Imaginary Worlds
@emolinsky.bsky.social
It takes a village to make a monster. This week, I talk with Tamara Deverell, the production designer on the new Frankenstein film directed by Guillermo del Toro. We discuss where she looked for inspiration, and how she reimagined the iconic lab where The Creature comes to life.
Episode 290: Bringing Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein to Life — Imaginary Worlds
When director Guillermo del Toro asked Tamara Deverell to be the production designer on his film adaptation of Frankenstein, she had a good idea of what he wanted. Del Toro had been dreaming of maki...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
It takes a village to make a monster. This week, I talk with Tamara Deverell, the production designer on the new Frankenstein film directed by Guillermo del Toro. We discuss where she looked for inspiration, and how she reimagined the iconic lab where The Creature comes to life.
This week, we look at the origins of two of the most famous horror novels -- Frankenstein and Dracula -- and talk with scholars about what might have inspired Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker.
Episode 289: Creature Double Feature — Imaginary Worlds
In honor of the spooky season, we present two monstrous origin stories -- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. We know when these books were written in the 19th century. But what inspired the imaginations of the rebellious teenager Mary Shelley, or the beleaguered theatrical promot
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This week, we look at the origins of two of the most famous horror novels -- Frankenstein and Dracula -- and talk with scholars about what might have inspired Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker.
This week, we explore the groundbreaking score that Louis and Bebe Barron created for the 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet. It changed the sound of science fiction music, but not everyone was ready to accept the future of film scoring.
Episode 288: Music of a Forbidden Planet — Imaginary Worlds
In the 1950s, the avant-garde music scene in New York and the movie studios of Los Angeles might have seemed like opposite ends of a cultural spectrum. But they came together (and blew apart) when MGM...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This week, we explore the groundbreaking score that Louis and Bebe Barron created for the 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet. It changed the sound of science fiction music, but not everyone was ready to accept the future of film scoring.
Reposted by Imaginary Worlds
One of my favorite podcasts, Imaginary Worlds by @emolinsky.bsky.social, interviewed the creators of one of the best books I've read recently, Lucas Wars. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
September 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
One of my favorite podcasts, Imaginary Worlds by @emolinsky.bsky.social, interviewed the creators of one of the best books I've read recently, Lucas Wars. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
Viola! The French graphic novel Les Guerres de Lucas is out now in English with a new title, Lucas Wars. I talked with artist Renaud Roche and writer Laurent Hopman about how they depicted the making of Star Wars, and why it was such an uphill battle for Lucas himself.
Episode 287: The Battle to Make Star Wars — Imaginary Worlds
Movies that change cinema often come from outsiders – whether it’s Orson Welles making Citizen Kane or George Lucas making Star Wars a.k.a. Episode IV: A New Hope. The excellent graphic novel Lucas W...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Viola! The French graphic novel Les Guerres de Lucas is out now in English with a new title, Lucas Wars. I talked with artist Renaud Roche and writer Laurent Hopman about how they depicted the making of Star Wars, and why it was such an uphill battle for Lucas himself.
I'm thrilled that Imaginary Worlds is a finalist for a Signal Award for Best Arts & Culture podcast! I'm also eligible for a Listener's Choice Award. You can vote right here! Feel free to forward too!
The Signal Listener's Choice Award needs YOU
I just voted for this finalist to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award. You should too.
vote.signalaward.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I'm thrilled that Imaginary Worlds is a finalist for a Signal Award for Best Arts & Culture podcast! I'm also eligible for a Listener's Choice Award. You can vote right here! Feel free to forward too!
Reposted by Imaginary Worlds
not to make this all about my own interests, but we NEED more people to discover audio dramas
not only do they rule, but they're probably one of the few entertainment mediums left that aren't mostly controlled by massive companies vulnerable to corruption/pressure
the most successful ADs are indie
not only do they rule, but they're probably one of the few entertainment mediums left that aren't mostly controlled by massive companies vulnerable to corruption/pressure
the most successful ADs are indie
September 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
not to make this all about my own interests, but we NEED more people to discover audio dramas
not only do they rule, but they're probably one of the few entertainment mediums left that aren't mostly controlled by massive companies vulnerable to corruption/pressure
the most successful ADs are indie
not only do they rule, but they're probably one of the few entertainment mediums left that aren't mostly controlled by massive companies vulnerable to corruption/pressure
the most successful ADs are indie
This week, we hear an episode from the podcast Cautionary Tales about a young filmmaker, a difficult actor, and even more difficult mechanical shark that could’ve turned into a disaster. Instead, it produced a cinematic masterpiece.
Episode 285: The Shark That Ate Hollywood — Imaginary Worlds
I didn't want the summer to end without joining in on the 50th anniversary celebrations of Jaws. I spent summers on Cape Cod as a kid, where I often heard that Jaws was filmed nearby on Martha’s Viney...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
August 27, 2025 at 7:43 PM
This week, we hear an episode from the podcast Cautionary Tales about a young filmmaker, a difficult actor, and even more difficult mechanical shark that could’ve turned into a disaster. Instead, it produced a cinematic masterpiece.
This eloquently sums up why I've been so depressed about the state of podcasting now. For a long time it felt like there was this endless hunger for thoughtfully produced narrative shows. Now it feels like a capricious whiplash where everyone is like, "Okay, we're done. Bring on the celebs!"
There have been a ton of 20th anniversary "best of" podcast lists lately, and it has started to feel a bit like an obituary for an industry.
[gift link] defector.com/the-future-o...
[gift link] defector.com/the-future-o...
The Future Of Podcasting Is Here, And It Sucks | Defector
This week, Left Of Dial published its Essential Listening Poll, a compilation of the 100 best podcasts of all time, according to industry creators, writers, and scholars (Disclosure: I was invited to ...
defector.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This eloquently sums up why I've been so depressed about the state of podcasting now. For a long time it felt like there was this endless hunger for thoughtfully produced narrative shows. Now it feels like a capricious whiplash where everyone is like, "Okay, we're done. Bring on the celebs!"
With summer winding down, we take a trip to Coney Island – over a century ago – and explore the bombastic and bizarre theme park Dreamland.
Episode 284: Dreaming of Coney Island’s Dreamland — Imaginary Worlds
Coney Island still has the classic amusements you’d expect today like roller coasters, water slides, and carnival games. But over a century ago, it looked more like a proto–Disney World, with multiple...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
August 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
With summer winding down, we take a trip to Coney Island – over a century ago – and explore the bombastic and bizarre theme park Dreamland.
This week, I talk with video game composers at Hans Zimmer’s company Bleeding Fingers, and indie composer Winifred Phillips about the challenge of writing music for a visual medium that is constantly changing.
Episode 283 - 8-Bit to Orchestras: Video Game Music Scores — Imaginary Worlds
Creating a musical score for interactive video games is like trying to hit a moving target. Luckily, Hans Zimmer’s studio Bleeding Fingers has developed some clever strategies. I talk with their CEO...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
July 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This week, I talk with video game composers at Hans Zimmer’s company Bleeding Fingers, and indie composer Winifred Phillips about the challenge of writing music for a visual medium that is constantly changing.
In honor of the new Fantastic Four movie coming out and the way it’s paying homage to the original comics from the 1960s, this week I revised my 2018 episode about Jack Kirby and how much of himself he put into characters that eventually became pop culture icons.
Episode 282: How Jack Kirby Made His Mark on Marvel — Imaginary Worlds
The production design of the film Fantastic Four: First Steps is an homage to the early ‘60s comics created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. While Kirby is best known for his bold, fist-popping drawing sty...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
July 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
In honor of the new Fantastic Four movie coming out and the way it’s paying homage to the original comics from the 1960s, this week I revised my 2018 episode about Jack Kirby and how much of himself he put into characters that eventually became pop culture icons.
Thanks to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, we already know the meaning of life. (Spoiler: it’s 42.) This week, we ponder the meaning of Douglas Adams.
Episode 281: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Douglas Adams — Imaginary Worlds
When Arvind Ethan David was a student, he decided to adapt the Douglas Adams novel Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency into a play. Arvind didn’t imagine that Adams would show up to see the play...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
July 2, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Thanks to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, we already know the meaning of life. (Spoiler: it’s 42.) This week, we ponder the meaning of Douglas Adams.
I will be teaching my class, How to Sound like Yourself on the Mic, on July 10th at 7pm EDT. It's great for people who are starting a podcast, or more experienced podcasters who would like to learn some tips and hone their skills!
How to Sound Like Yourself on the Mic - Radio Boot Camp
If you’ve started a podcast it’s likely you’ve dreamed of being behind the mic, and building a connection with your listeners who feel like you’re
radiobootcamp.org
June 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I will be teaching my class, How to Sound like Yourself on the Mic, on July 10th at 7pm EDT. It's great for people who are starting a podcast, or more experienced podcasters who would like to learn some tips and hone their skills!
I'm doing my 10th annual call out for story ideas across social media -- although it's my first on Bluesky. Let me know what you'd like to see on Imaginary Worlds in the future. It helps to be specific with your suggestions. As I often joke, I don't want to sound like Imaginary Wikipedia. Thanks!
June 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I'm doing my 10th annual call out for story ideas across social media -- although it's my first on Bluesky. Let me know what you'd like to see on Imaginary Worlds in the future. It helps to be specific with your suggestions. As I often joke, I don't want to sound like Imaginary Wikipedia. Thanks!
What if you could upload your mind to the Internet? I talk with Pantheon showrunner Craig Silverstein and Ken Liu, author of the short stories the TV show is based on, about how they crafted an existential thriller with stakes that feel both personal and global.
Episode 280: Imagining the Digital Afterlife — Imaginary Worlds
The animated TV series Pantheon (streaming on Netflix) asks what if you could upload your mind to the Internet? Would still be human? Would we create a virtual paradise where everyone got to live fore...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
June 18, 2025 at 7:08 PM
What if you could upload your mind to the Internet? I talk with Pantheon showrunner Craig Silverstein and Ken Liu, author of the short stories the TV show is based on, about how they crafted an existential thriller with stakes that feel both personal and global.
FYI I changed the title and link for this week's episode, but the content is still the same. I heard feedback that people thought the preview title looked like I had posted a negative review, and I really didn't want to give that impression.
Episode 279: Murderbot Is Ready for Its Close-Up (But Not Eye Contact) — Imaginary Worlds
Murderbot is a killing machine in the far future that would rather spend its time binging an intergalactic soap opera. Shooting bad guys with lasers is much less stressful than making eye contact or e...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
June 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
FYI I changed the title and link for this week's episode, but the content is still the same. I heard feedback that people thought the preview title looked like I had posted a negative review, and I really didn't want to give that impression.
This week, I talk with author Martha Wells and the Weitz brothers, who adapted her Murderbot books into a new Apple TV+ show starring Alexander Skarsgård. We cover casting choices, balancing comedy with sci-fi, and who could appear in future installments of Murderbot’s favorite soap opera.
Episode 279: Murderbot Isn’t Ready for Its Close-Up — Imaginary Worlds
Murderbot is a killing machine in the far future that would rather spend its time binging an intergalactic soap opera -- and shooting bad guys with lasers is much less stressful than making eye contac...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
June 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This week, I talk with author Martha Wells and the Weitz brothers, who adapted her Murderbot books into a new Apple TV+ show starring Alexander Skarsgård. We cover casting choices, balancing comedy with sci-fi, and who could appear in future installments of Murderbot’s favorite soap opera.
There's usually not much crossover between politics and science fiction but for the record, a robot is not the same thing as a clone. Other than that, no notes.
June 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM
There's usually not much crossover between politics and science fiction but for the record, a robot is not the same thing as a clone. Other than that, no notes.
Looking for Memorial Day sales? Everything in the Imaginary Worlds merch store is up to 27% off this weekend! imaginaryworlds.dashery.com
May 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Looking for Memorial Day sales? Everything in the Imaginary Worlds merch store is up to 27% off this weekend! imaginaryworlds.dashery.com
This week, we shine a light on the 1960s gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, and look at how it sparked a debate among horror fans as to whether vampires should be depicted as pure predators or tragic, misunderstood outcasts.
Episode 278: The Bright Legacy of Dark Shadows — Imaginary Worlds
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of Dark Shadows. The gothic soap opera wasn’t originally intended to include a vampire, but when creator Dan Curtis introduced the character of Barnabas Collins in...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
May 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
This week, we shine a light on the 1960s gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, and look at how it sparked a debate among horror fans as to whether vampires should be depicted as pure predators or tragic, misunderstood outcasts.
This week, I confront my fears and look at why the subgenre of body horror freaks me out, and how it can be liberating for some people to watch.
Episode 277: Body Horror Gets Under My Skin — Imaginary Worlds
We all have that one thing we just can’t watch. For me, it’s body horror -- the kind of horror where grotesque and disturbing things happen to someone’s body, like in The Thing, The Fly, or The Substa...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
May 7, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This week, I confront my fears and look at why the subgenre of body horror freaks me out, and how it can be liberating for some people to watch.
This week, we tour an exhibit in New York celebrating the artwork of Syd Mead. He famously designed the dystopian worlds in Blade Runner, Tron, Aliens, Elysium and other sci-fi films. But his personal vision of the future was more utopian and egalitarian.
Episode 276: The Optimist Behind Blade Runner’s Dystopia — Imaginary Worlds
The late Syd Mead was a visual futurist who was hired to imagine the worlds of Blade Runner, Tron, Aliens, Elysium and other sci-fi films. His work in Hollywood has been lauded for decades, but ther...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
April 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This week, we tour an exhibit in New York celebrating the artwork of Syd Mead. He famously designed the dystopian worlds in Blade Runner, Tron, Aliens, Elysium and other sci-fi films. But his personal vision of the future was more utopian and egalitarian.
ICYMI I'm teaching a class at 7pm EDT on Zoom tonight about podcasting narration, with some in-class coaching. It's for newcomers to hosting and those with more experience behind the mic who want to up their tracking game.
How to Sound Like Yourself on the Mic - Radio Boot Camp
If you’ve started a podcast it’s likely you’ve dreamed of being behind the mic, and building a connection with your listeners who feel like you’re
radiobootcamp.org
April 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
ICYMI I'm teaching a class at 7pm EDT on Zoom tonight about podcasting narration, with some in-class coaching. It's for newcomers to hosting and those with more experience behind the mic who want to up their tracking game.
This week, we look at why so many architects believe that a sci-fi utopia is possible if we can imagine it first.
Episode 275: Blueprints for Utopias — Imaginary Worlds
The golden age of sci-fi was filled with utopian visions the future. These days, when sci-fi creators project ahead several decades, the world is looking a lot more dystopian. But there is a group of ...
www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org
April 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This week, we look at why so many architects believe that a sci-fi utopia is possible if we can imagine it first.