Small Beans

Adam tells us the history and classic use of the Steadicam so we can better understand how Christopher Nolan uses it. Not only is he unique in his deployment of the tool but Nolan’s signature speed and momentum exaggerate both the power and flaws of his films. Not only should you be able to identify his approach to camera movement but you’ll more deeply understand why he makes these choices as a director. Also, our new MC seems to have been killed? I don’t know what’s going on with that whole situation. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

Two of the warmest hosts to bless this podcast network take a moment to reflect on some of their coldest days. Both Michael Swaim and Cristian Ramirez have gone through divorces. Cristian, the more recent single, tells Michael about the hardships and eventual self-betterment involved in his experience. Michael in-kind reflects on his own behavior and past circumstances that made him the man he is today. It’s just two divorced guys, everyone. Features: Cristian Ramirez: https://twitter.com/FanboyCristian Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

Seanbaby joins the beans to discuss their collective disdain for the recent Wonder Woman movie! They pick apart its many plot holes, discuss the state of the union of DC and Marvel universes, but end up determining maybe they’re not the best people to determine the future of the Wonder Woman franchise. Though, we all agree that we need more and better female superhero movies. And it’s not all hate. Michael cried! Features: Seanbaby: https://twitter.com/Seanbabydotcom Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

Daniel O’Brien, writer for Last Week Tonight and original gangster, joins Bridgett and Sarah for a candid discussion of how teenagers fall for the allure of playing the role of a protagonist in a tragic romance. Daniel starts with a tale where a teenage crush overheard his undying love via speakerphone and the punishment only endures for the next several years. Don’t worry, Daniel, you all have us fooled, we think you’re a real catch. Maybe leave your love sonnets in the box of notebooks you keep in the darkest corner of your closet, though. Features: Sarah Griffith: https://twitter.com/sk_griffith Bridgett Greenberg: https://twitter.com/BridgettTweets Daniel O’Brien: https://twitter.com/dob_inc Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

In this musical episode, the hosts each select the album in their lives that changed them. So we have two albums here. The artists are Dashboard Confessional and Bob Dylan. Close your eyes and guess who! Maggie and Adam get pretty in-depth about how music and lyrics can peer into your youthful soul and spit out a new fully-formed human. Witness the sonic metamorphosis. Also, the hosts discuss their lifelong problems with long hair and their recent texts to each other. Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Maggie Mae Fish: https://twitter.com/MaggieMaeFish Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

Abe walks us through the plethora of editorial, post-production, and camera tricks used by Nobuhiko Obayashi, the director of the Japanese horror comedy, House. From cutting out mattes and placing them directly on the frame, to rotoscoping, to practical effects, to editorial pacing, Obayashi is able to command a tone and humor entirely of his own creation. Abe talks about how the film influenced western directors and how technique and style define every filmmakers’ “voice.” Adam surprisingly did not hate the film, dashing Abe’s hopes for a combative podcast. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

The horror! The horror! Stephen King himself helms another cars-gone-mad sci-fi/action/horror narrative and the results are disastrous. The boys discuss the lazy filmmaking, slapped together scene work, inconceivable choices, and inexplicable acting of King’s only attempted feature. Oh, and the cocaine. Out of the white dust settles a picture that might be the worst Stephen King adaptation yet. Strap in and brace yourself for the wild ride that is Maximum Overdrive. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

Tales from the Pit returns with a COVID retrospective. Sitting down with Michael is Twitch Streamer, Creator, and Advocate Alebrelle. The two discuss what it’s been like during quarantine as an autistic and intersectional person. WARNING: there are lengthy discussions and specific examples each give about their depression and suicidal thoughts. Beware, all ye’ who enter here, thar be monsters. Everyone here is doing okay, and we hope you are too. Be well, everyone. Features: Alebrelle: https://www.twitch.tv/alebrelle Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

Oh, behave. Sarah has joined the boys to discuss the 1997 Mike Myers film and its cultural impact on the United States, baby. Does it hold up after 24 years? Is it as horny as we all remember? Abe ruins the mood by bringing up the history of satirical espionage films. Features: Sarah Griffith: https://twitter.com/sk_griffith Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans

Adam chooses to examine 1998’s Murder of Crows, a forgotten Cuba Gooding Jr. vehicle. In the episode, we examine the work of Rowdy Herrington, also popular for Road House, and his directorial approach to this film. A very important part of directing is presenting a series of shots and performances so that the narrative is clear. “Clarity, then elegance,” as someone once said to me. Either due to an unparalleled series of filmic catastrophes or out of negligence, Mr. Herrington takes what could have been an interesting idea and turns it into a mind-bogglingly nonsensical film. Adam takes us through it. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans