If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why on earth doesn’t Hollywood make any original moves anymore!?”, then this Nerd Nite is for you. For Episode 11 of the Nerd Nite MN Podcast, Sam Bauer talks about the popularity of adapted screenplays in the movie world today. How prevalent they are now, including specific areas (books, comics, TV shows and, god forbid, boardgames), and and what’s to come in terms of adaptations. She also presents some case studies, showing examples of good and bad adaptations.

Items Discussed

• The Golden Compass
• The Hunger Games
• Fight Club
• The Last Airbender
• World War Z

For Episode 10 of the Nerd Nite MN Podcast, Ann Miller shares her experience biking 500 miles in the ‘Habitat 500‘ ride. She shares how she prepared, how the ride itself was, and helpful information about Habitat For Humanity, and how you can help. (Hint: You don’t have to bike 500 miles to help.)

Other Links and Information

• Twin Ports Habitat For Humanity Page
• Habitat 500 Donations Page

For Episode 9 of the Nerd Nite MN Podcast, Chris Nollet shares his out of this world (literally) expertise in ‘Wonder Twins Power! Project Gemini: The Little Space Program That Could’.

In what is easily the most meta Nerd Nite MN podcast yet, Math Is Hard founder, and Remaker’s Mark host Kyle DeLaHunt shares how and why he got into podcasting, and gives tips and recommendations for anyone wishing to start a podcast of their own, or even just get into listening to podcasts for the first time. Here is his presentation ‘Podcasting: How To Expose Yourself to the Whole Internet (But Not In That Way)’.

Items Discussed

• Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Microphone
• Blue Yeti Microphone
• Rode Podcaster Microphone
• Audacity Audio Editing Software
• Apple GarageBand Audio Editing Software
• Adobe Audition Audio Editing Software
• Apple Logic Pro Audio Editing Software
• Skype
• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• Pop Filter (NADY 6 Inch Clamp-On)
• Desk-Top Mic Stand (OnStage DS7200B)
• Floor Mic Stand (OnStage MS7701)
• Boom Arm (Rode PSA1)
• Two input USB Mixer (Behringer Xenyx802)
• 12 input Mixer (Mackie 1202)

Podcasts and Apps Discussed

• 43f Podcast: John Gruber & Merlin Mann’s Blogging Panel at SxSW
• Remaker’s Mark Podcast
• Nerd Nite MN Podcast
• This American Life
• Radiolab
• Filmspotting
• Back to Work
• KCRW Guest DJ
• Intelligence Squared
• Sound Opinions
• Unprofessional
• You Look Nice Today
• iTunes
• Instacast (iOS)
• PocketCasts (iOS)
• PocketCasts (Android)
• Stitcher Radio (cross-platform)

If you’ve ever found yourself cursing aloud on those days when you’re upended by losing or gaining sleep thanks to Daylight Savings Time, then this Nerd Nite MN episode is for you. Here, Lawrence Lee shares his presentation ‘A Waste of Time: A Brief History of Daylight Savings Time’. Spoiler: It’s the railroad’s fault.

In Episode 6, Clay Helberg answers the question ‘What Can You Do With a Raspberry Pi?‘. He is not referring to an actual pie, but rather a cheap ($35!), tiny, and extremely flexible computer. He shows some great use cases, features how others have used the Raspberry Pi, and finally, shows you where you can buy one, and how to set it up. For a podcast called ‘Nerd Nite’, this one definitely lives up to the title. Enjoy!

Links Discussed

• Raspbian (and RISC OS)
• Raspbmc
• PiBang Linux
• Raspberry pi FAQ’s
• eLinux Raspberry Pi community
• MagPi – Raspberry Pi magazine
• Unofficial Raspberry Pi forums

In Episode 5, Luke Sharman takes us on a journey to Westeros, one of the lands where the epic book and TV series ‘Game of Thrones’ takes place. He discusses Westeros’ geography, culture, and, most of all, its culinary traditions, including recipes for a whole Westeros-style meal to make in your own Castle. Er, home. Enjoy!

Links Discussed

• A Feast of Fire and Ice: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook (Hardcover • Kindle)
• A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One): (Paperback • Kindle)
• A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Two): (Paperback • Kindle)
• A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Three): (Paperback • Kindle)
• A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Four): (Paperback • Kindle)
• A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Five): (Paperback • Kindle)
• Game of Thrones – Season One: (DVD • BluRay • iTunes)
• Game of Thrones – Season Two: (DVD • BluRay • iTunes)

In Episode 4 of the Nerd Nite MN podcast, Alison Klawiter shares tales of bad ass-ery (bad ass-ness? -itude?) amongst Arthurian women. Keira Knightley’s got nothin’ on these ladies.

For Episode 3 of the Nerd Nite MN Podcast, Amber Carter shares her vision for a better world; a world where nerds and non-nerds, and vampires and non-vampires can exist in harmony. Here is her presentation – ‘You’re Okay, I’m Okay: How To Find Love & Acceptance For Those Who Love Vampires That Sparkle In The Sun Like Diamonds”.

Links Mentioned

Twilight

Doctor Who

Shine On Me Music Video by Chris Dane Owns (YouTube)

Highlander

In our 2nd Episode of the podcast, Nerd Nite Duluth co-founder (and Remakers Mark co-host) Jeremy Nilson schools us on the history of horror movies, how they’ve changed over the years, and why, in true hipster fashion, the original is always better. As this is about horror movies, some content is a little bloody, but not too terribly so.

Video Links from Jeremy’s Presentation:

The Early Years:
The Haunted Castle

The Slasher:
Psycho Shower Scene

The 70’s and 80’s:
Spider-Walk scene from The Exorcist
Suspiria Trailer

Welcome to the first episode of the Nerd Nite MN podcast! Nerd Nite is a national organization with local chapters. This particular series of videos comes from the Duluth chapter. All were recorded live, so you’ll hear and see everything that those in attendance did.

This is a video podcast, but not in the way you might think. Instead of a live video recording of the speaker, you will see the slides they used along with the audio of their presentation. So, you can capture all of the information, laughing and learning, just like being there live.

In this first episode, Luke M. shares his detailed knowledge of the past, present, and future of Scooby Doo. Enjoy!