The Write Idea Workshop eats some snacks found at Cincy Comic Con! Who likes kimchi soda?
Episode 49 is Up!
Episode 49 is up!
Ryan and Justin go through Ten Books that have had a significant impact on their lives, as challenged by Morgan Hazat Heiss and Theresa Chase! The guys also discuss some YouTube challenges, new videos that are going up on YouTube soon, and preparations for Episode 50!
Give it a listen and be sure to check out Morgan's tumblr!
Episode 49!
How Did We Meet Your Mother?
Earlier this week we recorded a commentary track to the Pilot Episode of How I Met Your Mother, and we're at a loss of what to do with it. It's not as long as our normal episodes, it's not as riff-tracky as RiffTrax, and we don't discuss writing at all. So, we're posting it here on the website as a sort of bonus episode.... that is still counted amongst the normal episodes. We're only going to have it as a website exclusive until we hear back if you, the awesome listener, would like to hear more stuff like that (or commentaries in general) more often on the podcast. So let us know what you think! Tweet at us! Comment on facebook! Drop us an e-mail! Just let us know if this is a sort of thing you'd like more of.
Also, spoiler alert, Justin gets a little rant-y at the end.
New normal-length episode is being recorded today, so be on the lookout for that as well in the next day or two.
Keep on writing!
Check it out here!
You can see us!
A few days ago, we had an hour to do something Write Idea Workshop related, and we decided to take a look at shows and movies coming up this fall! Give it a look, like and subscribe, or just comment to let us know how much you love Michael Bay's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".
Keep on writing!
Death of a Legend: Robin Williams
We're late to the game on this. Not because we didn't hear about it, or that the Write Idea Workshop has relocated to under a rock, but more so because, at least I (Ryan) personally have been in a bit of a state of shock and grief since learning about Robin Williams passing. Like for a (not-so) surprising many people across America and the world, the news that Robin Williams died hit like a ton of bricks. Some of us are just now getting to our feet in the wake of it. That's not to say that I'm over it. Robin Williams wasn't some fly-by-night starlet who crashed and burned with the likes of Marilyn Monroe or James Dean, or some other person to be known for only a handful of things in their time on this earth. Robin Williams was a force for good on this planet, and his loss will reverberate through the culture for years to come.
While I wish we had some piece or interview for even a moment with Mr.Williams, we do not. However, Marc Maron recorded an interview with Robin and has recently reposted it here
If you're feeling the loss, if you can't get a hold of one of his movies and would like to hear some amazing chatter with Robin Williams, I highly recommend checking out that interview.
I don't want to get deeply into the many ways I've related to Robin Williams and his movies over the years, because it would take far too much time (I'm writing this at my day job) and frankly I've shared some struggles with Robin I'm not quite comfortable talking with on the podcast or in this article. Suffice to say, Robin Williams has always been an inspiration to me. He exemplified putting your all into any given performance or creative endeavor and making magic from it. I'm certain I'm among the many who wished they could thank Robin personally for all he's given to the world:to the soldiers he entertained and respected, to the creatives he inspired, to the countless children he brought joy to... There is so much this one man has accomplished in 63 years. All the rest of us can do is aspire to try and fill the hole he's leaving with love and joy and respect for our fellow humans, try to make the world as bright as it was when he was among us living here.
Deepest condolences go out to all those who knew Robin personally, to his family and friends, and to all those who are still struggling with depression.
Episode 46 - Attack of the Jac(ob)!
So I know it's been a while, since the front page has updated, but that doesn't mean we haven't been posting new episodes. Episode 46 just came out last week featuring surprise guest Jacob Kincaid, the talented writer and musician who made our badass theme song!
Be sure to give the episode a listen, check out Jac's band The Urethras and continue rocking on!
A Wild New Episode
A brand spanking new episode of The Write Idea Workshop is up and anxious to tell you their thoughts on the new Flash and Constantine pilot leaks, as well as let you know about a really cool place to get your coffee and books. Hint hint look up.
All that and some singing and dancing after the credits, give a listen to Episode 43 of The Write Idea Workshop!
Grant Morrison and Gerard Way
Gerard Way interviews Grant Morrison.
Not sure what else to say.
This is nothing short of crazy inspiring. Give it a watch. Let's talk about drugs and super heroes and inspiring the future.
New Video
Justin put up this video on his personal channel, because he forgot how to log in to the Write Idea Workshop official channel. Whoops! Take a look!
Happy Birthday Joss Whedon
Whedonites around the world (and people who know and/or are related to him) recognize today as the day the world was given Joss Whedon. If you've been trapped in a closet with R.Kelly for the past twenty years or so, you may not recognize Joss Whedon as the superstar writer/director who created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dollhouse, wrote some amazing X-Men comics, directed The Avengers movie for Marvel, helped redefine horror with fellow writer/director Drew Goddard in Cabin in the Woods, and made us all sing with the internet - dependent musical Dr.Horrible's Sing Along Blog. That closet must have been a stand-up sensory deprivation tank to block you from all that.
Regardless, in honor of Mr.Whedon's many accomplishments as a creative person and all around swell guy, we thought we'd talk about our top five favorite creations to come from the Purple Prose-ed One.
5. SUGARSHOCK
SUGARSHOCK! is a one-shot comic book by Joss Whedon and artist Fabio Moon. It was released through Dark Horse and features a space-traveling band full of bizarre folks and a robot wearing jeans. It was originally released digitally, but I bought the paper copy. This comic makes the list for several reasons, but primarily the combination of Joss Whedon writing somewhat absurdist rocker wit, coupled with Fabio Moon art is just too magical not to talk about. It's a perfect blend, and it doesn't read like anything else Joss had been working on at the time. Not to mention, it also won an Eisner award for Best Digital Comic in 2008.
4. Malcolm Reynolds
Malcolm Reynolds is the closest thing to a protagonist (outside of River Tam) in Joss Whedon's space-western Firefly. Mal is one of my favorite characters of all time, and this show gave Nathan Fillion (who plays Mal) his first chance to play leading man, which should be reason enough to make the list, but there's more. I personally place this character in such high-esteem because of how incredibly flawed he is. He was on the losing side of a war, everything he hoped for was taken from him, and he has many issues because of this. However, he still tries to make his own way, still intends to " Keep flying". Browncoats follow Malcolm Reynolds example. I'm lumping all of Firefly/Serenity here as well.
3. Much Ado About Nothing
Okay, so Joss didn't come up with this. It's his adaptation of a play by William Shakespeare. If you don't know who that is, I don't know how you found this website in the first place, but we'll be happy to educate you!
What I really enjoy about this film is very similar to what I enjoy about Dr.Horrible : this feels like a home-made movie with a LOT of preparation, but with stunning, talented funny actors instead of the kids who might be down the street not trying to build a ramp at the moment. This movie spun out of an apparent tradition that Joss has had with the casts of his shows: he would routinely gather folks from the show to meet at his house and run lines from Shakespeare and sing and play music. From such humble beginnings the Bard's words have never sounded better to me. Every person in the movie has a stellar moment, and this is quite frankly the best version of this play I have ever seen. So while the play itself didn't come from Joss, the assemblage of cast and choice to emphasize humor (particularly around Nathan Fillion's Dogberry) and play with actors who have shown chemistry with each other in the past (Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker) make this movie one to be remembered.
2. Blindfold
Blindfold is a mutant, created by Joss during his Astonishing X-Men run for Marvel Comics. Blindfold is a precognitive character who seems to have some trouble vocalizing and making clear what precisely she is talking about. Because she can "see" the future without having actual eyes, images and events seem to rush directly to her brain and disrupt her concentration. Why Blindfold makes it to number two on this list however, is 1) She's an X-Men character Joss created, 2) She's a strong, independent and bewildering female character, 3) She continues to be used in some amazing comic books and 4) she's a prime example of Joss' writing style when it comes to differentiating characters.
1. Buffy/Angel
Of course Buffy is #1. Through Buffy, the world got to first experience Joss Whedon's writing. Throughout the TV show(s) and now in the comics, Joss continues to dive into relevant issues while still slaying monsters. Same thing with Angel. While solely in the comics now, and with Joss only being able to oversee story rather than write lots of it, Buffy and Angel still feel 'real' enough. Through Buffy I got into everything Joss related, so it will always hold a special place in my opinion rankings.
What are some of your favorite Joss creations? Characters, stories, anything. List them in the comments or leave us a note on facebook.
Happy Birthday Joss from The Write Idea Workshop!