Hi.
Dan Gibbins, Keith Kollee, Ian Pond, and Devin Warne are a group of people burdened by continuous creative impulses, which they've chosen to weaponize to entertain you, the people.
Dan Gibbins, Keith Kollee, Ian Pond, and Devin Warne are a group of people burdened by continuous creative impulses, which they've chosen to weaponize to entertain you, the people.
Image by Ian Pond
Ever since 1928, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has handed out trophies to what it considered the best in film. Sometimes they were absolutely right, sometimes they were entirely wrong, sometimes they were so, so basic. But in all that time, audiences have had their own opinions, sometimes better, sometimes much worse. And sometimes, when the stars align or the fates allow, they even agree.
Academy Vs Audience is a deep dive into Oscar history, revisiting film history from the 1920s to the 2020s; from the Studio Era to the age of the IP Franchise; from the age of the silent film to the age of the novelty silent film. Claire, Erin, and Dan take on each year’s Best Picture according to the Academy, and the Box Office Champ selected by audience dollars*. It’s a fascinating look at enduring classics and a descent into madness, because History Is Always Terrible and audiences make questionable choices.
(*Based on revenue earned during its initial run, and the year said run began in. No re-releases. Lots of movies become audience favourites years after their initial release, you are not special, Billy Jack.)
Erin Weir has spent over 1000 hours of her life watching and talking about teen dramas. This is something she is mostly okay with. In her free time, she is an actress, educator and barre enthusiast. You can listen to her weekly on Mystery, Outsiders, and Abs: A Teen Drama Fancast (?), read her sporadic thoughts over at A Flimsy Plan and catch her on the social media at eraweir.
Claire Bolton is a graduate of the University of Calgary’s Drama department (BFA ’09), and has made her career as a stage manager, performer, producer, and educator. Upon graduating she was granted an internship with Quest Theatre, and has remained a part of the company as a member of their Artist In Residency Program and Camp Coordinator. Along with being a member of these programs Claire is a teacher for Puddle of Mud Productions, a member of Calgary Opera’s Let’s Create An Opera Program, and Co-Artistic Director of Full Circle Theatre. Through her career Claire has been fortunate to work with such amazing companies as Black Radish Theatre, Woezo Africa Dance Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, The Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society, The Shakespeare Company, Hit & Myth Productions, Cowtown Opera, Scorpio Theatre, Alberta Dance Theatre, Front Row Centre, and Cappuccino Musical Theatre.
Award winning playwright Dan Gibbins is your Pop Culture Sin Eater. Whether it’s Oscar winners past, Oscar nominees present, or the best and worst of comic-based movies and TV shows, Dan watches it so you don’t have to, and he’s here to share what he’s learned with you… the good, the bad, the glory of Yancey Cravat. He occasionally talks about his plays, his travels, and his thoughts on life in the future, and his annual not-quite-comprehensive ranking of comic book TV shows over at www.talesfrompartsunknown.com. If you need a thing written, he might be able to assist with that for a fee.
He’s also @danny_g on Twitter and @daniforth on Instagram if those are your things.