In this episode, we welcome Ed Begley Jr. Ed is a legendary actor with roles in films including This Is Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, Pineapple Express, Whatever Works, Recount, For Your Consideration, The Accidental Tourist, Paul Schrader’s Auto Focus, Blue Collar, and Cat People — and shows such as “Better Call Saul,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Arrested Development,” “Portlandia,” “Six Feet Under,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “St. Elsewhere”. In our chat, Ed shares all about his background, experience as a Camera Assistant, and path from early roles on through working on today’s top films and TV shows. He also describes his process for preparing for each project, and offers priceless advice for storytellers today.

The Making Of is presented by AJA:

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Talking Cinematography with Jack Schurman:

Emmy Award winning cinematographer Jack Schurman sat with ZEISS Cinema to talk about using the new ZEISS Nano Primes for his upcoming short, We Regret to Inform You.

Watch the conversation here

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Featured Book:

To the Temple of Tranquility... and Step on It!: A Memoir

Beloved actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr. shares hilarious and poignant stories of his improbable life, focusing on his relationship with his legendary father, adventures with Hollywood icons, the origins of his environmental activism, addiction and recovery, and his lifelong search for wisdom and common ground.

Ed Begley Jr. is truly one of a kind, a performer who is known equally for his prolific film and television career and his environmental activism. From an appearance on My Three Sons to a notable role in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman to starring in St. Elsewhere—as well as films with Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, and mockumentarian Christopher Guest—Begley has worked with just about everyone in Hollywood. His "green" bona fides date back to 1970, and have been the topic of two books, a reality show, countless media appearances, and even repeated spoofs on The Simpsons (in one episode, Begley's solar‑powered car stalls out on train tracks, but is saved when the train is revealed to be an "Ed Begley Solar‑Powered Train”).

Begley’s unmistakable voice is honest and revealing in a way that only a comic of his caliber can accomplish. Behind all the stories, Begley has wisdom to impart. This is a book about family, friends, addiction, failure, and redemption.

Pickup a copy here

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Upcoming Event:

Celebrate the top talent in entertainment at the HPA Awards, hosted at the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre on November 7, 2024. Since 2006, the HPA Awards have set the standard for creative achievement, exceptional artistry, and engineering excellence in an industry that continues to embrace groundbreaking technologies and expanding creativity.

Tickets now available here

Podcast Rewind:

August 2024 - Ep. 41…

The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky.

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