The Business

Television icon Norman Lear wrote sitcoms that tackled real issues, like rape, abortion and race relations. Lear talks to Kim Masters about a few lifetimes worth of adventures in film and television and his new memoir.

Director Damien Chazelle tells Kim Masters how he was able to turn a 15-minute short film into a full-length feature that was the darling of Sundance. Then, a look at the role of Jewish émigrés in the birth of film noir. 

When producer Steven Schneider discovered Paranormal Activity, he lived the Hollywood dream of sudden, stunning success. Then it all fell apart. He tells us how it happened, and what he’s doing now.

Filmmaker Lynn Shelton shares the unique career path that took her from New York theater actor to Seattle indie director. Her new movie Laggies stars Keira Knightley.

Author and journalist Mark Whitaker has written a new biography of a giant of American comedy. Kim Masters talks with Whitaker about what is and isn’t in the book on Bill Cosby’s life and career.

Cristela Alonzo was thrilled to sell a script to ABC, but the show seemed dead after the network decided not to shoot a pilot. She tells us how she was able to resurrect Cristela. Then, meet the woman who has been called the Meryl Streep of audiobook narration.

Ben Mezrich’s books have been made into movies like 21 and The Social Network. His new novel, Seven Wonders, came with a movie deal already in place. Plus, Fandor CEO Ted Hope reflects on his many years in the indie film business in his new book Hope for Film.

Filmmaker Alberto Arvelo and LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel sit down with Kim Masters at the Walt Disney Concert hall to talk about the special role of music in the new Simón Bolívar biopic, The Liberator.

Filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren set out to make a documentary about the bank robber who inspired Al Pacino’s character in Dog Day Afternoon. Now, after more than ten years of filming and editing, their self-financed film The Dog is finally out in theaters and VOD.

Best known for his role at Lieutenant Sulu on Star Trek, George Takei is now the subject of a new documentary, To Be Takei. The actor and activist talks about the chaos behind the first Star Trek movie and why William Shatner is like the crazy uncle of the Star Trek family.