Awards Chatter

The trailblazing film professor, who built Wesleyan University into an unlikely film powerhouse over her 60 years at the Connecticut liberal arts institution, reflects on how the field of film studies changed over the course of her career, the 13 hugely influential film books that she has authored and the future of film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second-generation Hollywood legend reflects on growing up in the shadow of Kirk, breaking into the biz as both a producer (he won an Oscar for 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest') and an actor (he won an Oscar for 'Wall Street') and breaking away from the contemporary roles for which he's best known (including 'Fatal Attraction,' 'Basic Instinct' and 'Traffic') to play Benjamin Franklin in an Apple TV+ limited series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at the Boulder International Film Festival, the beloved character actor-turned-filmmaker reflects on his deep Hollywood roots, juggling acting roles like the ones he played in the film 'Ghost' and on the TV series 'Scandal' with directing gigs like 'A Walk on the Moon' and 'Conviction,' and his latest film ? which he directed and stars in ? about a boy with Autism and his protective father. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trailblazing actress, who recently became the first Indigenous American ever nominated for the best actress Oscar, reflects on deciding to pursue a screen acting career despite the historically limited opportunities for Native Americans; almost walking away from the business after her award-winning performance in 2016's 'Certain Women' failed to create more opportunities; and how she wound up hearing from Martin Scorsese and tackling the part that changed her life and career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the Korean-Canadian filmmaker, who is Oscar-nominated for her autobiographical feature directorial debut, reflects on her transition from playwright to filmmaker, the biggest challenges that a first-time filmmaker faces and her aspirations for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the trailblazing actress, producer, director and activist reflects on the unlikely path to her breakthrough role in the indie film 'Real Women Have Curves'; becoming the first Latina ever to win the best actress in a comedy series Emmy, for 'Ugly Betty'; anad landing a best supporting actress Oscar nomination for a performance highlighted by a showstopping monologue in Greta Gerwig's cultural phenomenon of a film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Irish actor who is Oscar-nominated for playing the father of the atomic bomb reflects on his unexpected shift from making music to acting, what led him to the beloved drama series 'Peaky Blinders' and what is at the center of his special six-film, 20-year collaboration with Christopher Nolan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Grammy-winning songwriter and Oscar-winning composer reflects on his legendary New Orleans music family, waging war against genres and being featured in and writing an original song that is now nominated for an Oscar, "It Never Went Away," for Matthew Heineman's Netflix documentary feature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The admired veteran reflects on breaking into Hollywood with 'The Grifters' (en route to an Oscar nom) and 'Bugsy' (opposite husband-to-be Warren Beatty), standout turns in films ranging from 'The Kids Are All Right' to '20th Century Women' to 'Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool' and taking on one of her most challenging roles yet as swimmer Diana Nyad in 'Nyad.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The founding director of the Sundance Institute, who since 1981 has presided over the "labs" that help rising filmmakers to realize their visions, reflects on how she came to work for Robert Redford, what filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao and Darren Aronofsky got out of their time at the labs and becoming just the 43rd person ? and only the 10th woman ? ever honored with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legendary filmmaker reflects on the tug of war that he has always felt between his faith and the reality of his life, and how that has shaped the films that he has made; the origins and evolution of his special relationships with Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio; how his latest film is sort of an amalgam of all of his prior films; and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trailblazing filmmaker reflects on her circuitous path to the film industry, in which she originally worked as a publicist; the evolution of her social conscience; how her feelings about Hollywood have changed since 'Selma' and #OscarsSoWhite; and why she is so passionate about her latest film, which is about prejudice across history and geography and how the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, connected the dots in her book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the sibling singer/songwriters return to the podcast to take questions from the host and students about their path to music, why they love writing songs for movies and how "What Was I Made For?," their Oscar-shortlisted tune for Greta Gerwig's acclaimed blockbuster, came to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Grammy winner and Tony and Emmy nominee reflects on her path from Greenville, South Carolina to Juilliard to Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black' and Broadway, overcoming impostor syndrome and her fateful Zoom with Oprah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of our greatest character actors reflects on how the sudden death of his father motivated him to pursue an acting career, the different challenges of roles small and large and what it was like to reunite with Alexander Payne, 19 years after 'Sideways,' for a new film about a cranky boarding school teacher who is made even crankier by having to spend the 1970 Christmas break on campus with an aggrieved student. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most admired actresses of our or any time reflects on how a nomadic childhood led her to acting; the most important roles of her career, ranging from 'The Big Lebowski' to 'Far from Heaven' to 'Still Alice'; and her special relationship with filmmaker Todd Haynes, which has yielded five films spanning 1995's 'Safe' through a 2023 Netflix title about a woman who is married to a younger man she first hooked up with 20 years earlier when he was underage and who is now being observed by a Hollywood actress set to play her in a film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at Chapman Univeristy, the British actress/writer/director, who for 'Promising Young Woman' won the best original screenplay Oscar and became the first British female ever nominated for the best director Oscar, reflects on the roots of her interest in dark material, being handed the reins to 'Killing Eve' by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and what inspired her sophomore feature, which was just nominated for the best picture Critics Choice Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearing his 60th birthday, the legendary singer/songwriter and rock star reflects on growing up biracial and half-Jewish, his greatest hits and his new Golden Globe-nominated tune "Road to Freedom." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 20-year-old Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, one of the world's biggest pop stars, reflects on her path to acting and singing, rocketing to mega-fame during COVID lockdown with "Driver's License" and writing songs for her two albums versus writing a song ? "Can't Catch Me Now" ? for a film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Brit described by her three-time collaborator Meryl Streep as "the best young actress I?ve worked with in some time, perhaps ever" reflects on how a childhood stutter led her to acting, taking on frightening physical and vocal challenges in film roles and playing the wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed summer blockbuster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the all-time most distinguished producers of independent film ? who has somehow never received a best picture Oscar nomination, despite credits including 'Boys Don't Cry,' 'Far from Heaven' and 'Carol' ? reflects on meeting Todd Haynes and abandoning early ambitions to become a director, how 'New Queer Cinema' came to be and why she still bets on first-time filmmakers like Celine Song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Grammy-winning pop superstar opens up about her childhood split between London and Kosovo, breaking into the music biz with hits like 'New Rules' and 'Levitating,' the unique challenges of writing 'Dance the Night' for Greta Gerwig's summer blockbuster and releasing 'Houdini,' the first single from her forthcoming third album. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, one of the premier writers and directors of stage and screen reflects on directing the original Broadway production of 'Angels in America' (for which he won one of his three Tonys), transitioning to film directing and, most recently, telling the story of the largely forgotten Black gay activist who organized the 1963 March on Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at Hollywood's historic Grauman's Chinese Theater, for a panel convened as part of AFI FEST, Scott sits down with A. Scott Berg, Cameron Crowe, Nancy Griffin, Aljean Harmetz, Leonard Maltin, Kim Masters, Dennis McDougal, James Andrew Miller, Eddie Muller, John Pierson, George Stevens Jr., Michael Tolkin, Christine Vachon, Mark A. Vieira and Sam Wasson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Omaha-born filmmaker known for dramedies including 'Election,' 'About Schmidt,' 'Sideways,' 'The Descendants' and 'Nebraska' reflects on his differing feelings about writing and directing, the ways in which he casts A-listers and extras and reuniting with Paul Giamatti 19 years after their prior collaboration on his latest film, about three people who begrudgingly spend the 1970 Christmas break together at a New England boarding school. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the star DJ-turned-producer/songwriter reflects on his path to music, notable collaborations (with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga) and expansive work on Greta Gerwig's 2023 blockbuster (he EP'd the soundtrack, co-wrote the score and co-wrote and/or co-produced singles performed by Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Sam Smith and Ryan Gosling). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at the Burbank International Film Festival, the brilliant and eccentric filmmaker reflects on his childhood in Burbank and how it led him to animation and to characters regarded by others as freaks, alternating between mainstream blockbusters and personal art films and collaborating over decades with the likes of Johnny Depp, Colleen Atwood and Danny Elfman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legend of New German Cinema reflects on making movies in Germany and America, moving between narrative and doc features and the making of his greatest films including ?Paris, Texas,? ?Wings of Desire? and ?Buena Vista Social Club.? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The veteran fan favorite reflects on his path to standup and his unusual stage name, how the Spike Lee documentary 'The Original Kings of Comedy' changed his career trajectory and his forthcoming debut novel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world?s most famous living film critic, who was the Internet Movie Database before the advent of the Internet, shares how his famous movie guide began when he was 17 and ended 45 years later, what his life is like a decade after his Parkinson's diagnosis and his outlook for the future of the movies and film criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the top TV producers in the business reflects on coming to America with James Corden to launch 'The Late Late Show' and its hit segment-turned-spinoff 'Carpool Karaoke,' why the Grammys has been his toughest producing assignment and what it's like putting producing televised concert specials like Adele's from Griffith Park and Elton John's from Dodger Stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the actress/director reflects on her evolution from model to soap star to ?The Princess Bride? and ?Forrest Gump,? her collaborations with her ex Sean Penn and breaking out of typecasting with ?House of Cards? ? and then navigating the aftermath of Kevin Spacey?s downfall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 'Parks and Rec' scene-stealer turned leading lady reflects on the stroke that changed her at 21, landing three major parts in her first week in LA, breaking out of the 'deadpan' box and why she wants to host the Oscars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a celebration of the podcast's 500th episode, one of the most popular and admired comedians of his generation reflects on his path from comedy student to 'Saturday Night Live' writer and host; his five standup specials, including his latest, on Netflix, which addresses his battle with addiction; and whether he would say yes if asked to host the Oscars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legendary English actor of stage and screen reflects on his dark childhood, and how he found his escape from it in the theater; the fateful series of events in 1987 led to him, at the age of 47, becoming Jean-Luc Picard, the captain of the starship 'Enterprise'; and why, after years of 'X-Men' films, plays, voiceover work and much else, he agreed to return to the part with which he is most closely associated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The comedy legend reflects on getting through childhood tragedies, why he was drawn to sketch in his native Canada (at Second City and 'SCTV') and in the U.S. (at 'SNL' and 'The Martin Short Show') and what is at the root of his nearly 40-year friendship and collaboration with Steve Martin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six Broadway standouts ? nominated for 'Into the Woods,' 'A Doll's House,' 'Kimberly Akimbo,' 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,' 'Topdog/Underdog' and 'Parade,' respectively ? discuss the challenges and rewards of their parts, COVID's lasting impact on theater, the writers strike and the Tonys, their dream roles, plus more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience in the Campari Lounge at the Cannes Film Festival, the Swedish Oscar winner reflects on her transition from dancing to acting, the ups and downs of her life-changing 2015, her husband Michael Fassbender and her 2023 return to Cannes as the star of a film in competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kuwait-born Palestinian standup comedian turned co-creator/writer/star of the first Palestinian-American television comedy series reflects on his 20-year journey to become an American citizen, comedy mentors including Dave Chappelle and teaming with Ramy Youssef on two trailblazing TV shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The distinguished actor and singer of stage (he's been nominated for four Tony noms across three decades) and screen (he's best known for the film ?Spotlight? and the TV series ?Smash? and ?13 Reasons Why?) reflects on his path to showbiz; decisions to leave ?Next to Normal? and ?Hamilton? after their off Broadway runs; and career since starring in a best picture Oscar winner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest breakout stars of recent years reflects on the sacrifices that her family made to enable her to pursue acting, the challenges and rewards of her Emmy-nominated work on HBO?s ?Euphoria? and ?The White Lotus? and why she is so proud of her new film, the first on which she has ever been #1 on the callsheet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of TV?s most trailblazing, talented and prolific storytellers reflects on her path to Shondaland and ?Grey?s Anatomy,? why she cringes at the attention paid to her shows? racial diversity and what led her to jump from ABC to Netflix and to venture into the world of ?Bridgerton.? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Emmy winner ? who in 2022 became the first Black winner of best supporting actress in a comedy series in 35 years ? reflects on her Tony-nominated turn in the original Broadway production of 'Dreamgirls,' why she almost walked away from showbiz after leaving the hit TV show 'Moesha' and the fateful series of events that led to her meeting Quinta Brunson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the top young stars in Hollywood reflects on the importance to his career of Matthew Vaughn and Dexter Fletcher; the running thread that Elton John played in his life even prior to playing him in 'Rocketman'; and why he relished the opportunity to do longform television for the first time for Apple TV+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the TCM Classic Film Festival, one of the last surviving stars of Hollywood's Golden Age reflects on working as a kid alongside the likes of Cecil B. DeMille and Spencer Tracy; employing his tumbling background to dance in musicals like 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' and 'West Side Story'; and why, shortly after his Oscar nom for 'Peyton Place,' he "dropped out" of the biz, and then later returned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the TCM Classic Film Festival, the legendary star of late '50s/'60s rock 'n' roll and beach movies reflects on his path from trumpeter to teen idol, his experiences off screen and on with Annette Funicello and what his life is like today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The self-described "oddball" actress/writer/director/producer reflects on child stardom, her years away from the business due to addiction and her remarkable run of the past decade with Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black' and 'Russian Doll' followed by an acclaimed new Peacock series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at CAA in Los Angeles, the Oscar-nominated (?House of Sand and Fog?) and Emmy-winning (?House of Saddam?) actress reflects on her journey to acting and away from Iran, her difficult decision to play a terrorist on ?24? and the current crisis in her homeland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In front of an audience at the Boulder International Film Festival, the legendary 83-year-old actor reflects on his many years as a struggling actor, his career-making and Oscar-winning turn in Milos Forman?s ?Amadeus? and his recent career resurgence on several hit TV shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of Sunday's Oscars, the first person of Asian descent to lead Hollywood's most powerful organization reflects on connecting the American and Chinese film industries before shifting to producing films like 'The Joy Luck Club,' how racist jokes told at the Oscars in 2016 motivated her to become active in the Academy and how she feels about Chris Rock, Will Smith and accusations that Academy members are racist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices