Executive Producer Ryan Heller takes us behind the scenes of A Real Pain and his collaboration with writer, director, and star Jesse Eisenberg. Described as both a captivating mix of oddball road movie and a personal story for Eisenberg, Ryan notes that this film's path to creation was clear thanks to its experienced team and casting choices. With only 25 days to shoot, the dynamic pairing of co-star Kieran Culkin and Eisenberg ignited the story with their combined lifetime acting experience and creative spark. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, Heller reveals how they knew within an hour of the screening that this film would be a great success. Get your tickets to A Real Pain, in theaters November 1st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producer Alex Coco takes us behind the scenes of the making of the Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner, Anora. Alex reflects on his collaboration with director Sean Baker, revealing how flexibility with the script led to a more authentic and organic storytelling experience, including a spontaneous real-life double rainbow that was written its own scene. He also discusses one of the most important components behind Anora’s success: handpicking the right cast, focusing on who was truly suited for each role over star power. This approach led to the critical casting of Mikey Madison, who played a pivotal role in earning the film the highest honor at Cannes. Get your tickets to Anora, in theaters now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Writer/director Hallie Meyers-Shyer reflects on the creation of Goodrich, set to release this Friday, October 18th. In this episode, she delves into the emotional and personal stories that inspired this heartwarming tale of a complex father-daughter relationship. Hallie discusses the casting process and how the legendary Michael Keaton, known for his talent in both comedy and drama, became an essential part of bringing this dramedy to life. The film was produced by Hollywood Gold host Daniela Taplin Lundberg and offers firsthand insights on the difficult but worthwhile process of making and releasing a theatrical movie in today's landscape. Get your tickets now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producer Alex Saks walks us through the making of The Florida Project, revealing the countless unexpected twists that shaped its creation. Reflecting on her collaboration with director Sean Baker, Alex discusses how her unwavering trust in his vision brought this powerful story to life. From the chaos of helicopter interruptions to a lice outbreak on set, she dives into the challenges and hard work behind crafting this deeply powerful film on childhood innocence. This episode is a compelling tale of trusting your instincts, overcoming obstacles, and embracing flexibility in the creative process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Screenwriter/Director/Producer Scott Z. Burns takes us behind the scenes of the gripping disaster film Contagion, revealing its chilling relevance during the global pandemic. In this episode, Burns reflects on his initial brainstorm with visionary director Steven Soderbergh, sharing how his father’s fascination with pandemics sparked the film’s haunting premise. From dissecting the cultural shockwaves of pandemics to navigating the delicate balance of tone in the face of disaster, Burns unpacks the emotional depth of the characters and the real-world stakes that elevate the film. It’s a masterclass in creativity colliding with reality, offering profound insights into the power of storytelling in uncertain times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producer/Director Taylor Hackford shares his captivating journey of bringing the legendary Ray Charles to life on screen. From his pivotal meeting with Ray Charles Jr. to the critical casting of Jamie Foxx, Hackford shares untold stories of the creative process, the challenges of capturing Ray’s essence, and the dedication of a diverse team determined to authentically portray the iconic musician’s life. With the vibrant city of New Orleans as a backdrop and Ray Charles himself involved, this episode dives into the heart of filmmaking, resilience, and the artistry behind honoring a musical genius. It's an unforgettable deep dive into the magic of storytelling and the soul of a legend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producer Helen Estabrook reflects on the making of Whiplash, Damien Chazelle’s intense, Oscar-winning drama, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Estabrook shares behind-the-scenes insights, including the film's production challenges, its journey from short to feature, and the creative collaboration that brought the film's powerful performances and electrifying energy to life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producer Pam Abdy takes us behind the scenes of the 2004 indie hit GARDEN STATE and recounts the trials and triumphs of the production. From the challenges of working with a first-time director, the creative risks that paid off, to the soundtrack—curated by Braff himself—that became a defining element of the movie and helped capture the essence of the millennial spirit. 20 years after the release of the film, she reminisces on the unexpected success of the film and why she thinks it became such a defining cultural touchstone for a generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listen to the Stay Gold team talk about all the hottest releases due out this fall including Joker 2, Gladiator 2, and of course, Goodrich! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producers Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman recount the making of their global hit PITCH PERFECT. The success of this film launched a franchise and made Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson household names. The concept wasn't an easy sell, so they used pitch pipes and performed songs during studio pitches. They knew they struck gold when Harvey Weinstein wanted the movie so much that he yelled at Elizabeth in the middle of the Met Ball. Thankfully for fans everywhere, she was not intimidated and the movie found its perfect home in Universal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
During the production of Scream, producer Cathy Konrad received a late night call with a creepy voice saying, "Do you like scary movies?" Thankfully, it was just the film's director, legendary horror filmmaker Wes Craven, calling to discuss what to do about the Weinsteins being unhappy with the mask and the footage. Despite the studio roadblocks, Scream was finished and was a huge success, redefining the horror genre for a new generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Election, the brilliantly subversive film about an ambitious high school student's run for class president, launched director Alexander Payne's career. Producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa believed in Alex from the time they saw his UCLA short film, but the studio took some more convincing before he was hired. Albert and Ron take us inside the struggles that went into the making of Election, and how they expertly balanced the creative and business elements of filmmaking to launch a legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producer Debra Martin Chase has worked with some of the greatest talents of our time, including Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. In this episode, Debra talks about how her second career as a film producer began with the timeless classic The Princess Diaries. She explains how this special film inspired Julie Andrews' return to film after a 10 year hiatus and launched Anne Hathaway's career. Debra shares insights into breaking boundaries, forging your own path, what it means to be a leader, and provides glimpses into some of the behind the scenes magic from set. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, legendary producer Jennifer Todd recalls the production of one of the most ambitious independent films of all time - Christopher Nolan’s Memento. The film that launched the career of one of the most successful and innovative directors of our time struggled to find both buyers and an audience, but Nolan’s vision and perseverance prevailed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks recount the fateful moment that Steven Spielberg walked out of his office at the exact right time to seal the deal with American Beauty writer Alan Ball. Taking a chance on theater director Sam Mendes who had never directed a feature film, they brought together a stellar cast and made a film that went on to win 5 Oscars, including Best Picture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode is brought to you by Arc Studio. Screenwriters, write your next script with Arc Studio—the collaboration-friendly screenwriting app with a distraction-free interface that helps you get in the writing zone and stay there. Arc Studio offers a completely free plan, or to take advantage of its full suite of powerful tools you can get $30 off a Pro subscription by visiting arcstudiopro.com/hollywoodgold.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind producer Anthony Bregman dishes all the behind the scenes movie magic on this iconic film. From having to find a new editor three days into filming, to some little white lies about the daily’s when asked by Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey, this movie had no shortage of drama both on and off camera. But, beyond that, its incredible camera work and unique sets helped push the boundaries of what was possible at the time making it one of the 2000s finest films. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Filmmaker Ron Shelton discusses how his experience as a minor league baseball player inspired him to make one of the most authentic sports films of all time. Star Kevin Costner was an early believer in the film and helped secure a studio deal against all odds, while the biggest casting challenge was solved by Susan Sarandon herself with a bold move that convinced the studio heads she was the perfect choice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Producer and writer Callie Khouri takes us on the journey from script to screen of the beloved film Thelma and Louise. Equal parts inspiration (the story in its entirety just popped into her head one day), great timing (Ridley Scott was suddenly available to direct), and integrity (Callie refused to change the ending regardless of studio notes), the film is a remarkable success story that marks the revolutionary reinvention of female characters on screen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Director Steven Shainberg recalls the making of 2002's SECRETARY, a daring film that centers around a BDSM relationship between a lawyer and his new secretary. Inspired by the great filmmakers Jane Campion and Mike Lee, Steven decided to turn his short film into a feature, but knew it would be a challenge to get it made. Many of the executives and financiers who read the script were scared to take on such risky material, but Steven was persistent and secured independent financing. They went out to nearly every young female star of the day, but everyone passed. And then Maggie Gyllenhaal auditioned and he knew she was the one. As Steven explains on the podcast, the film is about so much more than the taboo relationship between boss and employee. It's about two people finding freedom and happiness in each other and honoring their true selves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For the first time on the podcast, host Daniela Taplin Lundberg talks to her right-hand woman Becca Cammarata to discuss their own trials and tribulations when producing the historical biopic HARRIET. From the stress of pivoting from a indie film to convincing a studio to come on board to taking a risk on casting relatively unknown Cynthia Erivo, the two share spiritual stories from a muddy set with the goal of showcasitng how Harriet Tubman was a real life superhero. Previous guest and legendary producer Debra Martin Chase is the real hero of this story, having been with the project for years and never wavering on her belief that the world had to be ready before this movie could be made. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.