Hollywood Gold

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.

S.E. Hinton's classic book The Outsiders has influenced an entire generation of young people, and has inspired artists to create various adaptations. The most well-known of these is Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film starring Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, and Diane Lane. In this episode, producer Fred Roos recounts the story of how Coppola's intense and unique casting process allowed him to discover the perfect cast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Kevin McCormick recalls the making of 1977's generation-defining SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. Based on a New York Magazine article about working class Italian Americans in Bay Ridge who let off steam by dancing at the local disco, the film became iconic for its bestselling soundtrack, courtesy of the BeeGees, and its incredible dance scenes. It also made a young John Travolta a bonafide movie star for his performance - a turn that was as dark as it was fun, and laid the groundwork for his star turn in Grease. The journey to the screen was filled with drama, like when the original director was fired on the same day he found out he was nominated for an Oscar or production had to shut down to avoid Travolta's hordes of fans, but the film cemented its place in film history when Travolta was nominated for an Oscar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Bryan Unkeless recounts the making of 2017's smash I, TONYA. The script, floating around the industry as a spec, was about the incredible life and rise to fame of professional skater Tonya Harding, focusing on the events surrounding the attack on Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 National Figure Skating Championships. Bryan knew it could be something special if he assembled the right team. Margot and Tom were the first pieces of the puzzle to fall into place and once Director Craig Gillespie came on board, it was full steam ahead. Margot was a true partner, participating in pitches to secure financing and spending months training and learning to skate the full routines. All the risks taken paid off when the film wowed audiences and was nominated for three Oscars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Todd Lieberman joins Hollywood Gold to discuss 2009’s romantic comedy classic THE PROPOSAL. Having been a huge fan of romcoms and an admirer of Sandra Bullock’s versatility as an actor, the prospect of Bullock returning to the genre was incredibly exciting to Todd. A match made in comedy heaven was made when a young Ryan Reynolds joined the project, and the cast became the stuff of legend once Betty White, who insisted on auditioning, signed on. Although not initially a hit with critics, the film found huge success at the box office and quickly cemented its place in romcom history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniela, Vanessa and Rachel go over what are sure to be some of the biggest movies of the summer including Furiosa, Inside Out 2, and Kinds of Kindness. What movies will be box office successes? We make our best guesses, and thanks to Kalshi you can get in on the action as well. Place your first bet now by going to Kalshi.com/hollywoodgold Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Cathy Konrad returns to Hollywood Gold to discuss the making of 1999's GIRL, INTERRUPTED. The film's champion from the start was star Winona Ryder, who had read Susanna Kaysen's memoir about her time in a mental institution, and was compelled to translate it to the screen. Not only was the film unique in the female-led team that was leading the charge behind the scenes, it also offered vastly different and more complex roles for actresses. Many of the day's top actresses, including Reese Witherspoon and Alicia Silverstone, lined up to read for the roles, but it was a young Angelina Jolie who blew everyone away and won the role that she would earn an Oscar for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer/Director/Producer Michael Showalter recounts the journey of this year's romance THE IDEA OF YOU, recently released on Amazon and making waves for its grounded but fantastical portrayal of a 40 year old woman embarking on a whirlwind romance with a 24 year old pop star (Nicholas Galitzine). Showalter was a huge fan of both Anne Hathaway and romcoms, so when the book was presented to him to adapt and direct, he jumped at the opportunity. It was important to him to depict a confident woman who doesn't need to "find herself," but ends up finding love in the most unexpected of places.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[WARNING: This content contains spoilers]When Producer Rachel O'Connor first read the script for CHALLENGERS, she was immediately intrigued. The character of Tashi, brought to life brilliantly by Zendaya, captivated her attention, as did a movie set in the world of tennis with an unabashedly sexy subplot. Once she got the writer on board with the producing team and approached Zendaya, the star knew this script would need a visionary filmmaker at the helm. Enter Luca Guadagino, the Italian director whose bold films have launched the careers of many young actors. The dynamic trio of Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist spent weeks training as true tennis pros, and Luca's singular vision resulted in a film that is wowing audiences across the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Steve Martin first approached Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers about rewriting the script for a modern take on the 1950 Spencer Tracy film FATHER OF THE BRIDE, Charles wasn't sure. He thought the script was truly awful, but he took the meeting and told Steve the script wasn't good enough for him. Charles and Nancy proved a dynamic duo behind the scenes, creating scenes full of heart and humor for the dynamic duo of Steve and Martin on screen. Their comedy chops were matched by the wits of Kimberly Williams and the iconic Diane Keaton, whose role almost went to Goldie Hawn because the studio was nervous that Diane's last movie was a flop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Josh Penn recalls leaving the Obama campaign to try his hand at movie producing, and striking gold with 2012's BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD. Not only was the film nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture, it grossed nearly 10x its budget at the box office. Not having much film experience served the filmmaking team well because their optimism, ingenuity, and confidence is what lended an air of true grit and authenticity to the film. From writer/director Ben Zeitlin writing a script in two weeks in order to get into the Sundance labs to producers insisting a local baker audition for the co-lead, a series of fortunate events led to the pure magic of the film.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Director Reinaldo Marcus Green recalls the challenges of making a film about the legendary Bob Marley. One of the hardest tasks was finding the right actor to embody Marley mind, body, and soul. Rei and the producers reviewed many audition tapes and almost lost hope when Kingsley Ben-Adir entered the picture. Not only did he look like Marley, he dedicated himself to learning to sing in Bob's accent, play his songs on the guitar, and speak Patois. The production, shot in both the UK and Jamaica, was not easy between language barriers, perfecting the songs, and feeling the pressure of honoring Bob's legacy, but the support of the Marley family helped guide the film to great success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon glide us through the making of 2007's hit comedy BLADES OF GLORY. Having made their mark directing a few iconic commercial campaigns, the duo went into directing their first feature film with a little too much confidence, and hit their first big challenge when Ben Stiller decided the role felt too repetitive for him and stepped away from the leading role. Will and Josh flew the script to Will Ferrell since he was shooting another movie, and he signed on. A fun crew of comedians assembled to round out the cast and months of ice skating training and true collaboration led to comedy gold.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer/Director (and Daniela's stepdad) David Ward recounts how he hit a box office home run with 1989's MAJOR LEAGUE. At a time when both baseball movies and baseball as a sport were struggling, he managed to create the perfect formula for a sports underdog story. Performances from Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, and Tom Berenger combined to make the perfect cast of quirky characters that everyone wanted to see beat the odds. Add in a will they/won't they romance and a delicious villian, and a sports movie structure was born that is emulated to this day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer Kiwi Smith recalls the making of the 2001 classic LEGALLY BLONDE. Fresh off of her first hit 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, Kiwi and her writing partner Karen McCullah were eager to find a story centered on female empowerment that was fun, fresh, smart, and accessible. She found all that and more in an unpublished manuscript about a sorority girl going to Stanford Law. Kiwi remembers wearing pink to their studio pitch and being fully committed to bringing Elle's story to the screen in the right way. A huge part of that was the casting. Among many others, Britney Spears was floated as a possible idea, but it was undeniably Reese Witherspoon's part. Reese emerged as a true leader and her turn as Elle is the stuff of movie legend and inspired a generation of beautiful, smart, and successful women. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of Hollywood Gold, we give you a post mortem of all the biggest moments from the 2024 Academy Awards! From the Emma Stone win to the epic Ryan Gosling "I'm Just Ken" moment, Daniela, Becca and special guest, Riva Marker, discuss it all!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Jeremy Thomas remembers the making of 1987's legendary film THE LAST EMPEROR. Jeremy was a young indie producer with an eager spirit and a history of ingenuity when iconic director Bernardo Bertolucci approached him about making a film about the last Emperor of China. Jeremy knew it would be a feat to accomplish such an undertaking, but instead of shying away from the challenge, he leaned in and got the support of the Chinese government. A true international collobration, the film's authenticity is evident and it remains a classic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of the Hollywood Gold Podcast sponsored by Kalshi, Daniela, Becca, and Vanessa discuss the 2024 Oscars race and give their predictions. For more information on how you can participate in all the fun, head to Kalshi.com/HollywoodGold and place your first $10 bet today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producers David Hinojosa and Pamela Koffler discuss the making of last year's powerful film PAST LIVES. From first time feature director Celine Song, the film explores the themes of love and destiny through a story of immigration and reconnection. It was recently nominated for two Oscars, including Best Picture, thanks in part to the performances from leads Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. The film's path to production also speaks to the themes of destiny and timing, as the fates aligned to bring the right producers to the project at the absolute right time for it to get made. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer/producer David Hemingson reflects on the making of 2023's THE HOLDOVERS, which is nominated for 5 Oscars. An established TV writer, David didn't take it seriously at first when iconic director Alexander Payne called him about the film. Once he realized the film was going to get made and Alex suggested Paul Giamatti, David recalled how his father and Giamatti's father were friends at Yale. Together, they crafted an authentic, moving, and funny film about generational divides and finding connection in unusual circumstances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Jonathan Glickman joins Hollywood Gold again to discuss the making of 1995's classic romantic comedy WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING. Made at a time when a good romcom could launch the career of an unknown actress, Sandra Bullock's star turn put her into a category alongside the likes of Julia Roberts and Demi Moore, both of whom were offered the part. As a young producer in charge of running a set for the first time, Jon Glickman had a scare when the table read was a disaster and his lead actor almost quit. Quick and effective rewrites were done and the film was a huge hit, grossing over $180 million at the box office and solidifying its place in romcom history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Debra Martin Chase returns to Hollywood Gold to talk about the making of 2005's THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS, a film that resonated (and still resonates) with countless women as it showcases the enduring value of female friendship. Based on the popular novel by Ann Brashares, Debra knew the film would need an incredible director and cast to portray the multitude of emotions within several storylines. She found that director in Ken Kwapis, but the casting was trickier as every young actress of the time was up for the sisterhood. The magic of Hollywood intervened to bring Blake Lively in as the final piece of a perfect cast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks, who always impresses us with her vast array of talents, joins Hollywood Gold for a second time to discuss one of 2023's most talked about movies, COCAINE BEAR. Banks responded to the script as soon as she read it as she was looking for an unexpected follow up to CHARLIE'S ANGELS. The myriad difficulties of having a CGI bear as the main character were amplified by the restrictions of a film shoot in the middle of COVID. Shot in Ireland, the film has a unique feel that is an homage to monster movies of the 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producers Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe discuss the long and winding road to production for Yorgos Lanthimos' fantastical POOR THINGS, which was just nominated for a mind-blowing 11 Oscars. The producing pair had been fans of Yorgos' Greek films, and helped him successfully navigate the transition to English language films beginning with 2015's breakout THE LOBSTER. Having worked with Emma Stone on hit THE FAVORITE, Yorgos knew she would be perfect for this unconventional story of a brought back to life in a woman's body. Emma came on to produce and star, and her name helped get the movie MADE by a studio. Yorgos' ability to make actors feel comfortable and free allowed for incredible performances in a film that looks way more expensive than it was. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Janet Yang recounts the making of 1993's groundbreaking adaptation of Amy Tan's THE JOY LUCK CLUB. After trailblazing a career path bridging the gap between American movies and Chinese audiences, Janet got her first taste of producing with Spielberg's EMPIRE OF THE SUN. Her initial experience of THE JOY LUCK CLUB was reading three chapters of the unpublished manuscript, but she knew right away that she wanted to make it into a film. An intimate tale of immigrant experiences told within the universality of familial relationships, the film achieved both critical and commercial success, despite the studio's initial reluctance to market it as an Asian film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Sean Covel details the making of 2004's surprise box office smash NAPOLEON DYNAMITE. In contrast to the poppy, feel-good films of the early 2000s, Sean saw genius in the offbeat humor of the film's unlikely hero. Despite being difficult to cast with the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Jack Black, and Bruce Campbell all passing on the project, the filmmakers eventually found movie magic and a standing ovation at Sundance. After grossing $45 million at the box office, the film remains a cult classic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Editor Wyatt Smith guides us through the making of the most ambitious Disney live action remake to date. Wyatt, fresh off the remake of another Disney classic (Mary Poppins Returns), was involved in THE LITTLE MERMAID from day one with his frequent collaborator, director Rob Marshall. The filmmaker faced numerous challenges from updating the music, lyrics, and characters to modernize the story, to finding new and innovative ways to make a VFX heavy film feel organic for the actors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Nina Jacobson recounts the making of 2012's wildly successful THE HUNGER GAMES, the adaptation of the hit book series that became a cultural phenomenon and catapulted Jennifer Lawrence to superstardom. Nina, fresh off a gig as the head of Disney, used her studio experience to navigate the tricky road to successfully launch the first film of a female-centered action franchise that is still putting out new installments over a decade later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Wendy Finerman discusses the making of 2006's Oscar-nominated classic THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Wendy was confident in the unexpected casting of Meryl Streep in a role that many didn't think she would be funny in, and was proved right when Meryl truly embodied a role that immortalized Vogue's already famous Anna Wintour. Paired with the brilliance of Anne Hathaway and a young Emily Blunt in a role that would launch her career, the film went on to be nominated for two Oscars and become a critical and commercial success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Bruce Cohen recounts the making of 2012’s Oscar winning Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell’s brilliant film about a bipolar man and the widow who changed his life. Not only did the film launch a young Jennifer Lawrence into a new career stratosphere and encourage Bradley Cooper’s interest in directing, it remains one of the few films to be nominated for the Big Five Oscars. David O. Russell’s penchant for improv helped him realize the magic in his cast and solidified the film’s iconic status. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Dan Levine recalls the making of 2016's iconic ARRIVAL. From the moment he read Ted Chiang's STORY OF YOUR LIFE, Dan knew he had to find a way to bring it to the screen. Director Denis Villeneuve, an incredible talent but still relatively unknown, was the perfect choice. Producers had to wait until Denis wrapped SICARiO, but things moved quickly once Amy Adams came on board and suggested Jeremy Renner as her co-star. Production went smoothly, although the material presented endless challenges for Denis and the producers. The scariest moment was after the finished film was screened for the studio - they did not like it and wanted rewrites and a reshoot to change the ending. Dan knew the film worked and fought for the ending that garnered 8 Oscar nominations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Sarah Pillsbury details the Superstar women both in front of and behind the screen who made1985's iconic film DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN. Taking a risk on newcomer Madonna, an emerging musician who would walk the streets of New York with a boombox on her shoulder, turned out to be a genius bet. "Like a Virgin" was released during production and Madonna suddenly became a superstar in need of security. Her newfound popularity and pairing her with the brilliant Rosanna Arquette made for movie magic as the film wowed audiences and critics alike at Cannes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multi-hyphanate writer, director, and producer Nancy Meyers shares how studios initially rejected her idea for a romantic film about an older couple. No one wanted to see people of a certain age be sexy, but Meyers believed in the value and impact of telling a non-traditional love story. Meyers' brilliant writing and masterful production design found their perfect match in stars Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Nicholson, who always wanted to star in a "tuxedo comedy", brought life to the character with improvised props and gestures, while Keaton's dignified yet vulnerable performance resonated with women across the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producers Jason Michael Berman and Jordan Moldo talk about the kismet involved in assembling the perfect team to tell Sonny Vaccaro's story in AIR. From the marriage of sports, movies, and aritst equity in the production comapnies, to Ben Affleck boarding as director, to securing the dream cast and the blessings of Sonny, Michael Jordan, and Nike, the producers describe a production that felt like walking on air. Ben Affleck was a true leader, taking it upon himself to meet Michael Jordan, and then bowing out of the lead role of Sonny and switching with Matt Damon in service of the film. Sonny wanted his truth be told, and the film succeeds in capturing the essence of these characters, that time in sports history, and empire that is Nike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.