The Business

<p>Journalist Josh Karp tells us why the Orson Welles movie <em>The Other Side of the Wind</em> has been so troubled for decades. And KCRW's Saul Gonzalez checks in on California's latest attempt to keep movie-making in Hollywood. </p>

<p>Best known for his role at Lieutenant Sulu on Star Trek, George Takei is now the subject of the documentary, <em>To Be Takei</em>. The actor and activist talks about the chaos behind the first <em>Star Trek</em> movie and why William Shatner is like the crazy uncle of the <em>Star Trek</em> family.</p>

<p>If you came up with a hit TV show, would you want your agent to make more money than you? According to agent-turned-producer Gavin Polone, that's exactly what can happen thanks to what's known as the TV package fee. Polone and writer-producer Rob Long help us examine the long-standing system of fees.</p>

<p>As Brett Morgen has learned, people have powerful feelings about the mere idea of his new Kurt Cobain documentary, <em>Montage of Heck</em>. He tells us why Courtney Love first approached him about a film, and how having the cooperation of Love and her daughter, Frances Cobain, doesn't mean he had to give up control.</p>

<p>Brian Grazer has produced some of the most memorable movies of the last 30 years. He tells us how he's adapting to a rapidly changing film world and shares stories from his new book, <em>A Curious Mind.</em></p>

<p>Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan reflects on a successful freshman season of her ABC comedy <em>Fresh Off the Boat</em>, and KCRW's Matt Holzman meets the top dogs of the new Hungarian movie <em>White God</em>.</p>

<p>When he switched from theater to film and television, Aasif Mandvi found himself relegated to roles as cab drivers and deli owners. Now <em>The Daily Show</em> correspondent created a new web sitcom, <em>Halal in the Family,</em> in an effort to tackle anti-Muslim bias.</p>

<p>Filmmaker Lacey Schwartz always had the darkest skin in her nice Jewish family. Her documentary <em>Little White Lie</em> reveals the reason for that. She tells Kim Masters about revealing her family's drama in her new PBS documentary.</p>

<p>Author Hilary Mantel and producer Colin Callender tell us about adapting novels set in the intrigue of 16th century politics for 21st century television.</p>

<p>The writing team behind the new Netflix series <em>Bloodline'</em> is a three person collaboration known as KZK. Two of those members, Todd and Glenn Kessler tell us how they, along with Daniel Zelman, crafted a family drama that turns into a thriller in the Florida Keys.</p>

<p>When Danny Strong first pitched the idea for <em>Empire</em>, he got the green light right away. But then he actually had to write the show, set in a world he knew little about. He shares how he took the musical soap opera mega-hit from a blank computer screen to the TV screen.</p>

<p>Author Michael Connelly sold the movie rights to his most famous character, Detective Harry Bosch, 20 years ago. The project got stuck in development hell, but when Connelly finally got his Bosch back, he found Amazon waiting with open arms. </p>

<p>Comedian, author, TV personality and podcast host Adam Carolla adds another title to his resume: director. His crowdfunded, semi-autobiographical film <em>Road Hard</em> is about the struggles of a traveling stand-up.</p>

<p>Oscar-winner Geena Davis has played some memorable roles, but she knows that great parts for women are all too rare. She shares her plan to boost diversity on the screen and behind the cameras -- by launching a film festival in Arkansas. Then, Rick Ludwin, former head of NBC late night, shares insight from more than 30 years on the job.</p>

<p>ABC's <em>Modern Family</em> is staying modern. The show's co-creator Steve Levitan discusses how an upcoming episode was shot entirely on iPhones, iPads and MacBook Pros. <em>Tangerine</em> is a movie shot on iPhones that premiered at Sundance. It stars first-time actress Mya Taylor, who tells us about her journey to Park City.</p>

<p>Director Morten Tyldum and writer and producer Graham Moore tell Kim Masters how the journey of making their Oscar-nominated film about codebreaker Alan Turing started years ago at a fateful cocktail party.</p>

<p>Director Andrey Zvyagintsev and producer Alexander Rodnyansky's film <em>Leviathan</em> is Oscar-nominated, but back home in Russia, the official reaction has been one of displeasure.</p>

Kim Masters reflects on a personal Sundance first—actually appearing in a film featured at the festival. And a conversation with filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski. His black and white Polish indie <em>Ida</em> is up for two Oscars.

<p>Julianne Moore is in Oscar contention for playing a woman struggling with Alzheimer's in <em>Still Alice.</em> The film was directed by a married couple with their own story of battling a debilitating disease.</p>

<p>Thirteen years ago, Richard Linklater had a simple, but brilliant idea for a film. Investors loved the idea too. The catch? There'd be no return for over a decade. Now, the film is nominated for six Oscars.</p>

<p>Before she became a filmmaker, Ava DuVernay worked as a film publicist. DuVernay traces how she shifted her career and ended up making history as the first African American woman nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes for the historical drama <em>Selma</em>.</p>

<p>Director Alejandro González Iñárritu talks about the struggles of getting <em>Birdman</em>, his dark comedy about a washed-up actor seeking redemption, off the ground. </p>

<p>Hollywood news banter partners Michael Schneider and Matthew Belloni join Kim Masters to mega-banter 2014, the year that may forever be known as the year of the Sony hack.</p>

<p>Documentarian Laura Poitras on the secretive making of <em>Citizenfour</em>, the film about NSA leaker Edward Snowden. </p>

<p><em>Big Hero 6</em> is the first Disney animated feature to use characters from the Marvel library, but it's not being marketed that way. Producer Roy Conli and Disney Animation Studios president Andrew Millstein explain why.</p>

<p>DeVon Franklin is a minister, former studio executive and now producer behind movies with a message. While he was at Sony, he worked on the upcoming remake of the musical <em>Annie</em>.</p>

<p>Kevin Spacey calls for change in the entertainment business and backs it up by funding and self-releasing his first documentary.</p>

<p>Conversations with Leah Warshawski, director of <em>Finding Hillywood,</em> and James Keach, director of <em>Glen Campbell...I’ll Be Me</em>.</p>

<p>Writer and producer Jill Soloway traces how she went from being second-in-command on cable shows to creating the most-binged series on Amazon.</p>

<p class="p1">Television icon Norman Lear wrote sitcoms that tackled real issues, like rape, abortion and race relations. Lear talks to Kim Masters about a few lifetimes worth of adventures in film and television and his new memoir.</p>

<p>Director Damien Chazelle tells Kim Masters how he was able to turn a 15-minute short film into a full-length feature that was the darling of Sundance. Then, a look at the role of Jewish émigrés in the birth of film noir. </p>

<p>When producer Steven Schneider discovered <em>Paranormal Activity</em>, he lived the Hollywood dream of sudden, stunning success. Then it all fell apart. He tells us how it happened, and what he’s doing now.</p>

<p>Filmmaker Lynn Shelton shares the unique career path that took her from New York theater actor to Seattle indie director. Her new movie <em>Laggies</em> stars Keira Knightley.</p>

<p>Author and journalist Mark Whitaker has written a new biography of a giant of American comedy. Kim Masters talks with Whitaker about what is and isn’t in the book on Bill Cosby’s life and career.</p>

<p>Cristela Alonzo was thrilled to sell a script to ABC, but the show seemed dead after the network decided not to shoot a pilot. She tells us how she was able to resurrect <em>Cristela</em>. Then, meet the woman who has been called the Meryl Streep of audiobook narration.</p>

<p>Ben Mezrich’s books have been made into movies like <em>21</em> and <em>The Social Network</em>. His new novel, <em>Seven Wonders</em>, came with a movie deal already in place. Plus, Fandor CEO Ted Hope reflects on his many years in the indie film business in his new book <em>Hope for Film</em>.</p>

<p>Filmmaker Alberto Arvelo and LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel sit down with Kim Masters at the Walt Disney Concert hall to talk about the special role of music in the new Simón Bolívar biopic, <em>The Liberator</em>.</p>

<p>Filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren set out to make a documentary about the bank robber who inspired Al Pacino’s character in <em>Dog Day Afternoon</em>. Now, after more than ten years of filming and editing, their self-financed film <em>The Dog</em> is finally out in theaters and VOD.</p>

<p>Best known for his role at Lieutenant Sulu on <em>Star Trek</em>, George Takei is now the subject of a new documentary, <em>To Be Takei</em>. The actor and activist talks about the chaos behind the first <em>Star Trek</em> movie and why William Shatner is like the crazy uncle of the <em>Star Trek</em> family.</p>

<p>Michelle Ashford, creator of Showtime's <em>Masters of Sex</em>, talks about making a show about sex that's not exactly sexy.</p>

<p>Tom Quinn, co-president of Radius-TWC, explains his multi-platform distribution plan for the sci-fi thriller <em>Snowpiercer</em>; director Charlie McDowell and actor and producer Mark Duplass share why they went the ultra-VOD release route with their movie <em>The One I Love</em>.</p>

<p>TV writer and producer Neal Baer is known for his gay-friendly storylines. Now, he’s come out of the closet in his 50’s. And a famous video store hopes to go nonprofit to keep its doors open.</p>

<p>A decade after writing <em>Rectify</em>, Ray McKinnon’s drama finds a home on SundanceTV; Neville Johnson remembers James Garner’s courage in court.</p>

<p>Greg Poehler makes his television debut with <em>Welcome to Sweden</em>; two former MPAA rating board members go it on their own.</p>

<p>Rob Schneider is making his own TV show. He’s also paying for it. Media Analyst Rich Greenfield on why “TV Everywhere” is a problematic consumer proposition.</p>

<p>Thirteen years ago, Richard Linklater had a simple, but brilliant idea for a film. Investors loved the idea too. The catch? There’d be no return for over a decade.</p>

The King of Pop also had aspirations to be a film star; LA’s famous improv troupe and school celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

<p>Filmmaker Steve James and Chaz Ebert, the wife of Roger Ebert, discuss the surprises and challenges of creating a documentary based on the famous film critic’s memoir, <em>Life Itself</em>.</p>

<p><em>Citizen Koch</em> filmmakers Tia Lessin and Carl Deal on why their deal with public television fell apart; Jenny Radelet tells a tale of a film that found a marketing partnership through potatoes.</p>

<p>Screenwriter and director Paul Haggis on his new film <em>Third Person</em>, his first since his public break with the Church of Scientology.</p>