Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce pull back the curtain on Ripper, the original crime thriller series in development at Playtime Studio. In this episode, they dig into the hidden easter eggs sprinkled throughout the scripts — from detectives to victims — where names aren’t random at all but carefully chosen nods, some lifted from real history, others invented to build a deeper mythology. The hosts explore how small details like character names can carry weight, foreshadow twists, and reward sharp-eyed viewers. Along the way, they discuss the balance between homage and originality, tease what’s ahead for the series, and share how these choices tie into Playtime Studio’s storytelling philosophy.

Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce wander into the haunting quiet of Alone – Fragments of a Lost World. With barely a word spoken, this short film explores isolation, memory, and what remains after everything falls apart. The hosts break down its striking visuals, meditative pacing, and eerie use of sound, while debating whether it’s a story of survival or a metaphor for grief.

Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce crack open the chilling two-minute short film Alive, based on the viral two-sentence horror story about waking to the sound of hammering—only to realize you’re inside a coffin. They explore how such a tiny concept packs such massive dread, break down the film’s pacing, sound design, and gut-punch ending, and imagine alternate takes that could make it even more terrifying.