How Did This Get Made? Episode Summary: Last Looks: Eye of the Beholder (w/ Mikhael Tara Garver)
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Guest: Mikhael Tara Garver

Introduction

In this episode of How Did This Get Made?, titled "Last Looks: Eye of the Beholder," hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dive deep into the quirky and convoluted 1999 film Eye of the Beholder. Joining the discussion is special guest Mikhael Tara Garver, an expert in immersive entertainment and the director behind large-scale immersive experiences like the Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser.

Corrections and Omissions: Scrutinizing Eye of the Beholder

The episode begins with the hosts addressing listener-submitted corrections and omissions regarding Eye of the Beholder. Fans actively engaged with the podcast's communal Discord channel, contributing thoughtful critiques and overlooked details about the film.

Notable Discussions:

1. Ewan McGregor's Character Design and Behavior:

   • Chunk Style (Mitch Kappa): "It was funny how Jason brought up how hot Ewan McGregor is because there were two different instances in the movie where people describe him as being very plain and unremarkable. Like they just kind of forgot to change the script after he was cast."
   • Host Response: Paul reflects, "He was already mentally unwell before that point, but it seems like a level of torture that would be outlawed by the Geneva Convention because it would make anyone insane."

2. Inconsistencies in Character Actions:

   • Joe Tangelo: Highlights a missed scene where Ewan McGregor's character violently confronts a blind man, underscoring his descent into madness: "He runs at him, punches him in the face, knocks him to the ground, starts kicking him..."
   • Paul Scheer: Admits, "I totally forgot about that scene until you just said it."

3. Production Design Flaws:

   • Loves Tarps: Points out Ewan's second-worst haircut, alluding to Phantom Menace: "Why do you have a gun? Why does he have a gun at all?"

4. Snow Globe Transitions:

   • Sean McBee: Comments on the jarring transition from New York to San Francisco via snow globes: "Does that mean that he bought the San Francisco snow globe in New York?"
   • Host Insight: Paul theorizes the movie's reliance on snow globe transitions as a failed repetitive device.

5. Musical References and Symbolism:

   • Dr. Guts1003: Connects the closing line "I wish you love" to a recurring song motif, though Paul remains skeptical about its intentionality.

Key Takeaway: The hosts appreciate the community's eye for detail, enriching their collective understanding of the film's shortcomings and humorous inconsistencies.

Interview Segment: Mikhael Tara Garver on Immersive Entertainment

The core of the episode features an engaging conversation with Mikhael Tara Garver, who brings her expertise in immersive experiences to the table. Mikhael discusses her role in creating large-scale immersive environments, emphasizing the blend of digital and physical elements to craft compelling narratives.

Highlights of the Discussion:

1. Defining Immersive Experiences:

   • Mikhael Tara Garver: "I make large scale immersive experiences everywhere that connect digital and physical."

2. Project Highlights:

   • Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser: Mikhael served as the director of immersive experience, detailing how the environment was meticulously crafted to ensure participant agency without overwhelming them.
     • Jason Mantzoukas: "Is there a forward moving narrative that starts at a specific time and ends at a specific time and everybody similar, I guess, to Sleep no more..."
     • Mikhael: "When you enter, you're a passenger on a luxury cruise line and you're told, look, it's a dangerous time in the galaxy, but don't worry, we'll take care of you."

3. Design Philosophy:

   • Directed Freedom: Mikhael emphasizes creating "pathways for people to enter where we give them... directed freedom," allowing participants to engage at their comfort level.
   • Narrative Integration: The importance of a cohesive narrative that connects all participants, ensuring a unified yet personalized experience.

4. Challenges and Learnings:

   • Scalability and Cost: Addressing the high barriers to entry for large immersive projects and the need for diversified pricing models.
   • Corporate Collaboration: Mikhael critiques Disney's struggle to integrate immersive experiences organically within their corporate structure.

5. Future of Immersive Entertainment:

   • Culture House Immersive: Mikhael's venture aims to incubate over 20 immersive projects, fostering creator ownership and expanding storytelling through various media.
     • Example Project: Layla and the Starship Afrotopia combines an animated series with live concerts, allowing fans to engage interactively.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Scheer [16:59]: "Take a look at what's up, Jerks? It's time for Just Chat with Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas."
• Mikhael Tara Garver [23:05]: "So as human beings, without those ways of participating differently, I think we're setting ourselves up for a lot of challenges."

Insightful Moments:

• Sleep no More Comparison: Paul shares his awe for Sleep no More, highlighting its ability to offer varied experiences upon multiple visits.
• Participant Agency: Jason underscores the excitement of giving participants agency within a narrative, likening it to active play.

Integrating Immersive Entertainment with Podcasting

The episode seamlessly weaves Mikhael's insights with the podcast's own trajectory toward immersive experiences. Hosts discuss upcoming events and conventions, emphasizing the potential for How Did This Get Made? to expand into interactive formats.

Future Projects Mentioned:

• Convention Plans: A week-long How Did This Get Made? convention featuring immersive experiences based on past episodes.
• Upcoming Episodes: Announcement of the next movie, Q the Winged Serpent, signaling the show's continued exploration of campy and obscure films.

Mikhael's Vision:

Mikhael envisions a future where immersive storytelling becomes more accessible and diverse, allowing creators to maintain ownership and explore multifaceted narratives across various platforms.

Conclusion and Next Steps

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express enthusiasm for integrating immersive experiences into their own offerings. They invite listeners to participate in upcoming events and continue contributing to their Discord community.

Final Announcements:

• Next Episode Movie: Q the Winged Serpent (1982), described humorously with a nod to its Rotten Tomatoes score and critical reception.
• Live Shows: Details about touring events in Philadelphia, Boston, Louisiana, and D.C., featuring improv performances and book signings.

Closing Remarks:

Paul and Jason extend heartfelt thanks to guest Mikhael Tara Garver, encouraging followers to connect via Culture House Immersive's social media channels. They highlight the importance of community feedback and invite listeners to rate, review, and stay engaged with the podcast's evolving format.

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• June Diane Raphael [00:00]: [Advertisement segment skipped as per instructions.]
• Paul Scheer [06:23]: "Thank you, Chris Purcell, for that theme song..."
• Mikhael Tara Garver [16:59]: "I make large scale immersive experiences everywhere that connect digital and physical."
• Jason Mantzoukas [20:55]: "That to be experiencing something and be able to make active choices... to feel as though you have choices, you have agency inside of the event is kind of amazing."
• Mikhael Tara Garver [26:56]: "Everything from holograms to the ability to have your phone, have communication from characters that was triggered off of actual conversations you were having."
• Paul Scheer [33:54]: "I think that all corporations, Disney included, are trying to figure out how to participate with their fandoms differently."
• Mikhael Tara Garver [37:48]: "I call it immersive involvement. Now, I didn't have words before. Now it’s what I can call it."

Final Thoughts

This episode of How Did This Get Made? not only dissects the flawed brilliance of Eye of the Beholder but also bridges the gap between traditional podcasting and the future of immersive entertainment. With guest Mikhael Tara Garver's expertise, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how storytelling is evolving, promising an exciting horizon for both creators and audiences alike.

For more information on upcoming events and to engage with the community, visit hdtgm.com and join the Discord at discord.gg/hdtgm.