Best Imaginary Studio Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 118 - The Imaginary Game Studios Interview Episode 1:03:43

14d ago1:03:43

1:03:43

In this special pre-PAX West 2024 edition of the Two Vague Podcast… does Ben have a couple of imaginary guests, the titular “Drop Dead Fred” perhaps? Nope! He’s got something far more engaging than a Phoebe Cates movie up his sleeve. Christian and Erik from Imaginary Game Studios join Ben to talk about their experiences in the AAA gaming space and …

1
Episode 119 - Witch Spring R Review and PAX West 2024 Interviews 53:56

12h ago53:56

53:56

This week we have an AMAZING episode for you! We received another PS5 review code compliments of the fabulously kind PR ninja Robert, but before Ben spills the entire cup of tea on his time KIWIWALKS’ latest remaster of the original WitchSpring game, he recounts his 7 days of experiences in Seattle when he wasn’t busy at PAX West 2024 proper. After…

1
The Place Promised in Our Early Days | Shinkai-deology #2 41:12

4h ago41:12

41:12

This week, our journey through the films of Makoto Shinkai reaches his first feature-length film, and his first full-scale production, 2004's alt-history sci-fi drama The Place Promised in Our Early Days. Subscribe to our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus conversations in our Library Cafe series. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram, or drop us a…

1
She and Her Cat + Voices of a Distant Star | Shinkai-deology #1 48:53

7d ago48:53

48:53

It's the start of a new miniseries! Michael and Jake are back to chart the rise of one of Japanese animation's blockbuster filmmakers, Makoto Shinkai, from his homemade beginnings with his very early works, She and Her Cat and Voices of a Distant Star. Subscribe to our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus conversations in our Library Cafe series.…

1
Dash Shaw on Blurry, Cryptozoo and My Entire High School... | Interview Special 48:12

14d ago48:12

48:12

Comic book artist, animator and film director Dash Shaw joins Michael to speak about his new graphic novel, Blurry, and his two animated features, My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea (2016) and Cryptozoo (2021), as well as his salad days as a young anime fan, his love of independent and European animation, and looking to Miyazaki as an 'old …

1
Episode 117 - Play 1:00:47

26d ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Norah and Ben are excitedly hosting the pod this week. The topic word is one that most people associate with childhood, but the benefits for adults are well documented by psychologists. Ben talks about what he is playing (Wife Quest and Stellar Blade) and Norah talks about the weather before they get in to the meat and potatoes of the discussion an…

1
Episode 116 - Ellipsis 59:04

1M ago59:04

59:04

Andrew joins Ben this week to talk about a particular piece of punctuation that isn’t a dinkus! People have strong opinions about when and where the ellipsis should and shouldn’t be used, so our hosts decided to investigate… for SCIENCE! Along the way they discovered a number of new words to share (including dinkus)! Fortunately there won’t be a vo…

1
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Kensuke's Kingdom | Interview Special 41:51

2M ago41:51

41:51

Screenwriter, author and Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce joins Michael to speak about adapting Michael Morpurgo's novel Kensuke's Kingdom, as well as the art of adaptation, when adaptations go wrong, and his career as a writer of books for children. Kensuke's Kingdom is in UK cinemas now. Find a screening near you: https://www.kensukesking…

1
Episode 115 - News 1:00:07

2M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Lukas Eggen from gameonmedia.net is back in the virtual studio with Ben to do a proper show on a subject that he, as a seasoned journalist, is incredibly qualified to talk about. Before getting into “the news,” they talk about a few articles that Lukas has been working on for his new publication "Game On!" Then they discuss how the journalism lands…

1
Henry Selick Interview Special | Selick-tionary 52:21

2M ago52:21

52:21

With Coraline celebrating its 15th anniversary and returning to cinemas, Henry Selick joins us to talk about his life and career, from his days at Cal Arts to his work at the forefront of stop-motion feature animation. He talks about the process of developing Coraline, those early days during the formation of Laika Studios, and how technology has c…

1
Episode 114 - Ben's Review of TEVI 48:41

2M ago48:41

48:41

This week, Ben is joined by long time fan and “aunt of the pod” Norah for a game review episode. After a BIG thank you to a PR ninja and some miscellaneous chatter about the origin of the “bunny girl” archetype, Ben dives right in to his assessment of the platform / bullet hell shooter mashup, TEVI! Stay tuned after the show for the latest 2VP tee …

1
Episode 113 - Vague 1:01:41

2M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Andrew joins Ben for 2VP’s “leather” anniversary and a chat about things AND stuff! Andrew has been writing, playing with baby CJ, and preparing for a stand-up comedy show. Ben has been playing games, but instead of following the typical show segment order, he decides to call an audible. They take the scenic route on their way to talking about the …

1
A.F. Harrold on The Imaginary | Interview Special 1:12:25

2M ago1:12:25

1:12:25

Author and poet A.F. Harrold joins Michael to speak about the experience of having his novel, The Imaginary, adapted into a feature film by Studio Ponoc, as well as his memories of writing the book, his love of libraries, and his approach to writing stories for children. You can find out more about A.F. and his work at his website, http://www.afhar…

1
Yoshiaki Nishimura on The Imaginary and Studio Ponoc | Interview Special 1:15:32

3M ago1:15:32

1:15:32

Studio Ponoc founder Yoshiaki Nishimura (Mary and the Witch's Flower, Modest Heroes) speaks with Michael about Ponoc's new film, The Imaginary, as well as his love of children's fiction and live-action cinema, and his time at Studio Ghibli producing The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There. Thank you to Eyre Kurasawa for translatin…

1
Episode 112 - Aesthetic 1:09:43

3M ago1:09:43

1:09:43

Cheyenne joins Ben in the studio this week for an episode a year in the making! They start off talking about a big move that Cheyenne is making this year and what games they are playing. Cheyenne has been playing a couple of Larian Studios game and romancing mostly vampires. Ben has finished Pacific Drive and is trying to figure out what he’s going…

1
Spirited Away on Stage | Ghibliotheque 1:16:04

3M ago1:16:04

1:16:04

This special episode of the podcast dives into the stage adaptation of Spirited Away, which is currently running at the Coliseum theatre in London's West End. With Jake on parental leave, Michael enlists the help of co-host Steph Watts and friends of the show Adam Woodward (Little White Lies, TCOLondon) and Sam Clements (90 Minutes Or Less Film Fes…

1
Ultraman Rising with Shannon Tindle & John Aoshima | Interview Special 31:19

3M ago31:19

31:19

Michael is joined this week by Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima to talk about their new film, Ultraman Rising, as well as their approach to animation, running a smooth ship through production, their experiences studying at The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), and their first exposures to the world of Studio Ghibli. Subscribe to our Patreo…

1
Episode 111 - Aliquot 1:01:35

3M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

Andrew joins Ben this week for a special request word (from a different Ben), but first the gents share what they are up to. For Andrew it’s growing his multimedia empire; for Ben it is playing video games… obviously. Then on to the word that they will divide, conquer, and put into …containers? Additional stream of consciousness thoughts and musing…

1
Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood | The Richard Linklectures #3 1:03:39

3M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

This week, our Richard Linklectures miniseries comes to an end with a trip to the 1960s for Linklater's rich, textured, gorgeously animated portrait of an era, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood. Subscribe to our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus conversations on the Linklater films Slacker, School of Rock and Hit Man. Follow us on Twitter o…

1
A Scanner Darkly | The Richard Linklectures #2 59:08

4M ago59:08

59:08

This week, Michael and Jake take a trip into the mind of Philip K Dick with Richard Linklater's second animated film in the rotoscoped style, the psychedelic, sci-fi-tinged thriller, A Scanner Darkly. Subscribe to our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus conversations on the Linklater films Slacker, School of Rock and Hit Man. Follow us on Twitte…

1
Episode 110 - An Interview with Andrea Alvarez from Joystick Ventures! 48:43

4M ago48:43

48:43

This week Ben is excited to talk to Andrea about her role as a project manager at Joystick Ventures for the games “Star★Vaders,” “Big Boy Boxing,” and “Chicken Police: Into the Hive!” But first, Andrea and Ben have each been playing games with an abundance of atmospheric tension, suspense, and dare we say… creepiness. After sharing these experience…

1
Waking Life | The Richard Linklectures #1 1:06:02

4M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Michael and Jake return with a new miniseries diving into three animated films from independent cinema icon Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Before Sunrise, Dazed and Confused), starting with his 2001 rotoscoped feature Waking Life: a heady exploration of dreaming, philosophy, existentialism, the frontiers of theoretical science and everything in betwee…

1
Episode 109 - Beat 1:01:48

4M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Ben and Star host 2VP this week, so shake off that tired feeling, take a moment to collect yourself, and be cool… daddy-o! There are lots of definitions to cover before getting in to the conversation. From music to an artistic subculture movement to one of Ben’s favorite BMW “comercials,” there is much to talk about. Star teaches Ben about Taylor S…

1
Episode 108 - Juice 1:04:38

5M ago1:04:38

1:04:38

This week Andrew and Ben have a word inspired by our 2nd (insert air horn sound) review code (and for the PS5 no less)! But first… a little bit of housekeeping featuring the one and only star of a single “The Three Stooges” episode, the "magic” 8-ball. As you know, the gentlemen are fond of complicated math, so prepare for that AND a long definitio…

1
Episode 107 - Trend 1:13:01

5M ago1:13:01

1:13:01

Ceramicist and former fashion industry designer Jackie joins Ben this week to talk about a topic that impacts our physical AND digital lives. Jackie has a great deal of experience and interest in design, but now she is shifting her focus to digital. Ben shares his 90s / early 2000s fashion and Rory Gilmore’s boyfriend choices before getting to the …

1
Episode 106 - TurboTax Game Review 44:07

6M ago44:07

44:07

To get you all excited for April 15th, Andrew joins Ben for a game review! They were under the impression that math was fun… until they tried this game. From relatively unknown game developer Intuit Inc. comes TurboTax! Andrew and Ben are playing different versions of the game, so they share their varied experiences with each other and YOU! Spoiler…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Imaginary Studio Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Ghibliotheque - A Podcast About Studio Ghibli

Michael Leader, Jake Cunningham, Steph Watts & Harold McShiel

1
The Two Vague Podcast

Ben Cheknis

1
Kino Lefter

Evan MacDonald

1
How Not to Make a Game

How Not to Make a Game

1
Episode 118 - The Imaginary Game Studios Interview Episode 1:03:43

1
Episode 119 - Witch Spring R Review and PAX West 2024 Interviews 53:56

1
The Place Promised in Our Early Days | Shinkai-deology #2 41:12

1
She and Her Cat + Voices of a Distant Star | Shinkai-deology #1 48:53

1
Dash Shaw on Blurry, Cryptozoo and My Entire High School... | Interview Special 48:12

1
Episode 117 - Play 1:00:47

1
Episode 116 - Ellipsis 59:04

1
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Kensuke's Kingdom | Interview Special 41:51

1
Episode 115 - News 1:00:07

1
Henry Selick Interview Special | Selick-tionary 52:21

1
Episode 114 - Ben's Review of TEVI 48:41

1
Episode 113 - Vague 1:01:41

1
A.F. Harrold on The Imaginary | Interview Special 1:12:25

1
Yoshiaki Nishimura on The Imaginary and Studio Ponoc | Interview Special 1:15:32

1
Episode 112 - Aesthetic 1:09:43

1
Spirited Away on Stage | Ghibliotheque 1:16:04

1
Ultraman Rising with Shannon Tindle & John Aoshima | Interview Special 31:19

1
Episode 111 - Aliquot 1:01:35

1
Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood | The Richard Linklectures #3 1:03:39

1
A Scanner Darkly | The Richard Linklectures #2 59:08

1
Episode 110 - An Interview with Andrea Alvarez from Joystick Ventures! 48:43

1
Waking Life | The Richard Linklectures #1 1:06:02

1
Episode 109 - Beat 1:01:48

1
Episode 108 - Juice 1:04:38

1
Episode 107 - Trend 1:13:01

1
Episode 106 - TurboTax Game Review 44:07

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