Summary of Fire Escape Cast #88

Release Date: August 26, 2024
Hosts: Mike Mahardy, Mary Kish Woo, and Dan Ryker
Podcast: Fire Escape Cast
Episode: #88

1. Introduction and Guest Banter [00:12 - 01:25]

The episode kicks off with playful banter as Mike Mahardy welcomes listeners back to Fire Escape Cast. The hosts joke about using humorous audio clips featuring their colleague, Jake Decker, setting a lighthearted tone for the episode.

Notable Quote:

Mary Kish Woo: "God, what a ding dong. I love that." [00:42]

2. Covering Gamescom and a Hilarious Mix-Up in Germany [01:25 - 04:35]

Mike shares his experiences covering Gamescom for Giant Bomb in Cologne, Germany. Amidst the excitement, he recounts a funny mishap where he accidentally ordered 13 sandwiches due to a language barrier, resulting in him being banned from returning to the restaurant.

Notable Quote:

Mike Mahardy: "They were projecting. Cologne's cool, though. I like it. It was super fun." [04:10]

Mary Kish Woo compares Gamescom to PAX with pretzels, highlighting the cultural differences and unique experiences at the European convention.

3. In-Depth Review of "Alien Romulus" [06:16 - 13:38]

Mary passionately reviews "Alien Romulus," hailing it as the best sci-fi horror movie in years. She contrasts it with "Aliens," emphasizing Romulus's focus on young adults in desperate situations rather than seasoned experts. The discussion touches on the movie's effective horror elements, particularly the terrifying facehuggers.

Notable Quote:

Mary Kish Woo: "I think it's probably the best sci-fi horror movie I have seen in years. I am screaming this film's praises." [06:32]

Mike and Jake echo her sentiments, agreeing that facehuggers add a new layer of fear compared to the traditional xenomorphs.

4. Concerns Over Media Preservation and Game Informer’s Shutdown [19:23 - 21:49]

Mary expresses her dismay over the disappearance of Game Informer's content, underscoring the importance of preserving media history. The conversation shifts to the challenges of maintaining digital archives, with Mike and Jake reflecting on their own content's vulnerability to such losses.

Notable Quote:

Mary Kish Woo: "The history of it is important. And we're just not preserving that work." [19:55]

5. Personal Anecdotes: Creative Childhood and Unexpected Injuries [22:03 - 28:17]

The hosts delve into personal stories, with Mike reminiscing about his childhood where his father created an elaborate system involving an elf named Fleegle to handle Santa letters. Mary shares her recent struggle with a mysterious hip injury and a humorous recount of losing her phone on a boat due to a selfie stick mishap.

Notable Quote:

Mary Kish Woo: "I have no memory of this." [38:20]

6. Current Gaming Discussions: "Steamroll Heist 2" and "Natsumon 20th Century Kid" [35:58 - 75:07]

Mary and Mike engage in detailed discussions about games they are currently enjoying. Mary highlights "Steamroll Heist 2," praising its turn-based mechanics and class flexibility. She also introduces "Natsumon 20th Century Kid," a localized Japanese game that combines nostalgic elements with modern gameplay mechanics.

Notable Quote:

Mike Mahardy: "It's a great Steam deck game. ... it's $30. It's well worth it." [45:46]

Mary Kish Woo: “I think it's something that’s very God given to me.” [Specific timestamp not provided]

They explore various game aspects, including strategy layers, character progression, and the unique blend of real-time and turn-based elements that make these games stand out.

7. Listener Emails and Career Advice [113:03 - 127:34]

Mary and Jake read and respond to listener emails. One from Alex in Australia discusses being proudly frugal, relating to sustainable shaving practices. Another from Josh in Maine seeks career advice on transitioning from theater to filmmaking. Mary offers insightful suggestions on networking and gaining experience through community groups, while Mike emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and minimizing risks during career shifts.

Notable Quotes:

Mary Kish Woo: “Joining groups and social clubs and events that will get you around other like-minded people that are passionate about film...” [117:33]

Jake Decker: “But like, the person who produced it, I went to school with the assistant director…” [127:17]

8. Upcoming Projects and Wrap-Up [128:20 - 133:39]

The hosts discuss their ongoing and upcoming projects. Jake talks about his short film aimed at film festivals and the collaborative effort behind it. Mary mentions her preparations for TwitchCon, indicating her active involvement in streaming and game discussions. They encourage listeners to support the podcast through Patreon and check out their merchandise.

Notable Quote:

Mike Mahardy: “You are never gonna be the only person with an interest in your area, unless you live in like Greenland, then...” [126:28]

Mary Kish Woo: “I've been playing Tavern Manager Simulator... If you're into Stardew and you want to like sweat on some unbelievable good-looking people.” [71:30]

Conclusion

In Episode #88 of Fire Escape Cast, the hosts blend humor, personal stories, and in-depth discussions on gaming and media preservation. They offer valuable insights into their experiences covering major gaming events, provide thoughtful reviews of recent films, and engage with listeners through meaningful email responses. The episode concludes with updates on their creative endeavors and a call to support the podcast’s future content, maintaining an engaging and informative dialogue for both loyal listeners and newcomers.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mary Kish Woo on "Alien Romulus":
  "I think it's probably the best sci-fi horror movie I have seen in years. I am screaming this film's praises." [06:32]

• Mary Kish Woo on Media Preservation:
  "The history of it is important. And we're just not preserving that work." [19:55]

• Mike Mahardy on Career Transition:
  “You are never gonna be the only person with an interest in your area, unless you live in like Greenland, then...” [126:28]

• Mary Kish Woo on Gaming:
  “I've been playing Tavern Manager Simulator... If you're into Stardew and you want to like sweat on some unbelievable good-looking people.” [71:30]

• Listener Email from Josh:
  "As someone with the intention to pivot into filmmaking, I gotta ask, how do you find the courage to make the big first move?" [113:05]

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and are included to highlight notable moments and quotes from the episode.