Scythe & Halo Cab Company: A Creative Activity in Podcasting

Abstract

Trigger Warning: This thesis discusses suicide. 2020 was the hardest year of my life, for many different reasons. I know that I am not alone in that statement. This year has been laden with turmoil, crises, tragedies, and most of all: death. In this time, many artists are at work documenting this period, the topics that have arisen, and the emotions involved. My honors thesis aims to do the same. Over this past year, I have plotted a whole season of a fictional podcast about Ripley Abbott, a grim reaper, written the script for episode one, written treatments for episodes 22-6, held auditions, cast the characters, and fully produced and edited the first episode. The ultimate goal of this podcast is to act as a social commentary about the shared human experience. One truth that binds all humanity together is the fact that everyone will die. By exploring the afterlife, I am exploring universal themes such as: justice, fate, death, life, fear, and uncertainty. From worldbuilding to plot to character development, the podcast will explore interconnection of humanity through life and death.