BELOW THE LINE PODCAST

“The Flash”, the latest DC superhero to earn a solo outing on the big screen, may be a spectacle of visual effects, but Sound Editors John Marquis and Nancy Nugent Title are here to explain why the movie experience is affected as much by what you hear as what you see. The integration is key, but recognizing the contributions of sound can unlock a completely new understanding of the film.

On June 23rd, the Directors Guild of America ratified a new three-year agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP); the vote was 87% in favor. Today I’m discussing the agreement with Kevin Koster, who works as a 1st Assistant Director, served as a member of the negotiating committee, and is a returning guest to the podcast.

Costume Designer Helen Huang and Assistant Costume Designer Austin Wittick return to discuss their work on “Beef”, the 2023 Netflix limited series starring Stephen Yeun and Ali Wong. We take the opportunity to discuss not only how costume design contributes to this story behind the scenes but how diversity is important for all the stories that Hollywood wants to tell.

Today we’re talking about 1987’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”, and I’m joined by an all-star panel of guests. 1st Assistant Director Dennis Maguire, Production Designer Mick Strawn, and Director of Photography Roy Wagner tell the tale of a difficult shoot that was nonetheless the basis for friendships that have endured for more than 35 years. 

As the Writers Guild of America strike enters its second month, I’m joined by Kerri Wood Einertson (National Director for Government Affairs & Public Policy, SAG-AFTRA), Tyler McIntosh (Political/Legislative Director, IATSE), and Michael Wasser (Assistant to the President and Legislative Director, DPE) to discuss how the WGA contract issues resonate with the other entertainment industry unions. 

Today we’re talking about "Babylon", Damien Chazelle’s 2022 epic feature set during the early years of Hollywood, and my returning guest is Production Sound Mixer Steve Morrow.

"Quasi" is a lighthearted comedy from the Broken Lizard comedy troupe currently streaming on Hulu, and my guests today are the Hair and Makeup Department Heads, Lorna Reid and Amy Sparks. 

The Writers Guild of America has been on the picket line for three weeks, and Lowell Peterson, WGA-East Executive Director, joins me to talk about the negotiations, the issues at stake for the union, and what to expect now that the strike is underway.

THE PODCAST IS BACK. To kick off the new season, I’m joined by writer/director/producer/actor Ben Milliken to discuss his directorial debut, “SNAG”, which is currently available to stream on demand. 

We’re wrapping up our coverage of awards season with a look at the Oscars ceremony itself, and my guests are three quarters of the sound team nominated for their work on "Elvis". Wayne Pashley, David Lee and Michael Keller bring a below-the-line perspective to the honor of “just being nominated”, the challenge of bringing guests to the Academy Awards, and the differences between what they experienced live versus what the rest of us observed on the broadcast. And if you want to hear about the after-parties? Listen to the end if you’re curious about Baz Lurhmann’s AFTER after-party at Chateau Marmont.