Behind The Lens

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we go back to The Hundred Acre Woods with some prerecorded exclusive interviews with JIM CUMMINGS, writer ALLISON SCHROEDER and costume designer JENNY BEAVAN. Not only is it Awards Season, but CHRISTOPHER ROBIN is available November 6, 2018, on Digital and Blu-ray. And we catch up with writer/director/actor JOSEPH CULP talking about his new film (and feature directorial debut) WELCOME TO THE MEN'S GROUP. Every film starts with a story and we start off the show with CHRISTOPHER ROBIN screenwriter ALLISON SCHROEDER. Listen as she talks about creating the story and balancing screen time among Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and the gang, as well as the dynamic between Christopher Robin and Pooh. Of course, once you have the words on the page, it's time to flesh out your characters through performance and there's no better man for that job than master voice actor JIM CUMMINGS who talks about voicing Pooh and Tigger and how these performances of the dynamic duo differ fr

It's always a "really big show" when sound guru STEVE LEE is in the house and this week is no different! Back for his third appearance on #BTLRadioShow, Steve makes some big announcements about THE HOLLYWOOD SOUND MUSEUM and recent acquisitions donated or on loan from some of the sound industry's greatest legends and their families. As an added bonus, Steve brings along a couple of "golden" friends, one of whom is a big surprise! With Steve on hand, we again dive into Hollywood sound history and not only hear some very recognizable sound effects, but learn the history of each. And since it's Halloween week, listen for some spooktacular sounds! http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

Some interesting discussion on BEHIND THE LENS this week thanks to writer/director FARADAY OKORO, director REMI KESSLER and homeless advocate RUDY SALINAS. Bookending this episode of #BTLRadioShow is our prerecorded exclusive interview with director REMI KESSLER and Los Angeles homeless advocate RUDY SALINAS who sat down with me during LA Film Festival to talk about the documentary THE ADVOCATES, which is already in distribution and playing in theatres. With a unique approach to the focus and structure of the film, Remi sheds light on his filmmaking process and introducing us to some of the homeless on the path to rebuilding their lives, while Rudy opens our eyes, and our hearts, to the boots on the ground advocacy of his group and others. And joining us at the quarter hour mark is writer/Director FARADAY OKORO talking about his new film, NIGERIAN PRINCE! You know all those scam emails you get about "send money", "funds being released but need $3000 to release them"? With NIGERIAN PRINCE y

A perfect episode of BEHIND THE LENS as we're talking about love, baseball, and love of baseball with BRAMPTON'S OWN, and our love of Dermot Mulroney as he talks about I STILL SEE YOU. Kicking off the show is our prerecorded exclusive interview with actor DERMOT MULRONEY. Long a favorite among moviegoers, and always one of my personal favorites and fun to speak with about film, Dermot is one of the few actors who has seamlessly successfully navigated among genres and character types to create a diverse and eclectic cinematic resume; and, he's also one of the lucky ones to be a part of some of the most beloved movies on the big and small screens. Co-starring with Bella Thorne and Richard Harmon, Dermot is currently back on the big screen with the supernatural psychological thriller, I STILL SEE YOU, and it is truly a "must see" film. Based on the novel, "Break My Heart 1000 Times" by Daniel Waters, directed by Scott Speer, I STILL SEE YOU is set 9-years after an apocalyptic eve

It's a painless and fun-filled episode of BEHIND THE LENS this week thanks to the legendary CAROLE COOK and our special guests, writer/director JORDAN HOROWITZ, and actor JOEY KLEIN. Originally scheduled to call in live for one of her annual visits to BTL, CAROLE COOK was forced to forego a live call-in in favor of some urgently needed back surgery. But, so determined not to miss out on the show and entertaining our listeners and her legion of fans, she insisted on doing a prerecorded interview to talk about her latest charitable endeavor, CABARET IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN LA. Take a listen as Carole talks about the upcoming cabaret shows to benefit The Actors Fund, her performance numbers, performing with her husband TOM TROUPE, and as always, regales us with a host of fun stories about her years on Broadway and in film, this time including one about Judi Dench voicing a cow. Seriously. Then we welcome two special guests – writer/director JORDAN HOROWITZ and actor JOEY KLEIN – who talk about the

More interesting and thought-provoking discussions on BEHIND THE LENS this episode with three very talented directors as each brings issues of human nature to the forefront through film. JAMIELYNN LIPPMAN and MICHAEL GREENE are live, while we've got a prerecorded interview with SARA COLANGELO. First up this week is part of our prerecorded interview with writer/director SARA COLANGELO talking about her latest film, THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and newcomer Parker Sevak. Adapted from a screenplay and film by Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, Sara explores the psychological complexity of a kindergarten teacher and her obsession with a seemingly prodigal student named Jimmy. Questions of moral and ethical ambiguity arise and Colangelo digs deep with indelible performances, emotional depth and a distinctive visual palette. Then, MICHAEL GREENE joins us live talking about his new film, LIVE. Last week actor Asante Jones was on hand talking about working with Michael, his acting proc

Some strong subject matter being discussed on BEHIND THE LENS this episode thanks to ASANTE JONES talking about his latest film LIVE, director STEPHANIE WELCH talks her new documentary A DANGEROUS IDEA: EUGENICS, GENETICS AND THE AMERICAN DREAM, plus our exclusive interview with director SUSAN LACEY talking JANE FONDA IN 5 ACTS. First up, take a take a listen to our exclusive pre-recorded interview with director SUSAN LACEY as we go in-depth into the making of JANE FONDA IN 5 ACTS. A beyond fascinating documentary, with a life as full as Jane's Susan talks about some of the biggest hurdles starting with narrowing down themes and ultimately settling on an almost chapterization of Jane's life focusing on her dad Henry Fonda, each husband (Roger Vadim, Tom Hayden and Ted Turner) and ultimately, the final chapter of Jane as she is today; editing hours and hours of interview footage with Jane Fonda herself; making decisions to rely on Jane's own voice to tell her story and judiciously including on

An exciting and eye-opening BEHIND THE LENS as we span the globe exploring cultures and historical events thanks to our special guests, LEON LEE and NAMRATA SINGH GUJRAL, plus our exclusive interview with writer/director AMMA ASANTE. We kick off this episode of #BTLRadioShow with our exclusive interview with writer/director AMMA ASANTE who talks about her latest film, the emotionally powerful WHERE HANDS TOUCH. Set in 1944 Germany, Asante explores an oft-overlooked part of World War II history – the Rhineland Bastards, the name given by the Nazis to those of mixed race. Another part of Hitler's "cleansing", Asante sets the stage and brings us into time and place with a love story between a young girl of mixed parents named Leyna, and Lutz, one of the exuberant Nazi Youth and son of a famed member of the Nazi military regime. Listen as Asante talks about her approach to telling this story from the visual immersion to the emotional resonance, the contemporary relevance of the film today, and sh

It's a fascinating episode of BEHIND THE LENS as we dig deep into the 4th Annual SLAMDANCE DIG with our guest, co-founder and curator of the media showcase, DEKKER DREYER. Then we go in-depth with writer/director/editor ANDREW ROWE talking about his new film CROWN AND ANCHOR. But before we get to today's special guests, take a listen to our exclusive interview with PEPPERMINT director, PIERRE MOREL. From action to locations to cinematography to the importance of color and sound, we dig into one of the hottest action films of the year. It's very exciting having DEKKER DREYER join us for this episode. He's a writer, director, producer, artist, and he loves to push the envelope with visionary melding of live performance, film, digital and interactive media; something that is the core of SLAMDANCE DIG. A showcase FREE TO THE PUBLIC in Los Angeles on September 13, 14 and 15 in the LA Arts Collective and Ace Hotel, Dekker talks about the founding of the showcase as the "next step" be

A BEHIND THE LENS so big we had to expand to ninety minutes!! Miss us live? Listen now as ANEESH CHAGANTY and TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV talk about SEARCHING and ScreenLife language. Screenwriter TODD BERGER talks THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS. W/D JOHN BERMAN is live and CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS. Plus, we talk Robert Davi's new documentary, DAVI'S WAY! http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

Have you got a minute (or 60 minutes) to check out this episode of BEHIND THE LENS? How about AN L.A. MINUTE? Writer/Director DANIEL ADAMS is with us live talking about his new film AN L.A. MINUTE! A deliciously satiric look at human nature that is brimming with life lessons and key messaging about life turning on a dime (or an ankh), redemption, the haves versus the have-nots, listen as Daniel explores the 20-year journey of getting this film made. With in-depth discussions on casting the talents of Gabriel Byrne, Kiersey Clemons and Bob Balaban, designing a visual palette and tone with cinematographer Denise Brassard and production designer Parker Beck, shooting on 35mm film, musical selections and score, plus Daniel's own philosophies on filmmaking and storytelling, this is one BEHIND THE LENS you need to catch up on. But before we get to Daniel, we take the first part of the show going the extra mile with MILE 22. Listen to our interview excerpts with director PETER BERG as he talks about combat cine

As we head into the dog days of summer, BEHIND THE LENS heads back to the Hundred Acre Wood with Marc Forster, takes another look at PRETTY BAD ACTRESS with Nick Scown, and welcomes an industry stalwart and loving dad turned author Norm Aladjem. Kicking off this episode of #BTLRadioShow, we go back to the Hundred Acre Wood and hear what CHRISTOPHER ROBIN director MARC FORSTER had to say to film critic debbie elias about bringing Pooh and pals to life in CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. From a request by his own daughter to make a film she could watch ("a Pooh film", to be precise), to the dream of a lifetime working with the legendary composer and songwriter Richard Sherman, to cinematographic design of the film, and the gifts of Pooh and moviemaking, Marc has a lot to say! And speaking of a dad and his daughter, you'll love hearing what NORMAN ALADJEM has to say about FROM ME TO YOU: STORIES ABOUT LIFE, LOVE, FAMILY, FAITH AND NOW TO NEGOTIATE A BIGGER ALLOWANCE when he joins us during the first half of the

It's a fun-filled episode with special guests HEATHER MCCOMB and LEE ARONSOHN, plus, hear what the Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, and Jim Cummings have to say about CHRISTOPHER ROBIN! Bookending today's show (and adorning the set) it's all about CHRISTOPHER ROBIN and that silly old bear, Winnie the Pooh. Take a listen to our prerecorded excerpts of interviews with EWAN McGREGOR and HAYLEY ATWELL as they talk about the magic of Pooh and friends while voice master JIM CUMMINGS regales us with his own animated stylings talking about the legacy of voicing Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too! (And dare I mention that Tigger and Pooh both pop up during the show!) And it's a fun time with actress HEATHER McCOMB who's on hand talking about the pretty darn funny PRETTY BAD ACTRESS. Known best for her work in series television dramas, or one-offs in every police procedural there is, with PRETTY BAD ACTRESS Heather gets a chance to show off her comedic chops, which are sizeable, as former child star

It's another jam-packed and eclectic episode of BEHIND THE LENS as we go dark with UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB, do a summer sizzle with the cast of HOT SUMMER NIGHTS, and revisit LITTLE PINK HOUSE with our special guest, COLIN CUNNINGHAM. First up we hear from the cast of HOT SUMMER NIGHTS. A real summer sizzler from writer/director Elijah Bynum, HOT SUMMER NIGHTS is a coming-of-age tale set against an East Coast beach community and an impending hurricane. (And I don't know which is more volatile – teenaged hormones or a hurricane.) HOT SUMMER NIGHTS is an explosion of beauteous stylized visual (and gorgeous color composition) married to a period-perfect 90's musical montage, serving as the framework for strong performances from Timothee Chalamet, Alex Roe ("The Fith Wave", "Forever My Girl"), Maika Monroe ("Independence Day: Resurgence", "The 5th Wave") and Maia Mitchell ("The Fosters"). Take a listen to excerpts of our exclusive interviews with ALEX

Miss BTLRadioShow live this week? Catch up now and take a listen as director MELANIE MAYRON, Oscar nominee and legendary actor PIPER LAURIE, and actor BROOKE ADAMS talk about their new film SNAPSHOTS. Plus, hear excerpts of our pre-recorded interview with director MARC TURTLETAUB as he talks about the exquisite PUZZLE! http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

Some sci-fi and a twisty little heist drama is on the menu for this episode of BEHIND THE LENS thanks to w/d JULIAN FORT, producer/writer/actor MORGAN LARIAH, and producer/actor EDOARDO BALLERINI. First up is an excerpt of our exclusive interview with EDOARDO BALLERINI as he talks about getting into character, er, make that seven characters, for 7 SPLINTERS IN TIME. One of the most versatile actors of our time, Edoardo is typically a supporting player, but with 7 SPLINTERS IN TIME, he is front and center, showcasing the true depth and range of his talents. And then take a listen to our exclusive pre-recorded interview with actor/writer/producer MORGAN LARIAH as she talks about her new film the sci-fi thriller, 5th PASSENGER. A filmmaking rarity today to find a woman creating a science fiction film, and then starring in and producing it, but that's exactly what Morgan does with 5th PASSENGER. Listen as she talks about casting (how about someone from every iteration of "Star Trek" but for the ori

A very special episode of BEHIND THE LENS this week as we welcome back old friends, hear from one new, and say goodbye to a cherished one from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Actor and Producer FRAN KRANZ is back again along with writer/director/producer CASEY WILDER MOTT talking about one of my fave "Must See Festival Films" which had its world premiere at LAFF 2017 and is now making its way into theatres – A MIDSUMMER NIGHT's DREAM! As I have said since first screening the film before LAFF last year, if everyone saw this film before ever being handed a Shakespearean play to read in junior high school, everyone would love Shakespeare! A visual wonder, Casey's adaptation pulsates, mesmerizes and hypnotizes thanks to phenomenal performances, drop-dead gorgeous cinematography by Daniel Katz and production design from Glen Hall. But it all starts with a vision and here that beautiful vision is Casey's. Listen as the boys and I follow-up on the conversations we started at LAFF 2017, as they

You might want to call this episode of BEHIND THE LENS, "Six Degrees of Separation of Paul Rudd" as all of our filmmakers today are connected to Paul Rudd. . .and let's not forget that Paul Rudd has two films currently out in theatres and/or on VOD and digital – THE CATCHER WAS A SPY and "Ideal Home" – with one of the most anticipated films of the year opening up this week – ANT-MAN AND THE WASP! First up, we dive into the quantum realm of ANT-MAN AND THE WASP and hear a bit from writer/director PEYTON REED as he talks about the award-worthy editing of the film as cast and crew traverse the streets of San Francisco, going from micro to macro to huge and back again, wth rapier precision and edge of your seat intensity. And you'll hear film critic debbie elias' take on the heartfelt family humor filling the film. (Come on! Who doesn't love silly dad jokes!) Then we move into some world history and particularly that of WWII and the story of former baseball player, Moe

It's a BEHIND THE LENS that's out of this world thanks to former astronaut and "Global Space Statesman" BUZZ ALDRIN, writer/director MICHAEL GRODNER, and writers/directors/actors DAVID ZELLNER and NATHAN ZELLNER as we look to the stars, the world of punk rock, and a wild western! First up we take a peek into the stars and space exploration with our pre-recorded interview with BUZZ ALDRIN. A sit-down exclusive that preceded film critic debbie elias moderating an intimate Q&A with Buzz on June 21 for the premiere of THE MAN WHO UNLOCKED THE UNIVERSE (a fascinating documentary on Ulugh Beg whose interest and work in astronomy pre-dated that of Galileo by 150 years and set the stage for much of what has come since in our journey to the stars), take a listen as Buzz talks about his latest endeavor, The Human SpaceFlight Institute, and his thoughts on our trajectory to Mars. Then writer/director MICHAEL GRODNER joins BTLRadioShow to talk about his feature directorial debut, THE ICARUS LINE M

An eclectic BEHIND THE LENS this week filled with intensity and energy thanks to our very special guests, actress ELAINE BALLACE and comedian SHANE MAUSS, plus our exclusive interview with BLAKE JENNER! But before we get to our live guests, take a listen to our exclusive pre-recorded interview with actor turned screenwriter BLAKE JENNER. Known best for his role as "Ryder" in the smash television series "Glee", Blake steps up his game and expands his horizons as not only lead actor in BILLY BOY, but the film's screenwriter and a "creative producer". An intensely personal and emotionally visceral character study of a young man with potential who is grappling to come to terms with his past, BILLY BOY boasts an emotional rawness that is laid bare through indelible performances. Listen as Blake goes in-depth talking about not only his writing process but character development, working with his fellow castmates, director Brad Buecker, and stepping into the producer's chair as