Hollywood Gold

Producer Jennifer Todd returns to the podcast to discuss 1997's Mike Myers led comedy Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Inspired by his dad's distinctly British humor and the James Bond films, Mike and Jenn took a risk on both the concept and first time feature director Jay Roach. Initially, it was a hard sell with audiences who didn't know how to react to the film's satirical and raunchy nature, but it went on to become the legendary launch of one of comedy's most successful franchises. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apocalypse Now is known for its behind the scenes drama, now, iconic producer Fred Roos tells the background of how the film was initially greenlit in the early 1970s, pre-production lasting almost 5 years, drama in picking a set location, and the almost four years of editing the film down to its final 1979 cut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producers James Schamus and Ted Hope recount the making of the movie that almost wasn't....until Ang Lee had the brilliant vision to bring this impossible-to-adapt book to the screen. The film went from "unmakeable" to competing for the Palme d'Or at Cannes where multi-hyphenate James Schamus won Best Screenplay. Ang Lee has an intimate understand of acting, so worked organically with the cast to allow them room to play with the script and create the film's unique feeling of fantasy meets reality in which everything happens on an ambitious precipice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legendary New York producer Christine Vachon takes us on the journey of the controversial 1999 film Boys Don't Cry. At the time, films about trans people were rare and very few trans actors were comfortable being out, which led to the casting of Hillary Swank in an Oscar-winning performance. The film took seven years to come to fruition and that time was fraught with legal battles, lack of money, and competing projects from more established filmmakers, but Kimberly Pierce's exacting vision and Hillary's incredible performance led to a film that resonates to this day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Todd Lieberman, who has just launched new production company Hidden Pictures, recounts the making of one of the most iconic and lauded boxing movies of all time. It had been a dream of Todd's to make a boxing movie, and he knew The Fighter was the one as soon as it came across his desk, but the process from script to screen wasn't an easy one. There were multiple cast and director changes, and the original studio pulled out of the project. But the challenges were blessings in disguise as they allowed director David O. Russell the freedom to bring his trademark dark humor to the film, and actors Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams to fully embody their characters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special festival edition of Hollywood Gold, Daniela speaks with producers Erik Feig and Ryan Heller about their soon to be released film THEATER CAMP. Written by best friends and theater camp alums Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, and Noah Galvin, the film explores the comedic absurdities of summer theater camps, as well as the passion and dedication of those who run them.While slightly different than the normal Hollywood Gold fare, this episode provides insight into how indie films get made and sold today, and also includes some fun festival stories from Stay Gold's own Daniela and Becca. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer and Professor Jonathan Taplin returns with more stories from a wild era in Hollywood. This time, he takes us on the journey of one of the greatest concert films of all time - Martin Scorsese's THE LAST WALTZ. Scorsese employed feature film techniques to document The Band's final concert, leading to some moments of true movie magic - like when the camera operator ran out of tape 4 seconds after Muddy Waters' iconic performance ended, or when Taplin convinced a fledging VFX company that the blob falling out of Neil Young's nose was a booger and not cocaine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Director Michael Showalter recounts the path to Sundance history with The Big Sick. After working with comedian Kumail Nanjiani on his previous film, Showalter read the script Kumail and his wife Emily V. Gordon wrote about how their relationship overcame both cultural clashes and a mysterious illness, and knew he had to direct it. Encouraging honest and organic performances from his actors is a Showalter specialty, and the combination of a great script with brilliant improvisation made for on-screen magic. The film premiered at Sundance where it sold for a record-breaking number, and remains a culturally important film that asks what it means to be an American. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Jon Glickman noticed the star quality in Jackie Chan early on, but his decision to cast him as a co-lead in RUSH HOUR with rising comedian Chris Tucker was a huge risk. The two had amazing chemistry, but also a very hard time understanding each other, a hilarious reality that inspired the famous line "do you understand any of the words coming out of my mouth?" The pairing proved to be magic and led to a hugely successful and much beloved franchise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producer Peter Saraf takes us on the journey of one of the biggest independent hits of all time. He tool a bold risk on an R-rated ensemble comedy about a beauty pageant and a dysfunctional family’s journey to achieve a moment of greatness. With pitch perfect casting that included a then unknown Steve Carrell and an unforgettable dance sequence to Rick James’ Super Freak, this small but mighty film grossed over a $100 million worldwide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.