The world of audio storytelling continues to grow and evolve, and with it comes In Media Res: A Hollywood Odyssey in Five Acts from Good Story Guild. A “whip-smart, darkly comic drama”, the new series immerses listeners in the high-stakes world of movie stardom. The five-part limited series follows Alex Eli (voiced by Kyle Prue), an up-and-coming actor thrust into the role of a lifetime as the new lead in a James Bond-esque franchise, Jack Stellar. But booking the role is just the beginning as he undergoes an intense week of media training before he is introduced to the world. Alex, soon to debut to the world with his new stage name Xander Eli, is forced to navigate the treacherous waters of Hollywood politics, personal betrayals, and copious amounts of self-doubt.
The series stars a cast of familiar faces (and voices) including Nicole Kang (The CW’s Batwoman), John Ales (Euphoria), Mather Zickel (Younger), and James Urbaniak (The Office, Oppenheimer) and also features six original songs in the style of classic spy film themes.
At the helm of this ambitious project is Rachel Music, the series’ director and the Co-Founder and Head of Audio. A multi-disciplinary talent with a background spanning theater, film, and cabaret, Music brings a deep understanding of performance and storytelling to the project. She describes In Media Res as an audio drama that fully embraces the medium rather than using it as a stepping stone for future adaptation.
“The appeal of audio storytelling is timeless and primal,” Music explains. “We’ve been telling stories around a campfire a lot longer than we’ve been taking selfies or watching GRWM videos.” She notes that the pandemic reinvigorated the audio space, with creators innovating out of necessity. Whether it was true crime podcasts or scripted dramas adapted into limited or anthology television series, high-quality, multi-narrator productions with cinematic sound design and music have become the norm.
For listeners, the experience is both intimate and immersive. “In a world where the ‘second screen’ has won, an audio drama requires the engagement of the listener. There’s so much to love about the format. It defies budget, genre, form. You can do anything in audio. It’s punk rock!”
While many scripted podcasts aim to be adapted into television or film, Music insists that In Media Res was designed to fully take advantage of the audio format. “If this were a TV series, I don’t think we would have six full-length songs. They’d be cutaways or underscoring, or edited out entirely. But because we’re releasing this over multiple weeks, we can lean into the storytelling structure of a radio program and let the audience experience the full scope of our world.” That said, she admits the project has strong potential for adaptation. “Since the story is about filmmaking, I think it would make an excellent movie. But let me throw you a curveball and say this would make one kickass rock opera.”
With its sharp writing, dynamic performances, and ambitious sound design, In Media Res is a must-listen experience for fans of Hollywood intrigue, high-stakes drama and satirical takes on the entertainment industry.
You can listen to all episodes of In Media Res on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts.
