In Proximity

We took a trip to Gardena Cinema, one of the last family-owned, independent movie theaters in Los Angeles, to try and answer a simple question: What’s it like to own and operate an indie movie theater today? Proximity’s Head of Audio Paola Mardo talks with owner Judy Kim about how her immigrant parents built their business after they bought the single-screen theater in 1976, why she had to pivot after the 2023 strikes, and the vital role her community plays in keeping the doors open. We also have a fun segment featuring our visit to a marathon of horror exploitation movies screened in 16mm film. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(03:57) Inside the Horror-Exploitation-Thon at Gardena Cinema
(10:49) All in the family: Gardena Cinema’s origin story 
(15:41) How the 2023 strikes changed Gardena Cinema’s business model
(23:56) What it’s like to operate an indie theater today

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Episode Producer: Celine Mendiola

Episode Editors: Celine Mendiola, Judybelle Camangyan, Paola Mardo

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer, Mix Engineer, Additional Music: Ken Nana

Additional Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

GMORNING, GNITE! everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too. BOJACK HORSEMAN. GOODBYE, AGAIN. Jonny Sun is a film and TV writer, producer, author, and illustrator who has worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Damon Lindelof. His background is in architecture and engineering as a doctoral candidate at MIT and a creative researcher at the Harvard metaLAB. His writing career took off after he created the beloved alien Twitter persona Jomny Sun which earned him over half a million followers and a place on TIME Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet in 2017. On this episode, Jonny sits with Proximity’s head of film Rebecca Cho to share what they’ve learned about collaborating as writer and producer while developing a feature screenplay together. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(02:21) Get Reel
(10:24) Jomny Sun the Twitter alien
(14:31) The “Asian six-pack” and finding creativity in math and science
(21:20) What makes a great collaborator
(30:16) Developing their project from idea to screenplay
(34:23) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Jon Else is an award-winning documentarian, cinematographer, and MacArthur Genius grant recipient. Over 40 years before Christopher Nolan’s OPPENHEIMER, Jon directed THE DAY AFTER TRINITY, a documentary film about J. Robert Oppenheimer. For almost two decades, Jon led the documentary program at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism where he met then journalism student, now collaborator and friend, Pete Nicks. On this episode, Jon and Pete deep dive into their careers in documentary film. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(01:59) Get Reel
(09:04) Meeting at Cal and getting into documentary
(19:20) From FRUITVALE STATION to THE FORCE
(29:57) Advice for documentary filmmakers today
(34:30) From THE DAY AFTER TRINITY to OPPENHEIMER
(36:22) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

GET OUT. US. NOPE. Jordan Peele is an award-winning writer, director, and producer of these groundbreaking films, and founder of Monkeypaw Productions. On this episode, Jordan walks Ryan Coogler through his early career, trading filmmaker dreams for comedy then finding his way to directing, genre filmmaking, how he wrote GET OUT but almost didn’t direct it, and the Batman actor who told him to use his fear. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

Watch the trailer for SINNERS directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan on our Instagram @ProximityMedia or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKGxHflevuk #SinnersMovie - Only in theaters March 7. #ShotWithIMAXFilmCameras

(1:45) Get Reel
(13:36) Puppetry and creature effects
(21:53) Writing GET OUT
(34:18) Genre filmmaking
(41:43) Use your fear
(42:36) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

When Sev Ohanian first read a script by Tony Rettenmaier, he was blown away. Tony was then fresh out of film school and working as a PA for an indie film Sev was producing. Just a few years later, Tony and his writing partner Juel Taylor would go on to write the screenplays for CREED II and SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY. On this episode, Juel and Tony share their path from student filmmakers and gym buddies to one of the most in-demand screenwriting duos in Hollywood, their pitch process for Juel’s directorial debut THEY CLONED TYRONE, and their unique experiences writing short stories and building website for their projects. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(01:53) Get Reel
(08:34) From gym buddies to writing partners
(13:43) Breaking into the industry
(17:59) Becoming screenwriters
(26:33) Pitching THEY CLONED TYRONE
(44:14) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Episode Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

With Production Assistance From: Isabella Miller

Artwork and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut AMERICAN FICTION premiered at Toronto International Film Festival last year where it won the People’s Choice Award. The film grossed $23 million and won several accolades including the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. In his Oscar speech, Cord implored the industry to take more creative risks. Just weeks later, Cord and Ryan met over a video call to talk about their first films, Cord’s unique path to filmmaking, insights from the set of AMERICAN FICTION, and what Cord and Ryan are working on next – including tidbits from Ryan’s next movie which he was preparing to shoot at the time of recording. Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

(02:30) Get Reel
(10:46) How Cord’s first writing job took GUTS
(19:28) On the set of AMERICAN FICTION and collaborating with Jeffrey Wright
(27:58) What they’re working on next and what keeps them going
(37:44) “You shouldn't be doing this if the end goal is to win an Oscar.”
(39:49) Prox Recs

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

Don’t miss Jordan Peele, Cord Jefferson, Courtenay Valenti, Jonny Sun, and others in conversation with Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and the rest of our Proximity crew. Follow IN PROXIMITY on your favorite podcast app to stay up-to-date on new episodes. Follow @ProximityMedia on all social media platforms for video exclusives including a new video trailer out now.

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube.

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson

Producer: Caitlin Plummer

Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola

Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana

Editors: Cedric Wilson, Judybelle Camangyan

Production Assistant: Isabella Miller

Design and Social Media: Alexandria Santana

On our season finale, we’re going all in on Stephen Curry: Underrated, an inspiring coming-of-age story documenting the rise of NBA superstar, Golden State Warrior, and Davidson legend Stephen Curry from Proximity Media and our partners at Unanimous, A24, and Apple TV+. The film’s creative minds team up for an intimate and epic conversation about movies, basketball, and more: Stephen Curry himself, director Pete Nicks, and producers Erick Peyton and Ryan Coogler. They talk about how the film came together (2:05) and how they each tackle some of the biggest themes in Stephen's basketball career as illustrated in the documentary (9:29): dealing with loss, believing in yourself, and wearing the idea of being “underrated” as a badge of honor. We end with Prox Recs and some important reminders before our season break (40:23).

We filmed this conversation for our very first video podcast. You can watch it now on our YouTube channel.

Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.

Stephen Curry: Underrated is now streaming on Apple TV+.

Watch the music video for “Lil Fish, Big Pond” by Tobe Nwigwe on YouTube.

CONNECT WITH PROXIMITY MEDIA:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. We’re also on YouTube where we have a filmed version of this conversation. Watch it now!

Learn more at ProximityMedia.com.

Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.

CREDITS:

In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.

Producer: Paola Mardo

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo

Theme Song and Music: Ludwig Göransson

Sound Design, Mix, and Additional Music: Ken Nana

Production Services: Amante

Production Assistant: Courtney Archerd

Artwork and Social Media: Alexandria Santana