Story Matters with Curt Mega

Jon Matteson joins me here on Story Matters to talk about what it’s like returning to the role of Paul in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals nearly seven years after the original Starkid production. We get into the process of stepping back into a character after so much time has passed, how the fandom has shaped the show’s legacy, and what Jon is doing to prepare for the physical and emotional demands of the remount. We also get real about burnout, overcommitment, and the myth that you have to destroy yourself to make good work!If you prefer to watch a VIDEO version, you can check it out here: Check out Team Starkid’s newest Kickstarter project, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals: Reprised! (Trailer shot by yours truly!) -Curt MegaCONNECT WITH ME: Join my Patreon community!Follow me on Twitch!Follow me on Instagram!Follow me on Twitter!Follow me on Bluesky! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners might be one of the boldest and most interesting movies I’ve seen in a long time. I loved it so much that I had to have my friend James Tolbert on to talk through all the details we couldn’t stop thinking about.We dive into how Coogler blends horror, music, drama, and emotional storytelling, while still keeping the film a total blast to watch.We also discuss the sound, the style, that insane juke joint musical sequence, and why Coogler has officially landed on the “I’ll watch anything he makes” list.You can find and follow James on Instagram and BlueSky:James Tolbert on InstagramJames tolbert on BlueSky This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

In this episode of Story Matters, Bryce Charles (Ella Ashmore) joins me to talk about the creative whirlwind of bringing Starkid’s Cinderella’s Castle to life. From developing Ella’s emotional journey to exploring the dynamic between Ella and Tadius, Bryce shares what it was like to take on the lead role in a brand-new Starkid musical, all while building the show from scratch in record time. We dive into: • How the tone of the show was discovered • The pressure and joy of creating something this fast • Behind-the-scenes stories from the rehearsal room • The process of shaping a fairytale heroine with modern heart 👑 Cinderella’s Castle was written by Nick and Matt Lang, directed by Nick Lang, with music and lyrics by Jeff Blim. 🎵 Get the album on iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/cinderellas-castle-original-starkid-cast-recording/1801909042 🎙️ Story Matters is a show about the stories that shape us, hosted by Curt Mega. Join my Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/curtmega Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/curtmega Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curtmega Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/curtmega Follow me on Bluesky: @curtmega.bsky.social  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

We're back with the only Academy Award discussion you need! Joey Richter returns to talk all things Oscars 2025! Join us as we dive into the year's best films! Join my Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/curtmega Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/curtmega Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curtmega Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/curtmega Follow me on Bluesky: @curtmega.bsky.social   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

On this episode of the podcast, I had the absolute joy of chatting with the brilliant and delightful Meredith Stepien. We dove into our shared love for VHS Christmas Carols, the art of crafting cinematic vibes that radiate coziness and calm, and the beauty of embracing imperfection. Meredith also shares her perspective on releasing the weight of ambition and rediscovering joy in the creative process. You can check out VHS Christmas Carols right now at https://starkid.vhx.tv/products/vhs-christmas-carols-2024-digital-rental.  Join my Patreon.com/curtmega Follow me on BlueSky, IG, TikTok, Twitter (X), and Threads: @curtmega  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Janaya Mahealani Jones, star of the newest Starkid musical 'VHS Christmas Carols', joins me to chat about the show! Check out the VHS Christmas Carols digital ticket, available now through the end of 2023! For live episodes, join me on Twitch at Twitch.TV/curtmega Join my Patreon.com/curtmega Follow me on IG, TikTok, Twitter (X), and Threads: @curtmega  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Director James Tolbert joins me to chat about directing the newest Starkid musical, VHS Christmas Carols!  Check out the VHS Christmas Carols digital ticket, available now through the end of 2023! For live episodes, join me on Twitch at Twitch.TV/curtmega Join my Patreon.com/curtmega Follow me on IG, TikTok, Twitter (X), and Threads: @curtmega    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Joey Richter joins me for our annual Oscars roundtable as we talk about the films that marked the surreal, bizarre and crazy year that was 2020.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

In this special installment of the podcast, my Warbler bros, Riker Lynch, Dominic Tracy, Jon Hall, Telly Leung, Eddy Martin, Brock Baker and Tim Davis join me to reflect on our time working on Glee, how the experience has impacted out lives and what we've been up to since then!  Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Joey Richter (from Tin Can Brothers, Team Starkid, Jesse on Disney Channel and more) joins us for the 4th year in a row for our 2020 ACADEMY AWARDS OSCAR SPECTACULAR! We dive into each of the nominated films along with the main categories. So put on your best tux or gown, hop in a limo and join us on the RED CARPET for this year's STORY MATTERS OSCARS PODCAST! Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Vijay Nazareth, creator of Pixel Playhouse and AVbyte , joins us on this week's episode to talk about the FUTURE OF THEATRE! How does theatre adapt for the digital age in a way that's both accessible and relevant? Vijay's mission is to bring theatre TO THE INTERNET, to make it more accessible and break down the barrier between creator and audience. LINK: Check out Pixel Playhouse on Twitch! Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Ty Simpkins (Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man 3, Jurassic World, Insidious, The Nice Guys and more) joins us to talk about his experience as a young actor working in a slew of major franchises and creating characters that are part of a global phenomenon. We also talk spoiler culture, water-cooler conversations, and what it's like to know the end of a story years before the world gets a chance to see it. You can listen to all episodes of Story Matters at www.storymatterspodcast.com!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Story Matters alum Joey Richter returns for the 3rd year to take a deep dive into THE ACADEMY AWARDS! We break down the wins and losses, the snubs and successes, and we ask the question... what sort of impact will this year's awards have on future generation of filmmakers and artists? You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! We'd love to hear from you! Email us at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Jon Cozart joins the show to take a deep dive with us into the world of Amadeus, the 1984 Academy Award winning musical biopic directed by Milos Forman about the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as we cap off our exploration of the musical biopic genre with what is considered by many as the greatest biopic of all time! We also examine how this film speaks directly to our culture today (specifically us as artists), our own personal struggle with jealousy, ego, the fear of not being good enough and the madness that is the creative process.  You can find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

In this episode, Curt, Mike and Kim sit down with actor Wesam Keesh (MTV's Awkward, ABC's For the People and more) to tackle the recent headline news of The Cosby Show's Geoffrey Owens' candid discussions on the realities of the jobs we take to pay our bills while trying to pursue a career in the arts. In this roundtable episode, we talk openly about the craziest side-hustles we've all had to work to pay the bills, the societal stigma and shame that seems to be applied to people working regular day-jobs to support their art, the discipline of training like an athlete even when it comes to creativity, and the value of trying new things that scare the living daylights out of you.  You can find all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music or wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a review and rating and let us know how the show has inspired you in your storytelling journey!  About Wesam Keesh: Wesam was raised most of his life in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Union High School and followed up the rest of acting, theater, and film study at the University of Tulsa. He spent a summer in London at Imperial College focusing on theatre and the arts. Wesam moved to Los Angeles immediately after college to begin his professional film and television career. For more info on Wesam or to see some of the amazing projects he's worked on, check out his IMDB at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3967234 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

In this special OSCARS EPISODE, Joey Richter (Tin Can Brothers, Starkid) joins me once again to talk all things Academy Awards and share our takes on this year's nine nominees (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Shape of Water, The Post, Phantom Thread, Call Me By Your Name, Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, Lady Bird, and Get Out). We also discuss some of our favorite films left out of the running for best picture and take a look back at 2017 from a cinematic perspective and what it means going forward for filmmakers, creators, and storytellers both in front of and behind the camera. I had such a blast talking Oscars LAST year with Joey so please join me on this official Story Matters tradition as Joey and I take on THE 2018 ACADEMY AWARDS! Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

In this SPOOKY episode of Story Matters Podcast, I sit down with Kim Whalen and Eric Carroll to talk about the art of horror films! We talk about what defines a horror film and what kind of stories we can tell and learn through the genre as an art form. We also go down our top 10 lists of our favorite horror films of all time! So grab some popcorn, unwrap some candy, plug in your headphones, and join us on this terrifying journey as we explore THE ART OF HORROR! Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com   Music: Ectoplasm by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

Part 2 of my conversation with animator/creator Leigh Lahav. We talk about how she developed her specific style as an artist, her taste in parody and comedy and the changing tide of creating for the internet. Also in this episode, another installment of Story Matters Story Collab Sessions featuring Kim Whalen!  You can find all of Leigh's work on her channel at https://www.youtube.com/onlyleigh.  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com Spooky Ride by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/250/spooky-ride Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

In this part 1 of 2 episodes, I sit down with artist/animator Leigh Lahav to talk about her journey as an animator/artist coming from Israel to Los Angeles, the challenges that go into creating original animation for YouTube/internet culture, her passion for parody and fandom and the isolation that comes from living life as an artist. You can find all of Leigh's work on her channel at https://www.youtube.com/onlyleigh.  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com

In this 2nd and final part of my conversation with actor Lauren Lopez (Starkid, Poe Party, Spies are Forever and more!) we talk about her experience being apart of a internet phenomenon and finding her own unique creative voice in the process, the importance of not comparing yourself or your creative journey with others, and the joy of finding a creative community and making your own work! We also talk about recent projects (The Solve it Squad Returns) and her upcoming series (Stellar People) and answer some questions from my Patrons at Patreon.com/storymatters! We also talk about adopting a rescue animal, the joy of being a pet caretaker and her daughter Diane the dog! Enjoy!  Lauren's body of work includes Starkid's A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, Starship, Trail to Oregon, Holy Musical Batman, and Firebringer, Tin Can Brother's Spies Are Forever and The Solve-It Squad Returns, and Shipwrecked Comedy's Edgar Allan Poe's Murder Mystery Dinner Party! You can also find her in Muzzled the Musical and the upcoming series Stellar People! For more info on Lauren, visit http://www.lauren-lopez.com!  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curtmega.substack.com