59 // A Belly Full of Killing: Discussing the Theatrical Cut Part 2 (A 700 Layer Cake Part 9)

It was clear from our first deep-dive into the Theatrical Cut that one episode wasn't going to be enough to cover it. In Part 2, Jaime and Patrick are joined by frequent guest Peter and first-time guest Steve for an extended, wide-ranging investigation into Blade Runner as it first greeted the world at large in 1982.

This time around, the team spends a great deal of time looking at historical context—not just the history of the film, but the history of ourselves. Steve, a film/TV professional who fell in love with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in the sixties and saw Blade Runner in the theater, shares his unique perspective with us. We also take time exploring initial critical reactions to the film—and end up finding some kindred spirits in small-market newspapers nearly forty years ago.

The journey of Blade Runner is a crazy, quixotic, beautiful mess. We are so lucky to explore it with all of you.

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

114 // I Don't Ever Blink: Ridley Scott and the Nature of Genius (The Forbidden Planet: Part 4)

As we continue our year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of Alien, we've finally arrived at the man behind the camera: Sir Ridley Scott.

To say Scott was a bizarre choice to helm Alien would be putting it mildly. Virtually unknown outside of commercials and television—with just one feature film (an epic about Napoleonic War-era swordplay) to his name—Scott ended up being an almost impossibly good pick to direct this groundbreaking movie.

Jaime and Patrick explore Scott's roots—his youth in northern England, his years coming out of art school, his work for the BBC—and discuss how those life experiences helped shape him into the perfect director for one of the great films ever made. They also talk about the shoot itself, and how Scott's idiosyncrasies worked in his favor as he overcame the limitations of the studio system to craft a blockbuster that felt like an art film.

iTunes: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

58 // Spoiler-free Review: Blade Runner 2019 #1

We're so excited to bring you a first look at Titan Comic's inaugural issue of Blade Runner 2019! In this spoiler-free minisode, Dan, Jaime, and Patrick discuss the first issue of this groundbreaking series. Does it feel like Blade Runner? Are these characters worth getting excited about? Does it feel like the canon sequel it is? 

Listen for the full scoop—and for details on how you can score a limited-run signed variant cover signed by co-writer Mike Johnson. To read our full written review, visit http://bit.ly/2YMGREO.

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

57 // They Don't Advertise For Killers: Discussing the Theatrical Cut (A 700 Layer Cake Part 8)

In this part one of two, Daniele, Patrick, and Jaime reconvene to discuss the theatrical cut of Blade Runner, the controversy surrounding its narration, and the effect the initial release of the film had on its audience in 1982. This episode is a bit of a return to form for the show. We hope you enjoy.

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

113 // The Fantastic Dark: HR Giger and the Poetics of Fear (The Forbidden Planet: Part 3)

It's impossible to overstate just how revolutionary—and how brilliant—HR Giger's work on Alien was. But why? Why does his work continue to enthrall and haunt us? Why has it gone on to define the look of "horror in space" for the past four decades?

On this next installment into our Forbidden Planet series, hosts JM Prater and Patrick Greene welcome a special guest: Majid Shanaa, longtime listener and eloquent xeno-fan. Join the guys as they explore Giger's life, art, and his endlessly fascinating influence on us all.

iTunes: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

56 // A Dark Future: Shoulder of Orion Interviews Director Charles de Lauzirika (A 700 Layer Cake Part 7)

In this episode, documentarian, filmmaker and producer Charles de Lauzirika returns to the show for an interview with Jaime, Patrick and Dan. Dive into the details of the production of Blade Runner: The Final Cut, the documentary Dangerous Days, the deleted and alternate scenes of the film, and more!
Charles' passion for cinema and film-making shines through in another exclusive interview where together we explore Blade Runner and other films that inspire us all!

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

112 // A Two Year Alien Covenant Anniversary Roundtable

In this episode, Jaime and Patrick are joined by special guests Aaron Percival of AvP Galaxy, Clara Fei Fei (MUTHUR9000), and Perfect Organism team members Conar and Sean to discuss how Alien: Covenant is sitting with all of us two years after its release. This was a wonderful hour-and-a-half discussion diving back into a film that continues to be controversial with the fan base.

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

55 // All My Friends Are Toys: Shoulder of Orion Interviews William Sanderson (A 700 Layer Cake Part 6)

The mysterious "toymaker" J.F. Sebastian is an iconic part of Blade Runner history—and the man behind the character is just as fascinating. In this interview, beloved character actor William Sanderson sits down with Dan and Patrick to discuss his journey to Hollywood, his experience working with Ridley Scott, and his recent memoir (which you can purchase here, on Amazon).

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

54 // CitySpeak: The Origins of Blade Runner Fandom (A 700 Layer Cake Part 5)

In this episode, Dan and Jaime discuss the origins of the Blade Runner fandom. From the first unofficial fanzine, Cityspeak, started by Sarah Campbell, to Blade Zone and more, this episode features the thoughts and voices of figures who have been around since the beginning.

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes / / Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

111 // Alien Day 2019 Roundtable

Join us in this love-fest of a roundtable as JM, Patrick, Clara, Dave, Sean, Shaun, and Conar look back on all the things that made the fourth annual Alien Day such a rousing success. From the North Bergen High School play to the Tongal short films, there was a ton to unpack.

After a year of huge uncertainty—about the future of 20th Century Fox and the future of the franchise—we've emerged revivified and looking toward the future.

So let's celebrate!

iTunes: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

53 // NEXUS GENERATION: AN INTERVIEW WITH SUPERFAN GARY WILLOUGHBY (A 700 LAYER CAKE PART 4)

In this episode of our 700 Layer Cake series, Dan sits down with Blade Runner superfan Gary Willoughby as he reminisces on his decades-long involvement in Blade Runner fandom. From his work with BladeZone hunting down actors and crew for exclusive interviews, to his participation in the Dangerous Days documentary, the 2007 Night at the Bradbury Final Cut release party, and more. Gary has a unique insight on the world of Blade Runner and its fans. We hope you enjoy this intimate conversation with one of the original veterans of our favorite dystopian universe!

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

110 // Alien: Harvest: An Interview with Director Ben Howdeshell

Host JM Prater was pleased and delighted to sit down with Alien 40th Anniversary short film director Ben Howdeshell to discuss his film Alien: Harvest, which releases today via IGN and YouTube. From his first story proposal, to how he lit his sets, Ben goes in-depth on the process that brought his brilliant short film to life.

iTunes: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

109 // Memory: An Interview with Diane O'Bannon (The Forbidden Planet: Part 2)

Patrick and Jaime were delighted to sit down with Diane O'Bannon—wife of Dan O'Bannon, the original writer and screenwriter on Alien. In this interview, Diane speaks about the origins of Alien, her meeting Dan, his dreams and hopes, and the legacy he's left behind.

Alien would not be possible without Dan O'Bannon. Let’s pay tribute to the man who discovered our Forbidden Planet forty years ago.

iTunes: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

52 // The Wall Will Tell You: An Interview with Hampton Fancher (700 Layer Cake Part 3)

In this episode Jaime, Patrick, and Dan interview the lauded Hampton Fancher, who wrote the screenplay for Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. This is an exclusive interview coming on the heels of Fancher’s new book, ‘The Wall Will Tell You’ which acts as a poet’s guide to screenwriting. The conversation then shifts to Blade Runner, Philip K Dick and the generation of filmmakers that Fancher has helped to inspire. This interview is a dream come true for all us at Shoulder of Orion. We sincerely hope you are as touched and moved by it as we are.

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

108 // It Looks Like a Warning (The Forbidden Planet: Part 1)

Welcome to The Forbidden Planet—our long-awaited full series on Alien! On this kickoff episode, hosts Jaime and Patrick unpack Alien's importance in film history, in their lives, and in global popular culture. Why does it still haunt us? Why does it still inspire us? How does it fit in the continuum of science fiction—and how did it alter that continuum forever?

We're celebrating the fortieth anniversary of this landmark film with a year full of interviews, research pieces, roundtables, debates, video segments, and more.

Strap into those pressure suits. Let's get out there.

iTunes: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

51 // Everything You Need to Know About the Blade Runner 2019 Comics (minisode)

In this minisode, Patrick talks with David Leach, Senior Creative Editor at Titan Comics. David is overseeing the creation of the upcoming Blade Runner 2019 comic series; he was kind enough to give us TONS of new details and information you won't find anywhere else.

iTunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay

107 // Every Meal a Banquet: The Triumph of Aliens (40 Miles of Bad Road: Part 9)

At last, we've reached a stopping point on our journey down 40 Miles of Bad Road. But don't worry! We'll be revisiting the series from time to time in the years to come.

As we sit here and reflect on the road we've traveled—the stories we've heard, the reflections we've shared, the people we've met along the way—we thought it would be a nice moment to open the conversation up a bit. 

On this enormous roundtable, Jaime and Patrick are joined by regulars Mykal McCulloch, Clara Fei-Fei (MUTHUR9000; yutani.blog), Dave Gogel (xenomorphing.com), and Conar Murdoch, as well as some new voices: Sean Sumner (part of our Building Better Worlds team) and Dusty Tweedhope (longtime listener and friend of the show).

This show covers the full gamut of what we hope to achieve with this roundtable format: hilarity, genuine introspection, fellowship, ribald banter, and so much more. We celebrate the past and look to the future, and we have a wonderful time along the way.

Thank you all for traveling this road with us. Our Forbidden Planet series is just around the corner!

iTunes: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/perfectorganismgoogleplay

50 // A Dream of Flying: Shoulder of Orion interviews Joanna Cassidy (700 Layer Cake Part 2)

In this exclusive interview, hosts Dan, Patrick, and Jaime sit down with Golden Globe award-winning actor Joanna Cassidy to discuss her career in acting, her role as Zhora in Blade Runner, and her decades in the film industry. From encounters with creepy studio executives to being a single mother of two, Ms. Cassidy is delightfully candid, funny and unforgettable. We hope you enjoy listening.

106 // Is Aliens Overrated? (40 Miles of Bad Road Part 8)

In Part eight of our series on ALIENS, Jaime and Patrick discuss whether or not the film is overrated and overhyped. This is an intriguing conversation that led to a few other topics surrounding how originals movies are allowed to be these days. This was a great discourse and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we loved talking about it.

49 // Everything Is True: Philip K. Dick and the Birth of a Universe (A 700 Layer Cake: Part 1)

Welcome to the first installment of our first-ever Shoulder of Orion miniseries: A 700 Layer Cake: The Cult of Blade Runner! Since we'll be spending a great deal of time over the coming months focusing on the first Blade Runner film, we thought it fitting to go back to the very beginning: Philip K. Dick's seminal Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Before there was a global fan community—before there were films, before there were digital paintings and tribute albums and comic books and computer games and fan conventions—there was a little book by a brilliant, troubled man.

Our story—the story of this very podcast—begins with that novel. 

Let's start from the beginning.

Tunes: bit.ly/shoulderoforionitunes // Google Play: bit.ly/shoulderoforiongoogleplay