Episode 51 - August Announcements & Iconoscope w/Brandon Upson & Amanda Reyes

Episode 51 - August Announcements & Iconoscope w/Brandon Upson & Amanda Reyes

Author: They Live By Film August 3, 2026 Duration: 2:37:19
It's August, which means there's a new slate of releases and we were so excited to see Iconoscope return with TWO new titles, so we had to bring back Iconoscope founder and lead scanning tech at VS, Brandon Upson and we're thrilled to welcome a first time guest on the show: film and tv historian - and Iconoscope co-producer(!) - Amanda Reyes!! 


Amanda does incredible archival work in the film world, especially when it comes to made-for-TV movies, we talk with about the history and cultural impact of TV movies, the various projects she's worked on, and finally talking about the new titles: Death of a Cheerleader and Disappearance.

Brandon then sticks around to chat with Chris and Eli about the August new releases, which include a Frank Sinatra neo-noir/slasher hybrid, some much needed restorations on the mainline making their 4K debut, and a couple of terrific surprises on the Melusine side.

You can follow Amanda on IG and purchase her incredible book, Are You in the House Alone? on the VS site:
https://www.instagram.com/madefortvmayhem/
https://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/are-you-in-the-house-alone-a-tv-movie-compendium-1964-1999-paperback-book?_pos=2&_psq=are+you+in&_psid=d80717ac9&_ss=e

You can also keep up with Iconoscope on IG and of course, pick up the new releases on VinSyn's site:
https://www.instagram.com/iconoscope_label/
https://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/iconoscope

Thank you to everyone who listens and please let us know how we can make the show better. Always listening!

Someone's Favorite Productions 
https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

Eli can be found on most socials @eliolsberg, you can also catch his standup show the second Tuesday of every month at the Pleasure Chest in West Hollywood. Also, check out his Letterboxd at https://letterboxd.com/eliolsberg/

Chris is on
Letterboxd at https://letterboxd.com/personalhistory/
IG at personalhistoryoffilm

Celeste de la Cabra can be found on most socials at Celeste de la Cabra but is very active on YT and IG right now. Also, if you're not already spend a few dollars per month supporting Celeste: https://www.patreon.com/CelestedelaCabra

There’s a particular thrill in discovering a film that exists entirely on its own terms, made with raw passion rather than a polished playbook. Punk Vacation: An Unofficial Vinegar Syndrome Podcast from They Live By Film is a deep dive into that exact feeling. This isn't a formal history lesson; it's a conversation about the unpredictable, often overlooked corners of cinema that the Vinegar Syndrome label helps preserve. Each episode finds its focus in the joy of unfettered creativity, whether through reviews of specific films, interviews with the people who make them, or discussions about the contexts that shaped them. The podcast operates on a wonderfully simple premise: great stories and compelling art aren't defined by budget, origin, or era. You'll hear about movies from anywhere and any time, treated with a mix of genuine enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. The hosts approach each title not as mere curiosities but as legitimate works worth understanding and celebrating. Listening to this podcast feels like browsing the shelves of a fantastic video store with friends who are equally excited to talk about what they find, connecting the dots between genres, filmmakers, and film history's hidden pathways. It’s a guide to the wild, the weird, and the wonderfully inventive spirit of independent filmmaking.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Punk Vacation: An Unofficial Vinegar Syndrome Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 52 - Reviews of July Titles and April Melusine Slate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:36:10
Finding the joy in unfettered creativity. A podcast dedicated to bringing awareness and context to movies of any budget, from anywhere, and during any time.In Episode 52, we have reached singularity. Eli is not on PV exa…
Episode 50 - Director of Theatrical & Special Events Theresa Mercado [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:33:04
This week, We're stoked to bring you a first time guest on the show, director of theatrical and special events for Vinegar Syndrome, Theresa Mercado! She's been with the company from their west coast beginnings in Bright…
Episode 49 - Summer Subscriber Week w/Oscar Becher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:16
Summer subscriber week just wrapped up with a terrific mainline slate and some exciting sublabel announcements, including one of our new favorites, Reviver. So, who better to have on than friend of the show and VinSyn's…
Episode 48 - Kani Releasing w/Ariel Esteban Cayer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:49:19
While Vinegar Syndrome's Halfway Subscriber Week has officially kicked off, we'll be talking about that in full next week with a special guest, so in the meantime we thought we'd spotlight one more OCN partner label with…
Episode 47 - Muscle Distribution w/Liz Purchell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:45
It's Episode 47 and we're continuing are focus on partner labels with another one of our favorites and a newcomer to OCN, Muscle Distribution, with founder Elizabeth Purchell! We talk with Liz about her work in film pres…
Episode 45 - Saturn's Core Audio & Video w/Ross Snyder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:57
Finding the joy in unfettered creativity. A podcast dedicated to bringing awareness and context to movies of any budget, from anywhere, and during any time.On Episode 45, we're kicking off our first of a few partner labe…