Story Science with DJ Finley

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Story Science is where communication and storytelling collide. The Podcast dives into the essence of communication and how well it's used in storytelling.

Kiara Horowitz


    • Apr 3, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h AVG DURATION
    • 32 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Story Science with DJ Finley

    How to introduce your protagonist | Lessons from The Wolfman 1941& 2010

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2022 57:34


    Showing who your protagonist is as a person in the opening of your story. Fantasy & World Music by the Fiechters: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjMZjGhrFq_4llVS_x2XJ_w Ukrainian Folk Music - Ukrainian Village: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y2iwuJaAOY Halloween Music - Howl of the Werewolves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNv7Bl9mvUo Halloween Music - Werewolf Castle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33KEW9XiMb8&t=1s Garrison's Gorillas - Episode 01: The Big Con: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eti6R_KAgBo&t=247s The pictures and video in this podcast are for educational purposes. DJ Finley doesn't own the rights to these properties.

    Top 12 Amateur Writing Mistakes in High Guardian Spice.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 83:11


    High Guardian Spice has no throughline, no plan, no point. Out of all the issues, DJ Finley and Essi narrowed it down to a few key problems common in many writers' groups.

    What Did We Watch? Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 EXPOSITION SCENES!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 71:05


    Disney-Marvel continues to put spectacle over substance. Shang-Chi is a fast-paced marble track of movement that resolves at a mind-splitting conclusion. DJ Finley and Essi explain why. The Critical Drinkers plot synopsis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLJGVikolJs Don't forget to check out "The Girl with Ghost Eyes," by M. H. Boroson.

    The Comedy of Errors 2021 Play Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 32:29


    Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors is one of the hardest plays to mess up.

    Shakespeare's Richard III A Lesson in Context.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 52:04


    The Utah Shakespeare Festival decided to do Shakespeare's histories in order and Richard III shows why context is important to understand character motivation. Audio clip from Directing for Animation with Scott Wiser, episode 20 with Brian McDonald. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz0pXCPzrfI&t=1416s

    Pericles. Alpha Male vs The Harmless Male. Play Review.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 51:07


    Shakespeare's Pericles performed by The Utah Shakespeare Festival 2021. The festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary, in this year's playbill is the lesser-known play, Pericles about the king of Tyre who faces adversity from the gods. The Utah Shakspeare Festival website https://secure.bard.org/Online/default.asp

    High Guardian Spice! Original or Cliché? Being unique when every story has already been told.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 45:30


    The official trailer for High Guardian Spice dropped recently and... Oh Boy. It's as embarrassing as people predicted. However, it begs the question of where is the line between unique and cliche? As well as how to avoid sounding like everything that came before? Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    Character Analysis with Rayne: The Mummy! What is this corpse about?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2021 125:00


    Welcome back to the Show, Rayne. Here to discuss the mummy as a character, some things to consider when writing a mummy. All ideas discussed are free to use so don't be shy. Follow Rayne on Twitch at Rayne Draws. Contact DJ Finley via Gmail: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com Music for this episode this from Fantasy & World Music by the Fiechters songs: Ancient Egyptian Music - Prince of Egypt and Beautiful Jungle Music - Amazon Rainforest. Follow them on YouTube they write great stuff! Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjMZjGhrFq_4llVS_x2XJ_w

    Patterns of Behavior. How Personality affects your character's actions and decisions.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2021 87:27


    Copyright Disclaimer, This episode features segments from the book The People Code by Dr. Tayler Hartman. These segments are being used for educational purposes only and DJ Finley does not claim ownership of them. Personality is the deciding factor on how your character acts and reacts to what's happening. A character's personality will also decide what pattern of behavior they will show throughout the story. For more information about The People Code check out Dr. Tayler Hartman's book. Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    Discussing Horror and 2015 Jekyll & Hyde with Rayne.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 72:54


    So what's happening with Horror? DJ Finley discusses the currant state of the Monster Movie genre with horror fan Rayne. Along with this discussion DJ Finley and Rayne talk about the 2015 TV adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde. Follow Rayne on Twitch at Rayne Draws. His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHsE9xDSj67QEnbLZ_Fj43w Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    Raya and the Last Dragon Review with Essie!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 54:24


    The show features audio from After Earth 2013, Raya and the Last Dragon 2021, Phylis Diller comedy, The Purple People Eater by Sheb Wooley. Honest review of Disney's new animated film. Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter

    What Writers Aren't Telling You About Writing Characters in Scenes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 21:04


    When learning how to write, I had a difficult time working with the characters in the scene. Until I discovered the Coordinated Management of Meaning theory, or CMM for short. The CMM theory argues that the way people communicate with one another is often times more important than the matter being discussed. The mood and mannerisms that a person adopts during an interaction or experience plays a large part in the construction of the reality. Instead of simply focusing on the message content or what people are thinking which made my characters sound robotic. I turned more focus on the pattern of communication and what that pattern creates. Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter

    J.J. Abrams plan for Star Wars Episode 8? Leaks act 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 66:28


    A few weeks ago a treatment printed on red paper was posted on Imgur. It was claimed that this was the original plan for episode 8 by Abrams himself. Though, no one knows for sure. After watching reviews of the treatment on YouTube, that said these leaks were betted then what fans got. DJ Finley and Essie decide to read them and judge them on a level of quality rather than a straight on comparison to what episode 8 turned out to be. Leaks: https://imgur.com/gallery/WKkli Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    J.J. Abrams plan for Star Wars Episode 8? Leaks act 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2021 58:54


    A few weeks ago a treatment printed on red paper was posted on Imgur. It was claimed that this was the original plan for episode 8 by Abrams himself. Though, no one knows for sure. After watching reviews of the treatment on YouTube, that said these leaks were betted then what fans got. DJ Finley and Essie decide to read them and judge them on a level of quality rather than a straight on comparison to what episode 8 turned out to be. Leaks: https://imgur.com/gallery/WKkli Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    J.J. Abrams plan for Star Wars Episode 8? Leaks act 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2021 99:34


    A few weeks ago a treatment printed on red paper was posted on Imgur. It was claimed that this was the original plan for episode 8 by Abrams himself. Though, no one knows for sure. After watching reviews of the treatment on YouTube, that said these leaks were betted then what fans got. DJ Finley and Essie decide to read them and judge them on a level of quality rather than a straight on comparison to what episode 8 turned out to be. Leaks: https://imgur.com/gallery/WKkli Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    #7 Perfect, Salvageable, or Trash? Scrooge

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2020 74:19


    The 1970 one starring Albert Finney and has Obi-Wan Kenobi himself, Alec Guinness. Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    #6 Perfect, Salvaegable, or Trash? We're No Angles.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 56:03


    A 1955 Christmas Cult Classic starring Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray. Three convicts are determined to escape Devil's Island and return to France. While concocting a plan they hide out in the house of a friendly merchant and his family. Since it's Christmas Eve, the convicts get wrapped up in the family's love and their problems and want to help the people who showed them kindness. The convicts find the perfect Christmas gift to give their new friends... and it wont cost them a dime. Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com

    #5 Perfect, Salvageable, or Trash? MULAN 2020.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2020 64:06


    Yes, we watched it so you don't have to. You're Welcome. Watch Shadiversity for a why the fighting in this movie sucks. Copyright: this episode has clips from Clue, Space Balls, and The Time Warp. These clips are being used for entertainment and DJ Finley does not claim to own the rights. Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    #4 Perfect, Salvageable, or Trash? Ice Age

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2020 67:18


    DJ Finley and Essie take a look at Blue Sky Studio's 2002 film "Ice Age" to see how well it stands after eighteen year of life. Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    How Interests move your characters and effect their decisions.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2020 53:04


    One of the fastest ways to not just have conflict in your story, but also move the plot is identifying each character's interest. But what are motivating interests and how do they work? Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Action vs Conflict: using Communication to make character interactions more engaging.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2020 51:42


    Copyright disclaimer, this episode has audio clips from Yes Prime Minister, White Collar, and The Red Green Show. These clips are being used for educational purposes only. DJ Finley does not claim to own any rights to these properties. Ego-involvement: refers to how crucial something is to someones live or argument. LUUUUTT Model. Information about these models was taken from "A First Look at Communication Theory" by Em Griffin. Check out DJ Finley's website for more information: https://kiarafinleyhorowitz.wordpress.com/ Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    A quick look at Communication Perspective and Selective Exposure.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 38:27


    Communication Perspective is the theory that communications effects our whole world. Selective Exposure determines what we as individuals know about the world, and what we're open to experiencing. Follow me on Facebook: @kiarakaihorowitzwriter· Writer Email me at: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    #3 Perfect, Salvageable, or Trash. Gods of Egypt

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2020 122:58


    What should be a film review, turns into a lesson on ancient Egypt real quick. DJ Finley and Essie go to town on a corporate cash grab that failed hard at the box office. Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter/?view_public_for=341759632938467 Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    #2 Perfect, Salvageable, or Trash? Halloween Special "Mad Monster Party?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2020 64:36


    Rankin Bass is responsible for so many wonderful childhood memories. Does Mad Monster Party live up to the expectations left in Rudolph's wake? Standing as a cult Halloween classic, Mad Monster Party is the inspiration for cultural icons like the Sesame Street Count, and possibly the Zombie Bellhops in Hotel Transylvanian. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Mulan Article has Good Argument but Poor defence for the 2020 Film

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2020 47:50


    Dr. Sax argues a good sentiment about messages for young women in films, but sadly he picked the wrong Girl Power movie to represent it. Sax Article: https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/10/71902/ Mark Bauerlein argues that art should be studied separate from political views and religious beliefs. Bauerlein Article: https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/09/71081/ Follow DJ Finley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Adaptation Review of the 1931 and 1941 Films.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2020 70:05


    Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 1941 film (starring Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman) is a remake of the 1931 film (starring Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins). DJ Finley and her co-host Essie watched both of them in one night. (Kind of) The question is how do they stand as adaptations of the 1886 book? Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    The Mummy's Failed "Theme." Cruise and Kurtzman admit they're Idiots.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2020 36:02


    2017's the Mummy wanted to sound as deep and philosophical as the horror films that came before it. Sadly, the people behind it don't have the brains to pull it off. Follow at: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com For more information about the Shadow check out Einzelganger at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybBViio_TH_uiFFDJuz5tg For more information about "Shadow of the Conqueror" by Shad M. Brooks at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkmMACUKpQeIxN9D9ARli1Q --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    #1 Perfect, Salvageable, or Trash? First Victim "The Mummy 2017"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2020 69:11


    Review and Critique of Universal's 2017 attempt at making a Cinematic Universe with the Mummy. Episode features DJ Finley's co-host Essie. DJ Finley and Essie discuss how the film worked and failed and give suggestions on how to fix it. Both hostess are members of the League of Utah Writers and Essie is head of one of the League's Chapters. Follow and contact DJ Finley at: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter Email: seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    DJ Finley finally read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Book Review)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2020 33:10


    You can follow DJ Finley on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/kiarakaihorowitzwriter Email her at seriesoflivesinc@gmail.com. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Is Miscommunication or Communication more Conflicting?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 41:08


    Where does the conflict in a story come from? Does it come from Miscommunication?

    How Attractive is your main character? Into to Interpersonal Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2020 43:52


    An overview of how relationships between characters and reader are made. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    The 5 Foundation Principles of Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 19:28


    1) Message 2) Creation 3) Interpretation 4) Process 5) Response Questions for Creation: 1) What does each character know during this conversation? 2) What truths or lies does each character believe when this conversation happens? 3) Would this character tell the other everything they know? Probably not. What is left out and why? 4) What are all the characters in this conversation hoping to to get out of it? Which on gets what they want? Which one doesn't? 5) What information is dragging the scene and can be cut? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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