The Occasionalists Podcast

CodeRunner: A Film By No One

Our final episode for Half-Baked June is coming at you piping hot! We made it just under the wire on the final day of June. For this month's finale, we are talking about Artificial Intelligence and its growing influence in the more "human" aspects of humanity: personal relationships, art, and entertainment, among others.
We also let AI run wild and create some stories for us based on Nested Narratives (aka stories-within-stories). Of course, we revisit the greatest sci-fi film that never was, Dark Matter—this time with an AI twist. 
Did I mention there's voice acting? THERE'S VOICE ACTING, BABY!

The Derivatocracy

Do you think our entertainment media is getting worse? Does it feel like you're seeing the same thing over and over and over again? Do you think AI might be controlling the internet?
The answer is yes to all of it!
Jump in and explore the uniquely terrible system that rewards minimal effort and creativity: The Derivatocracy!

Doom Scroll

Howdy cowpolks! The second episode of Half-Baked June explores how our shortening attention spans have irrevocably reshaped the pop culture we consume. 
Will you Doom Scroll with us? 

The Generational Divide

We are back, albeit a day late, but no matter! We have a great episode on tap for a brand new theme month.
This month, all of the wandering ideas that were cooked up in a brainstorming session but could not sustain a whole show are being smashed together, rolled up, and smoked for a month we're calling Half-Baked June.
First, we start by pissing off young people. Always a good idea.
 

Musical Movie May: The End (2024) Review

We are wrapping up this year's Movie May with a musical set hundreds of feet underground in a giant salt mine, amidst an ongoing apocalypse ravaging the Earth. What better to do at The End than sing about it?! 
Easily one of the most interesting, confounding, gorgeous, and weird movie reviews we've had in quite a while.
Put on your tap shoes, grab some salt, and let's get to it!
 

Musical Movie May: Music Video Movies & Musical Movie Pitches

We march further into Musical Movie May with a long look at how Music Videos evolved from simple moving illustrations on a nickelodeon into an essential short-form storytelling mechanism for musicians of all types.
We discuss the masters of the craft and break down a few select music videos, including two short film-length music videos from two completely and totally scandal-free, normal musicians: Michael Jackson and R. Kelly.
And since Chemma is in the fold this month, we deliver two pitches for our original musicals using existing music.
Tally ho!

Musical Movie May: Reefer Madness Review

We are back with our first movie review of the month, tackling the 2005 spoof musical Reefer Madness!
For those of you who said spoofing an anti-marijuana propaganda film from the 1930s and turning it into an irreverent musical couldn't be done, well, I am very pleased to tell you that you were dead wrong, buddy!
From maniacal dope fiends, to William Shakespeare, to anthropomorphic edibles and FDR...this movie has it all!
Take a hit, won't ya?

Musical Movie May: Scores & Soundtracks

Our first full episode of Musical Movie May finds us diving into Scores & Soundtracks! We break down some of the history of how music and film have been intertwined forever and dig into some of the terminology as well.
Is there a little acting? Maybe!
Singing?! Definitely not.
There is a section of favorites that I can promise you.
Let's get to it!