Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Strategist Kevin Goetz David Leitch (Director) & Kelly McCormick (Producer) Discuss Filmmaking & Movie Research
Kevin is joined by the powerhouse filmmaking team of producer Kelly McCormick and director David Leitch to discuss, among other things, what makes their successful partnership work on megahits such as Deadpool 2, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Atomic Blonde, and Bullet Train.
Kelly McCormick, Producer
Kelly produced Atomic Blonde and executive produced Deadpool 2 and Hobbs & Shaw, among countless other films and television projects prior to establishing the production company 87North with David. Among her previous credits, Kelly served as Executive Vice President of Production and Acquisitions at Sierra Affinity where she packaged and produced Academy Award®-winning and nominated films such as Hell or High Water, Whiplash, Nightcrawler, and Manchester by The Sea.
David Leitch, Producer and Director
David directed the global hits Bullet Train, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Deadpool 2, and Atomic Blonde. He made his directorial debut co-directing John Wick, which he also produced, and subsequently served as executive producer on the sequels. David is also co-owner and co-founder of the award-winning, critically acclaimed stunt design company 87eleven Action Design with Chad Stahelski.
Twists and turns in Atomic Blonde (4:51)
The trio discuss some of the twists in the film Atomic Blonde, and how testing led to the film being changed to ensure that the audience bought in to some of the twists that Atomic Blonde took.
From stuntman to director (14:15)
David talks about how he got his start in the movies, going from a 3rd-grade teacher with a martial arts studio to directing some of the biggest action sequences of all time.
Deadpool 2 and the Bake Off (18:08)
Kevin talks about the screening process of Deadpool 2 with Kelly, who produced the film, and David, who directed it. They talk about how they both became involved with the movie, the mixture of irreverent comedy and heart that makes the Deadpool franchise successful, and the excellent screen test results of the film. They also delve into the “bake-off” concept in audience research where filmmakers can test different things with similar audiences.
Making Bullet Train at the height of the pandemic (25:00)
With Kelly as producer, and David as director, Bullet Train was made during the height of the pandemic. Listen to inside stories of what it was like working with the team to make this $100+ million blockbuster.
Coming Soon (35:25)
What’s next for Kelly and David? Here’s a taste -- action and Santa in the same movie.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Kelly McCormick and David Leitch
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Kelly and David’s upcoming projects:
Website: https://lnk.bio/87northaction/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.co
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/
- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360
- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz
- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com