The Business (KCRW)

Marc Maron Makes a Popular Podcast and Gets a TV Show

Marc Maron reinvigorated his lagging comedy career with his podcast WTF. Now he's translated that life into scripted TV comedy.

Shooting 'Kon-Tiki' in English and Norwegian; 'Unmade in...

How the Oscar-nominated Norwegian film "Kon-Tiki" was simultaneously shot in English. Plus, the story of "Unmade in China."

How to Fund a Gritty Indie Film; The Hollywood Power...

How indie filmmaker Adam Leon made his gritty indie film. Plus, the Hollywood power lunch isn't about the food.

Filmmaker Derek Cianfrance on Ryan Gosling and Making...

Filmmaker Derek Cianfrance on Ryan Gosling and the art/business balance of movie-making.

Top Chef's Richard Blais; Cybersecurity in Hollywood

'Top Chef's' Richard Blais talks about being a TV chef. Plus, hacking Hollywood.

Participant Media Makes an Action Film with Meaning

Why Participant Media made an action film with meaning, starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

The Perils of Producing Reality TV

Reality producer Monica Martino's harrowing experience on Bamazon leads her to call for action in the reality TV business.

The Simpsons Go to the Oscars; Life of Pi's Marine...

James L. Brooks and David Silverman talk "The Simpsons" and their Oscar-nominated "Short Film." Plus, "Life of Pi's" marine consultant brings authenticity to the film.

Making the Oscar-nominated Doc Searching for Sugar Man

Making the Oscar-nominated Documentary Searching for Sugar Man

From the DC to Hollywood: Making '1600 Penn'

A former Obama speechwriter and 'Modern Family' director make TV comedy.

Ben Affleck's Career Resurrection, Redux

Illeana Douglas's Webseries; Make-up Artist Lois Burwell

Illeana Douglas on going from actress to webseries entrepreneur. Plus, Oscar-winning make-up artist Lois Burwell.

Neil Patrick Harris; Catherine Keener and Christopher...

Neil Patrick Harris talks magic; Catherine Keener and Christopher Walken talk the business of acting.

Sex, Catholicism and Disability: Making 'The Sessions'

Sex, catholicism and disability: the filmmakers on how they made 'The Sessions'

Showtime President on 'Homeland;' Argo's Story Detective

Showtime's president talks "Homeland." We meet the producer who found the "Argo" story.

Tig Notaro: Crises and Comedy

Tig Notaro makes comedy from crises.

Filmmaker Derek Cianfrance on Ryan Gosling and Making...

Filmmaker Derek Cianfrance on working with Ryan Gosling and balancing the art and business of movie-making.

Ira Glass and Mike Birbiglia Make a Movie; Phyllis Diller

Ira Glass of This American Life and comedian Mike Birbiglia make a movie the untraditional way. Plus, we hear Phyllis Diller in her own words.

Mara Brock Akil & Salim Akil; ?Deliverance? Legacy

The Akils Talk the TV Biz and ?Sparkle?; The Legacy of ?Deliverance?

?Ruby Sparks? Filmmakers; 'Game of Thrones? Language...

'The Little Miss Sunshine' filmmakers make 'Ruby Sparks.' The linguist behind the 'Game of Thrones' language.

Comic-con Commentary; Making 'The Queen of Versailles'

Comic-Con gets dissed by an anonymous publicist. Plus, documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield makes 'The Queen of Versailles' then gets sued.

FX President John Landgraf on Louis CK and Charlie Sheen

FX President John Landgraf talks with Kim Masters about the unconventional deals he made with Louis CK and Charlie Sheen.

'Paul Williams: Still Alive'

We talk the doc 'Paul Williams: Still Alive' with filmmaker Stephen Kessler and Paul Williams.

Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner Produce TV

Talking 'Veep' with Frank Rich and Improv with Matt Walsh

Frank Rich talks BHO's "Veep." Matt Walsh talks improv.

'Once Upon A Time' Creators; 'House' Medical Advisor

How the creators of Once Upon A Time" went from cable in Wisconsin to the big leagues. Plus, a doc who turned his passion with bizarre illnesses into a job on "House."

The Actors' Pilot Season Plight

Actors talk about the exhausting and angst-ridden process of auditioning for television pilots.

Whit Stillman Returns; SAG-AFTRA Merge

Indie filmmaker Whit Stillman returns. Plus, SAG and AFTRA merge -- so now what?

'The Hunger Games' Producer

"The Hunger Games" is the biggest movie to hit theaters this year. Producer Nina Jacobson tells us how the movie came to be.

'Suburgatory:' From Pitch to Pilot to Hit Show

Navigating Pilot Season: How the ABC comedy Suburgatory went from idea, to pilot, to TV series.

KCRW's Awards Season Special

Elvis Mitchell and Kim Masters discuss the Oscars and the Independent Spirit Awards, and share clips from interviews with some of this year's nominees. (Feb 23, 7-8pm)

Filmmaker Joshua Marston; Putting on the Spirit Awards

Joshua Marston's film about blood feuds sparks its own feud after being disqualified for an Oscar. Marston tells his side of the story. Plus, the Independent Spirit Awards.

Oscars' 'Lousy Foreign Film Policy;' YouTube Film...

Debating the Oscars' "lousy foreign film policy." Plus, YouTube launches an online film festival.

Creators and Stars of 'Portlandia;' IMDB and Ageism

The creators and stars of 'Portlandia' talk about turning their comedy videos into IFC's biggest hit. Plus, does IMDB perpetuate ageism in Hollywood?

The Making of 'Moneyball'

'Moneyball' director Bennett Miller and two of the film's producers tell the dramatic tale of the project's troubled journey from book to screen.

The 2011 Hollywood Year in Review

Kim Masters, John Horn and Michael Schneider banter about the top entertainment news stories of 2011.

VFX Pro Rob Legato; Forgotten Filmmaker: Georges Melies

Visual effects supervisor Legat on working with Martin Scorsese and James Cameron, and how movies like 'The Godfather' could work in 3-D. Plus, a forgotten film pioneer.

'Bridesmaids' Co-Writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo

The writers behind Bridesmaids go from improv to screenwriting with a little help from their friends.

Kevin Clash: The Man inside Elmo; Disney Animator Dale...

The voice of Elmo (Sesame Street) shares his love of puppeteering and the head of Walt Disney Animation reaches out to those striving to work in entertainment.

The Polish Bros iTunes Venture; 'Martha Marcy' Filmmakers

Twins Michael and Mark Polish on releasing their latest movie, For Lovers Only on iTunes. Plus, the three friends who made the indie hit Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Felicia Day on Creating the Hit Web Comedy 'The Guild'

Felicia Day may not be a household name ? yet -- but to many actors and gamers she is an inspiration...

Kurt Sutter of 'Sons of Anarchy;' Some Pixar Inspiration

Kurt Sutter, the controversy-stirring creator and show-runner of the FX series, Sons of Anarchy. Plus, a little inspiration from a Pixar animator....

Rod Lurie Remakes 'Straw Dogs;' 'Contagion' Scientist

Director Rod Lurie on remaking Straw Dogs. Plus, Columbia University's Dr. W. Ian Lipkin talks about consulting on the Soderbergh pandemic thriller, Contagion.

'Conan O'Brien Can't Stop' and Gavin Polone's Many Lives

Agent-turned-manager-turned Producer Gavin Polone on his new movie, Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, and what it reveals about his star client...

Carson Daly: NBC's Workhorse Host

Carson Daly, host of The Voice and Last Call with Carson Daly, on surviving NBC's late-night wars, the writers' strike and recent budget cuts....

Childhood Friends Take 'The Help' from Bestseller to Big...

This week, Kathryn Stockett, author of the bestselling novel The Help, and her childhood friend Tate Taylor, who has written and directed the new movie based on the book.

'Crazy, Stupid, Love' Directors; The Business @ The Moth...

John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, the directing team behind the new Steve Carrell/Ryan Gosling movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. Plus, another story from our Moth StorySlam...

Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant Talk Screenwriting

Sketch comedians and screenwriters Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant, authors of Writing Movies for Fun and Profit, on the very practical secrets to their success.

Veena Sud on 'The Killing;' NY Times Media Reporter...

AMC's Veena Sud on the backlash when The Killing's series finale didn't reveal who did the killing. Plus, media reporter David Carr, star of the new documentary Page One.

John Wells on the TV Biz; Mike Royce on 'Men of a...

We speak with John Wells about the creative freedom that comes from working in cable, and Mike Rosce on co-creating that Peabody Award-winning Men of a Certain Age.

Addiction in Hollywood with Jeff Wald

In the 70's and 80's Jeff Wald had a flourishing career managing big-name stars. Drug use was an accepted and arguably a necessary part of doing business in Hollywood...

The Creators of CBS' 'The Good Wife'

Robert and Michelle King say that having The Good Wife, presented to advertisers at the upfronts is like being at an insurance salesmen convention, but with great jokes...

'The Beaver' Producer Steve Golin on Working with Mel...

Steve Golin on the making and marketing an offbeat dramatic comedy with a troubled star and his history of collaborating with creative types...

'Everybody Loves Raymond' in Russia; Paul Reiser Returns

Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, deals with culture clash in Russia. Mad about You sitcom king Paul Reiser finds that success has a short shelf life.

Hollywood's Unconventional Therapists

Barry Michels and Phil Stutz are two of the busiest shrinks in Hollywood. We talk about their unconventional techniques and hear from a couple of their former clients.

The Rigors and Reality of the Stand-Up Comedy Business

Maria Bamford, Al Madrigal and Paul F. Tompkins on the hard-knocks life of a professional comedian?

Director Tom Shadyac's Revelation; Selling Films in...

Director Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura, Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professor) has made the new documentary. I Am is a spiritual journey in which he reevaluates his life while talking with great minds about big social problems. He tells Kim that some in the business think he's "nuts," but that others, like his longtime agent and lawyer, are coming around to understand him. Then I.M. Global CEO Stuart Ford gives us his take on the state of the international film market as he saw it in Berlin during...

Randy Newman's Oscar Run; White Producer of Urban...

Composer-singer-songwriter Randy Newman has had 20 Oscar nominations and one win. This year he's nominated in the Best Song category for "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3. But despite his success he says he wishes he was really good. Then, David Friendly, the producer behind the Big Momma's House franchise, talks about being a white guy in the urban comedy business.

TV Writer-Producer Shawn Ryan Goes from Basic Cable to...

When television writer-producer Shawn Ryan created The Shield he helped make basic cable a go-to place for sophisticated original scripted programming. With his new Fox series, The Chicago Code, Ryan hopes to bring his brand of storytelling to a broader audience.

Selling at Sundance; Jeff Bridges' Stand-In

John Sloss, one of the Sundance Film Festival's most seasoned players, gives a window into selling movies as the independent film world struggles to recover. He talks about diversifying his business last year by distributing the documentary Exit through the Giftshop, and how that was both a solid business decision and a wild ride because Banksy, the famously secretive street artist behind the film, was in charge of all the marketing yet refused to talk with him. Then we meet Loyd Catlett,...

Comedians Marc Maron and Louis C.K. from the WTF Podcast

We air a conversation from comedian Marc Maron's WTF podcast. Maron and comedian-writer-producer Louis C.K. discuss C.K.'s career in the TV business, as well as their their relationship as fellow comics and struggles as friends.

2010: Hollywood's Year That Was

The LA Times' John Horn, Variety's Michael Schneider and Kim Masters discuss the big show business stories for 2010. The three industry veterans break down the top stories and tell us what it all means.

Making 'The Fighter;' Christian Bale's Esquire Interview

The Fighter is a natural awards-bait movie but producer David Hoberman says that in today's Hollywood, studios didn't want to make it. It started as a $70 million film produced by Paramount and ended up as an $18 million film made with outside money from Relativity Media. Along the way Matt Damon and Brad Pitt showed interest, as did director Darren Aronofsky, but all dropped out leaving the producers to scramble. Also, Christian Bale, whose performance in The Fighter is generating Oscar...

The Brothers Duplass Go Studio Redux

We revisit our conversation with filmmaking brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, whose movie, Cyrus, marked a turning point in their careers. They'd made feature films but never before with studio backing, never with known actors and never with significant budgets. As darlings of the indie world and trailblazers in the mumblecore filmmaking style they gained acclaim at festivals and on blogs, but now they're rising stars in Hollywood and are currently in post production on their next film, Jeff...

Skyline's Back Story; IM Global at the AFM

The special-effects gurus known as the Brothers Strause made Skyline for a thrifty $10 million. They wanted to prove themselves as directors to the studios but found out they'd rather make their own films. Plus, we go behind closed doors to where deals are made at the American Film Market. We spend a day shadowing the head of the international sales and distribution company IM Global and track their landmark deal on Walking with Dinosaurs.

'Paranormal Activity 2;' Pixar's Top Woman

We hear from Paranormal Activity producer Jason Blum on the challenge of making a sequel to the 2009 break-out hit. This time with studio backing from Paramount, the producers had to find a way to make the follow-up true to the ethos of its micro-budget original. Plus, producer of Toy Story 3, Darla K. Anderson -- the lone woman in Pixar's famed brain trust. She weighs in on gender dynamics at this successful studio and in the movie business as a whole while addressing the controversy over...

The Keeper of the Black List; Creator of 'The Big C'

Since 2005, Franklin Leonard, creator and keeper of The Black List, has kept Hollywood on pins and needles every December awaiting this compilation of the most loved unproduced screenplays making the rounds in town. Plus, Darlene Hunt -- creator and executive producer of Showtime's The Big C, starring Laura Linney -- started out as an actress but hit it big as a writer.

'Lone Star' and 'The Beaver:' Kyle Killen's Wild Ride

Kyle Killen created the Fox drama, Lone Star, which was recently canceled after just two airings. While that television dream didn't exactly work out as planned, his film career is hanging in limbo. He wrote the much lauded screenplay for the movie The Beaver, which was due out this year. Killen talks about how this screenplay turned his life around and how the casting of Gibson may have affected the possibility of it's release.

TIFF; What's in a Movie Name?

Premieres, parties and press junkets at the Toronto International Film Festival. Kim Masters goes insides a junket to interview Conviction director Tony Goldwyn about working a festival. Then its off to an industry party where Nigel Cole, director of Made in Dagenham, compares this year's TIFF to two years ago when he was promoting a film that was jeopardized by financial troubles. Plus, the original title for Cole's latest film and why it changed.

Pacific Time

To live in the Los Angeles area means we submit our lives to the control of a greater power. And I don?t mean Hollywood. There are actually two great natural influences that shape Southern California: the Pacific Ocean, of course, and plate tectonics in the form of the San Andreas Fault. Both are fickle friends, as we?re all being reminded this summer...

The Tillman Story's Controversial R Rating, MPAA's...

The documentary The Tillman Story was given a controversial R rating for language by the Motion Picture Association of America. We talk with filmmaker Amir Bar Lev about his failed effort to challenge that rating in an appeal. Then we hear from Joan Graves, head of the MPAA's rating's board, about their reasoning on this and other questionable ratings.

Finding 'Salt;' Marketing 'Inception'

Behind every filmmaker stands an assistant. The former assistant to Phillip Noyce, director of Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, read scripts for four years until finally finding his latest project, Salt. Bea Sequeira talks about being a script reader and working in the shadows as an assistant. Then Warner Bros' Michael Tritter gives us the back story on the stealth marketing campaign for Inception.

Producer of New Movie 'Get Low'; 'Colin Fitz Lives'

Producer Dean Zanuck, goes out on his own, independent of his Oscar-winning producer father and of studio financing to make his new indie movie, Get Low. He talks about being the third-generation in the family business of show business and of living up to his grandfather and father's legacy. Then filmmaker Robert Bella's efforts to bring his movie , Colin Fitz Lives, back from oblivion...

Legend Rona Barrett; Hollywood's Murky Morals

Rona Barrett, who brought Hollywood gossip and entertainment industry news to TV, discusses show business -- then and now. Then, with all this bad star behavior out there -- from Mel Gibson to Roman Polanski to Charlie Sheen -- we ask Dean Valentine, former head of UPN and Walt Disney Television, where Hollywood draws the line in a business that's all about the bottom line.

Basking in Twilight Success; Ava-Toad

Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg talks about being a brand in Hollywood, and we look at how those with even tenuous links to the series earn fame and fortune. Also, Australian Mark Lewis, known for his humorous indie films on going 3-D with Cane Toads: The Conquest otherwise known as Ava-Toad.

The Brothers Duplass Go Studio

What happens when indie filmmakers accustomed to shooting on a micro-budget with unknown actors and DV cameras get to work with stars and millions of studio dollars to spend? Brothers Jay and Mark Duplass talk about hiding from their own crew, negotiating with Fox Searchlight execs and staying true to their Mumblecore ethos while making Cyrus.

Life on the Bubble

If a TV show isn't getting good ratings it goes "on the bubble." So how do the writers cope with the threat of cancellation hanging over their heads, and what happens when the bubble pops? We talk with two TV producers Liz Heldens and Scott Rosenbaum, who know life on the bubble all too well.

Cannes Market Report; Front Lines at The Upfronts

The Cannes Film Festival is full of big stars, yachts and artsy movies. But behind the scenes, at the Cannes film market, hundreds of independent producers look for money from foreign buyers to make their next movies. Jonathan Wolf, managing director of the American Film Market (AFM) gives us a report on what?s for sale and who?s buying at Cannes. Plus, the broadcast TV networks had their high stakes sales event last week--unveiling their fall shows for advertisers at the upfronts. Kim...

'South Park' and Terrorism: Hollywood Balances Creative...

Comedy Central Recently Censored An Episode Of "South Park" Over Threats Aimed At The Show's Creators On A Radical Muslim Website. We Ask The Questions: Was Comedy Central Right? How Should Hollywood Studios Weigh Creative Freedom Against Potential Security Risks? Plus One Hollywood Writer Stands Up To The Note "it's Not Edgy Enough!"

Got an Idea for a Great TV Show?

Fox TV chief Kevin Reilly tells it like it is about the high-stakes game that is pilot season: the chemistry of casting, going with your gut and the sweaty palms you get when trying to sell new shows to advertisers.

Oscar's Foreign Film Front-runner?; Spirit Awards' Spirit

It's a big awards weekend in Hollywood. We hear what it's like for a movie executive whose company has three of the five films in Oscar?s Foreign Language category and he still doesn't feel like a front-runner. But before the Academy Awards on Sunday, folks in the indie world are heading to their annual awards bash on Friday. We hear from indie film panelist John Waters and others about how they're going to roll at the Spirit Awards.

Blockbusting; Blowing Off ?Hurt Locker?

A hefty new book conceived by director George Lucas examines the DNA of 300 American blockbusters. We examine how the book was made and what we can learn from it. Plus, how far will you go to become a successful screenwriter? The Hurt Locker's Mark Boal went to Iraq.

Directing 'Idol'

We go behind the scenes and into the control room of American Idol.

All TV Things Considered; Here Comes Sundance

The television business is crazier than ever. We try to make sense of it all with two veteran TV journalists. Plus, a look at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival with the fest's new director, John Cooper.

The Hollywood Year to Be

The year 2009 was a crazy year for the business, and 2010 should top it. This week, its the Hollywood year to be with Cynthia Littleton of Variety and John Horn of the Los Angeles Times.

Pixar: There's a (Pete) Docter in the House

Pixar scored big with Up! this year, and now they're seven for seven. We chat with a member of the company's original brain trust and the director of Up! about Oscars, 3-D and making movies that almost everyone loves. Plus, James Cameron's Avatar cost hundreds of millions to make. How much green does it need to earn to put Fox in the black?

King of the World

James Cameron's Avatar isn't just a hugely expensive sci-fi adventure ? it's a titanic bid to transform movies. We get inside the mind of one of Hollywood's biggest players with Rebecca Keegan, author of the new book The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron.

Blogging in the Business

In an industry where honesty is such a lonely word, the creator of a hit TV show says what he thinks on line. We talk to Kurt Sutter of Sons of Anarchy about his blog, Sutterink. Plus an Academy Award-winning writer on how show business is like every other business we know.

The Thalberg; Windows Close in Hollywood

The Motion Picture Academy hands out the first Thalberg Memorial Award since 2000, but what exactly it? Plus, DVD's are dying. What will take their place, and how will it change the way we watch ? and pay for ? movies?

Marketing Movies Interactively, Producing for Cable v NBC

This week, how Warner Brothers used interactive tricks to power a surprisingly strong opening weekend for Where the Wild Things Are. Plus television writer/producer Dan Harmon toiled in basic cable on Comedy Central and VH1. Now, as creator of NBC's Community he tells us how the game is different on a big broadcast network. And, as always, the Hollywood news banter.

Writers Face the New Hollywood Economy; Studio Shake-ups

This week, how the recession and major changes in the entertainment industry are impacting the lives of film and TV writers. Plus, Disney and Universal are the latest studios to shake up the executives suites and send a tremor through the industry.

Disney; D23; Toronto Film Festival

This week, fans came out in full force to a recent celebration of all things Disney. But major changes are afoot in the Magic Kingdom. Plus, was the Toronto Film Festival a bloodbath for indie filmmakers or just a shift in the life cycle of independent film?

Summer Box Office Round-up; A Long Look at Leno

The summer box office broke records, but was blockbuster season really all that? Plus, what does the Leno prime-time experiment mean for the TV business?

The Academy's New President; Making Great TV...and a...

The producers of the hit show Ghost Whisperer on making great TV?and a successful marriage. Plus, we talk to the newly-elected president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

HBO=Doc; Hollywood Back on the Couch

Documentaries used to be relegated to PBS and college classrooms, but these days, they're just as liable to come to theater near you. We talk to Sheila Nevins, who's had a big part in growing of the nonfiction business as head of HBO Docs for the past three decades. Plus, we revisit our session with Hollywood therapist Dennis Palumbo.

Hollywood Goes to Comic-Con

This week, The Business goes to "The Con," the annual nerd-fest know as Comic-Con that?s become a major marketing stop for Hollywood. Plus, a new documentary looks at Ozploitation...

The Tax-Incentives Derby Kicks into High Gear!

From Michigan to New Mexico, the production tax incentives derby is on in a big, big way. We talk to one of the producers of Clint Eastwood?s Gran Torino, which moved from Minnesota to Michigan because of incentives, and two state legislators on opposite sides of the incentives debate.

Which Way, Studios?

Paramount shuffles its top executives and Universal may be next. Sony cancels a high-profile project just before cameras roll and Fox balks at the budget of their new Denzel Washington thriller. What the hells happening to the movie business?

Black in the Business

Even in the age of Obama, black writers in Hollywood find there's no such as thing as post-racial, and a new writers' guild report concurs.