp3

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This StorySmack is brought to you by the GoDaddy Coupon code CJCSIG99C. 

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GFL VI pre-order info!

StorySmack Episode #47

Okay Junkies, here … we … goooOOOO!

We are ten days out from launching the pre-order for GFL Book VI, named the GANGSTER. This ‘cast has all kinds of info for you so you can prepare.

Book launch is April 1, 2019 at 9:00am Pacific Time.

This podcast will answer most of your question. Yes, you! These are the most common questions we get with regard to the GFL pre-order.

And what if we don’t cover your specific question? That’s easy, just email us here, and we’ll sort you out! Whatever question you might have related to the GFL Book VI pre-order, just email us! We’re very nice (sometimes) and we’ll totally help you figure things out!

http://traffic.libsyn.com/scottsigler/47_StorySmack_GFL_VI_Preorder.mp3

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This StorySmack is sponsored in part by the scifi/crime drama/American Football story the Galactic Football League. It’s STAR WARS meets THE GODFATHER meets THE BLINDSIDE.

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My Bloody Valentine

StorySmack Episode #46

Happy Valentine’s Day Junkies! We’re doing our best to stay on-brand and still celebrate love. You know, like the love of a great 80s slasher flick!

Scott & A sat down this week to watch this 1981 horror … classic. It comes out pretty early on in the 80s slasher heyday, and it’s full of all that goodness: goofy plot devices, loads of teenagers sinnin’, plenty of gore and lots and lots of violence. All with great set design, some solid bloody prop work, and the world’s best dog actor.

 

http://traffic.libsyn.com/scottsigler/46_StorySmack_-_MY_BLOODY_VALENTINE.mp3

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This StorySmack is sponsored in part by the scifi/crime drama/American Football story the Galactic Football League. It’s STAR WARS meets THE GODFATHER meets THE BLINDSIDE.

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The Storytelling Drama of Combat Sports

StorySmack Episode #44

“But fights aren’t stories,” you say? WRONG-O, FISH-BREATH! Companies like the UFC are exceptional storytellers, creating tales with live performers and unwritten endings. A discusses her initial dismissal and disdain for combat sports, and how she’s come to change her mind. Scott talks about how getting punch in the mouth can lead one to discovering proper, civilized behavior. They both use UFC Fight Night 143 to discuss how these real-life storylines play out, with all the drama, violence, sacrifice and the built-in “Hero’s Journey” path.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/scottsigler/44_StorySmack_44_-_UFC_Fight_Night_143.mp3

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This StorySmack brought to you by our Stamps.com promo code page. Hate waiting in line at the post office? Print real USPS postage with your printer, brah!

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Groundhog Day

StorySmack Episode #45

Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day? Are we in a time loop? Scott and A become gods (but not the god) as they discuss this 1993 classic, and the hordes of rodent-like movies “inspired” by it.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/scottsigler/45_StorySmack_-_GROUNDHOG_DAY.mp3

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This StorySmack is sponsored by our Galactic Football League series, which combines scifi, crime and American Football.

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SpiderMan: Into the Spiderverse

StorySmack Episode #43

Scott and A take a look at the Golden Globe-winning film that could have long-term ramifications on superhero storytelling. When a film so successfully brings a comic to life as a comic, what does that mean for big-budget live-action superhero films? Are the days of live flicks doomed?

http://traffic.libsyn.com/scottsigler/43_StorySmack_43_-_Spider-Man_Into_The_Spider-Verse.mp3

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This episode brought to you in part by the Stamps.com promo code page, where you can get a trial of this amazing service — never stand in line at the post office again!

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BODIED Hollywood Premier

StorySmack Episode #42

Scott and A were invited to attend the Hollywood premier of BODIED, a film by Joseph Kahn. They discuss the movie, as well as the red-carpet and post-party experience. The film is in theaters now and will soon be on YouTube Red.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/42_Story_Smack_42_-_Bodied.mp3

And check out the movie’s trailer:

LINKS:
• Joseph Kahn’s Power Rangers short film.
• Monster Magnet’s “Space Lord” video

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This episode brought to you courtesy of the Audible Free Trial page, where you can get a free audiobook download as part of a no-risk test run.

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Fan festivals for creators – a SiglerFest2k18 recap

StorySmack Episode #41

Our big party is over. The FDØ and ARealGirl recap SiglerFest2k18, the biggest SiglerFest yet.

Fan appreciation is a major part of the business for some creators. This episode provides insight as to what goes into a fan appreciation event, and how creators can manage such events when growth drives attendance far beyond expectations.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/41_StorySmack_41_-_SiglerFest_2k18.mp3

And hey, you ready to sign up for next year soirée, SiglerFest2k19? Click here, sucka!

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This episode brought to you in part by our GoDaddy Coupon page.  

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TREMORS, A Horror/Comedy Classic

StorySmack Episode #40

Recorded live at SiglerFest2k18 in Las Vegas: Diseased Penis Teeth Monsters. The Bacon Number. A script that took five people to write. Fred Ward. A well-armed Mr. Keaton from FAMILY TIES. Reba. Egg from BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA. Land Sharks. The glory of this flick goes on and on. Join AB Kovacs and Scott Sigler for a delightful review of this campy classic.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/40_StorySmack_40_-_Tremors.mp3

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This episode brought to you in part by our Audible Free Trial page.  

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BLUE BALLS, a Very Special Episode …

StorySmack Episode #39

If you’ve read my novel NOCTURNAL, you may recall the character Pookie Chang’s idea for a cop show. Like HILL STREET BLUES, BLUE BLOODS, NYPD BLUE, ROOKIE BLUE, SHADES OF BLUE, etc., Pooks decided his show should have that color as a titular part of the title. Hence, BLUE BALLS.

In NOCTURNAL, Pookie might be considered the sidekick to Bryan Clauser’s lead character. In BLUE BALLS, which Pookie writes as a spec script to sell to network TV, he is the heroic lead, and Bryan is the bumbling also-ran. Pookie’s buddy cop script plays on many cop-show tropes.

For the past three SiglerFests, we’ve live-recorded a portion of Pookie’s script for Season One, Episode 2, titles “Dolla Dolla Bills, Y’All.” Attendees get to read most of the parts. My plan was to release them as individual episodes leading up to SiglerFest2k18, but I screwed up last year’s recording (I paused it at one point, then forgot to continue it), and for the life of me I can’t find the SiglerFest2k16 recording.

So, my pal Stephen King (no, not that Stephen King, and yes, that is his name) gathered up some of his actor pals and we recorded the entire pilot script as a live table read. Many props to Iceberg, our editor, for putting this together.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/39_StorySmack_39_BLUE_BALLS_S1E2.mp3

If you know screenwriting, you might notice some painful script clichés in here. Blame it on Pookie — he’s an amateur.

This script is off-color (no pun intended) and rather “blue” (pun intended) in its humor. We hope you enjoy it.

We’ll be recording Part I of BLUE BALLS, Season One, Episode Three at SiglerFest2k18.

Where is Episode One, you might ask? You’d have to ask Pookie. Maybe you buy him some Kung Pao shrimp and a nice bottle of bubbly, and you can talk him into it …

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This episode is brought to you in part by our Stamps.com promo code page.

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RUSH HOUR Twentieth Anniversary

StorySmack Episode #38

In these trying political days, sometimes you want some good old-fashioned fun. StorySmack aim’s to please, which is why were talking about the 20th anniversary of the Chris Tucker/Jackie Chan buddy-cop flick RUSH HOUR. Can you read the words coming out of this screen?

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Not only did this box-office beast firmly establish Chan as star of American movies and catapult Tucker into super-stardom, it featured two minority leads long before the birth of social media. RUSH HOUR spawned two sequels (and perhaps a third, listen in!). We had a blast re-watching, join us for a conversation about this killer flick.

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This episode brought to you in part by our Audible Free Trial page.  

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Songwriter/Storyteller Evan Diamond

StorySmack Episode #37

Today we have an guest! Evan Diamond, band leader for Scott’s band “Evan Diamond & The Library,” joins us at Empty Set Studios to talk about the new EP Intersections, along with a host of other things.  We talk songwriting as storytelling, what it’s like to play live and see folks react to your personal moments made musical, and listen to each song from Intersections.

Plus a big announcement for those of you going to/considering SiglerFest 2k18!

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/37_StorySmack_37_-_Evan_Diamond.mp3

GIVEAWAY: SIGNED COPIES OF INTERSECTIONS
Follow ze instructions and you could win the brand-new EP — hear the FDØ’s bass playing with your own gosh-dang ears.

To enter:

  1. Go to the Evan Diamond Facebook group
  2. Like the page
  3. Leave a comment on the Story Smack post and tell us a personal story that has something to do with any of the song titles on the EP. We’re looking forward to hearing about your intersections, or how you’re a bad guy … you get the idea.

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download. This episode sponsored in part by our Audible Free Trial page.  

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RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

StorySmack #36

On this episode, Scott and A revisit Raiders of the Lost Ark. (Spoiler alert: it totally holds up.)

We we lucky enough to see the Rooftop Cinema showing, which is  rooftop, outdoor viewing with cocktails. It was a really fun addition to the overall experience! If there’s something like this in your town, don’t miss the chance to go!

This episode doesn’t have our normal “timestamp discussion” of the movie because of the aforementioned venue change. But since it’s such a classic, I bet that’s just fine.

LINKS:
• Dane Cook’s bit on “Monkey Heist”

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SiglerFest2k18 — the ins and outs of a fan festival

StorySmack #35

Audible Free Trial at http://www.scottsigler.com/audible-free-trial is the place to go for a free audiobook

An episode about the ins and outs of putting on a fan appreciation weekend. We talk through the evolution of SiglerFest and what’s coming this year!

http://http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/35_StorySmack_35_-_SiglerFest_2k18.mp3

Join us for this episode. Our long-time sponsor “GoDaddy Coupon” keeps the hits a-coming.

Don’t see a “play” button above? Click here to download.

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