Behind The Lens

It's a BEHIND THE LENS that's out of this world thanks to former astronaut and "Global Space Statesman" BUZZ ALDRIN, writer/director MICHAEL GRODNER, and writers/directors/actors DAVID ZELLNER and NATHAN ZELLNER as we look to the stars, the world of punk rock, and a wild western! First up we take a peek into the stars and space exploration with our pre-recorded interview with BUZZ ALDRIN. A sit-down exclusive that preceded film critic debbie elias moderating an intimate Q&A with Buzz on June 21 for the premiere of THE MAN WHO UNLOCKED THE UNIVERSE (a fascinating documentary on Ulugh Beg whose interest and work in astronomy pre-dated that of Galileo by 150 years and set the stage for much of what has come since in our journey to the stars), take a listen as Buzz talks about his latest endeavor, The Human SpaceFlight Institute, and his thoughts on our trajectory to Mars. Then writer/director MICHAEL GRODNER joins BTLRadioShow to talk about his feature directorial debut, THE ICARUS LINE MUST DIE. A renowned director of music videos and creator of DirectyLaundry.TV, Michael continues his longtime love of music and exploration of the visual medium with this narrative feature co-written and starring JOE CARDAMONE, longtime frontman of punk band The Icarus Line. From a true black and white visual palette to non-actors to the affability of Cardamone and the ease and relatability of the story, Michael goes in-depth into the making of ICARUS with a refreshing candor and energy. And then sit back and take a listen to our exclusive interview with filmmakers DAVID ZELLNER and NATHAN ZELLNER as hilarity ensues talking the wild, wacky, and wonderful revisionist western DAMSEL. Co-directors, co-writers and two of the film's stars, the brothers extraordinaire cover everything from their love of classic westerns (and Budd Boetticher) to location shooting to story to miniature horses, chickens, colors, rowboats and coastlines (in a western, yes!), to directing and acting at the same time, and more. The follow-up to their award-winning indie darling "Kumiko The Treasure Hunter", David and Nathan are an effervescent delight!

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An eclectic BEHIND THE LENS this week filled with intensity and energy thanks to our very special guests, actress ELAINE BALLACE and comedian SHANE MAUSS, plus our exclusive interview with BLAKE JENNER! But before we get to our live guests, take a listen to our exclusive pre-recorded interview with actor turned screenwriter BLAKE JENNER. Known best for his role as "Ryder" in the smash television series "Glee", Blake steps up his game and expands his horizons as not only lead actor in BILLY BOY, but the film's screenwriter and a "creative producer". An intensely personal and emotionally visceral character study of a young man with potential who is grappling to come to terms with his past, BILLY BOY boasts an emotional rawness that is laid bare through indelible performances. Listen as Blake goes in-depth talking about not only his writing process but character development, working with his fellow castmates, director Brad Buecker, and stepping into the producer's chair as well. Then we shift gears with comedian turned filmmaker SHANE MAUSS. Fresh off his win at Dances With Films for the Audience Award for Best Documentary, Shane talks candidly and excitedly about his documentary PSYCHONAUTICS: A COMIC'S EXPLORATION OF PSYCHEDELICS. A winner on the stand-up circuit, Shane has long had a passion for blending comedy and science in his routines and his podcasts, and he does just that with PSYCHONAUTICS. Shane is no holds barred as he talks about using his personal experiences with psychedelics as a starting point for this documentary, working with director Brian Bellinkoff, bringing science and experts into the cinematic mix, as well as his huge learning curve in the editing bay. And then there's the effervescence and exuberance of actress ELAINE BALLACE who is on hand to talk about her latest film, and the final film of her dear friend Marvin Kaplan, LOOKIN' UP. If Elaine doesn’t pack your day with heartfelt positivity nothing will as she is boundless in her energy and affection for Marv, himself a beloved figure to classic film (and "Top Cat" cartoon) fans everywhere, as well as the film's star Steve Guttenberg. While a love fest for Marv Kaplan, Elaine also talks about her current television series on the Urban Movie Channel, "The Rich and the Ruthless", an upcoming film project starting to shoot in July, and her take on staying active and vital as an actress over the decades.

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It's a pretty "incredible" episode of BEHIND THE LENS this week thanks to WILL McFADDEN talking his world premiere film DOUBTING THOMAS, MICHAEL DUNAWAY talking the charming 6 L.A. LOVE STORIES, and, of course, director Brad Bird and the cast of THE INCREDIBLES 2!

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It's time to tesser; tesser through movies, that is! Miss BTLRadioShow live this week? Catch up now with special guests director DAVID PALAMARO talking in-depth about his first narrative feature MURDER MADE EASY, director Adam Sobel talks his first feature documentary THE WORKERS CUP, and producer CATHERINE HAND talks A WRINKLE IN TIME!

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Miss BTLRadioShow live? Then take a listen now as this episode of BEHIND THE LENS is a real page-turner as we talk BOOK CLUB with writer/director BILL HOLDERMAN and co-writer/producer ERIN SIMMS, while writer/director MIKE ROMA talks DATING MY MOTHER. Plus hear from everyone's favorite Wookie and RON HOWARD with some tidbits on SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

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An eclectic mix of fact and fiction-based-on-fact with this episode of BEHIND THE LENS as we take a look at three wonderful films – COMING TO MY SENSES, LITTLE PINK HOUSE, and KODACHROME - in discussions with the respective filmmakers: DOMINIC GILL and NADIA GILL, COURTNEY BALAKER and TED BALAKER, and MARK RASO.

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Miss BTLRadioShow live? Catch up and listen now to this emotionally charged episode of BEHIND THE LENS covering two hot-button topics as we welcome writer/director JON KEAN talking about his latest documentary, the powerful and powerfully moving and insightful AFTER AUSCHWITZ, and BENJAMIN NOLOT talking the eye-opening, socially disturbing, and powerful LIBERATED. The importance of both of these films and discussions with these two filmmakers cannot be overstated. PLUS. . . our exclusive interview with EUGENIO DERBEZ talking OVERBOARD!

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We're putting the pedal to the metal on this episode of BEHIND THE LENS with writer/director/producer DEON TAYLOR talking everything TRAFFIK. Already an established, and admittedly self-taught, director, TRAFFIK is completely representative of Deon as a storyteller and as a filmmaker. Listen as we talk about working with legendary cinematographer Dante Spinotti, not to mention the film's sound design, employing sound and visual to create some riveting and striking sequences within the film. And how about the casting of TRAFFIK? Paula Patton, Roselyn Sanchez, Omar Epps and Laz Alonso all go against type and deliver outstanding performances under Deon's guidance and collaborative style. Deon's candor and forthright discussion is eye-opening for freshman filmmakers and veterans alike. But before we get to Deon, take a listen to an excerpt of our exclusive interview with writer/director GREG CARUSO talking his latest film FLOCK OF FOUR. Regular listeners will recall Greg previously appeared on BTL talking about his documentary MAKING THE AMERICAN MAN. Well, get ready for something totally different from Greg with FLOCK OF FOUR as he delves into 1959 South Central Los Angeles, the West Coast Harlem, and takes us into the world of jazz. From an incredible and unforgettable original score to cinematography and the entire genesis of the story, the result makes FLOCK OF FOUR a "must see" film. Listen as Greg talks about the initial development of the story and film. . .and his love of jazz.

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Miss BEHIND THE LENS live this week? Catch up and take a listen now because we're celebrating the 9th annual TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL with our fave movie mavens (and festival veterans), KELLEE PRATT, AURORA DESMOND, and KRISTEN LOPEZ with festival survival tips, plus screening recommendations and what makes them a "must see" at TCMFF! Plus, hear some of the hilarity courtesy of The Grandmaster of Sakaar, JEFF GOLDBLUM, as he presided over the AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR press conference this past weekend. And just what did Tom Hiddleston have to say to BTLRadioShow about the MCU?

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WOW! What a BEHIND THE LENS this week with special in-studio guests, special effects sound editor and founder of THE HOLLYWOOD SOUND MUSEUM – STEVE LEE – PLUS, a surprise call-in guest AND a little golden boy named "Oscar" is on hand to brighten up the place! So much excitement, so much history, and so much fun we had to expand the show to 90 minutes! STEVE LEE is back, talking not only about what's happening with THE HOLLYWOOD SOUND MUSEUM, but taking us through some more sonic cinematic history with both iconic and lesser-known sound effects and the stories behind their creation, not to mention some of the legendary sound artisans responsible for our neverending aural experiences at the movies. And hear what director WILLIAM H. MACY had to say about sound design and "overlapping" during our exclusive interview talking about his new film KRYSTAL, with Steve giving some in-depth commentary on "overlapping" and storytelling considerations for the director and sound designers.

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