Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Tony Ortiz. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Tony Ortiz or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

#291 – Crafting Horror and Humanity: Behind the Scenes with The Night Visitor’s Blu Topalli and Peter Stass

1:39:26
 
Share
 

Manage episode 510316392 series 167817
Content provided by Tony Ortiz. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Tony Ortiz or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

On today’s episode of Spun Today, host Tony Ortiz sits down with the powerhouse creative duo Blarime ‘Blu’ Topalli and Peter Stass—veteran writers, filmmakers, and the minds behind the atmospheric new horror podcast, The Night Visitor. Together, they dive deep into the art of collaboration, exploring how blending backgrounds in gothic fiction, comedy, screenwriting, and visual effects leads to stories that both thrill and provoke thought.

Blu brings her experience from working on iconic projects like Titanic and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, along with her love of gothic literature and psychological horror. Peter, meanwhile, draws on a rich foundation in comic book art, screenwriting, and his unique ability to straddle the worlds of humor and terror. In this conversation, they open up about their creative process, the magic of partnership without ego, and why the best horror uncovers truths about ourselves—not just our fears.

Whether you’re a writer, creator, or simply love a good story, this is an episode about the craft of storytelling, the power of cathartic genres like horror and comedy, and how chasing creative risk—rather than playing it safe—can lead to truly original work. Stay tuned for inspiration, behind-the-scenes stories, and a masterclass in creative chemistry.

The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/spuntoday

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spuntoday/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spuntoday

Website: http://www.spuntoday.com/home

Newsletter: http://www.spuntoday.com/subscribe

Links Referenced in this Episode

Get The Night Visitor wherever you listen to your shows! https://thenightvisitor.com/

Check out The Night Visitor on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nightvisitorpodcast

Follow Peter: https://www.instagram.com/peter_stass/ &

Blu: https://www.instagram.com/xoblu/

Starlog Magazines: https://www.ebay.com/b/Starlog/280/bn_7023436548

Fangoria Magazines: https://www.ebay.com/b/Fangoria-Magazines/280/bn_36838342

Bronzeville Podcast: https://www.waylandproductions.com/bronzeville/

Check out Stephen King’s Book: On Writing - https://amzn.to/430UbZo

Check out Steven Pressfield’s book: The War or Art – https://amzn.to/48GhBH9

Get your Podcast Started Today!

https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN

(Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!)

Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support

Check out my Books

Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way

FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale

Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories

http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback & Hardcover are now available).

Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you’re passionate about your craft. I’ll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/

Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: https://amzn.to/4km592l

Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10

Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, Notebooks, T-Shirts and more: https://spuntoday-shop.fourthwall.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com

Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/

Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk

Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website

  continue reading

302 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 510316392 series 167817
Content provided by Tony Ortiz. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Tony Ortiz or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

On today’s episode of Spun Today, host Tony Ortiz sits down with the powerhouse creative duo Blarime ‘Blu’ Topalli and Peter Stass—veteran writers, filmmakers, and the minds behind the atmospheric new horror podcast, The Night Visitor. Together, they dive deep into the art of collaboration, exploring how blending backgrounds in gothic fiction, comedy, screenwriting, and visual effects leads to stories that both thrill and provoke thought.

Blu brings her experience from working on iconic projects like Titanic and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, along with her love of gothic literature and psychological horror. Peter, meanwhile, draws on a rich foundation in comic book art, screenwriting, and his unique ability to straddle the worlds of humor and terror. In this conversation, they open up about their creative process, the magic of partnership without ego, and why the best horror uncovers truths about ourselves—not just our fears.

Whether you’re a writer, creator, or simply love a good story, this is an episode about the craft of storytelling, the power of cathartic genres like horror and comedy, and how chasing creative risk—rather than playing it safe—can lead to truly original work. Stay tuned for inspiration, behind-the-scenes stories, and a masterclass in creative chemistry.

The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/spuntoday

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spuntoday/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spuntoday

Website: http://www.spuntoday.com/home

Newsletter: http://www.spuntoday.com/subscribe

Links Referenced in this Episode

Get The Night Visitor wherever you listen to your shows! https://thenightvisitor.com/

Check out The Night Visitor on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nightvisitorpodcast

Follow Peter: https://www.instagram.com/peter_stass/ &

Blu: https://www.instagram.com/xoblu/

Starlog Magazines: https://www.ebay.com/b/Starlog/280/bn_7023436548

Fangoria Magazines: https://www.ebay.com/b/Fangoria-Magazines/280/bn_36838342

Bronzeville Podcast: https://www.waylandproductions.com/bronzeville/

Check out Stephen King’s Book: On Writing - https://amzn.to/430UbZo

Check out Steven Pressfield’s book: The War or Art – https://amzn.to/48GhBH9

Get your Podcast Started Today!

https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN

(Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!)

Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support

Check out my Books

Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way

FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale

Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories

http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback & Hardcover are now available).

Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you’re passionate about your craft. I’ll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/

Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: https://amzn.to/4km592l

Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10

Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, Notebooks, T-Shirts and more: https://spuntoday-shop.fourthwall.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com

Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/

Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk

Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website

  continue reading

302 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play