The Oscar Project Podcast

In today's episode, I interview director Nick Russell and writer Nick Musgrove, about their short film "Favourites," about parents who are forced to make an impossible choice. The film has been showing at festivals including Australia's Flickerfest and the San Diego International Film Festival and will be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York this June. Listen to hear Nick and Nick discuss his how they developed the story for the film together, their incredible crew that they worked with, and one of the craziest dinner parties ever put together on The Oscar Project Podcast. Books recommended in this episode include: Against All OddsAny Ordinary Day: Blindsides, Resilience and What Happens After the Worst Day of Your LifeFilms mentioned in this episode include: Sophie's ChoiceMr. BlackWake in FrightThe Grand Budapest HotelSidewaysLord of the Rings: The Two TowersShaun of the DeadThe PrestigeFight ClubThe Sixth SenseEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindEat Pray LoveNo Country for Old MenBridesmaidsJurassic ParkAladdinStar WarsLord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingDuneBlades of GloryThirteen LivesThe RescueFollow the film and Nick Russell on Instagram @favouritesfilm and @nickrussdog and follow Nick Musgrove on Twitter @Nickmusgrove

In today's interview, I speak with Andrew Stanley Kiste, a campus life director and life long lover of all things Disney. He has written articles and books including Walt Disney and the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, and three volumes of A Historical Tour of Walt Disney World. He joins me today to talk about his new book, The Early Life of Walt Disney. Listen to hear how Walt Disney's father Elias impacted how Walt became the man we know, where Walt learned his storytelling and artistic abilities, and some of the early animated creations before Walt's famous mouse Mickey. Books mentioned in this episode include: The Early Life of Walt DisneyThe Story of Walt DisneyWalt Disney: an American OriginalBuilding a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment EmpireWalt Disney: The Triumph of the American ImaginationWalt Disney's Missouri: The Roots of a Creative GeniusWalt in Wonderland The Silent Films of Walt DisneyOswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney CartoonsDisney WarThe Disney Revolt: The Great Labor War of Animation's Golden AgeThe Queens of Animation: The Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic HistoryHow Walt Disney Changed Animation ForeverFilms mentioned in this episode include: CinderellaSnow White and the Seven DwarfsAlice in WonderlandDer Fuehrer's FaceThe Thrifty PigOswald the Lucky Rabbit filmsSaving Mr. BanksNapoleon DynamiteForrest GumpToy StoryFollow Andrew on Facebook (@Andrew Kiste-Author) and check out his website and Amazon Author Page for links to all of his books. Check out his articles in Walt Disney World Magazine.

In today's episode, I am joined by Kyle, the winner of the 2024 Oscar prediction contest on The Oscar Project. We talk about a little of everything including what we liked from the 96th Academy Awards, other movies from 2023 we enjoyed, and things we're looking forward to in 2024. Books mentioned in this episode include: Caste: The Origins of Our DiscontentsElvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' RollRobot DreamsKillers of the Flower MoonAmerican PrometheusErasureTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowThe Confederacy of DuncesFear and TremblingNovelist as a VocationWhat I Talk About When I Talk About RunningThe Creative Act: A Way of BeingThe list of films we mentioned is too long to include in the show notes, but check out the full Letterboxd list for this episode. A few films mentioned in this episode include: OppenheimerPoor ThingsThe CreatorGodzilla Minus OneThe Zone of InterestThe KillerThe Boy of the HeronSpider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseMaestroKillers of the Flower Moon20 Days in MariupolThe HoldoversMay DecemberHow to Blow Up a PipelineGodlandAnatomy of a FallSociety of the SnowAsteroid CityOriginThe Iron ClawCheck out Kyle on the Picture Box Cinema Hour Podcast with Gavin.

Today I am discussing the 1928 film Sadie Thompson. The film tells the story of Sadie Thompson, a woman of questionable moral character, and Mr. Davidson, the devout missionary who makes it his mission to reform her while they are both forced to stay on a remote Pacific island. Listen now to hear about the troubles the film faced in being made, how Swanson's performance can be related to her later work in Sunset Boulevard, and as always, my own thoughts about the film. Resources: Read the short storyRead the playWatch the film

In today's interview, I speak with Lisa Stein Haven, a Professor of English at Ohio University and expert in all things Charlie Chaplin. She has written extensively on the actor and director and hosted the first international Charlie Chaplin conference ever held on American soil in 2010, the 100th anniversary of Charlie's first trip to America. In addition to several works on Charlie Chaplin, she has published books about hi brother Syd Chaplin and Max Linder. She joins the show to talk about her latest book, The Early Years of Charlie Chaplin: Final Shorts and First Features. Listen to hear how Chaplin dealt with the media when he was making movies, what type of person Chaplin truly was, and why Chaplin has been such an inspiration to actors over the last century. Books mentioned in this episode include: The Early Years of Charlie Chaplin: Final Shorts and First FeaturesMy AutobiographyChaplin: His Life and ArtTo Kill a MockingbirdPlague of DovesIn Cold BloodFilms mentioned in this episode include: The Gold Rush City LightsThe Great DictatorSunriseThe Manchurian CandidateEd WoodRaiders of the Lost ArkNorth by NorthwestMonty Banks KickstarterFollow Lisa on Instagram (@lisasteinhaven) and check out her Amazon Author Page for links to all of her books.

As I announced in my spring preview episode earlier this week, today I am discussing the 1928 film The Crowd. The film focuses on the story of John and Mary Sims as they build a family together and face life's challenges in early 1900s New York City. Listen now to hear about the creative people behind the film, and as always, my own thoughts about the film.

On today's episode, I give a quick preview of some of the things I'm working on for the podcast in the coming weeks a months. Be sure to subscribe to the show in your podcast player and follow The Oscar Project for all the updates. facebook.com/TheOscarProject@the_oscar_project@jytrebergtheoscarproject.substack.comI'm appearing on the next episode of The Playlist Project podcast with my friend Stacy. Check out her podcast all about the music people love at the link above.

With the 96th Academy Awards in the book, I am joined today by Luis Mendez to discuss all the happenings at the Oscars on Sunday night. Check out Luis at The Mendez Report and follow him on Instagram, Twitter, Threads, and Letterboxd.

It's time for me to break down who I think will win at the Oscars this weekend. In this episode I go over all 23 categories, letting you know who I think will win the Oscar and who I think should win. They don't always match, so listen in to win your Oscar prediction pool!

In today's episode, I interview Vincent René-lortie, the director of "Invincible", an ode to the memory of Marc-Antoine Bernier and the tale of a young man yearning for his freedom. The film is nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 96th Academy® Awards after winning Best Live Action Short Film at Chicago Children’s Film Festival in 2022 and Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma in 2023 . Listen to hear Vincent discuss his personal connection to the story, how he got to work with some tremendous young actors and how he has dealt with being an Oscar nominee. Books recommended by Vincent include: Les villes de papierFilms mentioned in this episode include: InvinciblePast LivesAnatomy of a FallIncendiesCrazy Lost in TranslationAmelieHarry PotterFollow Vincent on Instagram @vincentrenelortie and the film Invincble @invincibleshortfilm

In today's episode, I interview Nazrin Choudhury, the director of "Red, White and Blue", the story of a single mother in Arkansas who must cross state lines in search of an abortion. After winning the Grand Jury Award for Best Live Action Short at the Edmonton International Film Festival, the film is nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 96th Academy® Awards. Listen to hear Nazrin discuss how she decided to make this impactful film, what she was able to bring from working in television to making a short film, and her experience of being announced as an Oscar nominee. Books recommended by Nazrin include: The Godfather NotebookThe Return of Faraz AliFilms mentioned in this episode include: Red, White and BluePunch Drunk LoveUncut GemsThe Truman ShowWar HorseFear the Walking DeadThe GodfatherThe Godfather Part IIInfernal AffairsInfernal Affairs Part 2The DepartedIncendiesSunset BoulevardBarbieFollow Nazrin on Instagram @nazrin.choudhury and the film Red, White and Blue @redwhiteandbluefilm

In today's interview, I speak with Ryan Britt, a fiction and non-fiction author who has written for Inverse, Esquire, The New York Times, and StarTrek.com, among others. His first two books were Luke Skywalker Can’t Read and Other Geeky Truths and PHASERS ON STUN! How the Making and Remaking of Star Trek Changed the World. He joins me to talk about his latest book, The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies. Listen to hear how Dune might have been different if it was published today, the genesis of Dune in the coastal seagrass of Oregon, and how the various film versions of Dune have had success or failure. Books mentioned in this episode include: DuneNew World Or No WorldA Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch's Dune. An Oral History.Dreamer of Dune: The Biography of Frank HerbertFuture Noir: The Making of Blade RunnerThe Three-Body Problem SeriesThe WinnerThe Great Man TheoryDouble or NothingA Spy Like MeFilms mentioned in this episode include: Star WarsAlienBlade RunnerDuneDuneGuardians of the GalaxyBlack MirrorFoundationFor All MankindBlade Runner 2049Dune: Part 2The Life AquaticAdaptationStar Trek II: The Wrath of KahnJames BondStar Trek First ContactFollow Ryan on Twitter (@RyancBritt) or Instagram (@ryan.britt) and check him out at the Tucson Book Festival on March 9th.

In this week's episode, I interview Misan Harriman, the director of "The After", a powerful and affecting story that follows a man who has to reconnect with himself and society after witnessing a devastating random attack. After its world premier at the Oscar®-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival, where it won Best Live Action Short, this incredibly thought-provoking short film is officially nominated for the 96th Academy Awards and Misan is kind enough to join me today and talk about the film. Listen to hear Misan discuss his inspiration for the film, what he experienced being a first time filmmaker, and how he felt at being nominated for an Oscar. Films mentioned in this episode include: The AfterThe Book of ClarenceTimbuktuBarry LyndonCinema ParadisoBoyz in the HoodScarfaceFollow Misan on Instagram @misanharriman

In this week's episode, I interview Jean Chapiro, recipient of the Bronze Medal in the Documentary category at the 2023 Student Academy Awards. She was recognized for her film "Till We Find Them" which looks at the families of missing persons in Mexico as they look for their loved ones. Listen to hear Jean discuss what drew her to documentary film, the dangers of documenting the missing persons crisis in Mexico, and what her favorite documentary film is. Books mentioned in this episode include: Poeta ChilenoFilms mentioned in this episode include: Pan's LabyrinthE.T. The ExtraterrestrialEdward ScissorhandsThe Act of KillingFour DaughtersDick Johnson is DeadHarry PotterBeetlejuiceGame of ThronesFollow Jean on Instagram @jean.chap

As we near the end of January, I'm looking back at 2023. I interviewed 10 amazing authors about their books and spoke with six filmmakers as well. There was so much new content on The Oscar Project Podcast, it was hard to pick the best bits, but here are some of my favorite parts of the interviews from 2023. Be sure to pick up the books from all these guests and support their work. Black Rodeo: A History of the African American WesternThe Movie Lover’s Guide to LondonLost in TranslationBut Have You Read the Book?: 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite FilmsClint Eastwood: The Iconic Filmmaker and his WorkDavid Lynch: A RetrospectiveLugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's DraculaHorror Unmasked: The History of Terror from Nosferatu to NopeSay Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of ScarfaceCinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great MoviesThe Needle and the Lens: Pop Goes to the Movies from Rock 'n' Roll to SynthwaveAnd of course, check out the work of my filmmaker interviewees Boomboom_shortfilmWings of DustGiorgio GhiottoWings of DustRevisitedIain Forbes

The nominees for the 96th Academy Awards were announced early this morning. The nominees come from 53 films across 23 categories and cover all sorts of films from dramas to comedies, blockbusters to indie darlings. There will be plenty more to come from The Oscar Project in the next month and a half, but for today, let’s just get straight to the nominees!

In today's interview, I speak with Katie Gee Salisbury, a writer and photographer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Believer, and the Asian American Writers’ Workshop. She also writes the newsletter Half-Caste Woman. She has spoken about her work at the Museum of Chinese in America, Barnard College, New York University, and gave a TED Talk entitled “As American as Chop Suey.” She joins me today to talk about her first book, Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong. Listen to hear how Anna May Wong reinvented herself and took control of her career when Hollywood wouldn't cast her in leading roles and how she changed her approach to portraying Asian characters after visiting China. Books mentioned in this episode include: Ghosts Of Gold Mountain: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Built the Transcontinental RailroadRiver of Shadows: Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild WestSwanson on SwansonAnna May Wong: From Laundryman’s Daughter to Hollywood LegendAnna May Wong: Performing the ModernLulu in HollywoodHow the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across AmericaSame Bed Different DreamsFilms mentioned in this episode include: The Good EarthKing of ChinatownCrazy Rich AsiansThe Empire Strikes BackSwingersVertigoRaiders of the Lost Ark The Little Mermaid

Happy New Year! It's my first interview author of 2024, and today I speak with Saul Austerlitz, a freelance writer whose work has been published in the New York Times, Esquire, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone. He is an adjunct professor of writing and comedy history at New York University, and the author of Generation Friends, Just a Shot Away, Sitcom, Another Fine Mess, and Money for Nothing. He joins me today to talk about his new book, Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century. Listen to hear the how Adam McKay and Will Farrell created some of the most memorable scenes in the film, how the film uses the character of Veronica to comment on the male dominated newsroom culture, and why the early 2000s spawned so many great comedy films. Follow Saul's Substack called Hope in the Dark. Books mentioned in this episode include: Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the '80s Changed Hollywood ForeverFreaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed TelevisionThe DelugeThe Heaven & Earth Grocery StoreFilms mentioned in this episode include: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron BurgundyMonty PythonDon't Look UpAnchorman 2: The Legend ContinuesWake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost MovieThe 40-Year-Old VirginSuperbadBridesmaidsBottomsBarbieCity LightsThe Shop Around the CornerRushmoreTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

In my third and final part of the Thanksgiving special, I interview four of the five creators of the animated short film "Boom," which won the Gold Medal in animation at the 2023 Student Academy Awards. Listen to hear the team discuss the process for developing the story, what they enjoyed about visiting Los Angeles, and some of the movies that have inspired them. Follow them on Instagram: @boom_shortfilm@gabima_ru@romainaugierr@karlbad_art@laurie.pikamin@yayajcqnBooks mentioned in this episode include: Works of Fyodor DostoevskyWorks of Marcel ProustRobinson CrusoeLe Rouge et le NoirThe Red and the BlackIm Westen nichts NeuesAll Quiet on the Western FrontFilms mentioned in this episode include: BoomTreasure PlanetPirates of the CaribbeanPaprikaChungking ExpressIron ManForrest Gump

In the my second of the three part Thanksgiving special, I interview Iain Forbes, recent recipient of the Silver Medal in the Narrative category at the 2023 Student Academy Awards. He was recognized for his film "Revisited" which explores how a family reacts when the father they thought was dead for 20 years suddenly returns to their home. Listen to hear Iain discuss the inspiration for the film, how he went about casting this film and one of the most interesting dinner parties we've come up with on the podcast. Books mentioned in this episode include: A Time to Every Purpose Under HeavenFilms mentioned in this episode include: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingIt’s a Wonderful LifeThe MatrixHarry Potter series