This episode Alex and Chris “tell the story” of creatives dealing with racial conflict in America in their lives, past and present.
What does that have to do with writing and creative art?
Everything.
How it has influenced, as well as been reflected and revealed by whites and artists of color is key to present and future mindsets. What do our hosts have to say about it?
This week Alex and Chris explore a multitude of answers to the question, Is All Art Political? And, Are All Artist Obligated to Create Political Art?
Using examples from the #MCU #MarkTwain, #DCComics, #AynRand, #GeorgeOrwell and many other works (including their own) Alex and Chris discuss in detail the Creatives ultimate obligation to her or his or their art.
What motivates art?
Is all art subjective or political?
Or do artist have the right to be humans who create art, whatever the form?
Is there a universal answer, or only more questions?
Today Alex and Chris celebrate creativity long past and brand new!
We discuss the documentary “Raiders” (NetFlix) which is all about a group of 11-year-olds who decided to re-create “Raiders of the Lost Ark” shot for shot, the seven years it took them to get it done, and then re-uniting years later to do one last scene. And we discuss their actual film “Raiders of the Lost Ark- The Adaptation” (YouTube). We See it is a celebration of the pure creative urge, and we tie directly to both Alex’s own childhood filmmaking memories and the hordes of young people creating on TikTok right now.
Yes, we may be in a new golden age of creativity right when we need it the most! So celebrate with us. Here’s to all the Creatives who Tell Their Damn Story!
Hey Folks: Talk about Social Distancing! This morning (5/14/20) I was interviewed on the program, THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE, out of Yekaterinburg, Russia!
Once again, it was a challenge to hold back my usual super energetic storytelling, so the interpreter could get in there. But like before, it was an all-around fun experience.
Denis Legusha Anna Voronkova Alexander Kunin Nastia Danilova Jérémie Nsingi Iorsh Alexey Maria Astafyeva.
And it is a Family Reunion when Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan catch up with TTDS co-founder Tim Fielder. Alex, Chris and Tim created this show 138 episodes ago to discuss the wide range of media they called home. Tim’s been on the road a lot.
But now creative and conversational pandemonium abounds as they discuss dealing with the pandemic in terms of teachers, creatives, and where we are going from here. Additionally, we find out about Tim’s huge upcoming epic graphic novel, “Infinitum,“ available now for preorder.
This week Alex and Chris go against the collective wisdom of writers and authors everywhere!
Many creatives have suggested people not to write about the Covid “because everybody’s going to be writing about the pandemic.”
Well Alex and I discuss a very different view. We explore how the tried and true “seven basic plots”could be used to write about one of the biggest global events in human history — from almost limitless angles. We even improvise various scenarios and then we challenge you, creatives, to tell the damn story! We want to help everybody get through this pandemic by sharing stories.
So …We’re calling for fiction writers and visual artists to express yourselves about the pandemic in any genre or visual format (illustration, photography, etc.).
How?
Compose an original story in no more than 700 words.
Those stories and all visuals mustavoid using copyrighted characters.
Submit your work by May 15, 2020.
We’ll publish 10 of the stories and 10 pieces of visual art on the TELL THE DAMN STORY web site, blog, and Facebook page. We’ll also promote them on social media.
*All submissions remain properties of their creators. Neither Chris, Alex or Tell The Damn Storywill own any rights to the works.
We enjoy hearing from you! So please leave your questions or comments right here in our Comments Section.Or write us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com
Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award. Chris Ryan, Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels
Chris and Alex tackle a different story this time — a kids story.
Chris interviews Alex about his efforts to keep COVID-19 from completely canceling the 14th annual Kids Comic Con. When social distancing prevents families from going to fun events what can creatives do?
Learn how writers, illustrators and performers came together to make a one day event global and evergreen.
This week Alex and Chris talk about coronavirus head on; what’s happening to us, the effect all aspects of this disease are having on us, and how too many creators are struggling to create in its shadow.
We talk about the importance of commiserating with each other on social media or through texting, zoom, FaceTime, or whatever it takes. We are all craving human connection now, especially when family members or friends become sick, or sadly, pass away. We need to extend our humanity to each other now more than ever.
They also take a look at some activities that can help nourish and inform creatives, including the Corona Con, which is much more uplifting and charitable than it may sound, and the testimony of the legendary Joe Illidge, who has written about the experiences he and his wife had while battling coronavirus. This episode is meant to help, to celebrate, and to unify all of us. We pray that it is taken as such.
Submitted for your approval — three men racing though an twisted maze of time, taste, societal and media tropes. Enthusiastically trying to make sense of a world of stories told by a master, an apprentice, and a committee comprised of creators seeking a babel stone. Every effort making it perfectly clear that ladies and gentlemen, we have all entered the Twilight Zone.
In this episode Alex and Chris, and special guest, pop culture expert and author Caseen Gaines, get together on this super extravaganza of a podcast episode to discuss classic and new twilight zone episodes to tantalize and intrigue and give you something else to search out and watch as we continue to quarantine ourselves to oblivion!
Today, Alex and Chris turn to veteran actor Edward James Olmos for wisdom and guidance when it comes to contributing to story. At least they do in the second half of this episode.
In Part One, they talk about what is going on and how they are dealing it all. They also suggest how others may deal, and Chris goes on a mini rant rejecting the term “new normal” for our current challenges.
In Part Two, our duo uses the Olmos wisdom to discuss the importance of choices, from character and performance, to costuming and setting to help Tell The Damn Story. Olmos’ experiences lead to discussions of their own choices in Loeser productions (LOL) and offer insight into how all of this applies to the creative process.
It’s a fun and informative episode from our heroes. Well, Maybe they’re just each other’s heroes.
SimmonsHereAndNow 