Austin Film Festival's On Story

On this episode of On Story, we catch up with Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks creator and writer director Paul Feig on his reboot of the supernatural comedy classic Ghostbusters and his work in TV and film. Later, screenwriter Alec Berg takes us behind the scenes of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Paul Feig is a four-time Emmy nominated writer/director, best known for creating the beloved series Freaks and Geeks, which Time magazine listed as one of the 100 Greatest Shows of All Time, launching the careers of Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Jason Segel. Feig also directed the films Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy, and multiple episodes of the television series Arrested Development, The Office, Nurse Jackie, Bored to Death, Weeds, 30 Rock, and Mad Men. In 2008, his work on The Office earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Direction in a Comedy Series. Comedian Pat Hazell spoke with Paul Feig at the 19th Austin Film Festival in 2012. 

Alec Berg is best known for his work as a writer on Seinfeld and Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm which returns to HBO in October after nearly six years off the air. Alec Berg is currently an executive producer and writer on HBO’s Silicon Valley, which was created by Mike Judge, and wrapped its fourth season earlier this year. Comedian Pat Hazell spoke with Alec Berg at the 19th Austin Film Festival in 2012.

 

Direct download: BERG_FEIG_REFEED_09262017.mp3
Category:Film and Television -- posted at: 2:53pm CDT

On this episode of On Story from Austin Film Festival and Public Radio International, second generation actor Ed Begley Jr. talks about what he looks for when choosing new projects, finding the pain in a character, working with Christopher Guest and other comedy legends.

Ed Begley Jr. has performed in hundreds of movies and television shows, including An Officer and a Gentleman, St. Elsewhere, This Is Spinal Tap, Batman Forever, Pineapple Express, Better Call Saul, and Best in Show. He is most recognized for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the television series St. Elsewhere for which he received six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award Nomination. He is a recurring cast member in several of the mockumentaries written by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy. I spoke with Ed Begley at the 23rd Annual Austin Film Festival in 2016. Clips from this episode copyright: Sony Pictures Television Inc., American Movie Classics, Castle Rock Entertainment, and Embassy Pictures. 

 

Direct download: Ed_Begley_Jr.mp3
Category:Film and Television -- posted at: 12:44pm CDT

On this episode of On Story, Fargo show-runner Noah Hawley describes the creation of his hit FX series based on the Coen brothers beloved film of the same name followed by Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould on bringing Breaking Bad shady lawyer Saul Goodman to life.

Noah Hawley is the show-runner for the FX series Fargo, which is based on the Coen brothers film of the same name and the X-Men spinoff series, Legion. Hawley was a writer and producer on the series Bones, and created the shows, The Unusuals, and My Generation. Since its premiere, Fargo has won numerous awards including a Peabody, five Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes, one for best mini-series, and the other for best actor in a miniseries for Billy Bob Thornton. Fargo wrapped its third season mid-June and is nominated for 9 Primetime Emmys. Season 3 starred Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, David Thewlis and Jim Gaffigan. I spoke with Noah Hawley at the 21st Austin Film Festival in 2014. 

Peter Gould is the co-creator of AMC’s Breaking Bad spin off Better Call Saul. Gould was a writer, producer and occasional director on Breaking Bad for the show’s five-season run. Better Call Saul focuses on the character of Jimmy McGill played by actor Bob Odenkirk. The show is set in 2002, six years before the character’s appearance on Breaking Bad as the shady attorney Saul Goodman. The third season of Better Call Saul is nominated for 10 Primetime Emmy’s including Outstanding Drama Series, and Lead Actor for Bob Odenkirk. I spoke with Peter Gould at a special Austin Film Festival year-round event held on May 17th 2015. 

 

 

Direct download: HAWLEY_GOULD_REFEED.mp3
Category:Film and Television -- posted at: 1:12pm CDT

On this week's On Story from Austin Film Festival and PRI we hear from Chase Palmer, co-writer of the brand-new Stephen King adaptation, It which arrives in theaters this week followed by a 1996 discussion from the Austin Film Festival vault with horror legends Wes Craven and Tobe Hooper discussing the influences for their most terrifying films. Get a look inside the creative process with On Story on your local public radio station.

Chase Palmer is the co-writer of the upcoming supernatural horror film It, based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name. Palmer premiered his first short film, Neo-Noir at Austin Film Festival in 2002. He went on to win the screenplay competition in 2003 for this script, Buried Underground and then came back to the festival in 2004 to screen his next short, Shock and Awe. Chase Palmer spoke with me ahead of the much-anticipated release of It.

Film director, screenwriter and producer Tobe Hooper is best known for this work in the horror film genre. His most recognized films include The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Poltergeist and Salem’s Lot to name a few.  Hooper died of natural causes last month at the age of 74. He attended Austin Film Festival in 1996, 1997 and again in 2002. In 2013, Hooper’s final directorial effort, Djinn was released.

Wes Craven was a film director, writer, producer and actor known for his pioneering work in the genre of horror films, particularly slasher films where his impact on the genre coined him the “Master of Horror.” Craven created the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise featuring the Freddy Krueger character, directing the first installment. Craven also directed all four films in the Scream series and the two films in the Hills Have Eyes series. Some of his other films include: The Last House on the Left, The Serpent and the Rainbow, The People Under the Stairs, and Red Eye.

Hooper and Craven’s panel discussion comes from the Austin Film Festival vault dating back to the 3rd year of the festival in 1996.

Direct download: CHASE_PALMER_WES_CRAVEN_TOBE_HOOPER.mp3
Category:Film and Television -- posted at: 7:04pm CDT

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