Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley

In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with director Justin Tipping to unpack HIM, Monkeypaw’s latest horror film, offering a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost. Justin reveals how he infused the script with his distinctive vision, crafting a cinematic language that will pull audiences deep into the psychological terror. He discusses the power of practical effects when it comes to grounding the horror, and how immersive camerawork was essential to blurring the line between reality and nightmare.The conversation also dives into the film’s incredibly talented leads – the electrifying (and terrifying) dramatic performance by cinema veteran Marlon Wayans and the undeniable star quality of newcomer Tyriq Withers. Justin also shares how Brutalist architecture inspired the film’s aesthetic, turning the set into a character of its own.

From his indie debut Kicks to this bold new project, Justin reflects on evolving as a filmmaker and why he loves keeping audiences just a half-beat off balance. Tune into this episode for an inside look at one of the year’s most unsettling and artful horror films.

Balancing three high-profile roles at NBC, a love for movies, and family time is no small feat.

Craig Melvin, co-anchor of TODAY, co-host of the third hour of TODAY, and host of Dateline NBC, joins Jacqueline Coley to talk about his path in journalism, his passion for film, and life inside 30 Rock.

Craig reflects on the moment he was named co-anchor of TODAY, the surprise his family gave him live on air that became a “core memory,” and why he feels like the mayor of a small town. He also shares how movie nights have become a cherished family tradition, filled with popcorn, laughter, and introducing his kids to classics like Shrek and the Minions in Despicable Me.

Bob Odenkirk is back in Nobody 2—and he's not pulling punches. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Bob to talk about the highly anticipated sequel to his sleeper hit action film.

Best known for his iconic role as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, nobody is more surprised than Bob Odenkirk by his pivot to action. He opens up about the deeply personal inspiration behind Hutch Mansell, and how he trained like his life depended on it.

He shares stories from set, why Jackie Chan’s Police Story is a creative touchstone, and how comedy, rage, and physical exhaustion all found their way into this unlikely action franchise.

Whether she’s building a working canal for a Wicked premiere or launching a dance sensation with a crew of Megans, Michelle Paris doesn’t just throw events—she creates movie magic in real life.

In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Michelle Paris, Senior Vice President of Global Special Projects and Events at Universal Pictures, to explore what goes into producing iconic film premieres, awards shows, and unforgettable movie moments. From transforming the Roman Colosseum into a Fast X red carpet to placing storm-cloud cotton candy cocktails at the Nope premiere, Michelle shares how she and her team dream big, sweat the small stuff, and make the impossible feel effortless.

You'll hear how she got her start in events, why she nearly traded Hollywood for a quiet life in Montana, and the movie that first made her fall in love with premieres—all while raising the bar for what film fans can experience beyond the screen.

What’s better than a heist? A heist with heart… and Craig Robinson in disguise.

In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Craig Robinson, who returns as the endlessly lovable Mr. Shark in The Bad Guys 2. Known for his iconic roles in The Office, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Knocked Up and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Craig brings his signature blend of warmth and absurdity to the DreamWorks sequel—complete with another wildly unconvincing disguise.

Craig opens up about why he keeps returning to stand-up, what it’s like when fans yell lines at him on the street, and how much fun he has working with longtime friends like Andy Samberg. He also shares stories from his early days teaching music in Chicago, and reflects on the lasting impact of comedy heroes like Eddie Murphy.

Thrown into the chaos of Jurassic World Rebirth, their characters panicked—but the actors never did. 

In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Luna Blaise and David Iacono, two rising stars who play Theresa Delgado and Xavier Dobbs—a young couple belonging to the Delgado family storyline. Swept into a world of dinosaurs, mercenaries and mission specialists, their characters bring a relatable civilian perspective to the prehistoric pandemonium.

Luna and David reveal the whirlwind casting process that brought them into the iconic franchise, what it was like filming the epic T-Rex raft sequence, how they built real-life family dynamics with co-stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Audrina Miranda, and why director Gareth Edwards encouraged them to play on set. Plus, they reflect on their earlier breakout roles (Luna on Fresh Off the Boat and David on The Summer I Turned Pretty) and bring their behind-the-scenes competitive spirit to life.

What’s more terrifying than facing a dinosaur? Facing one while trying to protect your kids. In Jurassic World: Rebirth, Manuel García-Rulfo joins the franchise as a father caught in the ultimate survival scenario—and in this episode of Seen on the Screen, he joins Jacqueline Coley to talk about leading the franchise’s most emotional chapter yet.

Manuel opens up about bonding with his on-screen family, young breakout stars Audrina Miranda, Luna Blaise, and David Iacono - plus how filming in the jungles of Thailand added a raw intensity to every scene. He shares what it took to perform heart-racing stunts on land and sea (including learning to scuba dive), and how Gareth Edwards’ vision brought the franchise back to its scariest roots.

Jacqueline and Manuel revisit into his journey from Guadalajara to Hollywood – his breakout role in The Magnificent Seven, why his role on The Lincoln Lawyer still delights fans around the world, and how Dolores the Aquilops became one of the most memorable co-stars in Jurassic World Rebirth.

At Universal, theme parks transport fans into iconic stories and immersive worlds they once only imagined, and in doing so ignite the thrill of being fully alive. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Brian Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Universal Creative, to talk about the making of Universal Epic Universe.

Recorded on-site at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Property, Brian shares his journey from a movie-loving kid in Shreveport, Louisiana to leading the team that envisions, designs, and innovates the iconic attractions, lands and worlds that define Universal Theme Parks globally. He opens up about the emotional power of vulnerability, storytelling, the influence of The Birdcage and Steel Magnolias and explains how his creative process begins with words on a page and ends with a fully immersive experience where you can fly with dragons or lose yourself in a monster's lair. Every detail—from the sound design to hand-carved statues—is crafted to emotionally transform you and pull you deeper into the story. Along the way, he reflects on fatherhood, creative cultures, the unbridled power of optimism, and the audacity of creativity.

From Isle of Berk to Darkmoor, Brian reveals how it all comes together, why creative collaboration is key, and how stories—whether told on screen or designed into the fabric of a land—can connect generations, spark imagination, and leave a lasting emotional impact.

From Jurassic super fan to director of the franchise’s latest installment, Gareth Edwards joins Jacqueline Coley to talk about his latest movie, Jurassic World Rebirth. He reflects on his path—from creating the VFX shots himself in the film Monsters, to directing Rogue One, to taking on Spielberg’s legacy of bringing the large-scale spectacle of dinosaurs to the big screen.

Gareth talks paying homage to his predecessors (from Jaws to Jurassic), why he was literally watching grass grow on set, and what it was like working with fellow Jurassic superfan Scarlett Johansson - along with the entire all-star cast of Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey.

Gareth reflects on the relevance of location based shooting, practical world building, why a healthy fear of tennis balls could come in handy and what it means to honor Jurassic lore, while making something new for the next generation.

Seventeen years after launching one of animation’s most beloved franchises, Dean DeBlois returns to How to Train Your Dragon for a bold new chapter: a live-action adaptation that’s bigger, more immersive, and emotionally resonant. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with the Oscar-nominated writer and director to discuss bringing the world of Hiccup and Toothless into live action.

Candid and full of gems, Dean reflects on a career that’s taken him from animation desks to directing large-scale practical effects—including the massive animatronic Toothless used in flight sequences. He explains how The Empire Strikes Back influenced How to Train Your Dragon 2, how Mulan helped shape Hiccup’s emotional arc, and what it was like casting a new generation of actors, including Mason Thames and Nico Parker.

Looking back on his journey—from early creative struggles to seeing the Isle of Berk turned into a theme park—Dean reflects on the risks he’s taken, the lessons he’s learned, and the power of storytelling that keeps evolving, no matter the medium. How to Train Your Dragon hits theaters and IMAX on June 13.