Jaime and Patrick sit down to remember M. Emmet Walsh and his contributions to Blade Runner and cinema. They go on to discuss the latest developments on Amazon's Blade Runner 2099 show and what we might expect as well as our hopes and fears for the show. Join us.
151 // Is Blade Runner CyberPunk?
Is Blade Runner considered CyberPunk? That's the question that inspired this month’s episode. The word cyberpunk has been tossed around in relation to Blade Runner for many years. Patrick & Jaime have talked briefly about cyberpunk while never fully investigating the topic. For this episode, we’ve invited cyberpunk author T.R. Napper and first time guest and inspiration behind this episode, longtime listener a.t. johnston.
Join us as we explore this fascinating topic with the experts.
150 // Blade Runner 2099 News, Rumors, and Speculation
A curious bit of news recently broke suggesting Blade Runner 2099 is going to begin production in Europe in May. While we haven't as yet been able to verify this is 100% factual, it's got us thinking: what's the state of this thing?
On today's episode, Jaime and Patrick go through some of what we're hearing around the internet about this Prime Video series helmed by Silk Luisa. They also discuss some of her previous work, and some recent series that have hit—and missed—the mark when it comes to adapting science fiction and noir IPs for television.
Art by Jon McCoy
149 // On the Nature of Luv
As we close out our sixth year, we thought we'd return to the sort of content that's been our bread and butter since the very beginning: character analysis.
This episode was prompted by a simple question: is Luv really an antagonist? She's murderous, she's frightening, she's chasing our heroes ... but she's also clearly a victim. She's acting within the boundaries of her conditioning and programming. So who's really the "bad guy?"
Jaime, Patrick, and Micah have a great time hashing out these sorts of questions—and the questions within these questions—on this thought-provoking episode.
From all of us at Shoulder of Orion: thank you SO MUCH for your support, your listenership, and your friendship over this past year. Wishing you peace and warmth as 2023 comes to a close.
148 // Interviewing Bill George, Blade Runner VFX Artist
Bill George was just starting out a career in Hollywood as a VFX artist and model maker when he got the call to join the storied Blade Runner model shop. He would go on to play a pivotal role in creating some of Blade Runner's most iconic props, including the Spinner and the Blimp.
In this incredible interview, Bill gives Jaime and Patrick (and you!) behind-the-scenes glimpses into how these amazing structures came to life.
147 // Blade Runner Goes Metal: Interviewing Matt Motto from Dissona
The Blade Runner universe inspires art of all sorts: visual media, poetry, cosplay, you name it. But the form of media most touched by Blade Runner's influence might just be music. Vangelis' legendary score (complemented beautifully by Wallfisch and Zimmer decades later) conjures an atmosphere that many musicians have sought to reconnect with over the years.
But this often translates to aesthetic choices. Synth-heavy, reverb-laden, soaked with the atmosphere of dark streets and wet neon.
When we heard Dissona, a progressive metal band out of Chicago, was working on a Blade Runner-inspired EP called Dreadfully Distinct, we knew we HAD to speak with them.
More than just attempting to capture the "sound" of Blade Runner—although there's some of that here too—Dissona took a more philosophical approach to the material. The result is three tracks that focus on characters from the films, charting their internal emotional journeys while taking the listener on fantastical journeys through the world of Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049.
We highly recommend you listen to the tracks "Prodigal Son" and "Skinjob" before listening to the episode—and make sure you watch their videos as well. You'll hear much of them in the episode itself, but it'll be useful to give everything a listen/viewing before diving in. You can listen to the tracks on streaming services and here, on Bandcamp. The videos are available on YouTube.
The full EP premieres on November 10, so be sure to add it wherever you listen to music!
For more on Dissona, visit dissonaband.com and give them a follow on Facebook!
146 // Interviewing Blade Runner Producer Ivor Powell
In this episode, Jaime & Patrick sit down with legendary producer Ivor Powell to discuss his work on Blade Runner, Alien and Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. From his early days working with Ridley Scott at his production company, to the search for the perfect creature performer for ALIEN, Ivor Powell brings us into his memories of filmmaking, producing and beyond.
145 // Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049: Assessing Their Resonance // Part Two
We are excited to share with you part two in our two-part series discussing the resonance of the Blade Runner films. In this episode, Jaime is joined by Patron, and Blade Runner mega fan, James to further what ended up being a very subjective discussion. We hope you enjoy and thank you for supporting us through the years.
// For more on this and our other projects, please visit www.bladerunnerpodcast.com
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// And as always, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing this show. We can't tell you how much your support means to us, but we can hopefully show you by continuing to provide better, more ambitious, and more dynamic content for years to come.
144 // Anatomy of A Scene: The Morricole Orphanage
We are proud to present another entry into our Anatomy of A Scene series. In this episode, Patrick and Jaime are joined by contributing hosts Micah Greene & Peter From the Midwest. We realized that despite 2049 being in the world for over 5 years, we've never discussed the presence of children. The Morricole orphanage is a great entry into that discussion. Join us as we discuss the details of one the most fascinating scenes in the Blade Runner film universe.
143 // Anatomy of A Scene: The Pushback
In this episode, Patrick & Jaime are joined by longtime listener, sometimes guest, Ricardo Silvestre to push back against some of our ideas and opinions presented in our Deck-A-Rep and Bryant and Deckard episode. Is there a definitive answer to the Deck-A-Rep conversation? Does it matter? Is Deckard central to the story of Blade Runner or is he a distraction? We dive into all of this and more. We hope you enjoy!
142 // Women in the Blade Runner Universe
In this episode, Jaime & Patrick are joined by contributing host Micah Greene to discuss the role of women in both Blade Runner films. This episode pivots back to some heavier topics for us as we delve into female representation, and the idea that even films we love should not be shielded from scrutiny. This was a thoughtful and sobering discussion and a return to form for us. We hope you enjoy!
141 // Anatomy of A Scene: Officer K Meets Deckard
Jaime and Patrick are back with another entry into their Anatomy of A Scene series. In this episode, your hosts break down Officer K's first meeting Deckard and how it reflects key events in the original film, and what it means for the overall story. As always, this was a great dive into what we love best about the Blade Runner universe...the subtext. We hope you enjoy!
140 // Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049: Assessing Their Resonance
Something we've noticed lately—in social media circles, in email write-ins, in comments on episodes—is an uptick in people saying something to the effect of "Blade Runner 2049 feels more resonant in my life now than the original does."
This isn't an argument over which film is better. It's not even an argument over which film is more relevant. Rather, it's a conversation about why some fans might be feeling like 2049 is capturing something specific to this particular time and place we find ourselves in.
In this episode, Jaime, Patrick, Micah, and Peter read listener comments on this idea and pose the question to themselves as well.
139 // Minisode: 2099 News, Episode Planning, and More!
Hey SOO Family! It's been a crazy month in podcast land, especially for our other show (Perfect Organism). We wanted to take a quick opportunity to check in on the Blade Runner side of things with this minisode, in which we tee up quite a bit of future content we've got cooking.
We also discuss some of the latest rumors about Blade Runner 2099, and think through some ways this release could be handled in a way befitting the legacy of Blade Runner.
We'll be back with more involved episodes soon—thank you, as always, for the support!
Art by Aleksander Walijewski
BONUS EPISODE: Frame Rate | The Wonder
Sebastián Lelio's The Wonder might look like a typical period drama from the outside, but anyone who's watched it knows it's anything but typical. A devastating look at trauma, belief, and redemption, The Wonder unfolds almost like a horror film.
Based on a novel and starring a riveting Florence Pugh, The Wonder released to Netflix in late 2022. If you haven't watched it yet, be sure to check it out before listening to this episode (as is the case with all Frame Rates). There are massive spoilers inside.
But if you have watched it, join Jaime, Patrick, and Micah as they discuss this powerful film and its resonance in their lives.
138 // Anatomy of A Scene: JOI, Mariette & K | A Love Scene?
In our next entry into our 'Anatomy of A Scene' series, Patrick and Jaime are joined by long time contributing hosts Peter from the Midwest, and Micah Greene. This episode finds us exploring what exactly is happening in yet another semi-controversial love scene in Blade Runner 2049. What is transpiring in the time Mariette enters K's apartment until the time she leaves? Is this a tender ménage à trois between three non-humans or is there more at play? Listen along as we share our thoughts and opinions.
137 // Finding Ford: Interviewing Documentarian Paddy O’Hare
Patrick & Jaime sit down to talk about one man's quest to find Harrison Ford. That man is Patrick James O'Hare. From his first memories of seeing Star Wars in the theater as a small child to watching Ford reprise his role as Rick Deckard in 2017's Blade Runner 2049, Paddy takes us through his admiration and obsession with the actor, and what his documentary hopes to accomplish.
To find out more go to www.findingford.com and get involved!
136// The Rest Is History: Interviewing Blade Runner Production Executive Katy Haber
Harrison Ford, Katy Haber, and Ridley Scott on the set of Blade Runner.
In this very special episode, Jaime and Patrick were honored to sit down with Blade Runner Production Executive Katy Haber. From her work with director Sam Peckinpah on Straw Dogs and many other films, to her time with director director Samuel Fuller, Ms. Haber takes us on a tour through filmmaking through her eyes. This was a special opportunity that we will cherish forever and we hope you all enjoy this episode.
135 // Anatomy of A Scene: Officer K Meets Luv
The third entry into our 'Anatomy of A Scene' series brings us to the moment when Officer K meets Luv for the first time. On its face, there are a lot of similarities in this scene to when Deckard meets Rachael for the first time. Joining this discussion is contributing host Micah Greene who jumps into the deep end as we break down this pivotal moment in Blade Runner 2049. We hope you enjoy.
134 // Anatomy Of A Scene: Deckard Interviews Rachael
Following directly our last episode, Jaime & Patrick break down what might be the most iconic scene in science fiction movie history. Getting orders from Bryant, Deckard travels to the Tyrell Corporation to interview a Nexus Six Replicant. Who Deckard meets ends up changing the course of his life and the Blade Runner universe. Join us as we talk about this incredible scene.