The hottest Storytelling Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

A Weekend of New Animation

Animation Obsessive • 8252 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The London International Animation Festival (LIAF) showcased many interesting animation films from around the world, featuring unique styles and stories.
  2. Some standout films included 'Adios', which explores a father-son relationship in a beautifully crafted stop-motion style, and 'The Girl with the Occupied Eyes', which creatively addresses modern issues using vibrant animation.
  3. There is a notable trend of children's films at festivals tackling serious themes, suggesting that animations for kids can also tell meaningful and thoughtful stories.

Who Killed 'Fraidy Cat'?

Animation Obsessive • 9328 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. The story of 'Fraidy Cat' was about a cat named Oscar who was wrongly accused of swallowing a bird. The film went through many changes during its development and was influenced by Hitchcock's style.
  2. Piet Kroon, the director, faced a lot of studio politics and creative conflicts while trying to bring his vision for 'Fraidy Cat' to life, which included several writers being brought in to make changes.
  3. Despite the project receiving praise and momentum at Disney, it was ultimately shelved when the studio decided to close its Florida branch, which contributed to 'Fraidy Cat' never being completed.

Start here

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 4992 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Dr. Sharon Blackie focuses on reimagining women's stories, myths, and fairy tales, emphasizing the importance of these traditions in addressing modern cultural and environmental issues.
  2. The concept of enchantment, as defined by Dr. Sharon Blackie, involves a profound connection to the world, a sense of wonder, and engagement with creativity and nature, promoting a slow and ethical way of living.
  3. Dr. Sharon Blackie offers different engagement levels through free subscriptions, paid subscriptions with exclusive content on myth, fairy tales, and psychology, and an exclusive membership called The Hearth for deeper exploration and support.

Two Motorcycles, Just Before the End

Animation Obsessive • 2511 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. There are two films about motorcyclists from different times and places, showing how the same theme can be expressed in unique ways.
  2. Both films end in crashes, but before that, they have beautiful sequences of motorcycling that highlight the excitement of riding.
  3. Even though one film likely influenced the other, each has its own style and storytelling, showing how creativity can take different paths.
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The Review

lcamtuf’s thing • 5305 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
⚔ Fiction Storytelling
  1. The meeting that was supposed to happen is canceled, reflecting unpredictability in life. Sometimes, things we expect can change suddenly.
  2. The speaker uses the idea of the universe's chaos to illustrate how unlikely events can occur, similar to the randomness of life. It suggests that the universe has strange ways of creating possibilities.
  3. The conversation explores the concept of reality versus perception, questioning whether our experiences are real or just a dream. This raises interesting thoughts about how we view our existence.

Hope, Small but Strong

Animation Obsessive • 7355 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Michael Sporn created unique animated films that told important stories, even if they were often overlooked. His work was heartfelt and showcased real human experiences.
  2. The film 'Champagne' tells the story of a girl living in a shelter, highlighting her struggles and hope for the future. It's well-made and received awards despite being lesser-known today.
  3. Sporn's animation style was creative and personal, using improvised techniques that added warmth and charm to his films, showing that art can thrive even under tight budgets.

David Senra: Why Founders Rule The World

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Storytelling
  1. David Senra hosts a podcast that focuses on the lives and lessons of famous founders. Each episode dives into a biography and teaches valuable lessons from their journeys.
  2. David's childhood was tough, but he found inspiration in books. Those stories helped shape his dreams and aspirations.
  3. He believes that successful founders share traits like self-delusion and obsession, which help them pursue ambitious goals despite challenges.

Giving it all away

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 3215 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Growing up in a working-class family, Dr. Sharon Blackie defied societal expectations to become a writer.
  2. Writing formula fiction wasn't for Dr. Blackie, who found her authentic voice in crafting scenes with compelling imagery.
  3. Through mentorship, Dr. Sharon Blackie learned the importance of the craft of writing, emphasizing the beauty of language and evoked images.

Dreaming and Fighting

Animation Obsessive • 5112 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Art isn't just a way to escape problems; it can inspire change and make a difference in the world. It can connect people and provoke thoughts about important issues.
  2. Artists throughout history have fought through tough times to create meaningful work. Their stories remind us that creativity can thrive even in challenging circumstances.
  3. The process of making art can be just as valuable as the final product. Different ways of telling stories and sharing ideas can open new paths for inspiration and understanding.

Why We Can't Stand Up

The Reclamation Era • 99 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Women in comedy often struggle to take up space and feel confident on stage. They sometimes feel they need to apologize or shrink themselves, which can hold them back.
  2. It's important for women to embrace their voices and power. By doing this, they can inspire others and feel more connected to their true selves.
  3. Creating safe spaces for female performers leads to more honest and relatable entertainment. It's crucial for women to support each other in the industry and share their stories without fear.

Mike Leigh’s gloriously inefficient filmmaking process

Subtle Maneuvers • 2220 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. Mike Leigh's filmmaking process starts with no script or story idea, just actors talking to create characters.
  2. Leigh's method involves months of rehearsals where actors improvise to bring characters to life before scripting.
  3. Leigh's unique and time-consuming approach to filmmaking results in fully realized, human characters and unforgettable movies.

Another Boringly Obvious Observation

Chuck Palahniuk's Plot Spoiler • 2437 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Recall incidents like the Ross Steering Gear crisis can have broader impact on industries and supply chains.
  2. Combining personal experience with technical skills is crucial for writers to create meaningful work.
  3. According to one study, people tend to create their masterpiece around the age of thirty-one by combining formal education with life experiences.

“Antiracism” That Erases Black History

Journal of Free Black Thought • 55 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Canceling a white actress for portraying Black historical figures shows how strict policing of cultural appropriation can silence stories about Black heroes and limit who can tell them.
  2. Selective standards—scrubbing Black images while leaving white ones alone—create a double standard that erases non-white contributions rather than empowering them.
  3. Protecting artistic freedom and viewpoint diversity, when portrayals are respectful and contextual, supports cross-cultural storytelling that connects people and preserves shared history.

Pointless Pace Killers

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 3200 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. People often compare their boring everyday lives to the exciting highlights they see in stories or on social media, which can make them feel inadequate. It's important to remember that everyone has regular parts of their life that aren't shown.
  2. When writing, it's crucial to focus on the most interesting and meaningful parts of a story instead of trying to capture every detail. The first draft should be for yourself without outside feedback, then later you can edit for the audience.
  3. Stories are designed to be engaging, which means they often skip over mundane details. The best stories focus on conflict and emotion, highlighting only the moments that resonate with the reader.

My Story Structure Lesson At San Quentin

Technohumanism • 99 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. In discussing race, people often see others through the lens of their own freedom or lack thereof. This can lead to powerful and thought-provoking conversations.
  2. Powerful storytelling can evoke strong emotional reactions and provoke thoughts about the realities faced by different groups in society.
  3. Words have the ability to engage our imaginations and encourage us to think deeper about the experiences of others, especially those in difficult situations.

Let’s Overanalyze: ‘Cattle and the Creeping Things’ By The Hold Steady

Singal-Minded • 179 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🎶 Music Storytelling
  1. The song uses biblical imagery and jittery vocals to show jaded, addicted characters who treat sacred stories like worn-out scripts.
  2. The Hold Steady’s plainspoken bar-rock leaves room for dense storytelling, with recurring characters across songs and albums forming a dark arc from teenage parties to druggy, violent consequences.
  3. Repetition and unreliable narration are central: stories get retold and distorted so sacred and profane blur and cycles of addiction keep repeating.

Have you hit "peak ENOUGH"?

The Shift With Sam Baker • 958 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. The Shift With Sam Baker newsletter and podcast explores moments in TV shows or movies that resonate with audiences due to their truthful impact, sparking strong emotional reactions from viewers.
  2. The post discusses a powerful monologue from the character Rose Aguineau in True Detective, highlighting the theme of self-acceptance and finding peace with one's past and present.
  3. There's a focus on the idea of reaching a point of 'having enough' in life, symbolizing a turning point where individuals may reassess their choices and seek a quieter, more meaningful existence.

Post to the Host

Garrison Keillor and Friends • 963 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. Garrison Keillor shares responses to comments and interactions with fans on his Substack post.
  2. Fans share personal stories and experiences with Garrison Keillor, such as meeting him in person or discussing unique family histories.
  3. Keillor engages with fans in a humorous and down-to-earth manner, showcasing his wit and relatability.

Two & a Half Hours into "Avatar: Fire & Ash"

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 130 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. The film mashup mixes many genres and stories, turning familiar tropes into a dense, collage-like epic that feels both sprawling and familiar.
  2. It layers striking motifs — a biblical-style sacrifice, massive whale/sea sequences, and a high-tech military that makes reckless identification and tactical choices like building a base on a giant oil refinery — creating surprising tonal shifts.
  3. The Odyssey trailer is tightly handled: it tells the Trojan Horse story simply and effectively, evokes a realistic Late Bronze Age Anatolia, and presents Odysseus as a morally complicated, even villainous, character.

The Inherited Ceramics Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1206 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Inherited objects, like ceramics, can carry deep family stories and connections to the past. They remind us of our roots and the experiences of our loved ones.
  2. Many younger people today don't see value in their parents' heirlooms and often sell or discard them. What's considered treasure can quickly become trash.
  3. Finding creative ways to repurpose or display these inherited items can breathe new life into them. It helps keep the memories alive without the pressure of keeping them pristine.

Masterpieces on the Cheap

Animation Obsessive • 7175 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. Animation masterpieces can be created on limited budgets, showcasing that money doesn't guarantee a great film.
  2. Artistry, vision, and talent are key to creating successful animated projects, sometimes taking risks can lead to unique and impactful films.
  3. Japanese anime industry often achieves expressive movement with small budgets, emphasizing creativity over financial resources.

How Ruthie Ended the War: Chapter Two

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 1002 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Chapter Two of 'How Ruthie Ended the War' reveals a soldier's story of being caught in a dangerous ice field while on a mission.
  2. The soldier recounts the harrowing experience of the ship battling ice, leading to chaos and fear among the crew.
  3. Ruthie, the central character, listens silently to the soldier's tale, adding an element of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.

Reclamation: The Fempire Strikes Back

The Reclamation Era • 79 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Women are speaking out about topics that are often seen as taboo, like relationships and aging. This honesty helps to break down barriers and opens up important conversations.
  2. Supporting female-led performances and productions is a way of resisting the suppression of women's voices. Events like 'Reclamation: The Fempire Strikes Back' celebrate women's stories through comedy and storytelling.
  3. The focus of these discussions is on real-life experiences, including motherhood and identity. Sharing personal stories allows women to connect and support each other in navigating life's challenges.

How to Adapt an Unadaptable Story

Animation Obsessive • 1973 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Kenji Miyazawa is not very well known outside Japan, but he has greatly influenced Japanese literature and animation. His stories have been cherished by generations of Japanese readers.
  2. The film 'Night on the Galactic Railroad' is a unique adaptation that captures the emotional depth of Miyazawa's work. Director Gisaburo Sugii aimed to express the feelings in Miyazawa's stories through animation.
  3. The film is different from typical animated features, focusing on abstract ideas and emotions instead of concrete realities. This approach makes it a deeply mysterious and emotional experience.

The Nominee You Didn't See

Animation Obsessive • 6189 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The film 'Funny Birds' is a remarkable César nominee with rich realism and attention to detail.
  2. The creation of 'Funny Birds' involved deep research, natural sound recordings, and a documentary-like approach.
  3. The animation process of 'Funny Birds' focused on capturing spontaneous energy and specific performances from real-life sounds.

Alan Moore: Part 1

Pizza Party • 56 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
💥 Comics Storytelling
  1. A practical guide breaks the craft of comics into concrete parts like structure, plot, scripting, and scene-specific pacing to help you plan and shape stories more effectively.
  2. A philosophical perspective shows that storytelling is many interlocking disciplines and that writing functions as a technology for preserving ideas, shaping consciousness, and informing creative choices.
  3. Even dense, idiosyncratic lessons contain useful pieces you can apply; mixing practical techniques with broader ideas will strengthen your creative process.

A Tiny Juggler on a Big Screen

Animation Obsessive • 1614 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The story of 'The Juggler of Our Lady' explores feelings of hopelessness through a juggler who tries to find his place in the world. It's a tale that many can relate to, especially during tough times.
  2. R. O. Blechman created this work in a short time, drawing from his own experiences of feeling out of place. His unique style and personal connection helped make the story really special.
  3. The animation industry is facing challenges, like the recent wildfires in Los Angeles affecting many workers. It's important to help those in need during these difficult situations.

Extreme Pain, Extreme Joy

Culture Study • 2090 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Photographer Maggie Shannon explores women's health, focusing on childbirth and midwifery, to share stories often left untold. She wants to reveal the care and love that happen during this crucial time.
  2. Shannon emphasizes the importance of consent and building relationships with her subjects. She believes that creating trust leads to better, more authentic photographs.
  3. Her work captures the complex emotions surrounding childbirth, showing both the pain and joy involved. Shannon aims to highlight the gray areas of these experiences, rather than just viewing them in black and white.

Jeffrey Sitting Bear, Peyote, and Hippies

The Microdose • 1198 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Jeffrey Sitting Bear believes peyote is sacred medicine meant for healing, not getting high.
  2. White people during the 1960s hippie era tended to misuse peyote by using it as a drug rather than for its intended purpose.
  3. Respect for Native teachings and using peyote in the right way is crucial for its positive effects, according to Sitting Bear.

Let The Espresso Martinis Speak!

Castalia • 619 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Writing is about taking risks and pushing your limits. It's more meaningful when you explore ideas outside your comfort zone, even if it feels hard and messy.
  2. Every piece of writing starts with an initial idea or feeling. It's important to stay connected to that idea, as it shapes the entire work.
  3. Writing should come from intuition rather than overthinking. It helps to let your subconscious guide you, similar to how a performer relies on instinct during a show.