What is Video CULTure? Click here for a brief introduction and explanation.
The Hosts of Video CULTure
Ryan Acree
(Twitter: @RyanAcree)
Ryan considers himself a child of the 80s. If you ask him why he would say that it’s because all his childhood memories are from the 1980s. He spent his childhood with Saturday morning cartoons and watching movies like “Jaws”, “Back to the Future”, “Batman”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, and of course “Star Wars”. Despite loving television and movies, his main passion growing up was music with the radio and bands being a constant presence in his life. If pressed for what his favorite film is, he would say 1983’s “War Games”. As an adult, he now works with computers as an I.T. specialist, but he doesn’t consider himself a computer genius like the main character of “War Games”, David Lightman. His Video CULTure co-host, Matthew Essary, however, would be quick to mention that Ryan is a genius podcast producer and true audio geek.
Matthew Essary
(Twitter: @WheelsCritic)
Matt has worn many hats in his life, licensed suicide prevention counselor, convention booth babe, computer repairman, pro wrestling victim, and film journalist/critic for an infamous media outlet. So really why not podcasting? Matt loves films from every genre and prides himself on being knowledgeable about the sleaziest cult films as well as the timeless award winners. He’s even been known to ramble on about world cinema. He sincerely looks forward to bringing cool movies to your attention and having a few laughs along the way.
Staff Writers
Patrick Bartlett (Twitter: @alleywaykrew)
Patrick was born and raised in a redneck mountain town. As a kid who liked punk rock, movies, and comic books… this was not an ideal situation for him to be in. He survived it by spending as much time as possible escaping into films and comic books, turning him into a bit of a weirdo but a weirdo with an encyclopedic knowledge of imaginary worlds both like and unlike our own. It probably wasn’t as helpful as knowledge of the actual world… but it did lead to a much more enjoyable life at this moment and this moment is pretty great, isn’t it?
Guest Contributors
Christopher Hooker (Twitter: @GoKartMedia)
Chris is the author of the Mokolé half of the White Wolf Roleplaying book, “LAWS OF THE WILD: Changing Breeds (Book 2)”, which is likely one of the least respected books in that line’s history. He left the southeastern U.S. in 2011 for the U.K., in the hopes of becoming a screenwriter. During his six years in the city of Manchester, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Screen Studies, and a Master of Arts in Screenwriting, both from the University of Manchester. Now he lives in the eastern end of Atlanta, working as a Production Assistant, Caterer, and Screenwriter.
Jason Shawhan (Twitter: @jshawhan)
Media Prophet Jason Shawhan, GALECA/MCFCA/SEFCA, spent eleven years as the local film critic for Gannett (Nashville Rage/All The Rage/Metromix/The Tennessean) and currently contributes to The Nashville Scene. He was the founder of the Nashville Cinema Underground and often hosts the Midnight Movie series at The Belcourt Theatre. A graduate of NYU (Literature/Critical Theory/Cinema Studies) and Watkins Film School (Cinematography), his criticism and writing have also appeared in Dish Magazine, In Review, The Film Journal, Opposable Thumb Films, and about.com. His art and photography have been exhibited at The St. Mark’s Position Gallery and The Barney Building in New York City, The Rule of Thirds Gallery, and the Belcourt Gallery in Nashville, and online at IFC.com. He has also been photo elf for Crispin Glover and as DJ Nomi spins the Erase; Rewind mixshow weekly at dancemixusa.com.