Behind The Lens

What a show on BEHIND THE LENS this week! Last week we started probing ALTERED MINDS with actress Jaime Ray Newman. This week, her co-star Joseph Lyle Taylor joins us to dig a little deeper into character and performance (as well as talk about the directorial style of Sidney Lumet, with whom he previously worked). And ALTERED MINDS writer/director Michael Z. Wechsler himself is on hand talking about structure and construct of this psychological thriller, not to mention creating blizzard conditions and snow in Philadelphia when there is none. In the last segment of the show, writer/director/editor Nathan Williams is live talking about his feature debut, IF THERE'S A HELL BELOW, fresh off its successful Slamdance premiere on Sunday. For those Slamdance attendees, take a listen to Nathan and then go see the encore showing of IF THERE'S A HELL BELOW on Wednesday. A riveting mystery with a noirish feel, Nathan goes into detail about his conceptualization and visual grammar infusing the film. Not o

It's a devil of a good time on BEHIND THE LENS this week with writer/director Joe Pepitone and actress Jaime Ray Newman talking the hilarious comedy THE JERSEY DEVIL, and the compelling psychological thriller ALTERED MINDS, respectively! Fans of Jaime Ray Newman already know her from her extensive credits in film and tv, including "Red Widow", "Drop Dead Diva", "Mind Games", and, of course, "General Hospital". Knowing Jaime's work, you'll enjoy hearing about her latest film, ALTERED MINDS from writer/director Michael Wechsler, and working with co-stars Ryan O'Nan and Judd Hirsch. And for all you "General Hospital" fans out there, Jaime answers the burning question: Who's more terrifying? Judd Hirsch as Dr. Nathaniel Shellner in ALTERED MINDS or, Constance Towers as Helena Cassadine in GH? At the half way point of the show, you'll hear one of the most fun and most engaging guests we've ever had - writer/director Joe Pepit

Talk about high energy! That's just what you get this week on BEHIND THE LENS as acclaimed director JUDY CHAIKIN and actor/writer/producer ARTURO MUYSHONDT are live going "behind the lens and below the line" with film critic debbie elias. Fresh off a successful festival and theatrical run with THE GIRLS IN THE BAND and now available as a Collector's Edition DVD chock full of extra footage not included in the film itself, Judy Chaikin kicks off today's show with some toe-tapping insight into this exciting documentary. Filled with untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their inspiring, fascinating and groundbreaking journeys from the late 30's to the present day, music lovers, history buffs and cinephiles alike will be "in the mood" not only to check out this "must see" documentary, but hear from Judy herself about her passion for music and "the making of" THE GIRLS IN THE BAND! Then writer/producer/actor Arturo Muyshondt j

Kicking off 2016 and Year Two of BEHIND THE LENS is special guest, director/producer and native Philadelphian, Liz Hinlein who marks her directorial feature debut with OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN. Already an award-winning director known for her commercial work as well as music videos and rockumentaries, Liz moves into the feature director's chair with this emotionally driven and visually stimulating work. With distinctive and beauteous cinematography by Liz and her DP Edward Button, visuals are a key component to her storytelling, be it in Other People's Children or a cosmetics commercial. Take a listen as Liz and debbie talk about her directorial curve from a "coddled commercial director" to "independent feature filmmaker". And, BTL wrapped up 2015 with interview excerpts from Quentin Tarantino talking 70mm, Ultra Panavision and THE HATEFUL EIGHT. To get some more insight into the making of THE HATEFUL EIGHT, take a listen now to excerpts of debbie's exclusive interviews

I can't imagine a better way to wrap up 2015 and the first year of BEHIND THE LENS than with two incredible guests - actor and now writer/director, Eddie Jemison, and producer/director Nick Fitzhugh. At the quarter hour mark take a listen as Eddie Jemison and I talk about his directorial debut, KING OF HERRINGS. Solid storytelling and standout performances, most notably by Jemison's real life and on-screen wife Laura Lamson, are a hallmark of this film as Eddie and I talk about his inspiration, his 25-year friendship with his co-stars and the art of directing. One of my favorite guests of the year, I can't wait for Eddie to join me again. Shifting gears at the half hour mark, producer/director/cinematographer/showrunner Nick Fitzhugh is live talking about one of the most indelible television mini-series to come around in a long time - CONFLICT. A six-part miniseries focusing on the roots of human conflict as seen through the eyes of some of the world's best conflict photographers, CON

Christmas comes early to BEHIND THE LENS this week as we welcome visionary director and producer Timur Bekmambetov! debbie had the pleasure of interviewing Timur earlier this year while he was in Italy filming BEN-HUR and you heard excerpts of that interview right here on BEHIND THE LENS. But this week, Timur is live from Moscow talking about a new project he is producing and the gifted writer/director he is mentoring with it, not to mention giving us more than a few tidbits on the upcoming BEN-HUR, plus an interesting discussion on how he is inspired by young filmmakers and artisans, and his praise for and insight on working with BEN-HUR producers, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. Plus, The Force is with us at the top of the show as we hear excerpts of what the creators and stars of STARS WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS had to say last week at the super secret press event in Los Angeles. And hear more from Ericson Core, Luke Bracey and Phil Boston on the making of POINT BREAK. http://behindthelensonline.net http:

What a show we've got for you this week on Behind The Lens! debbie's regular readers and listeners all know of her love of books, literacy and reading, especially since so many of our greatest and most favorite films began in literature, so it's a real privilege for BEHIND THE LENS to go from Mars to the marine blue waters of the deep blue sea, from Mermaids to Megalodons, as fiction and film merge with special guests acclaimed children's book author Nancy Ann Guettier and NY Times bestselling author Steve Alten. But before you hear from Nancy and Steve, get this week's dose of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS as debbie delivers some tidbits gleaned from the super secret movie press junket held over the weekend! And hear a clip from POINT BREAK director/cinematographer Ericson Core as he talks with debbie about the unusual process of shooting this adrenaline fueled thrill ride - shooting second unit (all the action and extreme sports) first, followed by the first unit lensing - and his

BEHIND THE LENS went out on a limb this week with some very fun and kinda unusually themed documentaries. First up, we welcome Sam Klemke, subject of the fascinating (and weirdly fun) documentary SAM KLEMKE'S TIME MACHINE from director Matthew Bate. We have all probably journaled highlights of each year of our lives at some point or another, but Sam Klemke kept an annual film diary of his life. Beginning in 1977 and continuing for 35 years, those Super 8mm films, reel-to-reel recordings, cassettes, VHS tapes and more, are the history of "one human", and just happened to catch the eye of Australian filmmaker Matthew Bate. Taking Sam's life and juxtapositioning it against the journey of NASA's Golden Record of humanity, also launched into space in 1977 and attached to Voyager, Bate gives us a beyond entertaining - and thoughtful - look at "human versus humanity". And as you quickly discover, Sam Klemke is fun-loving, engaging and a fabulous interview! Then An

This week BEHIND THE LENS digs deep and welcomes director Delila Vallot to talk about her latest documentary, CAN YOU DIG THIS. Focusing on the urban gardening revolution taking place in South Central Los Angeles, CAN YOU DIG THIS shines an inspirational light on a community that is now picking up shovels instead of guns. You can hear Delila's live interview at the halfway point of the show. And we're doing some more digging "behind the lens and below the line" with THE GOOD DINOSAUR. Take a listen to excerpts of interviews with the film's voice talent - Sam Elliott, Jeffrey Wright, Raymond Ochoa, Anna Paquin and AJ Buckley as they talk about "going dino" and the magic of THE GOOD DINOSAUR. Peppered throughout the show, how can anyone pass up listening to Sam Elliott and Jeffrey Wright! Plus, we get things started with debbie's exclusive pre-recorded interview with producer Nicole Grindle and director Sanjay Patel, the filmmaking team behind Pixar's newes

An exciting BEHIND THE LENS this week as debbie is privileged to welcome Grammy winning and world renowned lyric coloratura soprano Sumi Jo to the show to talk about the stunning new film YOUTH, working with Michael Caine ("He's just so adorable") and her operatic solo of David Lang's hauntingly beautiful "Simple Songs #3", plus insight into her thoughts on opera and her passion for it now. In our last segment, we switch gears with a master of tragic irony, writer/director/producer/editor Rick Alverson, to talk about his new film ENTERTAINMENT. Plus, hear some final thoughts from producer Nina Jacobson in an exclusive interview talking the end of an era with the release this Friday of the final installment in THE HUNGER GAMES franchise - MOCKINGJAY-PART 2. And if you want to hear what cinematographer Sharon Calahan has to say about light and color and creating the "painterly realism" of THE GOOD DINOSAUR, you definitely want to take a listen at the midpoint of the sh

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we are joined by two amazing filmmakers. First up is Trevor Baierl. Already a successful reality tv producer (most recently on the twice Emmy nominated WAHLBURGERS), Trevor moved into the documentary film arena with a very personal project, ONE IN A MILLION:A CJD DOCUMENTARY. Fresh off an award-winning festival run, Trevor talks about the documentary and its future with distribution, plus shares some insight on the upcoming season of WAHLBURGERS! Also joining debbie is writer/director/producer Edd Benda who has a hit on his hands with the wistfully emotional and visually beautiful, SUPERIOR. At the end of an award-winning festival run, we talk with Edd about the film and this whirlwind experience. Then you'll hear some excerpts of debbie's exclusive interviews as she goes behind the lens and below the line with TRUMBO screenwriter John McNamara and director Jay Roach! http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

What a fun week on BEHIND THE LENS! Fabulous, and favorite, "future" filmmaker Kira Bursky is back talking about her new project, Big Little Filmmaker, a collaborative cooperative of interaction and resources for young future filmmakers between the ages of 12 and 22! You'll want to hear all about BIG LITTLE FILMMAKER and what Kira has to say. Also joining me this week is writer/director Jed Rigney, a filmmaker going somewhere thanks to his imaginative and delightful new film NOWHERE GIRL! And then we have screenwriter Adrian Colussi talking about the terrifying, yet hypnotizing LANDMINE GOES CLICK. Set in the formerly war torn region of the Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe, the reality and horror of what unfolds on screen is not only unforgettable, but believable. Plus, excerpts of debbie's exclusive interviews start to unfold for THE GOOD DINOSAUR. This week, listen to Production Designer Harley Jessup talk about designing antediluvian world of Arlo and Spot, and the influence

We've got a very special BEHIND THE LENS for you this week as we welcome publicist and CEO of BIG TIME PR, Sylvia Desrochers, and attorney Brandon Leopoldus of The Leopoldus Professional Corporation to help answer YOUR questions about publicity, hiring the right publicist, marketing, licensing, contracts, clearances, script submissions to agencies or studios, distribution, film festivals, AND MORE. It is a great privilege to also have director/documentarian Leslee Udwin joining us in the first half of the show to talk about her powerful documentary, INDIA'S DAUGHTER. An advisor to the United Nations Human Rights Commission and recipient of the Anna Lindh Human Rights Award, Leslee brings the story of INDIA'S DAUGHTER from the global headlines and the gang rape and murder of 23-year old medical school student onto movie screens, shining a light on the need for global gender equality. And hand in hand with our theme of helping filmmakers, you can hear first hand from Leslee the importance of Syl

This week BEHIND THE LENS is a wall-to-wall, multi-hyphenate star-studded show! Live in-studio with debbie for the full hour is writer/director/producer/actor LUKE SABIS together with veteran actor of stage and screen, and star of Sabis's MISSING CHILD and GHOST TENANT, CHARLES GORGANO! Joining us at the 15 minute mark is writer/director/producer/actor/musician CHRIS MULKEY, star of THE SURFACE MOVIE and also currently seen in the new movie, TRUTH. And then at the halfway point in the show there's one of my cinematic heroes – LARRY FESSENDEN. Writer/director/producer/actor/guru of horror & suspense, before there was Jason Blum and Blumhouse, there was Larry Fessenden and Glass Eye Pix! http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we've got a tasty treat for you as writer/director Liz Manashil and acclaimed actor Micah Hauptman join us live to talk about their latest film, the anti-romcom that's all about romance, BREAD AND BUTTER. You'll also hear more from debbie's exclusive interview with writer/director Ramin Bahrani talking 99 HOMES. And co-host Greg Srisavasdi and debbie briefly talk Italian neorealism and the new documentary (and upcoming book) from Gianni Bozzacchi, WE WEREN'T JUST BICYCLE THIEVES: THE NEOREALISMO. Then we take you from Italy to Mexico and the drug cartels with the latest DVD/Blu-Ray release of ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST, as well as potential Oscar contenders SICARIO and Matthew Heineman's powerful documentary, CARTEL LAND. But as an added bonus, listen to what happens with live broadcasting when a major guest can't be found! http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, debbie's flying solo but is joined by some fantastic filmmakers to talk about their current – and (surprise!) future – projects. Returning to BEHIND THE LENS is writer/director Allan Luebke. You may remember Allan from BTL in September when his time with us was a cut a bit short. Allan very kindly agreed to come back to talk more about his documentary on MMA champ GLENA Avila, but little did I know he'd be revealing plans for a narrative feature adaptation! Talk about exciting! At the halfway mark, writer/director/producer Sheri Sussman gets into the act to talk about her short film/feature teaser ONE NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD. Trust me when I tell you this is one of the most hilarious satiric shorts I've seen in a long time and I love it!! One of those female filmmakers leading the charge in Hollywood, Sheri's story is fascinating, as is her plan for ONE NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD and the feature which it teases, ONE WEEK IN HOLLYWOOD! All you "General Hospita

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, debbie and her cinematic co-host Greg Srisavasdi welcome director Gil Cates, Jr. and screenwriter/producer Jeff Gendelman who talk in-depth about their latest film, THE SURFACE. And the unforgettable Head Crazy Bitch herself, writer/director Jane Clark is back to enlighten us about CRAZIER BITCHES, the much talked about sequel to CRAZY BITCHES, and the current IndieGoGo campaign in which all of our listeners can participate and become a part of THE CRAZY B NATION! Then we hear some more of debbie's exclusive interview with PEACE OFFICER writer/director Scott Christopherson, plus an enthralling five minute filmmaking synopsis of THE GREEN INFERNO by Eli Roth. http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, debbie welcomes some very eclectic filmmakers talking about very unique – and fun – films. First up, director Madellaine Paxson joins debbie live to talk about her first feature film, BLOOD PUNCH. What makes Paxson's choice of BLOOD PUNCH even more interesting as her feature directorial debut is that her prior work, and that of BLOOD PUNCH writer Eddie Guzelian, has been as screenwriter for such terrific kids programming as "Power Rangers RPM", "The Tigger Movie", "Go, Diego, Go!" and more! From kids to comedic horror. And Madellaine explains it all! Then writer/director Phil Allocco is live talking about his latest rom com charmer, THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES; and when I say charmer, I do mean charmer! And listen to some powerful excerpts of debbie's exclusive interview with RACING EXTINCTION director, Louie Psihoyos, as they talk about one of the "Must See" documentaries of the year. Plus, in the last segment, you'll hear a l

A "championship" line-up on BEHIND THE LENS this week as we are joined by filmmakers Kely McClung and Allan Luebke, plus DDP himself, Diamond Dallas Page! First up at the quarter hour is filmmaker Kely McClung talking about his new film ALTERED, which makes its World Premiere on September 19th at the Action On Film Fest. But did you know that Kely is also former middleweight champ in the martial arts discipline of Full Contact Stick Fighting, something which comes in pretty handy with the action of ALTERED. At the halfway point of the show, the one and only, former three time WCW World Heavyweight champion, Diamond Dallas Page joins us live to talk about THE RESURRECTION OF JAKE THE SNAKE and Dallas' fabulous lifestyle program DDPYOGA! Then we've got a last minute entry on the BEHIND THE LENS fight card in our final segment with writer/director and Emmy winner Allan Luebke who joins us to talk about his debut documentary GLENA on Women's MMA champion Glena Avila! Plus, you'

What a show this week! Wow! debbie's cinematic co-hort Greg Srisavasdi is back as they welcome actor Joshua Rush and writer/director Khalil Sullins. Listen now as ultimate cool guy Joshua Rush joins in at the 15 minute mark and talks not only about his new new film, BREAK POINT, but gives everyone the "411" on his new project, Disney Channel's THE LION GUARD: RETURN OF THE ROAR and spin-off series, THE LION GUARD, and his character "Bunga". Trust us when we say, "You don’t want to miss this interview!" Then take a quick breath because writer/director Khalil Sullins jumps on board at the halfway point of the show and tells us all about one of the most riveting films I've seen in a number of years, the sci-fi thriller LISTENING. Listen as Khalil tells us about the world of metacognition, mental telepathy and neuromechnanics in this fascinating narrative that melds philosophical ideals, social conscience and technology. Filmmakers will find discussions on Flicke