The Business

<p>Celebrated director <strong>Stephen Frears</strong> (<em>The Grifters, High Fidelity, The Queen</em>) talks about his new movie <em>Tamara Drewe</em> and his comfort level working in the independent film world. After two failed attempts at Hollywood studio movies, the indie director says he retreated to a more sensible place, away from the large budgets that had a paralyzing effect on him.  Then we meet <strong>Dan Bern</strong> and <strong>Mike Viola</strong>, the Lennon-McCartney of mock rock movie songs, including those sung by the fictitious rock stars in <em>Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story</em> and <em>Get Him to The Greek</em>. <br /><br /></p>

<p><strong>Kyle Killen</strong> created the Fox drama, <em>Lone Star</em>, which was recently canceled after just two airings.  While that television dream didn't exactly work out as planned, his film career is hanging in limbo. He wrote the much lauded screenplay for the movie <em>The Beaver</em>, which was due out this year. Killen talks about how this screenplay turned his life around and how the casting of Gibson may have affected the possibility of it's release.</p>

<p>"Jumped the Shark" may be the most famous thing <strong>Fred Fox, Jr.</strong> has ever written and in a way he didn't even write it-- not that phrase exactly.  Fox is the <em>Happy Days</em> writer behind the now infamous episode that inspired the iconic catchphrase 'jumped the shark.' <strong>Fox</strong> discusses writing the episode and its aftermath, and answers the question, "Why water skiis?" Then we go to the West Coast Documentary and Reality Conference, where eager producers and willing television executives engage in speed pitching.<br /><br /></p>

<p>Premieres, parties and press junkets at the Toronto International Film Festival. Kim Masters goes insides a junket to interview <em>Conviction</em> director Tony Goldwyn about working a festival. Then its off to an industry party where Nigel Cole, director of <em>Made in Dagenham</em>, compares this year's TIFF to two years ago when he was promoting a film that was jeopardized by financial troubles. Plus, the original title for Cole's latest film and why it changed.</p>

<p>Director Ken Kwapis's latest TV project is the new NBC series <em>Outsourced</em>, which premieres September 23. The show follows an American running a call center in Mumbai, and has been accused of stereotyping the Indian characters. Kwapis discusses these accusations and the nature of provocative comedies. He also talks about directing the pilot episodes of <em>The Bernie Mac Show, The Larry Sanders Show</em> and American version of <em>The Office</em>, and on working with show-runners and talent to create the tone and template for these beloved shows.<br /><br /></p>

<p><em>Battlefield Earth</em> recently won the Razzie for being the "worst picture of the decade."  The two credited screenwriters on that film -- <strong>J.D. Shapiro</strong> and <strong>Corey Mandell</strong> — say, "Don't blame us!"  We find out how their careers survived writing one of the most notorious movies ever.  (This program was originally broadcast on April 19, 2010. Today's show features an all new Hollywood banter.)<br /><br /></p>

<p>The documentary <em>The Tillman Story</em> was given a controversial R rating for language by the Motion Picture Association of America. We talk with filmmaker <strong>Amir Bar Lev</strong> about his failed effort to challenge that rating in an appeal. Then we hear from <strong>Joan Graves</strong>, head of the MPAA's rating's board, about their reasoning on this and other questionable ratings.</p>

<p>Veteran television producer <strong>Winnie Holzman</strong> and <strong>Savannah Dooley</strong> go from being mother and daughter to writing partners. They run the ABC Family dramedy <em>Huge</em>, which is set in a weight-loss camp for teens.  While Holzman is an old hand at TV this is the first project by 25-year-old Dooley. Because of her inexperience the network paired her with her mom. Matt Holzman, Executive Producer of <em>The Business</em>, talks with the mother-daughter team about making <em>Huge</em> a family affair, their particular writing-partner fights, and nepotism in Hollywood.</p>

<p>Behind every filmmaker stands an assistant. The former assistant to Phillip Noyce, director of <em>Patriot Games</em> and <em>Clear and Present Danger</em>, read scripts for four years until finally finding his latest project, <em>Salt</em>.  <strong>Bea Sequeira</strong> talks about being a script reader and working in the shadows as an assistant.  Then Warner Bros' <strong>Michael Tritter</strong> gives us the back story on the stealth marketing campaign for <em> Inception</em>.</p> <p> </p>

<p>In 1976 <em>Star Wars</em> was the first movie presented at Comic-Con. Now the four-day event, with about 125,000 attendees, is a huge marketing bonanza -- not just for comic-book movies, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and animation but practically any movie or TV show loosely connected to this fan base. We hear what the people at this year's Comic-Con think about Hollywood and speak with long-time studio "genre consultant" <strong>Jeff Walker</strong>, who's lived the geek dream, working for and with the studios on movies' publicity campaigns.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Producer <strong>Dean Zanuck</strong>, goes out on his own, independent of his Oscar-winning producer father and of studio financing to make his new indie movie, <em>Get Low</em>.  He talks about being the third-generation in the family business of show business and of living up to his grandfather and father's legacy. Then filmmaker <strong>Robert Bella</strong>'s efforts to bring his movie , <em>Colin Fitz Lives</em>, back from oblivion...</p>

<p>This week on <em>The Business</em>, it's Reality-palooza! Three producers of big unscripted hits -- <em>Intervention</em>, <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Hills</em> -- talk about the reality of reality television. They reveal the keys to casting, the dilemma of who really "writes" these shows, what soft-scripted mean and how important authenticity really is in reality TV.</p>

<p><strong>Rona Barrett</strong>, who brought Hollywood gossip and entertainment industry news to TV, discusses show business -- then and now.  Then, with all this bad star behavior out there -- from Mel Gibson to Roman Polanski to Charlie Sheen -- we ask <strong>Dean Valentine</strong>, former head of UPN and Walt Disney Television, where Hollywood draws the line in a business that's all about the bottom line.</p>

<p>We look at the decision in the Celador versus Disney case. What was at issue? How will the decision awarding Celador a $270 million payout affect business in Hollywood? Then, <strong>Lance Daly</strong> directed a couple of 11-year-olds with no acting experience in his new movie <em>Kisses</em>. The Irish filmmaker wanted kids who were gritty and tough, but the very reason they're so affecting in the film made them a challenge to direct. <br /><br /></p>

<p><em>Twilight</em> screenwriter <strong>Melissa Rosenberg</strong> talks about being a brand in Hollywood, and we look at how those with even tenuous links to the series earn fame and fortune. Also, Australian <strong>Mark Lewis</strong>, known for his humorous indie films on going 3-D with <em>Cane Toads: The Conquest</em> otherwise known as <em>Ava-Toad</em>.</p> <p> </p>

<p>As the HBO series <em>Entourage</em> begins its seventh season, we find out what goes on inside a real-life entourage with <strong>Jerry Schilling</strong>, a member of Elvis Presley's famed "Memphis Mafia." Like the fictional entourage, Elvis' inner circle of homeboys lived with "The King" and accompanied him everywhere as he negotiated life in the entertainment business.</p>

<p>What happens when indie filmmakers accustomed to shooting on a micro-budget with unknown actors and DV cameras get to work with stars and millions of studio dollars to spend?  Brothers <strong>Jay</strong> and <strong>Mark Duplass</strong> talk about hiding from their own crew, negotiating with Fox Searchlight execs and staying true to their Mumblecore ethos while making <em>Cyrus</em>.</p>

<p><strong>Joan Rivers</strong> may be best known for her off-color humor, working the red carpet, and her love of plastic surgery.  But in the new documentary, <em>Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work</em>, filmmakers Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern reveal a woman who is an amazingly resilient industry pro, so committed to work that she won't let up even at the age of 77.</p>

<p>If a TV show isn't getting good ratings it goes "on the bubble."  So how do the writers cope with the threat of cancellation hanging over their heads, and what happens when the bubble pops? We talk with two TV producers <strong>Liz Heldens</strong> and <strong>Scott Rosenbaum</strong>, who know life on the bubble all too well. </p>

<p>A movie financier on the hunt for money finds an unlikely backer in Saadi Qaddafi, son of notorious Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. Plus, we sit down with actor <strong>Michael Sheen</strong>. </p>

<p>The Cannes Film Festival is full of big stars, yachts and artsy movies. But behind the scenes, at the Cannes film market, hundreds of independent producers look for money from foreign buyers to make their next movies. Jonathan Wolf, managing director of the American Film Market (AFM) gives us a report on what’s for sale and who’s buying at Cannes. Plus, the broadcast TV networks had their high stakes sales event last week--unveiling their fall shows for advertisers at the upfronts. Kim Masters was there. She and James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter talk about the presentations and what we’ll all be watching in the fall.</p>

<p>“Troll 2” Was An Infamous Turkey Of A Film That Haunted It's Child star Until It Became A Cult Phenomenon. Now He's Made A Documentary About The Weird Demise And Rise Of A Really Bad Movie It's Called "best Worst Movie." Plus George Romero -The Grandaddy Of The Zombie Film, Talks About His New Movie,"survival Of The Dead" And His Life In Development Hell.</p>

<p>Comedy Central Recently Censored An Episode Of "<strong>South Park</strong>" Over Threats Aimed At The Show's Creators On A Radical Muslim Website. We Ask The Questions: Was Comedy Central Right? How Should Hollywood Studios Weigh Creative Freedom Against Potential Security Risks? Plus One Hollywood Writer Stands Up To The Note "it's Not Edgy Enough!"</p>

<p>Hollywood’s hostile work environment goes under the microscope. When a former <em>Desperate Housewives</em> actress filed a lawsuit against the creator of the show for abuse, gender discrimination and wrongful termination, we began to wonder what you have to put up with if you want to work in Hollywood.</p>

<p>Fox TV chief <strong>Kevin Reilly </strong>tells it like it is about the high-stakes game that is pilot season: the chemistry of casting, going with your gut and the sweaty palms you get when trying to sell new shows to advertisers.</p>

<p><em>Battlefield Earth</em> recently won the Razzie for being the "worst picture of the decade."  The two credited screenwriters on that film -- <strong>J.D. Shapiro</strong> and <strong>Corey Mandell</strong> — say, "Don't blame us!"  We find out how their careers survived writing one of the most notorious movies ever.  <br /><br /></p>

<p>Three-D movies are all the craze, but is all 3-D movie-making created equal? Do movie-goers care? We talk to the producer of two of the biggest 3-D movies this year and a man who's training cameramen on the latest technology.</p>

<p>Producer David Bergstein seems to have pulled the financial wool over Hollywood's eyes. We get answers to the question "how does this keep happening?" with prolific producer <strong>Art Linson</strong>. He worked with the last David Bergstein, bigger-than-life financier Elie Samaha.</p>

<p>Netflix, Redbox, Hulu, iTunes…they're all competing to win the digital horse race.  And, we go on a tour of the video store, that old gray mare they're helping to put out to pasture. Plus, producer John Wells goes to Washington to protest the NBC-Comcast merger. <strong>Matt Holzman</strong> guest hosts.</p>

<p>It's a gamble every time you buy a movie ticket. But a new financial market will make it possible to actually bet on the box office. Plus, making movie music with Oscar-winning composer <strong>Michael Giacchino</strong>.</p>

<p>This week, the Academy Awards…and the thankless job of producing the Oscar telecast. We talk to the co-producer of this year's show, film producer and former Fox Chairman Bill Mechanic.</p>

<p>It's tough to get distribution for indie movies these days. But just what is distribution, and what can you do if you have a great little movie without it?</p>

<p>It's a big awards weekend in Hollywood. We hear what it's like for a movie executive whose company has three of the five films in Oscar’s Foreign Language category and he still doesn't feel like a front-runner. But before the Academy Awards on Sunday, folks in the indie world are heading to their annual awards bash on Friday.  We hear from indie film panelist <strong>John Waters</strong> and others about how they're going to roll at the Spirit Awards.</p>

<p>Peter Pan's not just a fairy tale character. He could be the mascot of an industry obsessed by youth. This week, we talk to two TV writers involved in an age discrimination suit against the studios.</p>

<p>A hefty new book conceived by director George Lucas examines the DNA of 300 American blockbusters. We examine how the book was made and what we can learn from it. Plus, how far will you go to become a successful screenwriter? <em>The Hurt Locker</em>'s <strong>Mark Boal</strong> went to Iraq.</p>

<p>New music from pop star Ben Folds, popular novelist Nick Hornby and William Shatner.  Plus, we check out those star maps that point out houses of the rich and famous. And what can we learn about today's shrinking A-list from a book about one of yesterday's biggest stars?</p>

<p>We go behind the scenes and into the control room of <em>American Idol</em>.</p>

<p>If we've learned anything from the Leno/Conan debacle, it's the value of a well written contract.  We talk to one entertainment lawyer and find out exactly what he does to earn his 5 percent.  Plus, the author of <em>About a Boy</em> and <em>High Fidelity</em> didn't write the movies based on his novels, but he did write the script to <em>An Education</em>.  <strong>Nick Hornby</strong> tells us why.<br /><br /></p>

<p>The television business is crazier than ever. We try to make sense of it all with two veteran TV journalists. Plus, a look at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival with the fest's new director, <strong>John Cooper</strong>.<br /><br /></p>

<p>It's a new year and the Oscar race is in the final stretch. We go behind the horse race with two industry veterans.</p>

<p>The year 2009 was a crazy year for the business, and 2010 should top it. This week, its the Hollywood year to be with <strong>Cynthia Littleton</strong> of Variety and <strong>John Horn</strong> of the Los Angeles Times.</p>

<p>We look at the ups, the downs, the all-arounds of the Hollywood year that was with <strong>Cynthia Littleton</strong> of Variety and <strong>John Horn</strong> of the Los Angeles Times.</p>

<p>Pixar scored big with <em>Up!</em> this year, and now they're seven for seven. We chat with a member of the company's original brain trust and the director of <em>Up!</em> about Oscars, 3-D and making movies that almost everyone loves.  Plus, James Cameron's <em>Avatar</em> cost hundreds of millions to make.  How much green does it need to earn to put Fox in the black?</p>

<p>We look at the crazy story behind the new movie <em>Crazy Heart</em>.  It's got Oscar buzz now, but it almost didn't make it into theaters. Plus, <em>Twilight</em> has made hundreds of millions at the box office, but a lot of other people have been riding on the cape tails of everybody's favorite vampire movie.<br /><br /></p>

<p>James Cameron's <em>Avatar</em> isn't just a hugely expensive sci-fi adventure – it's a titanic bid to transform movies. We get inside the mind of one of Hollywood's biggest players with <strong>Rebecca Keegan</strong>, author of the new book <em>The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron</em>.</p>

<p>Did the Academy's documentary short list short some docs? Plus, Hugo Chavez takes on Hollywood.</p>

<p>In an industry where honesty is such a lonely word, the creator of a hit TV show says what he thinks on line. We talk to <strong>Kurt Sutter</strong> of <em>Sons of Anarchy</em> about his blog, Sutterink.  Plus an Academy Award-winning writer on how show business is like every other business we know.</p>

<p>A Hollywood rags-to-riches-to-rags story might have a happy ending after all. We talk to <strong>Troy Duffy</strong>, the controversial director of <em>The Boondock Saints</em>.  Plus, a not-so-fresh report from the American Film Market with Troma’s <strong>Lloyd Kaufman</strong>.<br /><br /></p>

<p>The Motion Picture Academy hands out the first Thalberg Memorial Award since 2000, but what exactly it?  Plus, DVD's are dying. What will take their place, and how will it change the way we watch – and pay for – movies?<br /><br /></p>

<p>Writer/actor/producer <strong>Grant Heslov</strong> moves to the director's chair on the new George Clooney movie, <em>The Men Who Stare at Goats</em>. Plus, "I'll make you a star! - for 5,000 bucks."</p>