Martha Coolidge (Award Winning Film & Television Director) on Filmmaking and Movie Research

Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Research Expert Kevin Goetz

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Kevin is joined by Martha Coolidge, a celebrated American film director known for her groundbreaking work in the film industry.
Martha Coolidge, Director
Coolidge has directed a wide range of films over the course of her career, including the iconic 1983 teen comedy Valley Girl, the critically acclaimed drama Rambling Rose, and the romantic comedy Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the Women in Film Crystal Award. She has served as the president of the Directors Guild of America, making her one of the most influential women in Hollywood. Throughout her career, Coolidge has been a trailblazer for women in the film industry, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers with her innovative storytelling approach and commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
An Actor’s Director (4:05)
Martha has the reputation of being an actor’s director. Having worked with such names as Nicolas Cage, Val Kilmer, Halle Berry, Laura Dern, and Robert Duvall, Martha shares her directing process and how her goal is to figure out what an actor needs to be relaxed.
Early career and turning trauma into a documentary (6:28)
Martha talks about her early directing experience at the Rhode Island School of Design. She discusses her early years as a documentary filmmaker.
“Gag me with a spoon.” On self-producing Valley Girl(11:28)
Kevin asks Martha about her first job in Hollywood, and Martha talks about financing Valley Girl, shooting it in New York, and capturing the idiosyncratic voice of the movement. Martha shares how Brian Grazer saw Valley Girl, liked it, and how that led to her directing Real Genius starring Val Kilmer.
The screening process and being a literal nervous wreck (13:19)
The test screening process tends to make filmmakers nervous. Martha shares her experience with the audience preview of Valley Girl and how they pulled people in off the street to preview the film.
Love for directing and making a movie several times (19:12)
Kevin asks Martha about her favorite part of filmmaking. Martha talks about her love of directing and her special relationship with actors. She also shares her passion for post-production and how you make the movie several times in post.
First woman president of the Director’s Guild of America (28:45)
Coolridge was named the first woman president of the Director’s Guild of America. She talks about how some were not ready for a woman president, but most welcomed the diversity. Kevin and Martha discuss women in filmmaking and the underrepresentation of female directors.

Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Martha Coolidge
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Martha Coolidge:
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004838/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marthacoolidge/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Martha_Coolidge
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @KevinGoetz360
Linked In @Kevin Goetz
Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com