In Proximity

Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut AMERICAN FICTION premiered at Toronto International Film Festival last year where it won the People’s Choice Award. The film grossed $23 million and won several accolades including the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. In his Oscar speech, Cord implored the industry to take more creative risks. Just weeks later, Cord and Ryan met over a video call to talk about their first films, Cord’s unique path to filmmaking, insights from the set of AMERICAN FICTION, and what Cord and Ryan are working on next – including tidbits from Ryan’s next movie which he was preparing to shoot at the time of recording. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.(02:30) Get Reel(10:46) How Cord’s first writing job took GUTS(19:28) On the set of AMERICAN FICTION and collaborating with Jeffrey Wright(27:58) What they’re working on next and what keeps them going(37:44) “You shouldn't be doing this if the end goal is to win an Oscar.”(39:49) Prox RecsCONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity MediaExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonProducer: Caitlin PlummerAssociate Producer: Celine MendiolaSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle CamangyanProduction Assistant: Isabella MillerDesign and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Don’t miss Jordan Peele, Cord Jefferson, Courtenay Valenti, Jonny Sun, and others in conversation with Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and the rest of our Proximity crew. Follow IN PROXIMITY on your favorite podcast app to stay up-to-date on new episodes. Follow @ProximityMedia on all social media platforms for video exclusives including a new video trailer out now.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity MediaExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonProducer: Caitlin PlummerAssociate Producer: Celine MendiolaSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle CamangyanProduction Assistant: Isabella MillerDesign and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

On our season finale, we’re going all in on Stephen Curry: Underrated, an inspiring coming-of-age story documenting the rise of NBA superstar, Golden State Warrior, and Davidson legend Stephen Curry from Proximity Media and our partners at Unanimous, A24, and Apple TV+. The film’s creative minds team up for an intimate and epic conversation about movies, basketball, and more: Stephen Curry himself, director Pete Nicks, and producers Erick Peyton and Ryan Coogler. They talk about how the film came together (2:05) and how they each tackle some of the biggest themes in Stephen's basketball career as illustrated in the documentary (9:29): dealing with loss, believing in yourself, and wearing the idea of being “underrated” as a badge of honor. We end with Prox Recs and some important reminders before our season break (40:23).We filmed this conversation for our very first video podcast. You can watch it now on our YouTube channel.Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.Stephen Curry: Underrated is now streaming on Apple TV+.Watch the music video for “Lil Fish, Big Pond” by Tobe Nwigwe on YouTube.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube where we have a filmed version of this conversation. Watch it now!Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Design, Mix, and Additional Music: Ken NanaProduction Services: AmanteProduction Assistant: Courtney ArcherdArtwork and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Fruitvale Station was released 10 years ago this month. This was Ryan Coogler’s first feature film and it’s how he met fellow Bay Area director Pete Nicks. On this episode, they discuss meeting on Fruitvale Station (1:35); directing fiction and nonfiction films, the idea of “naive audacity,” and Pete’s Oakland trilogy (16:35); and collaborating on Proximity’s latest releases directed by Pete and produced by Ryan and our partners: Anthem, a musical journey across the U.S. experimenting to reimagine the National Anthem, and Stephen Curry: Underrated, a remarkable coming-of-age story about one of the most influential and unexpected players in basketball history (26:00). At the end, they answer listener questions (33:25) and share their Prox Recs (40:21).Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.Stephen Curry: Underrated is now streaming on Apple TV+ and playing in select theaters.Anthem is now streaming on Hulu.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEpisode Editor: Judybelle CamangyanWith Production Assistance From: Courtney ArcherdArtwork and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Have a seat at the executive table with Kalia King, Proximity’s head of TV, and Tara Duncan, president of Onyx Collective, a premium content brand under Disney Entertainment. At Onyx, Tara’s slate includes Reasonable Doubt, The 1619 Project Docuseries, the Academy Award-winning documentary feature Summer of Soul, and Anthem, produced by Proximity Media and directed by Pete Nicks. Previously, Tara served as president of Disney’s young adult TV network Freeform where she launched Cruel Summer and Single Drunk Female. She had a producing deal at Hulu where she developed projects like The Other Black Girl. She held executive positions at AMC and Netflix where she produced shows like Bosch, Narcos, and Orange is the New Black. She got her start at Section Eight, George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh’s production company. On this insightful episode, Tara and Kalia break down how they met and Tara’s executive journey (2:30), their community of Black women creatives in Hollywood (08:07), what it’s like to not have imposter syndrome (20:59), what goes into programming television for audiences (24:19), finding work-life balance as producers and executives (29:55), and their Prox Recs (34:07).Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.Anthem is now streaming on Hulu.Listen to the new song "We Are America" by Ruby Amanfu, Charity Bowden, Kris Bowers, Dahi, Joy Harjo, and Cecilia Peña-Govea out now.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEpisode Editor: Cameron KellWith Production Assistance From: Courtney ArcherdArtwork and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Anthem is an upcoming documentary streaming on Hulu on June 28th, produced by Proximity Media and our partners, and directed by our head of nonfiction Pete Nicks (Stephen Curry: Underrated, The Waiting Room, The Force, Homeroom). The film features acclaimed composer Kris Bowers (Bridgerton, When They See Us, King Richard), and Grammy-winning music producer Dahi (Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Drake) as they take a musical journey traveling across America to make a new sound, inspired by what our country’s national anthem might be if written in today’s time. On this episode, Pete sits down with Kris to reflect on their experiences making personal documentaries like The Wolf and A Concerto is a Conversation (2:44), on their collaboration on Anthem (14:57), and their Prox Recs (28:31).Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEpisode Editor: Cameron KellProduction Assistant: Polina Cherezova

The second of a two-part conversation between Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ryan Coogler. Ta-Nehisi is a writer, journalist, and, most recently, host and writer of Proximity Media’s Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast. Ta-Nehisi and Ryan sat down for our show to discuss Ta-Nehisi’s writing career and process. In this second part, Ta-Nehisi shares his writing career and process (1:31) and Ryan breaks down a scene from Creed (22:52). They also discuss Ta-Nehisi's transition from journalism to fiction plus their shared experiences telling Black Panther stories (11:35) and their Prox Recs (26:22).Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEpisode Editor: Cameron KellProduction Assistant: Polina Cherezova

The first of a two-part conversation between Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ryan Coogler. Ta-Nehisi is an author, journalist, and, most recently, host and writer of Proximity Media’s Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast. Ta-Nehisi and Ryan sat down for our show to discuss Ta-Nehisi’s writing journey and influences. In this first part, Ta-Nehisi shares a little bit about his production company Maceo-Lyn (2:30), his early dreams of becoming a rapper, and the impact of hip-hop, and artists like Nas and Tupac, on his and Ryan’s work (6:05), plus the power and criticism of impactful works of art like Illmatic, Wakanda Forever, A Prophet, Moonlight, and Get Out (24:12).Learn more, get links to Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast, and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEpisode Editor: Cameron KellProduction Assistant: Polina Cherezova

Blitz Bazawule is a filmmaker, musician, visual artist, and author. Born in Ghana and based in New York, his directorial credits include The Burial Of Kojo, Beyoncé's Black Is King, and the upcoming The Color Purple Musical produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, and Scott Sanders. Blitz speaks with Proximity founder Ryan Coogler about meeting at a TED conference (2:10), Blitz’ transition from musician to filmmaker (7:10), creative rotation (15:50), telling stories across the Black diaspora (19:30), and their Prox Recs (32:11).Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEpisode Editor: Cameron KellProduction Assistant: Polina Cherezova

Step inside Proximity Media as our team members discuss topics and answer listener questions about working in film and television at our company. D’Angelo “D’Lo” Louis and Dezi Gallegos sit with Paola Mardo at our office to discuss breaking into the industry (1:40), working at a production company (12:19), and their day-to-day jobs as executives and producers (15:10). They also answer listener questions (19:28) and share their Prox Recs (31:40). Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com. Welcome to Proximity!Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.CREDITS:In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola MardoTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEpisode Editor: Judybelle CamangyanProduction Assistant: Polina Cherezova