Writer/Director (and Daniela's stepdad) David Ward recounts how he hit a box office home run with 1989's MAJOR LEAGUE. At a time when both baseball movies and baseball as a sport were struggling, he managed to create the perfect formula for a sports underdog story. Performances from Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, and Tom Berenger combined to make the perfect cast of quirky characters that everyone wanted to see beat the odds. Add in a will they/won't they romance and a delicious villian, and a sports movie structure was born that is emulated to this day.

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Writer Kiwi Smith recalls the making of the 2001 classic LEGALLY BLONDE. Fresh off of her first hit 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, Kiwi and her writing partner Karen McCullah were eager to find a story centered on female empowerment that was fun, fresh, smart, and accessible. She found all that and more in an unpublished manuscript about a sorority girl going to Stanford Law. Kiwi remembers wearing pink to their studio pitch and being fully committed to bringing Elle's story to the screen in the right way. A huge part of that was the casting. Among many others, Britney Spears was floated as a possible idea, but it was undeniably Reese Witherspoon's part. Reese emerged as a true leader and her turn as Elle is the stuff of movie legend and inspired a generation of beautiful, smart, and successful women.

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Producer Jeremy Thomas remembers the making of 1987's legendary film THE LAST EMPEROR. Jeremy was a young indie producer with an eager spirit and a history of ingenuity when iconic director Bernardo Bertolucci approached him about making a film about the last Emperor of China. Jeremy knew it would be a feat to accomplish such an undertaking, but instead of shying away from the challenge, he leaned in and got the support of the Chinese government. A true international collobration, the film's authenticity is evident and it remains a classic.

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On this week's episode of the Hollywood Gold Podcast sponsored by Kalshi, Daniela, Becca, and Vanessa discuss the 2024 Oscars race and give their predictions. For more information on how you can participate in all the fun, head to Kalshi.com/HollywoodGold and place your first $10 bet today!

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Producers David Hinojosa and Pamela Koffler discuss the making of last year's powerful film PAST LIVES. From first time feature director Celine Song, the film explores the themes of love and destiny through a story of immigration and reconnection. It was recently nominated for two Oscars, including Best Picture, thanks in part to the performances from leads Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. The film's path to production also speaks to the themes of destiny and timing, as the fates aligned to bring the right producers to the project at the absolute right time for it to get made.

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Writer/producer David Hemingson reflects on the making of 2023's THE HOLDOVERS, which is nominated for 5 Oscars. An established TV writer, David didn't take it seriously at first when iconic director Alexander Payne called him about the film. Once he realized the film was going to get made and Alex suggested Paul Giamatti, David recalled how his father and Giamatti's father were friends at Yale. Together, they crafted an authentic, moving, and funny film about generational divides and finding connection in unusual circumstances.

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Producer Jonathan Glickman joins Hollywood Gold again to discuss the making of 1995's classic romantic comedy WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING. Made at a time when a good romcom could launch the career of an unknown actress, Sandra Bullock's star turn put her into a category alongside the likes of Julia Roberts and Demi Moore, both of whom were offered the part. As a young producer in charge of running a set for the first time, Jon Glickman had a scare when the table read was a disaster and his lead actor almost quit. Quick and effective rewrites were done and the film was a huge hit, grossing over $180 million at the box office and solidifying its place in romcom history.

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