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#370: Adam Savage on Great Tools, Great Projects, and Great Lessons

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Apr 30, 2019

Guest

Adam Savage

Adam Savage, renowned special effects artist and former MythBusters host, dives into his multifaceted career, showcasing his skills in various artistic mediums. He discusses the importance of creativity, emphasizing that true creators follow their instincts. Savage shares insights on failure's role in innovation and the emotional connections fostered by storytelling, including the impact of Japanese cinema. He also reflects on the art of slow-cooking scrambled eggs as a metaphor for authenticity, leading to deeper conversations about vulnerability and mental health.

01:36:45

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ANECDOTE

Overengineered Armor

Adam Savage built a suit of armor out of roofing aluminum in high school, inspired by the film Excalibur.
He wore it to class and promptly passed out from heat exhaustion, a formative experience in his maker journey.

insights

INSIGHT

Finding Focus

Adam Savage felt unspecialized in his 20s but found his niche in San Francisco's accepting maker culture.
The city allowed him to explore various creative pursuits and discover his passion for special effects.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Restarting the Show

At EG, Adam Savage restarted his Maltese Falcon talk after a flawed start, prioritizing the recording's quality.
Inspired by Jane Siberry's similar onstage restart, this highlighted his theatrical approach to public speaking.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

A Journey Through Creativity and Innovation

04:08 • 3min

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Creativity and Transformation in Spirited Away

06:56 • 7min

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From Stage to Screen: A Creative Pivot

14:16 • 22min

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Embracing Failure and the Creative Journey

36:40 • 24min

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The Art and Science of Scale Modeling in Architecture and Film

01:00:15 • 5min

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Eggs, Creativity, and Authenticity

01:04:56 • 26min

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Closing Thoughts on Creativity and Connection

01:30:48 • 6min

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#397

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The Martian

Andy Weir

R.C. Bray

The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who is presumed dead and left stranded on Mars after a fierce storm. With limited supplies, Watney must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Meanwhile, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring 'the Martian' home, while Watney faces numerous challenges in his quest for survival. The novel is praised for its blend of science, humor, and suspense.

#715

• Mentioned in 27 episodes

Born Standing Up

A Comic's Life

Steve Martin

In 'Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life', Steve Martin provides a detailed and candid account of his journey from his childhood to his rise as a stand-up comedian. The book delves into his early jobs at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, his development as a magician and comedian, and the struggles and successes he faced in his career. Martin also explores his strained relationship with his family, particularly his father, and how he eventually reconnected with them. The memoir highlights the dedication, discipline, and originality that defined his career and explains why he chose to leave stand-up comedy in 1981 to pursue other creative ventures. The book includes photographs and offers a unique insight into the life of one of the most iconic comedians of his time.

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• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Every Tool's a Hammer

Adam Savage

Adam Savage's "Every Tool's a Hammer" is a memoir that blends personal anecdotes with insightful reflections on creativity, craftsmanship, and the importance of making. Savage shares his journey from a childhood fascination with building to his career as a special effects artist on Mythbusters. He explores the philosophy behind his work, emphasizing the value of experimentation, iteration, and learning from failures. The book also delves into his personal life, offering a glimpse into his passions, challenges, and relationships. It's a compelling read for anyone interested in creativity, making, and the power of hands-on learning.

#34527

Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home

A Cookbook

Julia Child

Jacques Pépin

In 'Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home', these two culinary legends guide readers through a variety of dishes, from appetizers to desserts, emphasizing technique and the joy of cooking. The book includes detailed recipes and stories, showcasing their collaborative approach to cooking and sharing meals.

"A true creator knows that you follow the thing to where it's going, not to where you think it ought to go." — Adam Savage

Adam Savage (TW: @donttrythis IG: @therealadamsavage FB: therealadamsavage) has spent his life gathering skills that allow him to take what's in his brain and make it real. He's built everything from ancient Buddhas and futuristic weapons to fine-art sculptures and dancing vegetables.

The son of a filmmaker/painter and a psychotherapist, Adam's previous positions include projectionist, animator, graphic designer, carpenter, interior and stage designer, toy designer, welder, and scenic painter. And he's worked with every material and in every medium he could fathom—metal, paper, glass, plastic, rubber, foam, plaster, pneumatics, hydraulics, animatronics, neon, glassblowing, moldmaking, and injection molding, to name just a few.

In 1993, Adam began concentrating his career on the special-effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Galaxy Quest, and the Matrix sequels.

A decade later, Adam was chosen, along with Jamie Hyneman, to host MythBusters, which premiered on Discovery Channel in January 2003. 14 years; 1,015 myths; 2,950 experiments; eight Emmy nominations; and 83 miles of duct tape later, that version of the series ended in March 2016.

Today, Adam hosts and executive produces MythBusters Jr., as well as a brand-new series, Savage Builds, which premieres on Science Channel in June 2019. He also stars in and produces content for Tested.com, including behind-the-scenes dives into multiple blockbuster films (including Alien Covenant, Mortal Combat, and Blade Runner).

In addition, after a lifetime of hunting for the perfect bag, Adam launched Savage Industries and began manufacturing his own, along with MAFIA BAGS. Made in the United States and constructed primarily from recycled sailcloth, every bag is not only durable and lightweight but unique, as well. The current line (available at AdamSavage.com) includes two sizes of the EDC ("Everyday Carry") and pouches, with more product both available on the site and on the way.

Finally, in 2019 Adam wrote his first book, Every Tool's a Hammer, which is, in Adam's words, "...a chronicle of my life as a maker. It's an exploration of making and of my own productive obsessions, but it's also a permission slip of sorts from me to you. Permission to grab hold of the things you're interested in, that fascinate you, and to dive deeper into them to see where they lead you."

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