Christine Birch, The Hollywood Unicorn, on Navigating Culture, Politics, and Hollywood
Release Date: 10/23/2024
Debi Struzan & Dana Flowers-Mitchell on Trust, Taste, and Why the Big Idea Still Matters
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
Dana Flowers-Mitchell: Corey Nathan – @coreysnathan on all platforms Our Sponsors Meza Wealth Management – The Golden Trailer Awards – Join the Community Like what you hear? Connect with Corey on all platforms Subscribe for new episodes every week and keep up with the world’s best trailer creatives!
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Best Of — Robert Walker (Buddha Jones): Craft, Emotion & the Art of the Trailer
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
What does it mean to truly feel a trailer—and how do you translate that feeling into something that moves an audience? In this Best Of Trailer Geeks & Teaser Gods episode, Corey Nathan revisits his wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation with Robert Walker, one of the most influential and respected trailer editors working today. From his early experiments with cassette-tape collages and experimental music to shaping iconic campaigns at Intralink and Buddha Jones, Robert shares how a lifelong obsession with sound, rhythm, and emotion led him to a career defined not by formulas—but by...
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BEST OF: Dwight Caines on Story, Strategy, and Leading With Conscience
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
What does it take to market movies that shape culture—and to lead with integrity when the stakes are highest? In this Best Of Trailer Geeks & Teaser Gods episode, Corey Nathan revisits his powerful conversation with Dwight Caines, President of Domestic Marketing at Universal Pictures and one of the most respected voices in modern film marketing. One of our "best of's" since we brought this program back, this episode remains as relevant—and resonant—as ever. Dwight reflects on a career spanning Sony Pictures and Universal, working on iconic franchises including Spider-Man, James...
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Cuts That Connect: Greg Krupka on Feel-First Storytelling
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
What do VHS edits, a childhood trumpet, and a passion for story-driven design have in common? This week on Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods, Corey Nathan sits down with Greg Krupka, Vice President and Creative Director at AV Squad, to unpack a path paved with relentless creativity, smart collaboration, and iconic trailer moments. From his early days at Emerson College to cutting theatrical campaigns that reverberate through pop culture, Greg shares a behind-the-scenes look at his philosophy, process, and passion for the craft. Whether guiding new creatives or breaking down a “popcorn moment”...
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Aaron Gershman - Senior Vice President, Creative Advertising at Lionsgate
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
From Strings to Screens: Aaron Gershman’s Journey Across AV, Digital, and Design How does a former rock guitarist with zero design training become a creative force behind some of the most visually stunning and emotionally resonant film campaigns of our time? This week on Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods, Corey Nathan sits down with Aaron Gershman, SVP of Creative Advertising at Lionsgate, whose journey from teenage rocker to “Pope of Posters” is anything but ordinary. From working on cult classics like Scott Pilgrim to crafting mind-blowing illustrated campaigns for John Wick 4, Aaron...
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Shea Jones, Editor at X/AV
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
Between the Beats: From Texas Roots to Trailer Rhythms What does it take to edit trailers that breathe emotion, humor, tension, and awe—all in a few short minutes? This week, we sit down with Shea Jones, a self-proclaimed "rhythm cutter" whose musical instincts have defined some of the most memorable trailer moments of the last decade. Shea shares his origin story—from math-loving student in San Antonio to trailer editor at X/AV—along with insights into how he approaches genre, music, and storytelling. 🎵 Whether he's remixing action sequences with beat drops or building visual...
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Sonic Sculptor: Lenny Jones on Sound Design, Artistry & Adaptation
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
How a music-obsessed Midwesterner built a sonic legacy from the mix stages of Hollywood to the classrooms of tomorrow — and why the future of sound is still human. In this sound-rich episode, Corey sits down with Lenny Jones, a virtuoso in the trailer audio world and founder of 24/96 Sound & Music Design. With over 190 feature film campaigns under his belt and a teaching post at the New York Film Academy, Lenny shares his journey from humble beginnings in Indiana to becoming a go-to source for immersive sound design in trailers, TV spots, and features. This episode is a masterclass...
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🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 9) – with special guests Dawn Baillie and Clive Baillie and co-host Benedict Coulter
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
🎬 From Posters to Powerhouses: The Legacy of Andy Kuehn Through BLT’s Origins 📌 Episode Summary In this edition of our tribute series to Andy Kuehn—widely regarded as the father of the modern trailer industry—we're joined by special co-host Benedict Coulter and iconic guests Dawn Baillie and Clive Baillie, two of the co-founders of BLT Communications. Together, they retrace the creative and entrepreneurial journey that shaped BLT, and honor the enormous influence Andy had in nurturing creative independence and cultivating Hollywood glamor. This conversation is a deep dive into the...
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🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 8) – with special guest Jim Gibbons and co-host Benedict Coulter
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
From Madison Ave to Hollywood: The Birth of a Trailer Empire 📌 Episode Summary This week, we continue our heartfelt tribute to Andy Kuehn, a visionary often considered the father of the modern trailer industry. This week, Corey and special co-host Benedict Coulter of REBEL welcome longtime industry luminary Jim Gibbons (EVP of Paramount, founder of Flamingo Films) who takes us on a journey through the formative years of trailer creation—from New York’s Madison Avenue to Hollywood's 7️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Santa Monica Blvd. In this edition, we explore the early days of...
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🎙️ Tribute to Andy Kuehn (Part 7) – with special guest Gregory McClatchy and co-host Benedict Coulter
Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods
🎬 Spielberg, Scott, Streisand & the Trailers Behind the Legends This week, we continue our heartfelt tribute to Andy Kuehn, the visionary known as the father of the modern trailer industry. In this episode, we're joined by Greg McClatchy, President of Motor Entertainment and longtime Kaleidoscope editor, along with returning guest Benedict Coulter, co-founder of REBEL and the original rock-star trailer editor. Together, they revisit their years at Kaleidoscope, the groundbreaking agency Andy Kuehn co-founded. From crafting trailers for The Omen and Top Gun to working with Spielberg,...
info_outlineHow similar is opening a movie to getting a candidate elected? How much is opening weekend like Election Day? Christine Birch - who's worked on hundreds of movies, generated billions in box office receipts, and is the first and only W.O.C. to run marketing for 3 movie studios - has some thoughts.
In this special crossover episode of TG&TG with Corey's other show, TALKIN' POLITICS & RELIGION WITHOUT KILLIN' EACH OTHER, we’re joined by Christine Birch, a renowned Hollywood marketing executive with a storied career involving icons like Steven Spielberg and Will Smith. We delve into political campaigns, the impact of media misinformation, book bans targeting authors like Toni Morrison, and cultural shifts in storytelling. We get into Birchy's experiences in the film industry, the challenges of adapting black stories, her candid advice for empowering women of color, and the complexities of navigating hard discussions. We also discuss the role of black women in society, the moral dynamics influencing voter behavior in the Trump era, and the need for innovation in both the political and film industries. With personal anecdotes, social critiques, and reflections on American identity, this episode offers a comprehensive exploration of how culture, politics, and Hollywood intersect in shaping societal narratives.
01:12 Introducing Christine Birch: A Hollywood Unicorn
02:02 Meeting a Literary Legend: Toni Morrison
09:49 Banning Books and Personal Responsibility
14:48 The Power of Shared Stories in Culture
17:53 Writing THE HOLLYWOOD UNICORN: A Heart-to-Heart
27:09 The Role of Black Women in Today's Historical Context
36:28 Analyzing Political Campaigns: Lessons from Hollywood
40:44 Marketing Strategies: Putting Lipstick on a Pig
47:02 Comparing Political Polling and Market Research
53:45 The 2024 Election: A Battle for Democracy
57:24 The Immigration Debate and American Identity
59:23 The Impact of Social Media and Disinformation
01:13:42 Hollywood's Role in Shaping American Culture
01:23:43 The Importance of Diversity in the Film Industry
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