The Backlot

Listen as Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos talks about his professional path from being an aspiring lawyer for the Rolling Stones to head of Fox and then Paramount.

Writer, Director, and Producer Eileen Cabiling discusses her creative process and her inspiration for the critically acclaimed short film Basurero.

Screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen discusses working with Luc Besson on The Professional (Leon), The Fifth Element, Kiss of The Dragon, the Taken series, and his inspiration for and work on The Karate Kid.

On this episode of The Backlot, we sit down with Nollywood filmmaker, Femi Odugbemi as he discusses the rise of Nollywood and the direction he hopes the industry will take.

Nathalie Emmanuel discusses her iconic role as Missandei on Game of Thrones as well as her more recent roles, including starring along side Kevin Hart in Quibi's Die Hart and Mindy Kaling's Four Weddings and a Funeral reboot.

On this episode Academy Award nominated actress Juliette Lewis recounts her start in the industry, her experience filming "Cape Fear" with Martin Scorsese and "Kalifornia" with then boyfriend Brad Pitt.

Listen to cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, whose work on Close Encounters of the Third Kind garnered him an Academy Award, as he speaks on his career and his experience filming McCabe & Mrs. Miller, The Deer Hunter, and working with Steven Spielberg.

Since he was an acting student at NYFA, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo has worked in Hollywood hits such as "The Magnificent Seven", "Widows", and "Murder on the Orient Express". On this Episode of The Backlot, he takes time to come back to his alma mater and discuss how he got started, his career, and his experiences on set.

After breaking onto the scene with a Golden Globe-winning performance for his role in Stand and Deliver (1988), Lou Diamond Phillips remains a strong name in Hollywood. Listen to our interview with him as he discussing directing, acting opposite Denzel Washington, and more.

Get to know Amy Smeed, head of animation on Disney's Moana and Raya and the Last Dragon. Smeed discusses the process of creating the character of Moana and the importance of truly understanding and knowing your character as well as acting out scenes.