The Murder Media Podcast

Episode 18: Blood, sweat, and stairs.

Bloody Hell! This week Stella adapts her paper from the Blood, Myth and Media Symposium, for a chat about the use of blood as narrative device in Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (Netflix), and The Staircase (HBO). 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.
 

Episode 17: Good Old Blue Tits: Chatting about cults with Laura

This episode would not have made it out were it not for the incredible help from Phil Minns: an absolute legend who reached out and offered tech skills. For all things podcast tech help, do follow and contact Phil via Instagram @nonfunctionalharmony. 
 
This is the episode I recorded with Laura weeks and weeks ago, but the audio had a terrible hum. It has been cleaned up, but you might find that speakers or headphones make for better listening. 
 
Join Stella and Laura as they yap about cults: documentaries, why Laura doesn't like dramatisations, why we don't like the term 'brainwash,' and what you would exactly need to entice Laura into your cult. 
 
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.
 

Episode 16: The Ghosthunting Side Quest: "Are you Ted Bundy?"

This week, join Stella as she dips more toes into the overlap between true crime and horror, with a look at ghosthunting on the trail of serial killers. Stella takes a close look at her new obsession, The Paranormal Files, a YouTube channel which explores all kinds of phenomena. In the episode under discussion, The Paranormal Files hunts the ghost of Ted Bundy, and looks to hear from those that are lost. 
What do they find on the spirit box this time? HINT: It's NOT John!
Which words can we add to the list of Words Stella Cannot Say? 
Find The Paranormal Files on YouTube, and do also have a look at their podcast, Murder in America.
https://www.youtube.com/@theparanormalfiles 
https://open.spotify.com/show/7didcuJyAUG4B3a5RbdDEI 
 
Sources: 
Basaraba, N. (2023). 'The rise of paranormal investigations as virtual dark tourism on YouTube,' in Journal of Heritage Tourism, Vol 19(2), pp. 287-309
Boyd Smith, M. (2024). 'Fully authenticated by respected scientists:' fact, fiction, and the roots of paranormal reality shows in American television history,' in New Review of Film and Television Studies, Vol 22(3), pp. 669 - 690
Eaton, M. A. (2019). 'Manifesting spirits: Paranormal investigation and the narrative development of a haunting,' in Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, Vol 48(2), pp. 155-182
Lauro, S. J., & Paul, C, (2013). 'Make me believe: Ghost hunting technology and the postmodern fantastic,' in Horror Studies, Vol 4(2), pp. 221-239 
Moon, H., Jongsik, Y., Chua, B., & Han, H. (2022). 'Armchair tourism; Exploring individuals' innovative travel experience in the with-corona era,' In Tourism Management, Vol 93.
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.
 

He Doesn't Even Sparkle! Teen Vampires Turn Deadly.

And we're back, with a look a two media texts, twenty years apart, which tell the story of a bunch of teenage vampires turned murderers. Examining the 2002 film The Vampire Clan, and an episode from Stella's favourite YouTuber, Bailey Sarian, this episode considers the development in true crime from tabloid trash to comprehensive chronologies. 
 
Bailey Sarian: *strange* blood rituals by a teenage vampire clan turns deadly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWfy87P__v0&t=2127s 
The Vampire Clan (Webb, 2002)
 
Miskatonic: https://miskatonicinstitute.com/events/if-looks-could-kill-the-spectacle-of-murder-in-contemporary-crime-media-london/
 
For information and sign up for the Blood Myth Symposium, email murdermedia81@gmail.com
 
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
 
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

Episode 15: Idols of Murder

This week, Stella finally reflects on The Murder Media Symposium and her trials and tribulations at the hotel. Then the episode gets into the serial killer biopic: films which tell the life stories of real world murderers. Exploring My Friend Dahmer and Extremely Wicked, Stella thinks about why these people get films made about them, what myths to they perpetuate, and how do you say the word 'trajectory?'
 
My Friend Dahmer (Meyers, 2017).
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile (Berlinger, 2019). 
Sources:
Bingham, D. (2010). The Biopic as Contemporary Film Genre. Rutgers University Press 
Gaynor, S. M. (2022). ‘Better the Devil You Know: Nostalgia for the Captured Killer in Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes,’ in Robinson, B,. & Daigle, C. (Eds). Serial Killers in Contemporary Television: Familiar Monsters in post 9/11 Culture, pp. 135 – 151. Routledge 
Joannou, M,. & McIntyre, S. (1983). ‘Lust for Lives: Report from a conference on the biopic,’ in Screen, vol 22(4), p. 147 
Rosenstone, R. A. (2007). ‘In Praise of the Biopic,’ in Francaviglia, R,. & Rodnitsky, J. (Eds). Lights, Camera, History: Portraying the Past in Film, pp. 11-29. Texas A&M University Press  
Simpson, P.L. (2010). ‘Whither the Serial Killer Movie?’ in Hantke, S. (Ed). American Horror Cinema: The Genre at the Turn of the Millenium, pp. 133-152. University of Mississippi Press 
Schmid, D. (2006). Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture. University of Chicago Press 
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
 
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.

Episode 14: My First Cult starter pack

Come and join The Murder Media Cult - we'll need all your money, your house, but we promise some lovely shoes. This week, Stella is joined again by Shellie McMurdo for a chat about cults on screen. Shellie gets to talk about one of her favorite things - The Sacrament - an incredible film from Ti West which retells the horrifying story of Jonestown. 
Stella and Shellie also muse on Waco, cults in video games, and what might feature in a starter pack for someone wanting to start their very own cult. 
Media mentioned: 
The Sacrament (Ti West, 2013)
Red State (Kevin Smith, 2011)
The Last Podcast on the Left - Episode 274 - Oaklahoma City 
The Last Podcast on the Left - Episode 300 - Jonestown
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
 
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.
 
 

Episode 13: Just Diggin' Rectangles in the Ground.

This week, Stella explores the conditions of YouTube and how that impacts the true crime and makeup videos from the legendary Brittany Vaughn. Unpacking Vaughn's video on Peter Sutcliffe, Stella explains how the political economies of YouTube shape and effect Vaughn's brilliant content. 
Note: at one point Stella talks about a piano sound effect. It is not a piano! It is a xylophone! 
 
Brittany Vaughn's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BrittneyVaughn 
Bishop, S. (2018). Anxiety, panic and self-optimization: Inequalities and the YouTube algorithm. Convergence, 24(1), 69-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856517736978 
 
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
 
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.
 
 

Episode 12: Crybaby Nerd

The Murder Media podcast is back! After a break for teaching and then Xmas, NYE, and marking, Stella is back to update on the book proposal progress, and to get cracking on some more overthinking and analysing true crime media. 
This week, Stella looks at two media texts that tell the story of the Unabomber: the 2017 series from Discovery, Manhunt: Unabomber, and the 2021 film, Ted K. 
Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies: https://miskatonicinstitute.com/events/if-looks-could-kill-the-spectacle-of-murder-in-contemporary-crime-media-london/ 
Dracula Returns to Derby
https://www.derby.ac.uk/news/2024/dracula-returns-to-derby/ 
The Murder Media Symposium - murdermedia81@gmail.com 
The Net, the Unabomber, LSD and and the Internet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn9BvNAUvcU&t=3129s 
 
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
 
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.
 
 

Episode 11: Time for a cooling off period...

We made it! We made it to the end of the first series of The Murder Media Podcast. Stella has to go off and be a lecturer now, so, the podcast has to take a break. In this episode, Stella takes a look at how the actual book is shaping up, with a little walk through the chapters, some more of the case studies, and a sneaky look at what else is to come in The Murder Media Project. 
Thank you to everyone who has listened, liked, shared, and thank you to all of my brilliant guests. 
The Murder Media Podcast will be back..... this is just a cooling off period...
 
Sources used in this episode: 
Lotz, A.D. (2014). The Television will be Revolutionized. New York University Press
Nowell, R. (2011). Blood Money: a history of the first teen slasher film cycle. Continuum. 
Sharma, S. (2016). 'Netflix and the Documentary Boom,' in McDonald, K,. & Smith-Rowsey, D. (Eds). The Netflix Effect: Technology and Entertainment in the 21st Century. Bloomsbury Academic, pp. 143-155
 
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
 
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.
 
 

Episode 10: Chatting with Dr Tom Watson about the West Memphis Three and the Paradise Lost trilogy.

This week Stella has a good long chat with Dr Tom Watson about a case that they both remember and both know in lots of detail: The West Memphis Three and their fight to get out of prison after being wrongly convicted of murder. Joe Berlinger's Paradise Lost trilogy of films is unpacked, alongside chats about the case and the heavy metal community, true crime documentary more generally, and Tom's weird connection between haircuts and true crime. 
 
Sources: 
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (Berlinger, 1996) 
Note: For UK listeners the three Paradise Lost films are currently on NowTV. 
 
Bien-Kahn, J. (2022). 'The Man Behind Netflix's Jeffrey Dahmer Docuseries is a True Crime Hit Factory,' Bloomberg, October 20,https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-10-20/the-man-behind-netflix-s-jeffrey-dahmer-docuseries-is-a-true-crime-hit-factory?leadSource=uverify%20wall&embedded-checkout=true 
Echols, D. (2012). Life After Death: Eighteen Years on Death Row. Blue Rider Press. 
Watson, T. J. (2013). 'Rethinking History through Documentary: Paradise Lost and the documented case of The West Memphis Three,' in Mee, L,. & Walker, J. (Eds). Cinema, Television and History, New Approaches, pp. 200-222. Cambridge Scholars Publishing
 
Follow The Murder Media Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or email directly at murdermedia81@gmail.com, or visit the website https://murdermedia81.wordpress.com/
 
 
Music:
 
Cybertruck by Mood Maze
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/cybertruck
License code: 2F2G6DAKEWYFVVC9
 
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/neon-desert
License code: VYEEJAZCIFRKWWPK
 
All music and trailer clips are used in the spirit of Fair Dealing (UK) and Fair Use (US Law). No copyright infringement intended.