Austin Film Festival's On Story
Austin Film Festival's On Story Podcast is the companion to Austin Film Festival's television show, On Story. Get an uncensored inside look at the creative process of filmmaking through the eyes of some of the entertainment industry's most prolific writers, directors and producers.
info_outline
On the Making of Sing Sing
05/07/2025
On the Making of Sing Sing
This week on On Story, AFF Senior Film Programer Andy Wolk sits down with writer-producer Clint Bently and producer Monique Walton to deep-dive into the making of Sing Sing. Based on the real-life Rehabilitation through the Arts program at New York’s Sing Sing Maximum security prison, the powerful film follows a group of incarcerated men who find purpose and creativity through their prison theater troupe. The feature earned wide-spread critical acclaim, not only for the feature’s moving portrayal of change and exploration of human expression, but also for the cast’s inclusion of real-life formerly incarcerated men who were alumni of the program. The formerly incarcerated men perform alongside starring actor Colmon Domingo. Clint Bentley co-wrote Sing Sing with the film’s director, Greg Kwedar. Bentley is known for his previous feature screenplays, Transpecos and Jockey which was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Monique Walton is a leading indie producer and a recipient of a Film Independent Spirit Awards Producers Award. Prior, Walton produced Annie Silverstein’s award-winning debut feature Bull which premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Bentley and Walton discuss their process of crafting and capturing a story based on authentic life experiences and having faith the project will come together. Sing Sing Clips courtesy of A24.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/36466025
info_outline
A Conversation with Craig Mazin
03/26/2025
A Conversation with Craig Mazin
This week on On Story, a conversation with writer, director, producer and industry frontrunner, Craig Mazin. Mazin is perhaps best known for his Emmy award-winning historical Drama, Chernobyl. The HBO miniseries captivated audiences with its story of the aftermath of the 1986 disaster and earned Mazin the Emmy for Outstanding Writing on a Limited Series. Prior to his television work, Mazin gained recognition as a sharp comedy writer through features such as Scary Movie 3 and 4, Superhero Movie, The Hangover parts 2 and 3, and Identity Theif. The prolific writer is a long-time friend of Austin Film Festival and often hosts live recordings of his industry-insider podcasted, Scriptnotes, co-hosted with fellow writer John August, during AFF’s Annual Writers Conference each October. Eager to inform and support up-and-coming writers, the podcast discusses all things current in screenwriting. The Last of Us Clips courtesy of HBO Max.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/35859960
info_outline
A Conversation with Kathleen Kennedy
03/13/2025
A Conversation with Kathleen Kennedy
This week on On Story, a conversation with legendary producer, Katheleen Kennedy on her impressive producing career. Kennedy has produced or executive-produced more than 70 feature films, which have collectively garnered 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins. Among her credits include blockbusters and classics such as Jurassic Park, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, The Sixth Sense, the Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Goonies, Poltergeist, Empire of the Sun, Schindler’s List, and The Color Purple….just to name a few! Not to mention, Kennedy has collaborated with some of Hollywood’s most infamous directors including Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, and Clint Eastwood. Today, Kennedy is the president of Lucasfilm where she produced Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), the highest grossing domestic feature of all time. I sat down with Kennedy, AFF’s 2024 Recipient of the Polly Platt Award for Producing, to discuss her vast career trajectory. Kennedy reflects on her journey from a green, yet visionary, producer to one of the most successful and respected producers in the film industry today. Kennedy outlines how she continues to find inspiration for each of her projects even after decades of experience. Listen closely, it’s time to learn from one of the best. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial clips courtesy of Universal pictures Empire of the Sun clips courtesy of Warner Brothers The Acolyte courtesy of Disney
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/35668360
info_outline
On World Building with Damon Lindelof and Dan Erickson
02/19/2025
On World Building with Damon Lindelof and Dan Erickson
This week on On Story, AFF moderator Casey Baron speaks with leading TV writers Damon Lindelof and Dan Erickson on the art of world building. Damon Lindelof is a three-time Emmy Award-winning writer and producer, best known for creating and showrunning hit supernatural and science-fiction dramas such as ABC's Lost, the HBO series The Leftovers and Watchmen, as well as Peacock's limited series Mrs. Davis. Prior to showrunning, Lindelof wrote on the crime dramas Nash Bridges and Crossing Jordan. One of television's most prolific and pre-eminent writers, Lindelof has created some of TV's most captivating worlds, such as the disturbing island backdrop of Lost, or the world with two percent of the population missing, The Leftovers. A true television mastermind, AFF was honored to give Damon its renowned Outstanding Television Writer Award, created to recognize unparalleled achievements from television creators. Lindelof was joined in conversation by Dan Erickson, the showrunner and producer of Severance, the science-fiction and psychological thriller series directed by Ben Stiller and starring Adam Scott. Severance premiered on Apple TV in 2022 and has since captivated audiences through the world of the biotechnology corporation, Lumon Industries, with its extreme employee policies. Lindelof and Erickson discuss their process of building a series world from the ground up. Severance clips courtesy of Apple TV.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/35350590
info_outline
Film to TV Adaptations: A Conversation with Noah Hawley
12/25/2024
Film to TV Adaptations: A Conversation with Noah Hawley
This week on On Story, a conversation with lauded TV writer, Noah Hawley, whose expansive writing career includes creating and showrunning the FX series Fargo and Legion. Fargo, the award-winning anthology series, is Hawley's adaptation of the 1996 film of the same name. Each season of the comedy-crime series follows murder investigations in various midwestern towns. Since the series debuted in 2014, the star-stacked cast has included Jon Hamm, Chris Rock, Jessie Buckley, Ben Wisham, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ewan McGregor, Patrick Wilson, Jean Smart, and Kirsten Dunst, to name just a few. The series, now with five seasons released, has earned six Emmy awards and an impressive fifty-five nominations. Both the acclaimed series Fargo and Legion are produced under Noah Hawley's 26 Keys Production banner. Hawley sat down with AFF moderator and TV producer Barry Josephson for a conversation focused on Fargo. Hawley discusses his approach to finding the essence of the film when adapting it for the small screen. Fargo clips courtesy of FX. Legion clips courtesy of FX. Bones clips courtesy of Fox.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/34610900
info_outline
Watchmen, with Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson
12/04/2024
Watchmen, with Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson
This week on On Story, AFF moderator Harrison Glaser speaks with Watchmen showrunner Damon Lindelof and writer Cord Jefferson about the collaborative process of adapting the beloved comic book and writing the series' Emmy Award-winning episode. Watchmen, a critically and commercially celebrated limited series, tells the story of racially motivated violence and vigilantism in the world of Alan Moore’s graphic novel by the same name. Damon Lindelof is a WGA, PGA, and Emmy award-winning writer who has created some of television’s most iconic shows, including Lost and The Leftovers. A master of smart, character-driven science fiction, Lindelof shares his perspective on breaking story and building mythology. Cord Jefferson began his writing career as a journalist. Since transitioning to television, he has worked on some of the medium’s most formative shows in recent years: Master of None, The Good Place, Succession, and Watchmen. His debut feature, American Fiction, won the Audience Award at the 30th annual Austin Film Festival. Cord discusses bringing his own perspective to well-known material and honing in on character motivation. Watchmen clips courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/34280930
info_outline
A Conversation with So Young Shelly Yo
11/06/2024
A Conversation with So Young Shelly Yo
This week on On Story, a conversation with the up and coming visionary, So Young Shelly Yo. Shelly is an award-winning filmmaker whose work has been supported by HBO, CAAM, SFFILM, the Sloan Foundation and others. Shelly's feature film, SMOKING TIGERS, was the winner of Tribeca x AT&T’s Untold Stories and was awarded best screenplay, best performance and a special mention for the Nora Ephron prize at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Prior to SMOKING TIGERS, Shelly wrote and directed many short films including SOFT SOUNDS OF PEELING FRUIT and MOONWALK WITH ME. She is currently in development for her next project. Shelly will discuss transitioning from writing and directing short films to her debut feature, the visually stunning and emotionally rich multi-language film Smoking Tigers. Clips of Smoking Tigers courtesy of Max.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/33694192
info_outline
Adapting Period Pieces, with Alison Eakle and Evan Romansky
10/30/2024
Adapting Period Pieces, with Alison Eakle and Evan Romansky
This week on On Story, we explore finding the source material for a period piece, making decisions about historical accuracy versus creative liberties, and successfully marrying a modern audience with a bygone era. AFF moderator Fabienne Harford speaks with Alison Eakle, Chief Content Officer at Shondaland and executive producer on Bridgerton, and Evan Romanksy, co-creator of Ratched about what it takes to research and create period pieces that maintain integrity and entertainment. Alison Eakle oversees all Netflix streaming content for Shondaland. She joined Shondaland in 2013, helping develop the ABC dramas “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Station 19,” “For the People,” and “The Catch.” Prior to her time at Shondaland, Eakle was at Ellen DeGeneres’ production company, A Very Good Production. She began her career in features, working in development and production at Paramount Vantage and Columbia Pictures, as well as in marketing at Paramount Pictures. In 2016, Eakle was named one of Marie Claire’s New Guard: America’s 50 Most Influential Women, and in 2019 she was named an Ojai Fellow as part of CAA’s Convene. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and The University of Texas at Austin. She’s joined by Evan Romanksy the co-creator and executive producer of Netflix's Emmy and Golden-Globe nominated series RATCHED. A graduate of Ohio University and Loyola Marymount University, Evan has sold both film and TV projects to Amazon and MakeReady Studios and is currently developing with Jason Bateman's Aggregate Films as well as Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment. Both Evan and Allison have learned to successfully marry a modern audience with a bygone era. Ratched, Queen Charlotte, and Bridgerton clips courtesy of Netflix.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/33694112
info_outline
Tales from Texas Film Offices, Presented by TXAFC
09/11/2024
Tales from Texas Film Offices, Presented by TXAFC
This week on On Story, we’re joined by the film industry experts who connect Texas filmmakers with funding and resources including President of the Texas Association of Film Commissions, Drew Mayer-Oakes, Director of the Texas Film Commission, Stephanie Whallon, Director of the San Antonio Film Commission, Kimberly LeBlanc, and Director of the Houston Film Commission, Alfred Cervantes. The discussion of their professional histories and organizational goals shines a light on the many different ways these structured bodies provide support for Texas creators while simultaneously invigorating local economies.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/33004117
info_outline
A Conversation with Lee Eisenberg
08/28/2024
A Conversation with Lee Eisenberg
This week on On Story, a conversation with Lee Eisenberg about the launch of his comedy writing career. Eisenberg and his writing partner Gene Stupnitsky broke into the industry with their adventure-comedy screenplay, Year One, an irreverent retelling of the Book of Genesis in which they collaborated with the iconic comedian and filmmaker, Harold Ramis, who went onto direct the film for the Apatow Company. In tandem writing with Year One, Lee and Gene were staffed on season two of the notorious comedy television hit, The Office, where they wrote for five hilarious seasons. Masters of craft and discomfort comedy, stories that bring audiences right to the edge of unbearable cringe before easing them with a laugh, Lee and Gene wrote many celebrated teleplays for The Office, including Dinner Party, The Lover, and audience favorite Scott's Tots, in which Michael Scott realizes he cannot fulfill his long-time promise to pay the college tuition of local students. Eisenberg discusses his process of co-writing these scripts and the importance of leaving pathos and humanity into the most cringey comedic protagonists. Eisenberg also expands on his and Gene's process creating the out-of-the-box reality hoax sitcom, Jury Duty, in which Ronald Gladden, appearing as himself, was unaware that the entire case and jury proceeding had been staged. The one-of-a-kind comedy series was nominated for both Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. Lastly, Eisenberg elaborates on his latest project: developing the historical drama miniseries Lessons in Chemistry, based on the bestselling book of the same name. Eisenberg reveals how the artistry of the novel not only sparked his genre switch, but inspired him to subtly impart aspects of his lived experience into the Apple TV series. The Office clips courtesy of NBC. Jury Duty clips courtesy of Amazon Freevee. Good Boys clips courtesy of Universal Pictures. Lessons in Chemistry clips courtesy of Apple TV.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/32772032
info_outline
A Conversation with Karyn Kusama
08/07/2024
A Conversation with Karyn Kusama
This week on On Story, Austin Film Festival moderator Harrison Glaser speaks with Karyn Kusama about her filmography, the evolution of her storytelling, and her focus on strong female protagonists. In her debut feature, Girlfight, Kusama drew from her own experiences training in a boxing gym and living in New York City, building Michelle Rodriguez’s character from young women she encountered on the subway. Kusama discusses connecting to their guarded nature and writing a protagonist that her audiences could root for. After the release of Girlfight, Kusama received critical praise and went onto direct her first studio film, Aeon Flux, co-written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay. Hay would become her husband and life partner, and her creative partnership with both Hay and Manfredi would lead to The Invitation and Destroyer. Kusama also discusses her experiences in episodic storytelling. Her television credits include Halt and Catch Fire, Billions, and the genre-bending hit, Yellowjackets. She delves into the ways that directing television keeps her craft sharp, and discusses how she and Yellowjackets co-creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson infuse cinematic sequences into shorter film storytelling. Throughout her illustrious career, Kusama has perhaps been best-known for the cult classic Jennifer’s Body, the black comedy horror film written by Diablo Cody and starring a young Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. In conversation at the Austin Film Festival, Kusama recounts her connection with Cody’s voice and their creative exploration of female friendship as the emotional core of that story. Girlfight clips courtesy of United Artists. Jennifer’s Body clips courtesy of 20th Century Studios. The Invitation clips courtesy of The Invitation, LLC. Yellowjackets clips courtesy of Showtime.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/32473272
info_outline
The Bikeriders, with Jeff Nichols
07/31/2024
The Bikeriders, with Jeff Nichols
This week on On Story, a conversation with Jeff Nichols, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Mud and Loving, to discuss his most recent film The Bikeriders, a moving character drama based on journalist Danny Lyons’ photobook by the same name. The Bikeriders chronicles the rise and fall of a Chicago motorcycle gang in the 1960s through the lens of bikerider wife Kathy, an open book played by Jodie Comer. Led by the strong and silent Johnny, embodied by Tom Hardy, the club devolves from a surrogate home for outsiders with no place to go to a violent crime organization. Its members, especially Austin Butler’s strong-willed, reckless Benny, are forced to grapple with their club’s decaying principles, their role in the organization, and by extension, their place in a changing world. The film captures distinct nostalgia from a bygone era, and summons enormous affection for its deeply flawed characters. In conversation with the Austin Film Festival, Nichols recounts how he connected with the photobook’s images and anecdotes, and listened to voice recordings of the real-life vandals, to build a rich world and craft compelling characters. The Bikeriders clips courtesy of Focus Features.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/32327612
info_outline
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, with Tommy Lee Jones
06/12/2024
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, with Tommy Lee Jones
This week on On Story, a conversation with the team behind The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, a western that follows a ranch foreman's extraordinary trek to Mexico to bury his best friend's body in his hometown. Actor and director Tommy Lee Jones worked with writer Guillermo Arriaga to develop a moving, character-driven story inspired by true events about the shared border between Texas and Mexico. Jones, alongside 1st Assistant Director Phil Hardage, Unit Production Manager Eric Austin Williams, Post-Production Supervisor Larry Madaras, and actor Julio Cedillo discuss their decision to tell the story in a non-linear fashion, their experience filming on location, and how they incorporated sound effects and scoring to build the film's world and define its characters. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada clips courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/31701127
info_outline
A Conversation with Katrin Benedikt
06/05/2024
A Conversation with Katrin Benedikt
This week on On Story, we're having a conversation with Katrin Benedikt. Co-writer of the non-stop political action thrillers Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen, and Expendables 3, Benedikt lends a behind-the-scenes look into the realities of breaking into Hollywood as a writer, from pitching the same story for years on end, navigating relationships with co-writers, agents, and producers, to completing last-minute rewrites on set. A true lover of action movies, Benedikt discusses crafting characters for star-studded casts and working with genre experts Antoine Fuqua and Sylvester Stallone. Olympus Has Fallen clips courtesy of Film District. London Has Fallen clips courtesy of Millennium Media. Expendables 3 clips courtesy of Lionsgate Media.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/31594557
info_outline
Finestkind, with Brian Helgeland
04/17/2024
Finestkind, with Brian Helgeland
This week on On Story, a conversation with Brian Helgeland, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter who penned acclaimed movies including L.A. Confidential and Mystic River, and the director who brought to life beloved films such as A Knight’s Tale and 42. He lends a behind the scenes look at the making of Finestkind, a film mined from his relationship with his father and their experiences as deep sea fishermen. The film, set in Helgeland’s own hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts, tells the story of two estranged brothers’ navigating a splintered relationship in the high-stakes world of commercial fishing and drug dealing. Helgeland discusses grounding the story in setting, crafting character backgrounds with Tommy Lee Jones (who plays the boys’ father) and imbuing the film with his personal touch. Finestkind is now streaming on Paramount Plus. Finestkind clips courtesy of Paramount Plus.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/30835678
info_outline
Past Lives, with Celine Song
04/10/2024
Past Lives, with Celine Song
This week on On Story, AFF moderator Harrison Glaser speaks with Celine Song about her feature debut, Past Lives. Inspired by Song’s own experiences, Past Lives tells the story of two childhood friends who reunite as adults and reckon with the nature of the enduring bond between them. This multi-language film is a deeply personal exploration of the modern immigrant experience, unflinchingly confronting the “what-ifs” that plague lost love and paths not taken. Celine Song began her writing career as a playwright in New York City, and joined fantasy series The Wheel of Time as a staff writer before her feature debut. The bittersweet romance premiered to critical acclaim and soared to Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. In conversation at the 30th annual Austin Film Festival, Song discusses creating complex identities for her characters, writing dialogue that feels true to life, and transitioning from playwright to filmmaker. Past Lives clips courtesy of A24.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/30768573
info_outline
American Fiction, with Cord Jefferson
02/28/2024
American Fiction, with Cord Jefferson
This week on On Story, a conversation with Cord Jefferson on adapting the novel Erasure into his strikingly sharp debut feature American Fiction. Cord Jefferson is an Emmy-winning writer who earned his chops on some of television’s most formative shows in recent years: Master of None, The Good Place, Succession, and Watchmen. His debut feature, American Fiction, won the Audience Award at the 30th annual Austin Film Festival. American Fiction is an adaptation of Percival Everett’s novel Erasure. The film introduces us to Thelonius Monk, played by Jeffrey Wright, a weary writer frustrated by the publishing industry’s obsession with reducing artists of color into stereotypes. In an effort to show the industry its own foolishness, Monk offers up a pandering manuscript that, much to his chagrin, becomes wildly successful. Cord discusses bringing his own perspective and sense of humor to the source material, and marrying comedy and drama in one film. Clips of American Fiction courtesy of Amazon/MGM Studios.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/30147688
info_outline
The Bear, with Joanna Calo
02/21/2024
The Bear, with Joanna Calo
This week on On Story, a conversation with Joanna Calo, showrunner of the character-driven dramedy The Bear. Joanna delves into her experience sharing showrunning duties with creator Christopher Storer, and discusses their approach to incorporating real life events into the show’s deeply grounded characters and high stakes world. As a television veteran, Joanna’s writing credits include Bojack Horseman, Hacks, Beef, and today’s subject, The Bear. The Bear tells the story of Carmy Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White, an award-winning chef who returns home to Chicago in the wake of his estranged brother’s suicide to find that he has inherited the family sandwich shop. Audiences fell in love with The Bear’s fast-paced dialogue, anxiety-inducing stakes, and deeply human characters in the show’s first season. In season 2, the show’s stakes raised even higher as Carmy attempted to open his own fine dining restaurant in Chicago. In today’s On Story conversation, Joanna share her insights surrounding the infamous mid-season episode Fishes featuring guest star Jamie Lee Curtis, as well as the well-crafted characters of Richie, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Marcus, played by Lionel Boyce. Clips of The Bear courtesy of FX.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/30029303
info_outline
Contact, with James V. Hart
02/12/2024
Contact, with James V. Hart
This week on the On Story Podcast a conversation with James V. Hart, writer of the science fiction drama Contact directed by Robert Zemeckis. In his decades-long career, Hart has written beloved films including Hook, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Tuck Everlasting, and August Rush. Hart discusses the process of adapting Contact from Carl Sagan’s novel about a scientist who discovers definitive proof of extraterrestrial life. From working with the author to discern his original intent and establishing a thematic purpose, to embedding a story with high stakes and finding the story’s emotional core, Hart lends us a close look at the intricacies of structuring a screenplay. Clips of Contact courtesy of Warner Bros.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/29911638
info_outline
Iron Man 3 w/Shane Black
01/31/2024
Iron Man 3 w/Shane Black
This week on On Story, a conversation with writer-director Shane Black about the making of Iron Man 3. Shane Black, the original creator of the Lethal Weapon franchise, is well-known for his irreverent comedic style and witty dialogue, as well as turning established genre tropes on their head. Black does just that in Iron Man 3, a superhero film that sets aside hero's bravado to dissect the man inside the suit. Barbara Morgan sat down with Black to discuss finding larger-than-life characters' interiority, navigating fan expectations, and working within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Clips of Iron Man 3 courtesy of Marvel Studios.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/29684913
info_outline
Dolemite is My Name w/Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, and Craig Brewer
01/10/2024
Dolemite is My Name w/Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, and Craig Brewer
This week on On Story, a conversation with celebrated writing team Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, alongside filmmaker Craig Brewer, to discuss their collaboration on the hilarious, outrageous film Dolemite Is My Name. Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are an accomplished duo best known for the “anti-biopic” - postmodern movies that defy genre expectations by focusing on lesser known people, like in their films Ed Wood, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, and Big Eyes. The pair have also earned critical and commercial success by fictionalizing well-known true stories in their hit TV show American Crime Story: The People Versus O.J. Simpson, and as we discuss today, their acclaimed account of the life of Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name. Craig Brewer’s career as a writer and director has spanned two decades, launched by his well-received debut The Poor and the Hungry and his Oscar winning sophomore feature Hustle & Flow. Brewer directed Dolemite Is My Name, a biographical comedy that chronicles Rudy Ray Moore’s making of beloved blaxploitation film Dolemite. Dolemite is My Name Clips Courtesy of Netflix.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/29430293
info_outline
Lawmen: Bass Reeves w/Chad Feehan, Christina Voros, and Damian Marcano
12/06/2023
Lawmen: Bass Reeves w/Chad Feehan, Christina Voros, and Damian Marcano
This week on On Story, a conversation with the creative team behind Lawmen: Bass Reeves, a show based on the incredible real life of Bass Reeves, a man who was born into slavery and later became a Deputy U.S. Marshal. He was the first black man west of the Mississippi River to hold that title, and according to creator and showrunner of the series Chad Feehan, he was “arguably the greatest lawman in the history of this country.” Taylor Sheridan is responsible for making it all happen, and this limited series is the latest installment in his television universe. Creator Chad Feehan has written on shows known for their gritty realism, like Southland and Ray Donovan. A meeting with David Oyelowo made him obsessed with Bass Reeves. Enough to create this series. Oyelowo plays the title role. He had been trying to get a show made about Reeves for years. Christina Voros is very familiar with the Taylor Sheridan universe. She directed and co-executive produced for megahits Yellowstone and 1883. She is the executive producer of the Bass Reeves series, and she directed the pilot beautifully. Damian Marcano, director on the intense, fast-paced Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty and the neo-noir television series, American Gigolo, directed several episodes of Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Barbara Morgan talked with Chad, Christina, and Damian about how they took on the material and some of the challenges that come from making historical fiction. Lawmen: Bass Reeves Clips Courtesy of Paramount Plus.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/28952163
info_outline
Justified, with VJ Boyd and Chris Provenzano
11/29/2023
Justified, with VJ Boyd and Chris Provenzano
This week on On Story, a conversation with two of the writers on Justified: City Primeval. VJ Boyd is a writer and producer. He did both on hits like Justified and S.W.A.T. He co-created and co-showran the crime drama Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, and he’s currently showrunning The Madness, expected to release next year. Chris Provenzano was a writer on the first season of Mad Men. Since then, he’s written on an incredibly diverse number of hits, from Archer to Justified to Silicon Valley. Barbara Morgan spoke with the two at the Austin Film Festival. Justified clips courtesy of FX Networks.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/28846963
info_outline
A Conversation with Edward Neumeier
08/16/2023
A Conversation with Edward Neumeier
This week on On Story, writer Edward Neumeier discusses his creative process behind the sci-fi cult classics RoboCop and Starship Troopers. Neumeier explores the particulars of writing for the genre, as well as his knack for disguising deep issues within expansive and captivating stories. Clips of RoboCop courtesy of Orion Pictures. Clips of Starship Troopers courtesy of TriStar Pictures.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/27773940
info_outline
'Never Have I Ever' with Lang Fisher
07/26/2023
'Never Have I Ever' with Lang Fisher
This week on On Story, we're joined by Lang Fisher for a conversation on her process of co-creating, writing, and showrunning Netflix’s hit series, Never Have I Ever. Fisher has a long history of writing and producing funny yet intelligent television, and Never Have I Ever is no exception. This fresh, coming-of-age series follows Indian-American teen, Davy Vishwakumar, who after a difficult year, is determined to heighten her social status at Sherman Oaks High Schools. Both co-created with and inspired by Mindy Kaling’s own childhood, the show's current three seasons are a remarkable masterclass on witty dialogue, a leader in diverse representation on screen, and adept at presenting relatable themes for teens and adults alike. The show's highly anticipated fourth and final season is scheduled to be released by Netflix on June 8th, 2023. Prior to her work on Never Have I Ever, Fisher was a writer-producer for many comedy series, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Mindy Project, and the final season of 30 Rock, where she co-wrote the episode “A Goon’s Deed in a Weary World,” which was named one of Variety’s “25 Best TV Episodes of the Decade.” Before venturing into television writing, Fisher used her humor to write for six years at the satirical news outlet, The Onion. AFF moderator Casey Baron sat down with Lang Fisher to dive deeper into the process of writing and creating Never Have I Ever and to give our audience a craft conversation. Never have you ever learned so much on the art of comedy writing! Clips of Never Have I Ever courtesy of Netflix.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/27574209
info_outline
A Conversation with Noah Harpster & Micah Fitzerman-Blue
07/07/2023
A Conversation with Noah Harpster & Micah Fitzerman-Blue
This week on On Story, we're joined by writing partners Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue, known for their collaboration on projects such as the award-winning film based on the life of Mr. Rogers, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, their work writing and producing the Amazon series, Transparent, and co-creating and co-showrunning their upcoming Netflix series, Painkiller. Known for their talents writing stories based on true events, Painkiller is no different, as it's an honest exploration of the birth of the opioid crisis in the United States, starring Matthew Broderick and Uzo Abuda. Together, Harpster and Fitzerman-Blue have won the Peabody Award, the PEN award, and the Humanitas Prize for their collaborative work as screenwriters, in addition to receiving Emmy, Golden Globe, People’s Choice Awards, and WGA writing nominations. AFF moderator Harrison Glaser sat down with both writers during the 2022 Writers Conference to discuss what makes a successful writing partnership, the process of crafting stories based on real events, and how to build a career that includes writing across genres, and within both television and film. You know what they say - two heads are better than one, and the truth is stranger than fiction. Harpster and Fitzerman-Blue embody these timeless statements. Clips courtesy of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and Amazon Studios.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/27403269
info_outline
A Conversation with Stephen Merchant
06/21/2023
A Conversation with Stephen Merchant
This week on On Story, we're joined by the comedic genius Stephen Merchant for a conversation on his impressive career in television. Perhaps best known for co-creating (with Ricky Gervais) BBC's The Office, Merchant's work writing and directing the critically acclaimed show attributed to the series earning multiple comedy awards, including three BAFTA awards, two British Comedy awards, two Golden Globe awards, a Primetime Emmy, and a Peabody Award, all before Merchant served as the executive producer on the immensely successful adaptation. The US series was a long-running hit, receiving five Primetime Emmy awards and forty-two nominations of its own during its run on NBC. Other pillars in Merchant's career include starring, co-creating, co-writing and directing the HBO series Hello Ladies, a sitcom based on Merchant's stand-up show of the same name. Currently, Merchant serves as the co-creator, executive producer, writer, director and star of his newest series, The Outlaws. Co-created with Elgin James, the crime thriller and comedic television show follows seven very different strangers who are sentenced to community service as payback for their various crimes. Yet things certainly take a turn when the group discovers a bag full of money, unaware of its dangerous owners, in this hit co-production from BBC One and Amazon Studios. A pivotal creative in the world of comedy, AFF was delighted to honor Merchant as the recipient of AFF’s Outstanding Television Writer Award, a distinction awarded annually to recognize excellence in the television industry. Merchant certainly demonstrates excellence, not only from his impressive collection of awards and accolades, but also through his various titles, roles, and hats, including actor, stand-up comedian, writer, director, and producer, thereby cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile talents in TV and film. Barbara Morgan sat down with Merchant during the 2022 Austin Film Festival for an in-depth conversation on both his creative process and career, eager to hear more on Merchant’s practice of crafting relatable characters, how he found comedic inspiration from drama, and most of all, how he established himself as one of television’s leading comedic voices. So sit back and have a laugh as we talk all things comedy with Stephen Merchant. Clips of The Outlaws courtesy of Amazon Studios. Clips of Hello Ladies courtesy of Home Box Office, Inc. Clips of The Office courtesy of British Broadcasting Corporation.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/27227310
info_outline
A Conversation with James Gray
06/08/2023
A Conversation with James Gray
This week on On Story, a conversation with acclaimed writer, director, and producer James Gray to discuss not only his artistic process, but how he established himself as one the industry’s most talented writer-directors. A true visionary, Gray made his directorial debut with his celebrated film Little Odessa, which earned him nominations for both Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay at the 1994 Independent Spirit Awards. Other esteemed features in Gray’s canon include The Yards, starring Joaquin Phoenix, who is in fact a frequent collaborator of Gray’s, and We Own the Night, starring Mark Wahlberg, in addition to his films, Two Lovers, The Immigrant, The Lost City of Z, and Ad Astra, all of which set the bar for both screenwriting and direction. Gray’s most recent feature, Armageddon Time, is a deeply personal film inspired by Gray’s childhood. A reflection on the strength of family, the complexity of friendship, and the realities of class as seen through the eyes of a young Jewish boy growing up in 1980s Queens, the film’s star-studded cast includes leading actors Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway, and Jeremy Strong. In addition to speaking with Gray on his process of writing and directing each of his seven critically-acclaimed feature films, AFF was eager to honor Gray with our coveted Bill Wittliff Award for Screenwriting, an annual award presented to leading storytellers within film, television and new media. Gray adds this accolade to his five Palme d’Or nominations, as well as the Silver Lion Award. During our annual Writers Conference, Barbara Morgan sat down with Gray to discuss how he became a pillar of American filmmaking. Ad Astra clips courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Little Odessa clips courtesy of Fine Line Features. Lost City of Z clips courtesy of Sierra Afinity, LLC. We Own the Night clips courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/27084438
info_outline
Kandahar Q&A with Ric Roman Waugh
05/17/2023
Kandahar Q&A with Ric Roman Waugh
This week on On Story we're joined by director Ric Roman Waugh for a post-screening deep dive into his newest action thriller, Kandahar. Formerly an actor and stuntman who appeared in countless films, including Universal Soldier, The Last of the Mohicans, and Lethal Weapon 2, Waugh is certainly no stranger to action. Now known for his work as a writer, producer, and director, Waugh utilizes his background in stunt work to create many of today's leading thrillers, such as Felon, Snitch, Shot Caller, and Angel Has Fallen, serving on all as writer and director. Recently in 2020, Waugh directed Greenland, a disaster thriller starring Waugh's frequent collaborator, Gerard Butler, which follows the story of John Garrity, who must save the United States from imminent destruction by a comet. Waugh's newest action thriller, Kandahar, was written by former U.S. Military Intelligence Officer Mitchell La Fortune, and follows the journey of undercover CIA operative Tom Harris, who along with his translator must flee hostile territory in Afghanistan after their covert mission is exposed. Both starring and produced by Gerard Butler, the film is based on LaFortune's own experience serving in Afghanistan during the 2013 Snowden leaks. Never short on suspense or excitement, Kandahar is a high-stakes race against time, set against the complex political background of the War on Terror. So sit back - or, well more likely on the edge of your seat - as Barbara Morgan sits down with director Ric Roman Waugh to talk all things Kandahar. Clips of Kandahar courtesy of Open Road Films.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/26869977
info_outline
A Conversation with Alec Berg
05/04/2023
A Conversation with Alec Berg
This week on On Story, AFF Moderator Harrison Glaser sits down with television writing legend Alec Berg for an in-depth conversation on his triumphant comedy writing career. Nothing short of a comedic genius, Berg's writing credits include some of television's most hilarious series, including his work writing, directing, and producing Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mike Judge's Silicon Valley, and most recently, HBO's Barry, which he co-created with SNL legend Bill Hader. Barry, which was recently renewed for a fourth season, is an Emmy-nominated dark comedy hit that follows down-and-out hitman Barry Berkman, played by Bill Hader. Barry's assignments bring him to Los Angeles, where he finds himself joining a local acting class for wannabe talent taught by Gene Cousineau, played by none other than Henry Winkler. Through this class and a budding relationship with aspiring actress Sally Reed, this not-so-cold-blooded killer finds himself amidst an existential crisis, asking as we all often do, what is it he really wants out of life? Only Berg, a master of situational comedy, would think to put a hitman in a beginner's acting class and to make it lighthearted and funny, but as many of our listeners know, there's nothing lighthearted or easy about breaking into the world of comedy. Berg breaks down for our AFF audience his journey, which started by gaining inspiration from the tapes of prior comedy legends like Steve Martin, to his early work writing for Seinfeld, to expanding his credit from writer to writer-director, to ultimately making a career and name for himself as one of television's leading comedy creators and showrunners. So get ready for a lesson in laughter from comedy legend Alec Berg. Clips of Barry and Silicon Valley courtesy of Home Box Office, Inc. Clips of Seinfeld courtesy of NBC.
/episode/index/show/austinfilm/id/26748039