Forget artistry, Hollywood is built on franchises, and Jack Stellar, America’s Spy, is king of them all. When Alex Eli is plucked from obscurity in Brooklyn and offered the role of the next Jack Stellar, it turns out booking the gig is only the beginning.
Alex is whisked away to Malibu by his agency for “media training” – an onslaught of social scrubbing, PR spots, physical assessment, and crash-course therapy – along with his adoptive brother, Coen. The pair have been inseparable since childhood, but Coen’s own ambition threatens to be a liability. Can he support his brother, or will he leverage their friendship for his own interests?
Caught up in this whirlwind weekend is Kat, an agent’s assistant desperate to climb the ranks herself. The trio form tenuous alliances, and loyalties are tested as the clock runs down until Jack Stellar’s live reveal. Everything is about to change for Alex. When the cameras start rolling, who will be at his side…and will he even be himself anymore?
That’s the description for the latest Good Story Guild podcast, In Media Res. It looks at how someone’s life can change in the blink of an eye when they become part of the Hollywood machine. If you’re still trying to determine if In Media Res is the right podcast for you, we’re here to help. If you’re a fan of the following projects, you’ll love In Media Res.
Entourage
Led by Vince, an actor deemed the next big thing, four buddies migrate west from Queens, N.Y. Usually within his reach are his less successful half brother, Drama; Vince’s best friend, Eric; and their irrepressible pal, Turtle. As the foursome adjusts to Tinseltown’s fast pace and frantic deal-making, Vince’s take-charge agent, Ari, exerts his influence — often to Eric’s annoyance.
Hollywood
In post-World War II Hollywood, aspiring actors and filmmakers will do almost anything to make their showbiz dreams come true.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
It’s the late 1950s, and Miriam “Midge” Maisel has everything she has ever wanted — the perfect husband, two kids, and an elegant apartment on New York’s Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a hidden talent she didn’t previously know she had — stand-up comedy. This revelation changes her life forever as she begins a journey that takes her from her comfortable life on the Upper West Side through the cafes and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she makes her way through the city’s comedy industry on a path that could ultimately lead her to a spot on the “Tonight Show” couch.
La La Land
Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.
You might know the In Media Res voice actors from the following projects…
Alex Eli to Xander Eli, The Star | Voiced by Kyle Prue
- Prue is an internet personality, actor, writer, comedian, and author who has garnered over one million followers on social media. You can watch some of his original content on YouTube.
Coen Steppard, The Brother| Voiced by Christopher Gebauer
- Leylines (Podcast)
- Divorce Ranch (Podcast)
- Clifford the Big Red Dog (Film)
Kat Davis, The Assistant | Voiced by Nicole Kang
- Batwoman (TV Series)
- Orange Is the New Black (TV Series)
- Swallow (Film)
David Keller, The Agent | Voiced by John Ales
- Will Trent (TV Series)
- The Old Man (TV Series)
- Euphoria (TV Series)
You can listen to In Media Res on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.