Simmons Here And Now

  • Author: Vários
  • Narrator: Vários
  • Publisher: Podcast
  • Duration: 282:20:38
  • More information

Informações:

Synopsis

Where we'll talk about books, comics, film, conventions, and other creative arts and pop culture topics.

Episodes

  • Tell The Damn Story 189: "An Angel and Judas Walk into A Bar..."

    02/05/2021 Duration: 01h17min

    In today's episode, Alex and Chris interview Maureen Britt, who has lead a life of theater and corporate adventures and continued finding new outlets for her creativity throughout. We discuss her time sharing stages with ...  #ChristopherReeves #RichardChamberlain #FrankLangella #AustinPendleton #BlytheDanner #DwightSchultz (from #theATeam) and #Richard Dreyfus As well as her long friendship with our own #AlexSimmons, who she first met while he was playing Judas Iscariot in a production of #JesusChrisSuperstar.  Maureen has been an angel to the Kids Comic Con for years, and has recently taken the plunge into writing fiction as well. Fascinating stories, behind the scenes tales, and useful advice is spread throughout this fun episode. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #kidscomiccon #writersworld #creativearts #kidsart #comics #acting #creativearts

  • Tell The Damn Story 188: From The Bronx To Spain...A Comic Creator's Journey

    26/04/2021 Duration: 50min

    Life is art, and art is life. This week Alex and Chris interview Juan Espinoza, creator of the comic book series, "Adventures Of A Systems Admin."  Written by Juan Espinosa, with art by El Santa, and colors by Candella Grizutti. The series follows the lives of a diverse IT team as they deal with, old school parents, up tight fellow employees, and some serious hacker threats.  "I created the series because I didn't see comics with people like this," said Espinosa, "... all kinds of people."  "This comic shows that life is a great adventure every day," according to El Santo. "...And you should be the lead character of your own adventure..." So if you are a creative or not; if you're not sure when you can or should create something, this episode will turn your No into a Yes. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #kidscomiccon #writersworld #creativearts #kidsart #comics #AdventuresOfASys

  • Tell The Damn Story 187: Talking Marvel Messages and Creating Creative Kids

    18/04/2021 Duration: 01h03min

    That's how we tell the damn story this week, when Alex and Chris discuss episode five of the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, without spoilers, (Yes we are the only people left in the world who do not spoil these shows).  We yack about the importance of the show and what it is saying on so many levels, and then we use that to spring into our main topic: how Alex Simmons gets young people to create, or unleash their creativity.  Listen, and you will learn some of that Alex Simmons magic, the power of positive reinforcement, and how to phrase editorial comment in a way that it's positive for the child and encouraging of their creativity. All this celebrates this Months Kids Comic Con (online event) which you and your young ones can attend. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #falconandthewintersoldier #kidscomiccon #spokenword #writersworld #creativearts #kidsart #comics 

  • Tell The Damn Story 186: What's A Young Writers' Road To Pop Culture, Race, and Identity

    12/04/2021 Duration: 01h08min

    While participating in a creative arts program to support and inspire young men of color, Chris and Alex talk with two pros they've interviewed before. Once again TTDS welcomes authors, Caseen Gaines and Omar Holman to the show. Both were Chris' students in high school.  Now they have books coming out that, as Chris put it, "... are significant enough to become required reading..." In very different ways Caseen's "FOOTNOTES," and Omar's "BLACK NERD PROBLEMS," explore and comment on media, pop culture, race in America, and defining identity.  Whether it be a culture's, a community's, -- or one's own. *This interview is excerpt from a project done in cooperation with Young Men's Initiative, City of New York. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #caseengaines #Footnotes #Omarholman #Blacknerdproblems #shufflealong #blackpanther #spokenword #slampoetry #wedon'tneednoroads #peewee'splayhouse

  • TELL THE DAMN STORY 185: "Pop Culture Gumbo"

    04/04/2021 Duration: 01h07min

    This week, Alex and Chris talk everything pop culture, covering the first three episodes of Marvel's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier", plus those hilarious trailers for The Suicide Squad by the amazing James Gunn. And they smack around a rumor about DC Comics and take its lunch money.  And finally, Alex and Chris open themselves up for Audience Q&A, focusing on how to write both establish and independent characters, when to pitch big companies, and more. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #Marvel #thewritersjourney #amwriting#writingtips #authortips #howtostructurestories #thefalconandthewintersoldier #pitchingstories #DCComics #suicidesquad #writersquestions 

  • Today on Tell The Damn Story, Alex and Chris discuss "Illness: Do You Work Through it or Just Lay Do

    28/03/2021 Duration: 42min

    With Alex in the hospital, and with Chris recovering from a royal butt-kicking courtesy of his second Moderna vaccination, we discuss: how honesty is a key skill for the creative; the blessing of supportive people(and pets); the need to invest in your creativity via hiring editors, and how THE FALCON ON THE WINTER SOLDIER might be the most important statement the MCU has ever made.

  • TELL THE DAMN STORY 183: "How to Structure Stories and Opening Scenes"

    21/03/2021 Duration: 58min

    This week, Alex and Chris discuss the value of story structure, and offer tips on how to go about gaining a good foundation, internalizing it, and then applying and adjusting the "rules" to create your own original story. We also discuss ways to open your story and offer several examples from famous books and movies for you to check out. Oh, and Chris has a battle with Aaron Sorkin that Sorkin will never know about.  Editor's Notes: Here are links to ...  The book, The Writer's Journey  Info on the movie ... The Courier ...  Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #storystructure #openingscene #Faulkner #Marvel #Seven #Lethal Weapon #ShaneBlack #jeffreyboam #JosephCampbell #HerosJourney #ChistopherVolger #thewritersjourney #astrangercomestotown #amwriting#writingtips #authortips #howtostructurestories #howtowriteopeningscenes #aaronsorkin

  • TELL THE DAMN STORY 182: "What is Heroics But Love Persevering?"

    14/03/2021 Duration: 01h03min

    Today Alex must heroically persevere through Chris's awful Irish brogue and endless tributes to Roddy Doyle and Tim Fielder to discuss lingering questions about WandaVision and what it's like to write heroic characters.  A hero is usually someone who does “the right thing, at a precarious time.”  Or they face something life threatening for the sake of others. They save lives, invent cures, sacrifice themselves in some outstanding manner in a just cause or selfless act. So how do you write about such characters?  Is it simple and easy, or ... could it have a more complicated side? Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com.``` Editor's notes:  1) The word Chris cannot remember this episode is "agency". 2) we apologize that our feature "Alex Simmons' Time Machine" did not appear this episode - Alex was too busy being FREAKING AWESOME! #roddydoyle #love #paddyclarkehahaha #thecommitment

  • Tell The Damn Story 181: "A Shot in the Dark"

    07/03/2021 Duration: 57min

    Or "Vaccinations, WandaVision, and Author Rights, Oh My!"  This episode, Alex and Chris get wacky celebrating the fact that Alex was getting vaccinated!  Of course, while Chris got vaccinated at CVS at 3:30 PM, Alex had to get his at Yankee Stadium at one in the morning! Always an adventure with that guy!  Being writers, we discuss possible side effects Alex could have, covering everything from the Spider-Man's six arms to the super soldier serum to Morbius the Living Vampire! And we celebrate the final episode of WandaVision in glorious, spoil free fashion!  And then Chris gets on his high horse about ridiculous Twitter posts suggesting writers don't have rights to their creations once they die. He takes no prisoners and Alex, well he comes out with both Colts blazing. It's a fun, goofy, and sometimes serious episode not to be missed! (It's in honor of Stan Lee!) Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section. Or write to us at: &nbs

  • Tell The Damn Story 180: "Wandering Visions of Writing"

    01/03/2021 Duration: 01h11min

    It's a jam-packed episode of TV shows, international animation, and the value of writer's groups. Today Alex and Chris talk about getting vaccinated, WandaVision episode seven and eight and how that show is offering master classes to creatives.  Alex talks about spending the week on panels to promote the upcoming Tales of Wakanda anthology that he is a part of.  He also mentions appearing virtually at the Jamaica Animation Con, while also teaching his usual load of screen writing classes, including a class consisting of students from all across Africa (told you he was a globetrotting adventurer).  During our segment called "Alex Simmons' Time Machine", Alex issues Chris a challenge to watch any four episodes from season one of the old Perry Mason show now on Netflix.  Then Chris is supposed to watch the eight episode Perry Mason reboot on HBO Max for discussion next week. (Challenge accepted. Come join in!)  Finally, we discuss in detail the pros and cons of leaving a writers group, t

  • Tell The Damn Story #179: TACKLE A NEW BOOK, ROARING 20's RACISM ON B'WAY & FACEBOOK LIVE!

    22/02/2021 Duration: 01h11min

    This week, Alex and Chris are joined by Caseen Gaines on Facebook Live for the first time ever! And this time we're discussing how to tell the damn story through the prism of Caseen's upcoming new book FOOTNOTES.  We get deep into African-American entertainment history (spanning from Eubie Blake to August Wilson), deep in to the ongoing struggle that people have to see each other as people, not prey. Don't let that fool you, we have a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and a lot of audience participation.  You can listen to us here. And you can check out the recorded video too.  Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #caseengaines #Footnote #ShuffleAlong #amwriting #writers #screenwriting #novelists #politicalthriller #Capitol #journalism #americandream #creatingcharacters #motivations #timfielder #infinitum #allthewayhome #writingcoach #valueoftruth #factchecking #gowriteforit #rober

  • Tell The Damn Story 178: The Secret Origin of ... Writers

    14/02/2021 Duration: 01h05min

    Today Alex and Chris talk about how writers and creators become writers and creators.  How does loving story or doodling evolve into creating the characters and heart wrenching stories that fill up so many of our lives? The answer is both unique and universal, and you may recognize yourself in the stories we tell.  Plus we talk briefly about Wanda Vision! Plus plus, we announce the winner of Alex's story idea competition. Plus plus plus, we have way too much fun for a Sunday morning and you get to reap the benefits. Come on along and further your journey on the creative path. NEWS BLASTS Join us Sunday, Feb. 21st for our TTDS Facebook Live Special. And we'll be joined by special guest author Caseen Gaines. Keep an eye on our TTDS Facebook page for more information. Click here to join Alex on a second Writer's Way Webinar on Friday, Feb. 19th at 7 PM eastern standard time. Click here for info on, "Now's The Time To Write The Crime" boot camp. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? T

  • Tell The Damn Story 177: What Two Characters Know About Characterization

    07/02/2021 Duration: 01h05min

    We still believe Plot Is Character, And Character Is Plot. This week, Alex and Chris talk about WandaVision episode five and then go deep on characterization, offering a wide array of techniques for developing your characters, with examples of exceptional characterization in lit and on screen. If you want to know how to build your characters, you came to the right place. Let us know what you think and we'll mention it on our next show. Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #WandaVision #MarvelStudios #MarvelComics #Disney #amwriting #writers #screenwriting #novelists #politicalthriller #Capitol #journalism #americandream #creatingcharacters #motivations #timfielder #infinitum #allthewayhome #writingcoach #valueoftruth #factchecking #gowriteforit

  • Tell The Damn Story 176: “The Why of It All”

    31/01/2021 Duration: 01h13min

    Stories & The Truth.  Fact In Fiction and Does It Really Matter This week Alex and Chris talk about very current stuff, very ancient, stuff and some universal all time life and story themes.  As they discuss how rewrites are going for Chris, update our views on Disney+‘s WandaVision (Alex finally saw episodes 1 to 3, Chris saw episode 4 - we talk about at all, sans spoilers).   We also do a commercial for co-founder Tim Fielder’s INFINITUM, and then get down to business.  We talk about the late 50s early 60s short film “All The Way Home“ which is about a black family potentially buying a house in a white neighborhood.  Needless to say we reflect, sadly, how much has not changed, and how much has.  We go deep, ladies and gents, so strap in and come along for the ride. And it all leads to an even deeper discussion of why we need to learn how to write and how to write well.  Harder still, why we need to see our writing as others see it and do the research to get our storie

  • Tell The Damn Story 175: "The Creative Hill We Climb." Poetry, Wanda Vision, and Multi-Billion Dollar Movies

    24/01/2021 Duration: 01h04min

    This episode we learn how Amanda Gorman made Chris cry and blubber and gosh with pride and praise and so much hope that Alex has it take control of the show for a while. After the river of tears ends we move on to discuss our new national poet laureate's impact on the inauguration, on our hearts, on our hopes, and in the textbooks of our children's future.  Then Chris gushed again, this time about WandaVision episode 3 "now in color."  He and Alex discuss how it deepens the plot and rewards patience, and really shows how Marvel is playing with house money and fan loyalty.  We go over how they weave a story that fits in the Marvel canon that they could never have done early on.  And one more topic is covered when we talk about about creating before the money is there, and after.   Speaking of money Alex and Chris, after having fun with it themselves, pose interesting question about the recent billion dollar lotto prize.  And they challenge you to answer it as well.   What que

  • Tell The Damn Story 174: Revisions, Offenses, Visions, and Queries ... A Writer's Blessing Or Curse?

    18/01/2021 Duration: 59min

    Good question, especially for writers tackling tough subjects.  This week Alex and Chris discuss almost everything under the sun! Some of it ripe with conflict and controversy. We start off with a follow up on Chris 'Rewrite' Ryan's editing antics, segue to a spoiler free discussion of Marvel's "WandaVision" on Disney+.   Then we  segue to the second part of last weeks challenging discussion, what Alex is calling 'A Capitol Offense.'   It's where we use the developing siege in Washington DC as a way to view writing challenges.   So far that story is developing from an historical thriller, to a homegrown espionage thriller; complete with cyber conspiracies, interstate FBI investigations and arrests, and a multi-family drama that ultimately asks the question, "Who are we and what do we want America to be?"  After all that, we finish off with answers to a question we put to our international audience ... What kind of new books, films, or TV show stories do you want to see

  • Tell The Damn Story 173: IF YOU WROTE 'A CAPITOL OFFENSE,' THE MOVIE, THE MANUSCRIPT, THE MADNESS

    10/01/2021 Duration: 01h01min

    The saying goes, Truth is Stranger Than Fiction.  This week Alex and Chris talk about what happened Wednesday (Jan. 6, 2021) in Washington, DC, through a wilder lens.  They explore the lingering questions surrounding that event as if they were holes in a fictional novel, or a journalism assignment.   Discussing Plot, Characters, Motivations, and Resolutions they examine destress politics, the disenfranchised and focus on the questions that remain. And then Alex challenges Chris on his idea of re-writing the ending to his novel, "A Simple Rebellion," following Wednesday's insurrection. When life imitates art, should art change ... or reexamine it's message? What do you think?  Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #amwriting #amediting #screenwriting #novelists #politicalthriller #Capitol #journalism #reporter #insurrection #americandream #followupquestions #research #creati

  • TELL THE DAMN STORY 172: Which Social Media Platform Works For You?

    03/01/2021 Duration: 01h25min

    Today we, Alex and Chris, talk about exploring social media to ask what works for you?  But we start with a special guest star. Sometimes referred to as the goddess, she prefers Tina Ryan. Tina is now doing a podcast with Chris called "Spousing", which is about staying married. They both speak about the podcast and about the Pixar movie "Soul" on Disney+ right now. The three of us discuss the power of that particular movie, urging all to see it as soon as they can.  What's one got to do with the other?  Listen in and find out. Then Alex and I explore Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and most especially Instagram as vehicles to create content which promotes creators.  We also  explore the different options that are being introduced in each platform that help you tell your damn story.  Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #Soul #Pixar #Disney+ #spousing #Instagram #Inst

  • TELL THE DAMN STORY 171: It's All About Holiday Highs and 2020 Goodbyes

    27/12/2020 Duration: 01h06min

    Today on Tell The Damn Story, Chris speaks in defense of "WONDER WOMAN 1984," and Alex enthuses over "JINGLE JANGLE" and "SOULS." And then we look at our welcome goodbye to 2020, and a fond hello to 2021.  We discuss the good things, and there were actual good things, that came out of 2020, and we talk about our own plans, hopes and wishes for everybody in 2021.  We hope you enjoy the last episode of TTDS for the decade that was 2020.   And here's a couple of questions we have for you: What are you looking forward to in 2021?  What do you hope to change in 2021? Have any comments or questions for this episode topics? Then please leave them in our comments section.  Or write to us at:  TTDSOnAir@gmail.com. #WW84 #WonderWoman #JingleJangle #Souls #goodbye2020 #lessonsof2020 #welcome2021 #2020 #2021 #pandemic #blacklivesmatter #America #forestwhittaker 

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