The Oscar Project Podcast

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In today's episode, I interview Angad Aulakh, director of the short film "Aurora," a exploration of the loneliness and isolation felt by a man in deep space and those he left behind on Earth.

Listen to hear about the musical inspiration for the film, his collaboration with the star of the film, Guy Kent, and the interesting use of sound to convey certain emotions throughout the film.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• “Aurora” directed by Angad Aulakh
• “Resurrektor” directed by Angad Aulakh
• "The Atomic Dream" directed by Angad Aulakh
• The Shining directed by Stanley Kubrick
• Vertigo directed by Alfred Hitchcock
• The Double Life of Veronique directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski
• The Matrix directed by Lilly Wachowski and Lana Wachowski
• Raiders of the Lost Ark directed by Steven Speilberg
• Rear Window directed by Alfred Hitchcock
• Fall directed by Scott Mann
• Fall 2: Deadpoint directed by Peter and Michael Spierig

Other topics mentioned in this episode include:

• "Planet Earth" by Duran Duran
• The music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Follow the film on Instagram @aurora_mov.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Svengali. I'm joined by film and theater director Enrico Banson who writes the Director's Notes newsletter and we talk about whether this film belongs with the great Universal horror films of the era, how the film portrays bohemian artistic culture of the late 1800s, and some of the most incredible production design we have seen in Oscar nominated films to date.

You can watch Svengali on Tubi, YouTube, or Amazon Prime and be sure to check out Enrico's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• King Kong directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
• Dracula directed by Tod Browning
• Frankenstein directed by James Whale
• The Royal Family of Broadway directed by George Cukor and Cyril Gardner
• A Free Soul directed by Clarence Leon Brown
• Svengali (1954) directed by Noel Langley
• Svengali (1983) directed by Anthony Harvey
• The Love Parade directed by Ernst Lubitsch
• How Green Was My Valley directed by John Ford
• Backrooms directed by Kane Parsons
• Casablanca directed by Michael Curtiz
• Cimarron directed by Wesley Ruggles
• Tabu: A Story of the South Seas directed by F.W. Murnau
• Morocco directed by Josef von Sternberg
• Jaws directed by Steven Spielberg

Other referenced topics:

• Trilby by George du Maurier
• The Phantom of the Opera (novel) by Gaston Leroux
• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
• Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
• The New York Times review
• El Santo on 1000 Misspent Hours and Counting

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In today's episode, I interview Deborah Lee Smith and Brian Leahy, producer, star, writer, and director of the short film "Glitterbomb," which follows a woman through a harrowing situation while she tries desperately to keep her composure on a virtual job interview.

Listen to hear about Deborah's real life experience that inspired the film, the incredible achievement of an extremely small crew that worked on the film on a very tight timeline, and the logistics of shooting one of the best one-shots I've seen in a long time.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• “Glitterbomb” directed by Brian Leahy
• Butterfly in the Sky directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb
• "5 Stages of Grief" directed by Foster Wilson
• "Made Public" directed by Foster Wilson
• Singin' In The Rain directed by Gene Kelly
• North by Northwest directed by Alfred Hitchcock
• Miss Congeniality directed by Donald Petrie
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind directed by Michel Gondry
• Vanilla Sky directed by Cameron Crowe
• Love Liza directed by Todd Louiso
• Ghostbusters directed by Ivan Reitman
• Sideways directed by Alexander Payne
• My Cousin Vinny directed by Jonathan Lynn
• The Big Lebowski directed by Ethan and Joel Coen
• Legally Blonde directed by Robert Luketic
• Wait Until Dark directed by Terence Young
• Friends (series)
• Breaking Bad (series)
• The Matrix directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski
• Solar (podcast)
• Sell Your House directed by Eric Foss and Brandon Pickering

You can read more stories from people who have experienced a miscarriage at glitterbombfilm.com and share your own story. Follow the film on Instagram @glitterbombfilm and find Deborah @deborah_lsmith and Brian @brianpleahy.

Also check out Deborah's podcast More Than You See.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film The Public Enemy. I'm joined by Gareth Bradwick from the Popped newsletter and we talk about an unexpected level of crime and violence in the film, a wide array of stories surrounding a specific piece of fruit, and rain like we have never seen before on film.

You can watch The Public Enemy on Hulu and be sure to check out Gareth's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• Titanic directed by James Cameron
• All About Eve directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
• The Grapes of Wrath directed by John Ford
• How Green Was My Valley directed by John Ford
• Goodfellas directed by Martin Scorsese
• Casino directed by Martin Scorsese
• The Irishman directed by Martin Scorsese
• Wings directed by William A. Wellman and Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast
• A Star is Born directed by William A. Wellman
• Hell's Angels directed by Howard Hughes
• Red Headed Woman directed by Jack Conway
• Scarface directed by Howard Hawks
• The Blue Veil directed by Curtis Bernhardt
• Grease directed by Randal Kleiser
• Little Caesar directed by Mervyn Leroy
• Smart Money directed by Alfred E. Green
• The Doorway to Hell directed by Archie Mayo
• The Dawn Patrol directed by Howard Hawks

Other referenced topics:

• The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
• The Sopranos (series)
• Variety review
• The New York Times review
• Rogerebert.com review

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In today's episode, I interview Kate Radcliffe and Sophie King, writer and director of the short film "Still Life," which tells the story of a couple dealing with the loss of a baby and all the daily reminders they face of that loss.

Listen to hear about the ability we have to find the humor in dark situations, exploring the effects of dealing with loss and trauma while the rest of the world goes on as if nothing has changed, and the process for getting a cast ready to play characters who have dealt with such a profound loss.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
• The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• “Still Life” directed by Sophie King
• Romeo + Juliet directed by Baz Luhrmann
• Moulin Rouge! directed by Baz Luhrmann
• The Virgin Suicides directed by Sofia Coppola
• The Lord of the Rings directed by Peter Jackson
• The English Patient directed by Anthony Minghella
• Hocus Pocus directed by Kenny Ortega
• Donnie Darko directed by Richard Kelly
• Clueless directed by Amy Heckerling
• American Psycho directed by Mary Harron
• The Dark Knight Rises directed by Christopher Nolan
• Napoleon Dynamite directed by Jared Hess
• Anora directed by Sean Baker

Follow the film on Instagram @still_life_short and find Sophie @sophiekingcr and Kate @katemradcliffe.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Skippy. I'm joined Jonathan Hammond, film director and previous guest on the podcast and we talk about the deep trauma that resulted from watching this film, some major issues with the film's production when you look at it from today's perspective, and a long-standing legal battle over a simply name.

You can watch Skippy online and be sure to check out Jonathan's films at a festival near you and give him a follow on Instagram @jonohamm.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• Ferris Bueller's Day Off directed by John Hughes
• John Wick directed by Chad Stahelski
• The Sixth Sense directed by M. Night Shyamalan
• E.T. The Extraterrestrial directed by Steven Spielberg
• A Free Soul directed by Clarence Leon Brown
• Cimarron directed by Wesley Ruggles
• Superman directed by Richard Donner
• La La Land directed by Damian Chazelle
• Boys Town directed by Norman Taurog
• City Lights directed by Charlie Chaplin
• Sooky directed by Norman Taurog
• Our Gang (shorts series)
• Tom Sawyer directed by John Cromwell
• Huckleberry Finn directed by Norman Taurog
• The Kid directed by Charlie Chaplin
• Sophie's Choice directed by Alan J. Pakula
• The Little Rascals directed by Penelope Spheeris
• Dennis the Menace directed by Nick Castle
• A Christmas Story directed by Bob Clark
• East Lynne directed by Frank Lloyd
• The Front Page directed by Lewis Milestone
• The Criminal Code directed by Howard Hawks

Other referenced topics:

• Skippy (comic)
• Calvin and Hobbs (comic)
• Peanuts (comic)
• Dennis the Menace (comic)
• Skippy.com
• The New York Times review
• The New Masses review
• Oscarchamps.com review

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In today's episode, I interview Matt Kennard, director of the short film "Before You Go," which tells the story of a young man who visits a loved one in the hospital to say his final goodbyes.

Listen to hear about Matt's thoughts on what seems like a rise in films set in hospitals, how he found his incredible lead actor, and the role that sound plays throughout the film.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade by Andrew Feinstein

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• “Before You Go” directed by Matt Kennard
• "Life Goes On" directed by Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt
• The Gathering (series)
• "Hymn of Hate" directed by Matt Kennard
• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back directed by Irvin Kershner
• Apocalypse Now directed by Francis Ford Coppola
• Inside Out directed by Pete Docter
• Stand By Me directed by Rob Reiner
• The Thin Red Line directed by Terrence Malick
• In Bruges directed by Martin McDonagh
• Petite Maman directed by Céline Sciamma
• Ferris Bueller's Day Off directed by John Hughes
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri directed by Martin McDonagh
• Home Alone directed by Chris Columbus
• The Muppet Christmas Carol directed by Brian Henson

Follow the film on Instagram @beforeyougofilm and Matt @kennardmatt.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film The Front Page. I'm joined by Matthew Carlson from the What Am I Making newsletter and we talk about the level of effectiveness of the film's humor, how this film paved the way for many that came after it including at least one remake of the story, and the deep rooted misogyny of the story.

You can watch The Front Page on YouTube, Tubi, or Amazon Prime and be sure to check out Matthew's newsletter and check out his summer music tour this July and August.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• A League of Their Own directed by Penny Marshall
• 12 Angry Men directed by Sidney Lumet
• His Girl Friday directed by Howard Hawks
• The Philadelphia Story directed by George Cukor
• All Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis Milestone
• Oppenheimer directed by Christopher Nolan
• The Hangover directed by Todd Phillips
• Ace in the Hold directed by Billy Wilder
• White Heat directed by Raoul Walsh
• Rain directed by Lewis Milestone
• Sadie Thompson directed by Raoul Walsh
• Ocean's Eleven directed by Lewis Milestone
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) directed by Lewis Milestone
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) directed by Frank Lloyd
• The Spirit of St. Louis directed by Billy Wilder
• Gentlemen Prefer Blondes directed by Howard Hawks
• The Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming
• The Silence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan Demme
• The Front Page (1974) directed by Billy Wilder
• Switching Channels directed by Ted Kotcheff
• Wings directed by William A. Wellman and Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast
• Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans directed by F. W. Murnau
• 7th Heaven directed by Frank Borzage
• Metropolis directed by Fritz Lang
• Nosferatu directed by F. W. Murnau
• Dracula directed by Tod Browning
• Frankenstein directed by James Whale
• City Lights directed by Charlie Chaplin

Other referenced topics:

• The Front Page (play) by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur
• David Nusair review on Reelfilm.com
• Mad Men (series)

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In today's episode, I interview Johnny Russell, director of the short film "A Scent." The film is based on a real person who claimed to have the ability to smell patients with a certain disease.

Listen to hear about how Johnny came to telling this story in his film, the challenges of filming a drama set in a hospital on a short film budget and schedule, and finding the balance between melodrama and the quieter moments of reflection and discovery.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
• Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense by Rory Sutherland
• This is Why We Dream: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking Life by Rahul Jandial

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• “A Scent” directed by Johnny Russell
• Billy Liar directed by John Schlesinger
• Hot Fuzz directed by Edgar Wright
• A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence directed by Roy Andersson
• The Phantom Thread directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
• Camping (series)
• Happy-Go-Lucky directed by Mike Leigh

Follow the film on Instagram @a_scent_film and Johnny @__johnny_russell__.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film East Lynne. I'm joined by Lewis Beer from the Slow Movie Pictures newsletter and we talk about some drastic changes the film made from the source material, the outstanding performances from the female actors in the film, and several innovative camera techniques used to show the world from Isabel's point of view throughout the film.

You can watch East Lynne on YouTube and be sure to check out Lewis's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• Vampyr directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
• Dracula directed by Tod Browning
• Rebecca directed by Alfred Hitchcock
• All Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis Milestone
• Thelma & Louise directed by Ridley Scott
• The Divine Lady directed by Frank Lloyd
• Weary River directed by Frank Lloyd
• The Big House directed by George Hill
• Condemned directed by Wesley Ruggles
• Holiday directed by Edward H. Griffith
• Underworld directed by Josef von Sternberg
• Shanghai Express directed by Josef von Sternberg
• The Divorcee directed by Clarence Brown
• Dynamite directed by Cecil B. DeMille
• The Public Enemy directed by William A. Wellman
• The Letter directed by Jean De Limur
• The Vagabond King directed by Ludwig Berger
• The Bride of Frankenstein directed by James Whale
• East Lynne on the Western Front directed by George Pearson
• Cimarron directed by Wesley Ruggles
• The Sound of Music directed by Robert Wise
• Double Indemnity directed by Billy Wilder
• Sunset Boulevard directed by Billy Wilder

Other referenced topics:

• "Mudd's Women" (Star Trek episode)
• Star Trek (original series)
• Mister Ed (series)
• The Fugitive (series)
• East Lynne (novel) by Ellen Wood
• Rebecca (novel) by Daphne du Maurier
• Ann Harding - Cinema's Gallant Lady by Scott O'Brien
• Frank Lloyd: Master of Screen Melodrama by Anthony Slide
• "Bradley King" by Brian Taves on Women Film Pioneers Project
• Anna Karenina (novel) by Leo Tolstoy
• Ulysses (novel) by James Joyce
• The New York Times review
• Variety review
• Zoe K. on Hollywood Genes
• Lisa Marie Bowman on Through the Shattered Lens
• A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Bronte to Lessing by Elaine Showalter
• ‘“Stepchildren of Nature”: East Lynne and the Spectre of Female Degeneracy, 1860-1861’ in Victorian Crime, Madness and Sensation by Andrew Maunder

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