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34:35

Marcia Clark, best known as the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, has become a trailblazer for women in law and beyond. Her journey from courtroom to bestselling author reflects her resilience and determination to redefine herself amidst intense public scrutiny. On this episode of Worth Knowing, Clark dives into her latest book, *Trial by Ambush*, which examines the 1953 Barbara Graham case—a story that highlights gender bias, media sensationalism, and the notion that all cases are subject to societal, cultural, and political winds. Clark shares how her experiences during the Simpson trial shaped her perspective on societal pressures and the role of women in high-stakes professions. Her reflections on how media, forensic science, and legal practices have evolved over decades offer valuable insights into the intersection of law and culture. This conversation is a compelling exploration of true crime, personal growth, and how Clark’s groundbreaking career continues to inspire a new generation of women to challenge norms and forge their own paths. Marcia Clark is a bestselling author and a criminal lawyer who began her career in law as a criminal defense attorney and went on to become a prosecutor in the L.A. District Attorney's Office in 1981. She spent ten years in the Special Trials Unit, where she handled a number of high-profile cases, including the prosecution of stalker/murderer Robert Bardo, whose conviction for the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer resulted in legislation that offered victims better protection from stalkers as well as increased punishment for the offenders. She was lead prosecutor for the O.J. Simpson murder trial. In May of 1997 her book on the Simpson case, "Without a Doubt," was published and reached #1 on the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers lists. In February 2016, Clark re-released the book with a new foreword. Resources Sign up for the Worth Knowing LinkedIn Newsletter to stay up to date: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/worth-knowing-7236433935503618048/ Follow Bonnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-habyan/ Go to the Worth Knowing website: https://www.worthknowing.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company…

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From MovieMaker Magazine, a podcast featuring conversations with great moviemakers about the art and craft of making movies. Tim Molloy talks to moviemakers about screenwriting, directing, acting, and all of the other creative work that goes into moviemaking. Like MovieMaker's print magazine and moviemaker.com, we're here for everyone who wants to learn more about how movies are made. Also, check out Actual Facts, our documentary-focused podcast hosted by Eric Steuer. You can listen to it right here on this feed or subscribe directly at https://pod.link/1646377119.

189 episodes

MovieMaker

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Series home•Feed

189 episodes

#Arts #Cinema #MovieMaker Magazine #Movies #Screenwriting #Directing #Filmmaking #Film #Acting #Interviews #Moviemakers #Actor

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MovieMaker

1
Freddy MacDonald (Sew Torn) 38:36

3 days ago38:36

38:36

A lot of things have happened to Freddy MacDonald that aren't supposed to happen anymore. His short film "Sew Torn" got him into AFI and scored him a meeting with Joel Coen, who urged him to turn it into a full-length film. He did. Sew Torn, out now, is the story of a seamstress who comes across a drug deal gone awry on a beautiful, isolated Swiss road. She must decide on one of three courses of action. Things spin out from there. You can read a bit more about Freddy MacDonald and watch and exclusive scene from the film right here. If you enjoy this interview please subscribe and we'll do more.…

MovieMaker

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Joe List (Tom Dustin: Portrait of a Comedian) 39:06

10 days ago39:06

39:06

Joe List and Tom Dustin both started out as Boston-area comedians more than 20 years ago. They quickly became friends, drinking buddies and roommates, with a shared dream of moving to New York City to pursue comedy greatness. List followed through on the dream. He got sober, scored a slew of TV appearances and standup specials, and started a thriving podcast, Tuesdays With Stories, with his friend and fellow comedian Mark Normand. He's also just directed his first film — a documentary — about his old friend. Tom Dustin: Portrait of a Comedian tracks Dustin's decision to keep drinking, and to relocate to Key West, Florida. He runs a comedy club where he does what he loves and regularly kills with audiences — but outside of the mainstream. He sometimes struggles financially, and wonders if quitting booze would be good for his mental health. We talked with Joe List for the MovieMaker podcast about Tom Dustin, YouTube vs. theaters, and how you can be an offensive comedian and good liberal at the same time. Photo by Matthew Salacuse.…

MovieMaker

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'Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary' | Actual Facts 41:16

22 weeks ago41:16

41:16

Sail away with us as we discuss 'Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary,' the new film from director Garret Price. Part of Bill Simmons' Music Box series, the doc explores the rise—and modern-day reevaluation—of the breezy, easy-listening rock that emerged from Southern California in the late '70s and early '80s. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Guest co-host: Jason Betrue Send us a note at actualfactspod@gmail.com Our show's theme music is by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ For more from MovieMaker Magazine, visit https://www.moviemaker.com/…

MovieMaker

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Houses That Are Also Pop Culture Landmarks with Tommy Avallone, Director of 'The House From …' | Actual Facts 58:24

25 weeks ago58:24

58:24

We discuss ‘The House From …,’ a fun new documentary about iconic homes from movies and TV shows like ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Friday,’ ‘The Outsiders,’ ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’, ‘A Christmas Story,’ and many more. The film looks at the lives of the homeowners who navigate the unique challenges and joys of living in pop culture landmarks. We wrap up the episode with an interview with the film’s director, Tommy Avallone. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Guest co-host: Jason Betrue Send us a note at actualfactspod@gmail.com Our show's theme music is by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ For more from MovieMaker Magazine, visit https://www.moviemaker.com/…

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'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin' with Director Benjamin Ree | Actual Facts 26:04

26 weeks ago26:04

26:04

We talk with Benjamin Ree about his documentary 'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin' (2024). The film tells the story of Mats Steen, a young man in Norway born with a severe form of muscular dystrophy that left him physically isolated for most of his life. Through the online multiplayer game 'World of Warcraft,' however, Mats found connection with a community of people around the world. Unbeknownst to his family, he had created a second life in the game as his character, Ibelin, building deep friendships with other players while keeping his real identity and health struggles private. When he passed away at just 25 years old, his family mourned what they thought had been a lonely life – until they began receiving an outpouring of messages from Mats' friends across the globe. To bring Mats' online world to life, Benjamin collaborated with animators to recreate scenes from Mats' life in 'World of Warcraft,' allowing viewers to experience the exact environment, characters, and activities Mats had been immersed in. These scenes are blended with selections from the extensive video footage Mats' family captured of his life in the physical world. Benjamin Ree is a three-time Sundance award-winning director, known for several documentaries, including 'Magnus' and 'The Painter and the Thief.' Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Our show's theme music is by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ Benjamin Ree: https://benjaminree.com/ MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/…

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'Leap of Faith' with Director Nicholas Ma | Actual Facts 27:40

28 weeks ago27:40

27:40

Joining us is Nicholas Ma to discuss his documentary 'Leap of Faith' (2024), which follows twelve diverse Christian leaders from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they gather for a series of retreats led by Michael Gulker, organizer of a project called the Colossian Forum. Over a year, these pastors—five women and seven men from various denominations and with differing beliefs and approaches—engage in deep conversations on divisive issues, exploring perspectives shaped by their faith and experiences. We witness moments of deep pain and frustration as their views clash, but we're also there for the discovery of surprising points of connection. Nicholas collaborated on the film with longtime partner Morgan Neville; the duo also made the great Fred Rogers documentary, 'Won’t You Be My Neighbor?'. An award-winning director, writer, and producer, Nicholas's work includes the WNBA documentary 'Unfinished Business' and his feature debut 'Mabel,' which was awarded the Sloan Prize. A former DOC NYC fellow and Film Independent Fellow, he also previously worked on global economic policy on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Theme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ 'Leap of Faith': https://leapoffaithmovie.com/ MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/…

MovieMaker

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'Tell Them You Love Me' with Director Nick August-Perna | Actual Facts 31:12

30 weeks ago31:12

31:12

We speak with Nick August-Perna about his documentary 'Tell Them You Love Me' (2023). The film explores the complex and controversial case of Anna Stubblefield, a former Rutgers ethics professor who was convicted in 2015 for the sexual assault of Derrick Johnson, a nonverbal Black man with cerebral palsy. Stubblefield, a white woman, met Johnson while working to improve his communication skills using Facilitated Communication, a controversial and often disputed method in which a facilitator helps guide a person with disabilities in typing or pointing to letters. Stubblefield claimed that, through this process, she and Johnson developed a deep emotional bond, which led to a consensual sexual relationship. However, Johnson's mother, Daisy, his brother, John, and ultimately the court argued that Derrick lacked the cognitive ability to consent, accusing Stubblefield of manipulating both his communication and his capacity for intimacy. Nick is an award-winning director, producer, and editor, known for co-directing 'The Oxy Kingpins' (2021) and 'The Swell Season' (2011), among other works. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Theme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ Nick August-Perna: https://www.nickaugustperna.com/ MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/…

MovieMaker

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Damien Leone (TERRIFIER 3) 32:00

31 weeks ago32:00

32:00

Damien Leone is the director of four films that star the mugging, murdering Art the Clown — All Hallows Eve and Terrifer , Terrifier 2 and the new Terrifier 3. Even if you've never seen his films, you've probably read about them, because of the hype that surrounds the walkouts and episodes that inevitably accompany screenings. We talk about making a $250,000 movie that earns $15 million, the Terrifer 3 scene inspired by American Psycho , and creating the best slasher villain since Freddy Krueger. And we discuss being named after The Omen 's Antichrist.…

MovieMaker

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Sam Pressman on the Legacy and Future of the Business Behind American Psycho, The Crow, and More 49:48

32 weeks ago49:48

49:48

Ed Pressman was one of Hollywood's most impressive producers — a man who worked on films from American Psycho to The Crow to Wall Street to cult classics like The Phantom of the Paradise and Bad Lieutenant . His son Sam Pressman took over Pressman Films when his father died last year at 79. Sam Pressman has bold ideas about how to keep making daring films, and one of those ideas is turning to a favorite practice of scrappy DIY filmmakers, crowdfunding. But why is a business known for making classics the old-fashioned way turning to online investors? Sam Pressman explains his new approach — and tells us some great stories. You can get details about the Pressman Film at Republic.com/Pressman . And of course, please check out Actual Facts, on this very feed. And visit us all the time at MovieMaker.com .…

MovieMaker

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The Real-Life Truman Show of 'The Contestant' with Director Clair Titley | Actual Facts 26:28

32 weeks ago26:28

26:28

Clair Titley joins to discuss her documentary 'The Contestant' (2023). The film tells the surreal story of Nasubi, an aspiring Japanese comedian who, in 1998 at the age of 22, was selected for a reality TV show produced by the team behind the popular series 'Denpa Shonen.' Stripped of his clothes and placed in a tiny apartment, Nasubi was tasked with surviving solely on magazine sweepstakes winnings until he amassed 1 million yen in prizes. For 15 months, he lived in isolation, unaware that his every move was being broadcast to millions under the title 'A Life in Prizes,' making him one of Japan’s biggest TV stars—without his knowledge or consent. Clair is a BAFTA-nominated director who began her career making oral history films for the BBC. She premiered 'The Contestant' at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where it quickly became a favorite at festivals like Camden and Doc NYC. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Theme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ Clair Titley: https://clairtitley.com/ MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/…

MovieMaker

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Elisa Levine on 'Sweetheart Deal' and Life on Seattle's Aurora Avenue | Actual Facts 23:44

34 weeks ago23:44

23:44

We talk to filmmaker Elisa Levine about her documentary 'Sweetheart Deal.' The film tells the story of four women—Kristine, Krista, Tammy, and Sara—who navigate life on Seattle's infamous Aurora Avenue, a street packed with traffic, motels, and liquor stores, and known for being one of the city's main hubs for street-based sex work. 'Sweetheart Deal' explores the women’s complex relationships with each other, their families, and a man named Elliott, a self-proclaimed healer who offers the women food, shelter, and a place to detox in his RV. At first, Elliott seems like a savior, but as time goes on, the lines between helper and exploiter begin to blur. 'Sweetheart Deal was shot over several years in vérité style and captures the women’s humanity and resilience as they search for hope amidst the hardships of their daily lives. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Theme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ 'Sweetheart Deal': https://www.sweetheartdealmovie.com/ MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/…

MovieMaker

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Micah Khan (THE ZOMBIE WEDDING) 35:16

35 weeks ago35:16

35:16

Micah Khan is one of our favorite people in moviemaking. After years of making shorts and writing his own scripts, he's making his directorial debut on The Weekly World News film THE ZOMBIE WEDDING, the story of the first ever human-zombie wedding, with an ensemble cast that includes Cheri Oteri, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Seth Gilliam, Heather Mattarazo, Vincent Pastore, and many more. We talk with Micah about how he brought his love of visual storytelling, even when time and budget are tight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Jeremy Saulnier (Rebel Ridge) 33:21

36 weeks ago33:21

33:21

Jeremy Saulnier has done it all with Rebel Ridge. It's an action thriller Netflix hit... but also a smart indictment of a law enforcement policy almost everyone hates. And a movie for grown-ups. And a win for the kind of mid-budget movies that aren't supposed to be hits any more. But as we talk about Saulnier's rise as a filmmaker, we see that he's very much paid his dues in the micro-budget indie world. Here is Jeremy Saulnier's very frank 2014 piece on the making of his breakthrough film, Blue Ruin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Alice Gu on The Donut King's American Dream | Actual Facts 30:32

36 weeks ago30:32

30:32

We speak with filmmaker Alice Gu about her 2020 documentary 'The Donut King.' The film tells the story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee who escaped the Khmer Rouge and built a donut empire in California in the 1970s. Ted's success helped hundreds of fellow refugees start their own shops, transforming the West Coast's donut industry. But as Ted enjoyed the American Dream, personal struggles with gambling and infidelity led to a dramatic fall from grace. In our conversation, Alice reflects on the rise and fall (and rise again) of Ted's fortune, and the immigrant experience at the heart of his story. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Theme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ 'The Donut King': https://www.donutkingmovie.com/ MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/…

MovieMaker

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Ondi Timoner on Documenting Her Father's Last Days | Actual Facts 23:40

38 weeks ago23:40

23:40

We talk with acclaimed filmmaker Ondi Timoner about her deeply personal 2022 documentary, 'Last Flight Home.' The film chronicles the last days of Ondi’s father, Eli Timoner, a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded a successful airline in the 1970s. 'Last Flight Home' captures the final weeks of 92-year-old Eli’s life after he decides to end it under California’s End of Life Option Act. The film offers a profoundly intimate portrayal of love, loss, and the courage it takes to say goodbye. In our conversation, Ondi reflects on the emotional journey of making the film and the powerful impact art can have on audiences. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Theme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ 'Last Flight Home': https://www.interloperfilms.com/lastflighthome MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/…

MovieMaker

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'Join or Die' with Directors Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis | Actual Facts 23:30

40 weeks ago23:30

23:30

We’re joined by sister-and-brother filmmaking duo Rebecca and Pete Davis, whose new documentary, 'Join or Die,' examines the pivotal role that joining clubs and civic groups plays in shaping the future of our society. Drawing on the work of renowned social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking book 'Bowling Alone' exposed the alarming decline of community connections, 'Join or Die' offers profound insights into the current crisis facing our democracy. The film combines Putnam’s story with perspectives from politics, economics, public health, and urban design. It also incorporates historic home videos and contemporary community profiles to highlight the essential role civic organizations play in maintaining a healthy democracy. Actual Facts is hosted by Eric Steuer Send us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.com Theme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/ 'Join or Die': https://www.joinordiefilm.com/ MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com…

MovieMaker

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Elgin James (Mayans MC and Austin Film Festival's Ghost Ranch Writer's Retreat) 41:19

41 weeks ago41:19

41:19

Elgin James, co-creator and showrunner of the FX hit Mayans MC, is a former member of an anti-racist gang whose Hollywood rise coincided with a prison sentence. He'll share his insights next week at the Austin Film Festival's Ghost Ranch Writer's Retreat , open to rising writers who want to seek inspiration in the same land that was the longtime home of Georgia O'Keeffe and provided crucial locations for Oppenheimer . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Glen Powell and Richard Linklater (HIT MAN) 50:52

50 weeks ago50:52

50:52

Hit Man star Glen Powell and director Richard Linklater talk about co-writing their story of a quiet college professor who goes undercover to impersonate a hitman and catch people looking for hired killers. He ends up falling in love. We talk about Steely Dan, submitting to passion to become the person you want to be, thinking, overthinking, and sex scenes. You can read our print version of this interview here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Vera Drew (The People's Joker) 41:42

1 year ago41:42

41:42

Vera Drew is the creator of The People's Joker , which evolved from an attempt to re-edit Todd Phillip's 2019 into its own completely original work of art — a very affectionate parody of Batman mythology and all the ideas it takes for granted. Combining comedy, animation, and Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher's flair for cartoonish drama, it's a punkish, dreamy dismantling and rebuilding of Gotham as we know it, made with verve and daring. We talk with Drew about making a microbudget masterpiece, dealing with some legal issues, and scoring a cameo by Robert Wuhl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Using VR to Embrace Life, Not Escape It 58:54

1 year ago58:54

58:54

Some people think of virtual reality as an escape from actual reality. But helping you escape reality is the opposite of what Felix Lajeunesse and Paul Raphaël hope to do through their immersive virtual reality company, Felix & Paul Studios. The Emmy-winning Montreal-based studio takes audiences to places they might otherwise never go — to the International Space Station, inside the Oval Office, even back in time. You can watch Inside Felix & Paul Studios here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Debra Granik and Coss Marte (Conbody vs Everybody) 38:51

1 year ago38:51

38:51

Coss Marte created a prison-based workout program in solitary confinement, then turned it into a thriving business called Conbody that employs ex-inmates. Their recidivism rate is zero. Debra Granik, the brilliant Oscar-nominated director of films including Winter's Bone and Leave No Trace, tells the story in Conbody vs Everybody, premiering today at Sundance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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'American Pain' with Director Darren Foster | Actual Facts 51:12

1 year ago51:12

51:12

MovieMaker Magazine's documentary podcast Actual Facts is back to talk docs! Eric and Jason discuss 'American Pain,' a film that tells the story of twin brothers and bodybuilders Chris and Jeff George, who operated a notorious network of pain clinics in Florida, raking in millions by prescribing and dispensing large quantities of opioids with reckless abandon. The film's director, Darren Foster, stops by to chat. Hosts: Eric Steuer and Jason Betrue Theme music: Yalls ( https://yalls.bandcamp.com ) Send us a note at actualfactspod@gmail.com Visit MovieMaker Magazine online: https://www.moviemaker.com…

MovieMaker

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Cory Choy (Esme, My Love) 41:35

1 year ago41:35

41:35

Cory Choy's Esme, My Love is a mother-daughter thriller, set in the wilds of upstate New York and powered by visual and auditory experimentation. Choy relied not just on his extensive experience as a sound designer (he runs NYC's Silver Sound ) but also on his own life experiences, from recording music with his friends in his early teens to being a parent to listening to supernatural stories. Esme, My Love is now available on your favorite VOD platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Brian Helgeland (Finestkind) 45:43

1 year ago45:43

45:43

Brian Helgeland has won an Oscar for the screenplay of L.A. Confidential and was nominated again for Mystic River . He wrote and directed films including Payback , A Knights Tale and 42 . But the film he always wanted to make is Finestkind , inspired by his experience on a fishing boat off the coast of his Massachusetts hometown. It's now out on Paramount+. Photo by Maarten De Boer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Sharon "Rocky" Roggio (1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture) 34:10

2 years ago34:10

34:10

Filmmaker Sharon "Rocky" Roggio is a lesbian filmmaker who hopes to someday change her Christian pastor father's mind about homosexuality. Like many Christians, he believes that the Bible condemns it. But her new documentary, 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture , argues that mistranslations at a 1946 gathering led to widespread misunderstandings used to justify bigotry and violence. It's a scholarly, fascinating film, but also an achingly personal one. Roggio takes a love-your-enemies approach to trying to end the weaponization of the Bible against LGBTQ people — starting in her own family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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John Carney and Gary Clark (Flora and Son) 33:17

2 years ago33:17

33:17

John Carney and Gary Clark tell stories of scrappy amateurs trying to break into the music industry — because they've both been there. Flora and Son is about a working-class young Irish woman (Eve Hewson, magnetic) who picks up a guitar for her son, and ends up learning to play it herself with help from an American teaching lessons online (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Because Carney is also the writer-director of the gorgeous Once and Sing Street, you can be assured that Flora and Son will make your heart soar and get some incredibly catchy songs stuck in your head. Clark and Carney discuss the art of writing a great song — versus writing an OK one, on purpose, our current weird version of nostalgia, and how they hope their work will get you to start making your own songs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Steven Holleran (Sympathy for the Devil) 38:05

2 years ago38:05

38:05

Cinematographer Steven Holleran doesn't do anything the easy way. For A Boy. A Girl. A Dream: Love on Election Night , he shot one continuous 90-minute film while racing down Sunset Boulevard. For Missing , he handed off cameras to the actors. And for his latest project, Sympathy for the Devil , he found ways to make a car ride with Nicholas Cage and Joel Kinnaman freakishly compelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Sam Hargrave (Extraction 2) 32:12

2 years ago32:12

32:12

Extraction 2 director Sam Hargrave thought long and hard about how to top the 12-minute nonstop action sequence in the first Extraction , and thought of one way to do it when he saw a weather forecast calling for snow: "What if we light Chris Hemsworth on fire?" Here's our full talk with Hargrave about stunts, Oscars, the writer's strike, and yes, fire. And also the insane prison break sequence. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out our previous interview with Sam Hargrave about 2020's original Extraction . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Marc Levin (It's Basic) 41:31

2 years ago41:31

41:31

The new doc IT'S BASIC examines how the idea of Universal Basic Income – giving people money to do with as they please —plays out in the real world. The doc by Marc Levin explores how innovators like former Stockton, California mayor Michael Tubbs have helped introduce programs that get money directly into the hands of those who need it. What do they do with this money? It's not what cynics would expect. Pictured: Marc Levin, left, and Michael Tubbs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Sav Rodgers & Alex Schmider (Chasing Chasing Amy) 36:36

2 years ago36:36

36:36

Sav Rodgers was a 12-year-old queer kid in Kansas when he first found his mom's VHS copy of Chasing Amy , the Kevin Smith film he credits with saving his life. It also inspired Sav's triumphant TED Talk and now the documentary Chasing Chasing Amy , which premiered at Tribeca. In this episode we talk with Sav and Chasing Chasing Amy producer Alex Schmider about films that serve a perfect purpose despite their imperfections, and making movies with representation that aren't just about representation. Photo: Kevin Smith and Sav Rodgers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Nardeep Khurmi (Land of Gold) 40:38

2 years ago40:38

40:38

Nardeep Khurmi wrote, directed and stars in Land of Gold , a cross-country, cross-cultural road trip exploring the dynamic between a Punjabi American truck driver (Khurmi) and a Mexican-American girl named Elena (Caroline Valenicia) whom he finds hiding in his trailer. "Can you get more American," he asks, "than two communities of color, who have been marginalized by the country they want to call home, banding together to find their piece of the pie?" The film arose in part from his fascination with the intersection of Indian and Mexican immigrants in Southern California, fueled in part by a chance encounter with a very good restaurant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Ali Afshar (Casa Grande) 52:45

2 years ago52:45

52:45

Ali Afshar has one of the most unique origin stories in Hollywood. His family moved to Petaluma, California after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, and he sought peace against a backdrop of tragedy by wrestling and street racing. A stuntman older brother helped him make his way into acting, and he soon became a producer as well. His latest project is the bilingual upstairs-downstairs family drama Casa Grande , now airing on Amazon's Freevee. But that barely scratches the surface of a story that includes racing success, shooting Christmas movies in a converted barn, and his goal of eventually telling the story of the German heavy metal band The Scorpions. His production company is ESX Entertainment . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Alex Convery (AIR) 33:30

2 years ago33:30

33:30

Alex Convery grew up in the Chicago suburbs in the 1990s, when Michael Jordan was a superhero. He watched the Jordan doc THE LAST DANCE during pandemic lockdowns, like everyone else. But unlike everyone else, he saw an amazing movie idea about the creation of Nike's trademark sneaker, Air Jordans. Two years later, Convery's script has been made into a movie directed by Ben Affleck, starring Affleck, Matt Damon, Viola Davis and other A-listers. It's a fascinating, fun film that looks like the first surefire Oscar contender of 2023. We talked to Convery about how he pulled it off, his love of William Goldman, and using VHS for masterful expositition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Barbara Kopple (Gumbo Coalition) 28:00

2 years ago28:00

28:00

Two-time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple helped invent the modern-day documentary with her groundbreaking Harlan County, USA , which recounted a brutal coalminers' strike in dirt-poor Harlan County, Kentucky and won the 1976 Oscar for best documentary. She won her second Oscar in 1991 for American Dream , about a heartland strike against the Hormel Foods corporation. She returns to the grassroots struggle for survival and dignity in her new film Gumbo Coalition , about the work of the Civil Rights groups the Urban League and UnidosUS during the Trump presidency. We just saw it at the 25th anniversary edition of the Sarasota Film Festival, where we recorded this episode. In addition to docs about social issues, Kopple has also made some fascinating films about celebrities at heightened moments, including the Woody Allen film Wild Man Blues and the Dixie Chicks portrait Shut Up and Sing . But what unites all of her films is a cinema vérité style in which she lets her subjects do the talking and observes with minimal interference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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William Sherak (Scream 5 & 6) 48:01

2 years ago48:01

48:01

Born into the film industry, William Sherak has a long family history with innovators like James Cameron and George Lucas. He tells us about running Hollywood's go-to 3D company at exactly the right moment, watching Jurassic Park with Steven Spielberg, connecting with directing duo Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), and helping salvage the Scream franchise from the smoldering wreckage of The Weinstein Company. He also tells us why practical effects work so well for slasher movies, making a Scream in New York, and how it's going with Neve Campbell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Kevin Abrams (I Got a Monster) 27:57

2 years ago27:57

27:57

You know when you're watching a cop show, and a suspect says the cops planted a gun? Or drugs? It happened for years in Baltimore thanks to the crooked Gun Trace Task Force. The new documentary I Got a Monster , by Kevin Abrams, explains the disgraced officers' M.O. and how they finally went down. He also tells us how common he thinks the behavior is, and how to stop it. If you're interested, here's the very interesting podca st that MovieMaker host Tim Molloy references in which an ex-police officer estimates that 1,000 cops in the United States are bad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Kyle Marvin (80 for Brady) 27:11

2 years ago27:11

27:11

In his directorial debut, Kyle Marvin guided not only four of the greatest actors of all time — Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field — but also the GOAT football player in NFL history, who had never really acted before. He also juggled the interests of Endeavor Content, Brady's 199 Productions, many producers, and the NFL. And yet he somehow managed an inspirational, feel-good movie that even the hard-to-impress New York Times calls "stubbornly charming." Also, here's a terrific piece about the press tour for Marvin's last film, The Climb, and another great piece about how Kyle Marvin and his creative partner, Michael Angelo Covino, made their Sundance hit on a very tight budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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MISSING Creators Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian and Natalie Qasabian 25:33

2 years ago25:33

25:33

MISSING producers Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian and Natalie Qasabian join us to talk about their addictive mystery thriller, which unfolds entirely on computer and phone screens. Yes, all the technology in their film actually works. No, it isn't easy. Also: Did you notice that alien invasion? MISSING is in theaters now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Adam Leipzig Made Some of Your Favorite Movies. His MediaU Wants to Teach You What He's Learned 51:50

2 years ago51:50

51:50

Making one movie is a miracle, and Adam Leipzig has worked on 36. Some of them might be among your favorites, from Honey I Shrunk the Kids to Dead Poets Society to March of the Penguins . In this episode, the former Disney and Nat Geo executive tells us what he's learned about producing, marketing, and instinct – and what he's learned about happiness. He's trying to share his insights with his new online filmmaking education platform MediaU. You can check out some free insights on our YouTube channel , and get $100 off on MediaU's Marketing and Distribution Roadmap for Independent Filmmakers by visiting here and using discount code Moviemaker011123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Nick Richey (1-800-HOT-NITE) 43:32

2 years ago43:32

43:32

Nick Richey, director of 1-800-HOT-NITE , is as cooly understated as he is full of surprises. The new film is about a teenager in trouble (Cobra Kai star Dallas Dupree Young) who gets surprisingly good advice from a phone sex operator (Aly Richey) on a wild night with his friends. The film is inspired by Richey's own tumultuous early years, growing up on the edge of trouble in Vancouver, Washington, near Portland. Many of his scary childhood experiences — like a weird encounter with a reptile — made it into 1-800-Hot-Nite . So did his and his friend's habit of calling phone sex lines. The film, which premiered to acclaim at the Deauville Film Festival in France, has completed a U.S. festival run that included the Heartland International Film Festival and Austin Film Festival. It's now available everywhere on VOD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Matt Stawski (Blue's Big City Adventure) 26:19

2 years ago26:19

26:19

Matt Stawski grew up a Detroit punk fan, shooting his friends' bands with equipment from a local TV and radio station. So of course he was the ideal person to direct Blue's Big City Adventure , the new Blue's Clues movie. It's actually not as weird as it sounds. Blue's Big City Adventure is packed with light, color, and music. And Stawski found his way to it after directing videos for bands like Anti-Flag, which led to jobs directing videos for Fall Out Boy, Snoop Dogg, and CeeLo Green — including the latter's giddily colorful 2010 video for "Forget You." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Sylvia Caminer (Follow Her) 49:38

3 years ago49:38

49:38

Follow Her director Sylvia Caminer knows all the potential pitfalls of making a psychosexual thriller: cheesy sex scenes, falling into tropes, and at worst, actors who feel exploited. She avoids them all in Follow Her , a film written by and starring Dani Barker, a former influencer herself whose script skillfully subverts cliche in favor of a meta exploration of the genre. In this episode, Caminer — a documentarian and producer as well as a first-time feature director — also talks about social media cautionary tales, stealing shots in NYC, and going on the road with Rick Springfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Rasool Berry (Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom) 30:19

3 years ago30:19

30:19

In Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom , host and executive producer Rasool Berry travels to Galveston, Texas to learn about the real origins of Juneteenth, our newest national holiday. He talks with the descendants of the people who were emancipated on the first Juneteenth, June 19, 1865, to learn the true story of the day — and how the truth has been twisted to help people feel better about the past. He also met with Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth, whose long quest to gain recognition for the day ultimately led her to the White House. You can watch the full film, Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom , here . You may also know Rasool Berry from his podcast Where Ya From? And if not, check it out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Peter Phok (Pearl and X) 37:55

3 years ago37:55

37:55

Peter Phok is having an amazing year — he executive produced both X , released in March, and its prequel Pearl, released in September. And he's planning ahead to MaXXXine , the third film in the horror trilogy directed by Ti West and starring Mia Goth, who co-wrote Pearl with West. Phok goes way back with West — they attended NYC's School of Visual Arts together —but he's also produced horror hits separately from the director, including the Netflix hit 1BR , which we covered in a previous episode of this podcast. Phok is an extremely hands-on producer, even when working remotely, as he did for Pearl and X. He talks with us about achieving the 1970s grit of X and the early cinematic Technicolor majesty of Pearl with the same camera, the Sony VENICE. And he tells us about his cinematic white whale... a Ti West film set in space. We conclude by asking for some details on MaXXXine, and discuss what it will take to get Mia Goth an Oscar nomination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

MovieMaker

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Kelci Parker, VP of Animation at Hulu Originals, on Feedback 21:06

3 years ago21:06