Story & Craft with Marc Preston

Actor Olivia Taylor Dudley from Syfy's “The Magicians” and “Touch Me” joins us on Story & Craft.

Olivia talks about her lifelong fascination with aliens, how she fell into producing through “Five Second Films,” and moving to Los Angeles at 17. We talk about her new sci-fi horror comedy “Touch Me,” her time on “The Magicians,” her voiceover and audiobook work, and why horror can feel comforting.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Olivia Taylor Dudley joins Story & Craft

02:53 Rescue Dogs and Hairless Breeds

04:12 Producing and Wearing Many Hats

05:43 ADHD and Loving the Edit

07:45 Five Second Films Origins

10:35 Patton Oswalt Connection

11:32 Dropping Out and Moving to LA

12:59 The Exorcist and Finding Acting

15:29 Horror Sci Fi Upbringing

17:52 SETI Aliens and Disclosure Talk

21:12 Touch Me Alien Horror Comedy

24:42 Family Background Horses and Ranch

25:43 Grandma the Space Nerd

26:03 Ranch Stargazing Mysteries

27:46 Touch Me Origins

32:33 Inside The Magicians

35:24 Why Horror Works

37:06 Theatrical Versus Streaming

41:20 Upcoming Projects Update

42:07 The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

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CONNECT WITH MARC

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Writer and producer Joel Church-Cooper from IFC's “Brockmire” and FOX's “Going Dutch” joins us on Story & Craft.

Joel's work includes “Going Dutch,” “Brockmire,” “Future Man” and “Undateable.” We talk about his Northern California upbringing, his video store film education, and influences like “The Kids in the Hall” and “Mr. Show.” He also shares the real Army base that inspired “Going Dutch,” how “Brockmire” evolved, working with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and how algorithms and second-screen viewing are changing TV.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Joel Church-Cooper joins Story & Craft

03:29 Film Nerd Origins

04:56 Video Store Era Stories

13:21 Comedy Influences and Sketch Classics

17:24 Public Access and Media Power

26:02 Going Dutch and Algorithm Notes

28:54 What He Watches Now

33:15 Kids Movies and YouTube Brain Rot

41:57 Chasing Authenticity

42:33 Brockmeyer Origins

49:05 Baseball as Existential Comedy

51:07 Future Man Writers Room

57:39 Why “Going Dutch” was set in The Netherlands

01:01:36 Culture Clash Comedy

01:03:13 The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Actor Kevin Kane from Hulu's “Life & Beth” and NBC's “Law & Order: SVU” joins us on Story & Craft.

Kevin talks about growing up around Philadelphia and Myrtle Beach, catching the acting bug from a school report on James Cagney, and studying Meisner at the William Esper Studio. We talk about his long collaboration with Amy Schumer on “Inside Amy Schumer” and “Trainwreck,” booking “Law & Order” with encouragement from Jerry Orbach, and how guest spots on “SVU” led to his role as Detective Terry Bruno. He also shares working on “The Irishman.”

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Kevin Kane joins Story & Craft

03:23 From Philly to Myrtle Beach: Growing Up in Seasonal Towns

04:45 College Breakthrough: Acting Electives & Realizing It’s Possible

06:17 Philly Traditions Explained: The Wild Mummers Parade

09:41 Catching the Acting Bug: Jimmy Cagney, Old Movies & Film Obsessions

11:41 ’80s/’90s Pop Culture, Music, and the Ice-T Connection

14:43 Shy Kid to Performer: Barroom Stages, Fear, and Moving to New York

16:23 Why New York (Not LA): Theater Dreams & Acting Heroes

18:01 Comedy vs Drama: Versatility, SNL Era Influences & Finding Your Lane

19:58 Family Reactions + “Acting Is a Shy Man’s Revenge”

21:42 Training at William Esper Studio: Meisner Technique & Finding Your Tribe

24:16 Meeting Amy Schumer: Showcase to Theater Company & Making Your Own Work

26:10 Breaking into the Dick Wolf Universe: First Law & Order Audition

27:17 SVU Guest Roles to Series Regular: Bonding with Mariska Hargitay

28:18 Comedy Fundraisers to Inside Amy Schumer: Getting Pulled Into Sketch TV

29:46 On the Trainwreck Set: Writing Alt Jokes with Judd Apatow

33:27 Life on SVU in NYC: How Real Cops React to the Show

34:15 Scorsese’s The Irishman: Fittings, De Niro, and Feeling Old in a ’90s Suit

36:14 Actor vs. Multi-Hyphenate: Where the Work Feels Most Grueling

37:41 The “Seven Questions”

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Actor Ken Leung from ABC's “Lost” and HBO's “Industry” joins us on Story & Craft.

Ken's work includes “Rush Hour,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “The Sopranos” and “Lost.” We talk about how he got into acting, playing very different characters across genres, the impact of “Lost,” the new season of “Industry,” and his film “Project Hail Mary” with Ryan Gosling and Milana Vayntrub.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:32 Guest Introduction: Ken Leung

01:15 Substack and Listener Engagement

02:45 Interview Begins: Ken's Background

06:16 Growing Up in New York

09:43 Acting Journey and Family Dynamics

12:37 Learning Through Acting

20:39 Working with Sidney Lumet

23:10 Landing the Role in Lost

26:26 Experiencing Hawaii and Settling In

27:28 The Evolution of Lost

27:46 The Impact of Streaming on TV Shows

31:17 Transition to Industry

35:52 Project Hail Mary and Future Projects

38:12 The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Actor Thomas Jane from “The Expanse” and Prime Video's “Play Dirty” joins us on Story & Craft.

Thomas's work includes “The Expanse,” “Boogie Nights,” “The Punisher,” “The Mist” and HBO's “Hung.” We talk about his path from Maryland to Hollywood, his love of storytelling, and the joys and challenges of acting. He also shares his graphic novels and the book he is writing about alien visitors.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Thomas Jane joins Story & Craft

03:26 Thomas Jane's Early Life and Career Beginnings

08:48 The Expanse and Sci-Fi Genre

13:54 Playing Mickey Mantle

18:34 High School and Early Acting

27:47 Reflections on Education and Society

36:32 Independent Films and Future Projects

43:17 Sci-Fi and Authentic Stories

44:26 Advice to Aspiring Actors

46:00 Family and Personal Life

48:38 Memories of Paul Reubens

53:31 Working with Talented Directors

55:38 The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Producer Danny O'Malley from Netflix's “Chef's Table” joins us on Story & Craft.

Danny is a Grammy and James Beard Award nominee with an Emmy nomination for “Chef's Table.” We talk about Anthony Bourdain's impact, Chicago pizza, memorable meals, and how food bridges cultures. Danny also shares his Greek heritage, his love of Chinese food, and his company Before the Butcher.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Danny O'Malley joins Story & Craft

01:34 Chicago Roots and Pizza Preferences

04:10 Journey into Food Television

07:19 Food and Cultural Connections

08:58 Anthony Bourdain’s Impact

17:03 Memorable Culinary Experiences

20:34 A Culinary Journey Through History

25:18 Exploring Food Cultures and Personal Favorites

27:47 The Uncharted Territory of African Cuisine

29:19 The Evolution of Food Programming

33:03 The Seven Questions #storyandcraft #Cooking #Restaurants #Chefs #FoodNetwork #FoodTV

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Writer and director Larry Charles from NBC's “Seinfeld,” author of “Comedy Samurai,” joins us on Story & Craft.

Larry's work includes “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Entourage,” “Mad About You,” “Borat,” “The Dictator” and “The Comedians.” We talk about his memoir, “Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter,” his path from Brooklyn to Hollywood, and working with Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen, Bob Dylan and Bill Maher.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Larry Charles joins Story & Craft

02:43 Larry Charles' Personal Story

02:58 Impact of Losing a Home

07:34 Comedy in Tragedy

08:37 The Influence of George Carlin

13:32 Creating Content in the Digital Age

18:50 Larry Charles' Early Life and Family

29:08 Jewish Influence in Comedy

34:15 Comedy Inspirations and Influences

40:17 Exploring Comedy Preferences

42:24 The Pressure of Producing Sitcoms

43:42 The Evolution of Comedy

44:37 Behind the Scenes of Entourage

49:32 Directing Borat

52:05 The Joys and Challenges of Directing

55:58 The Seven Questions

58:50 Dream Dinner Guests

01:01:07 Religulous and Satirizing Religion

01:05:08 Celebrity Crushes and Desert Island Picks

01:12:10 Advice to My Younger Self

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Actor Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine from “The Chi” and Apple TV+'s “Smoke” joins us on Story & Craft.

Ntare's work includes “The Chi” and “Treme,” with “Dexter: Resurrection” and “Washington Black” coming up. We talk about his Ugandan heritage, his path into acting, and his long-term documentary project “Memories of Love Returned.”

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine joins Story & Craft

02:20 Ntare's Background and Family

03:27 Journey into Acting

10:12 Life in New York and Los Angeles

12:52 Cultural Connections and Cuisine

16:07 Colonial History and Family Lineage

18:49 Acting Career Highlights

21:04 Landing the Role in “Smoke”

24:49 Unexpected Career Paths

27:25 Family and Acting

29:26 Cultural Connections and Cooking

31:24 Upcoming Projects

37:05 The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Actor Mariana Treviño from “A Man Called Otto” and Apple TV+'s “Stick” joins us on Story & Craft.

Mariana's work spans “A Man Called Otto” and a long list of film and TV in Mexico. We talk about her Mexican roots, how she found acting, working with Owen Wilson and Marc Maron on “Stick,” and family trips to South Padre Island, Texas.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Mariana Treviño joins Story & Craft

01:30 Mariana's Background and Career

02:08 Monterey and Family Connections

04:11 Acting Journey and Inspirations

07:24 Golf and Life Metaphors

09:56 Theater and TV Career

13:11 Cultural Heritage and Memories

16:20 On-Set Experiences and Chemistry

19:00 Reflecting on Character Dynamics

19:25 Working With Marc Maron

20:58 The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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Actor Brandon Lessard from “Murder at Yellowstone City” and “The Unholy Trinity” joins us on Story & Craft.

Brandon talks about working with Pierce Brosnan, Samuel L. Jackson and David Arquette on “The Unholy Trinity,” a Western shot in Montana, and the physical demands of the shoot. We also talk about his path from Fairfax, Virginia to Los Angeles, his writing, and his love of historical dramas.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Brandon Lessard joins Story & Craft

01:30 Brandon's Background and Journey to Acting

02:56 Family and Early Influences

07:30 Musical Tastes and Influences

09:58 Acting Inspirations and Favorite Roles

13:15 The Unholy Trinity: Behind the Scenes

20:20 Filming in Montana

25:15 The Crew and Filming Challenges

27:13 Childhood Inspirations and Favorite Genres

28:48 Admiration for Vince Gilligan and Taylor Sheridan

30:01 Star Wars Fandom and Western Roles

36:34 Balancing Acting and Personal Life

37:57 Memorable Moments with Iconic Actors

42:53 The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod

CONNECT WITH MARC

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston

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