For every iconic character, there's an equally iconic backstory. Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie) and David Milch (NYPD Blue, Deadwood) put on a stimulating seminar, revealing the mosaic of humanity they pull from when breathing authenticity into the characters who end up carrying their tales. Film: The Lab by Ryan Scheer
Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld writer/producer Alec Berg and Bridesmaids director and Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig pull back the curtain to show how they create comedy that resonates with us all. Followed by the hilarious short film Spit by writer/director Benjamin Hayes. Paul will never have his first kiss until he overcomes his fear of saliva.
The creators behind the explosions Con Air, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Hulk, Zombieland, and Machete debate what makes a great action movie. Followed by the riveting short film Sold by writer/director John Irwin. A young investigative journalist goes undercover and is captured into a human trafficking ring.
TV megahit Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal discusses the (not so) universal language of comedy in his documentary Exporting Raymond with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang writer/director Shane Black. Followed by the charming Danish short film First Anders by writer/director Kristian Ussing Anderson about a well-meaning, bookish father who attempts to teach his artistic and bullied young son a valuable lesson.
Set against the grand tapestry of life, almost any story might be a movie. But when constrained by the silver screen, very few could be considered cinematic. The struggle of distilling true stories into taut and visceral arcs is brought to life by the creators behind The Fighter, Reversal of Fortune, Conviction, and Apollo 13. Featuring Ron Howard, Scott Silver, Nicholas Kazan, and Pamela Gray. Film: Overnight Stay by Daniela Sherer
On the next On Story, Bones creator Hart Hanson and Veronica Mars and Party Down creator Rob Thomas discuss the creation of a successful TV series. Followed by the short films 0507 by Ben and Chris Blaine and Smile by Lauren Elmer.
How to tether a rocketship; or how to keep your high-flying creations grounded and accessible. In this week's fascinating discussion, the brilliant tacticians behind such classics as Edward Scissorhands, Toy Story, and Up! wade deep in the underlying mechanics of structure and where to find resonant truth in its rigid formalities. Featuring John Lasseter and Caroline Thompson. Film: Playing Ghost by Bianca Ansems
Oscar®-winning writer Ted Tally gives a provocative look at the adaptation and production of the highly acclaimed film The Silence of the Lambs. Tally covers it all: working with director Jonathan Demme, anticipating Jodie Foster’s Oscar® win, the changed ending for the world’s most famous cannibal, and more. Followed by Thomas Ward’s haunting short, In the Middle, about a small-town waitress in the middle of nowhere waiting for her shift to end.
From The Graduate and Catch-22 to Saturday Night Live and Get Smart, iconic comedic and distinctly American writer, director, and actor Buck Henry recalls his long and storied career in Hollywood. Followed by the heartwarming story of a failed ukulele player and her talking puppet dog, The Ballad of Friday and June by writer/director Tate English.
The scholarly Rodrigo Garcia discusses the influence of his father, Gabriel García Márquez, and the complexities and flaws that form nuanced, layered characters in The Godfather, Capote, as well as his own Mother and Child and In Treatment. Film: Who Lasts Longer by Gregorio Muro
The writers behind the beloved animated classics Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2, King of the Hill, and discuss the comedy, action, and emotion that go into creating the worlds and characters that appeal to audiences of all ages. And then enter the magical world of the short film Dreamgiver by director/producer Tyler Carter. What fanciful adventures happen after we go to sleep?
Thriller master writer/director Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Lethal Weapon) discusses the critical elements of a taut, suspense-filled movie – raising stakes, unexpected reversals, and satisfying payoffs – using examples from such classics as Rocky, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and La Femme Nikita. Followed by the apocalyptic short film Blind Spot by writer/director Matthew Nayman.
Breaking Bad drove into television like a dump truck filled with nitroglycerine. Chained to a hyper growth curve and vociferous viewership, Vince Gilligan oversaw a monstrous hit turned cultural phenomenon with this serialized masterpiece. Casual fans to fervent fanatics will find something to chew on in this personal reflection. Film: Eutanas S.A. by Victor Nores
Frank Darabont, writer and director of such classics as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Mist, discusses adapting works by Stephen King and keeping his characters at the core of the story. Followed by Jeffrey DeChausse’s short film, Anniversario, trailing a woman’s visit to her two favorite hairdressers on the day of her 45th wedding anniversary for what becomes the most important makeover of their lives.
An iconic example of its genre, Alien’s tension, pacing, and craftsmanship are deconstructed by veteran screenwriters John August and Ashley Miller. Accompanied by Jason Mann and Frieda Luk’s mystical short film, Delicacy, following a culinary connoisseur and his loyal chef as they dangerously navigate into the unknown with hopes to obtain a rare treat.
House of Cards creator, Beau Willimon, discusses writing for Netflix, working with David Fincher, and delving into the psychology of narrative power struggles. Artiz Moreno’s short film, Colera, follows with an ominous glimpse of a town that decides to take the law into their own hands, without considering the consequences.
Rian Johnson (Looper), Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko), and Roberto Orci (Star Trek), masters of weaving time travel into film, dissect the elements that make for a believable “operating system” when writing a comprehensible screenplay timeline. A Conversation About Cheating with my Time Traveling Future Self follows, with one man’s attempt to better his life by traveling back in time to offer himself advice, written/directed by Pornsak Pichetshote.
What does a revolution look like? How does one start? Maybe two renegades soaring off a cliff, into the Grand Canyon, all in the name of freedom? In this powerful episode, Callie Khouri reflects upon her experience working with Ridley Scott and writing the genre-crushing classic Thelma and Louise. Film: Pistachio Milk by Avram Dodson
The Clint Eastwood/David Peoples classic Unforgiven is deconstructed by Into the West’s Kirk Ellis and Apaloosa’s Robert Knott as they explore its gritty action, ambiguous morality, and the tried-and-true tropes of its genre. Christian Baker’s short film, The Well, follows suit, trailing a young Civil War soldier stationed alone on the US/Mexico faced with nothing but his own demons.
He made this stuff look good. Ed Solomon, screenwriter and caretaker of Men in Black explores the genesis of the franchise and its rambunctious journey from pre-production into post; including his own trial of getting fired and re-hired on the colossal project.
Ray McKinnon, creator of the Sundance Channel’s breakout hit, Rectify, details how to capture the personality of a culture through establishing strong characters, tone, and atmosphere. The short film Spanola Pepper Sauce Company follows, directed by McKinnon and written by Graham Gordy, suggesting there’s more brewing in Spanola, AK than just its fine pepper sauce cooking.
Every so often a film transcends the lofty ideal of cinema and permanently imprints itself on the face of history. Philadelphia was such a film. In this memorable recollection, Ron Nyswaner recounts the societal impact of his screenplay, masterfully unleashed at a delicate time in America. Film: Puzzled by Oliver Kember
Frank Pierson’s Academy Award® winning Dog Day Afternoon elevates the classic crime genre through its exploration of textured characters and rationale. Screenwriters Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Peter Craig (The Town) examine the story’s masterful reveal of information and its surprising, but inevitable and honest conclusion.
Drenched in a menagerie of shadows and unmistakable mood, the film noir can be a gripping encounter. In this episode, Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential), perform an autopsy on the basic impulses, themes, tropes, and tones considered hallmarks of the genre.
Filmmaking legends Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonathan Demme pay tribute to Robert Downey Sr.’s cult classic Greaser’s Palace. Next, Andrew Napier’s short film, Grandma’s Not a Toaster, where a whiskey-guzzling mother-to-be aims to enlist her neurotic brother in attempt to thieve from their ailing grandmother’s fortune.
Creative forces Jonathan Demme and Paul Thomas Anderson sit down for a captivating and enthralling discussion, performing a retrospective on the vision, style, and influences that gave us The Silence of the Lambs, Stop Making Sense, Rachel Getting Married and Something Wild.
A conversation with Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas and actor Chris Lowell on the process of bringing the beloved series to the big screen. Be sure to also check out the Veronica Mars featurette by clicking here