Episode 099: A La Carte With Paul Dergarabedian

Box office guru Paul Dergarabedian is incredibly knowledgable about film, of course, but also a variety of other topics as you’ll hear in our wide-ranging Breakfast All Day A La Carte interview. Paul discusses growing up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with an early love of music, fast cars and — of course — movies, with a rocket-scientist father who was a huge influence. He talks about studying at Cal State Long Beach and USC, getting his start in the business of tracking box office, working with the studios, how analysis has changed over the years and why certain movies are surprise hits or flops. And since Oscar nominations came out today, we discuss awards season and how being a contender or winning can give a movie a boost. We’re all over the place on this one but it’s a really great conversation. Hope you enjoy.