Episodes

  • Introducing: Let’s Make A Sci-Fi!

    Introducing: Let’s Make A Sci-Fi!
    Feb 17 2022
    An eight-part adventure through the creative process as three comedians try writing a successful sci-fi pilot— with help from scientific experts and Hollywood screenwriting pros.
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    3 mins
  • Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 1: Take Me Seriously (feat. Jem Garrard + Catherine Winder)

    Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 1: Take Me Seriously (feat. Jem Garrard + Catherine Winder)
    Feb 28 2022
    Ryan, Mark, and Maddy talk to producers Catherine Winder (Star Wars) and Jem Garrard (Vagrant Queen) and learn how to identify great story ideas. Then, they pitch each other concepts for their science fiction pilot and land on a winning idea.
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    34 mins
  • Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 2: World-Building (feat. Neill Blomkamp + Emily VanDerWerff)

    Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 2: World-Building (feat. Neill Blomkamp + Emily VanDerWerff)
    Feb 28 2022
    Ryan hosts a sci-fi movie marathon for inspiration. Director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) and critic Emily VanDerWerff (Vox) advise on how to create engrossing fictional worlds. The gang develop their universe and even design a spaceship—but is world-building the right place to start?
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    31 mins
  • Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 3: Characters (feat. Simon Barry)

    Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 3: Characters (feat. Simon Barry)
    Mar 8 2022
    Ryan, Mark, and Maddy pitch their premise to showrunner Simon Barry (Continuum)—only to be told they have a big problem: they don’t have any characters. They explore what makes a compelling character with screenwriting professor Kat Montagu and fill their generational ship with… generations! They also crystalize their protagonist: Kirby.
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    29 mins
  • Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 4: Science (feat. Neil deGrasse Tyson)

    Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 4: Science (feat. Neil deGrasse Tyson)
    Mar 15 2022
    The gang has their world and their characters, but is there enough science in the fiction? They pit their concept against all-star experts—astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, “Bad Astronomer'' Phil Plaitt, and Hollywood science advisor Mika McKinnon (Sharknado) — to determine whether the pilot makes scientific sense. And when the science doesn’t check out, they get the experts to create some that does.
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    28 mins
  • Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 5: Social Commentary (feat. Jose Molina)

    Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 5: Social Commentary (feat. Jose Molina)
    Mar 22 2022
    Before diving into their first draft, the comedians map out the plot of their pilot and try to untangle the deeper messages they want their script to tackle. Screenwriters Jose Molina (Firefly) and Neill Blomkamp (District 9) assist, sharing their secrets on writing sci-fi plots with real-world purpose.
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    26 mins
  • Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 6: Comedy (feat. Rainn Wilson)

    Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 6: Comedy (feat. Rainn Wilson)
    Mar 29 2022
    Ryan, Mark, and Maddy write their first draft, but after reading it aloud to each other they worry they’ve strayed galaxies far, far away from their serious goals. Comedy legend Rainn Wilson (Galaxy Quest, Star Trek: Discovery, The Office) helps the comedians find a balance between humour and hard science fiction.
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    29 mins
  • Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 7: Scary Executives (feat. Paul Bae)

    Let's Make A Sci-Fi, Episode 7: Scary Executives (feat. Paul Bae)
    Apr 5 2022
    Ryan, Mark, and Maddy send their script to an important, scary Hollywood executive for review. Podcaster-turned-TV writer Paul Bae drops by to reassure the comedians that they can survive the feedback process. With only days before actors read their script, executive producer Kerry Appleyard (Orphan Black) gives Ryan, Mark, and Maddy her notes—triggering major rewrites.
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    27 mins