Tag Archives: rubicon

The Americans, Spies, & Secret Agents

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On today’s podcast, Spencer Sterritt returns from the motherland to discuss The Americans & spy fiction! We delve into the morally grey spy drama’s latest season, tackle complaints of it being cold and detached, compare it to Breaking Bad and Homeland, and somehow suggest a potential spin-off for one of its characters. Then after, we talk about Rubicon, Archer, Alias, James Bond, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. And somehow, we compare John le Carré to Austin Powers: Groovy, baby!

Guests:
Spencer Sterritt – Editor-in-chief for We Eat Films

Supplementary Notes:
Illegals Program

Audio notes: (1hr. 3min. runtime)
01:15 – Thoughts on the show, being morally grey, ideals vs. individual, and Jared
12:00 – The kids, angry dad Phillip, children of spies, and being American
21:05 – The Illegals Program, Joe Weisberg, stealth, and show being cold & detached
29:25 – Getting people into The Americans, supporting cast, and making a spin-off
38:50 – Homeland, Rubicon, the human cost of intelligence work, Archer, Alias, and wigs
50:15 – James Bond, Metal Gear Solid, John Le Carré & Homeland, and Austin Powers

Theme: Coconut Robot2 (James Pants) / CC BY 3.0
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Title Sequences

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Cue music, insert titles… All Kinds of Philler. This episode is all about title sequences in film and television, which means opening titles, stingers, studio logos, and ending credits. Earl brings in Anna again to talk about some of the most iconic and memorable sequences in visual media. It’s a whirlwind discussion about memorable themes, ever-changing sequences, and what makes a great title. And somehow, they end up spoiling the intro to Lord of War. It’s a very distilled episode, with many examples left on the cutting room floor, but goes through a wide range of choices both obscure and popular.

Guests:
Anna (@gobanana66)

Supplemental notes:
Playlist of selected titles discussed
Art of the Title

Audio notes: (1hr. 15min. runtime)
01:00 – Interest in motion design
02:25 – Design sensibilities: Game of Thrones, and Scott Pilgrim
07:00 – Comparing American Psycho and Dexter
10:05 – TV vs. film openings
11:05 – Setting up films: Enter the Void, Darkplace, Lord of War, and Watchmen
18:15 – Updating sequences: Supernatural, and The Simpsons
25:20 – Kyle Cooper and David Fincher: Se7en, and Fight Club
28:32 – Prologue Films: Iron Man, Speed Racer, and 21 Jump Street
31:40 – Imaginary Forces: Marvel Studios, DC Studios, and Rubicon
38:40 – Jared and Jerusha Hess: Napoleon Dynamite and Gentlemen Broncos
42:25 – Changing sequences: James Bond, Community, and Drew Carey Show
51:05 – Music: Bob’s Burgers, Chuck, Mad Men, and Clone High
58:00 – Comparing X-Files and Fringe, and ageless actors
64:25 – Revisiting the Dexter intro
65:15 – Comparisons: Snatch vs. Baccano, and James Bond vs. Archer
67:55 – Iconic titles: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ’60s Batman, and Star Wars

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!
Follow us (@AKOPPodcast or @phillerworks) or email us at akop@phillerworks.com!