The Producer's Guide: Todd Garner and the Future of Hollywood

What is premium pulp? JD Lifshitz and Raphael Margules discuss their childhood love of genre films, filming while fearing arrest, taking a chance on Barbarian when everyone else in Hollywood passed, as well as their current work as the new heads of Paramount Primal.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Imagine knowing every detail of the 100 greatest movies and never seeing ANY of them. From a lonesome upbringing, to learning how to write spec scripts, to shooting large scale movies, writer / director Brian Duffield discusses the obstacles he encountered making No One Will Save You, Spontaneous, and Jane Got a Gun. PLUS the tremendous lengths he went to directing the survival thriller WHALEFALL.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we explore the intersection between art and technology. From a family of academics to becoming president of production at Disney, Sean Bailey discusses his working relationship with Ben Affleck, the importance of getting A-list actors for live action adaptations during the 2010s, and the parallels between modern AI and how Disney used technology to make ground breaking animated films in the 90s.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is the action genre in trouble? Powerhouse producer and Thunder Road Film founder Basil Iwanyk returns to the pod to discuss how he got John Wick made, the unique way he structures his company, his work on The Surgeon with Michelle Yeoh and Day Drinker with Johnny Depp, and his take on the future of action films.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you a good neighbor? Emmy-winning makeup artist, LA native, and industry activist Cale Thomas discusses with Todd the obstacles driving movie jobs out of Los Angeles and why community engagement is imperative to keep them here. Keep up with Cale's great work on Instagram @stayinla2025

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think your childhood was action packed? Scott Waugh shares about his life growing up in a family of famous Hollywood stuntmen, working with the legends like Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, Michael Mann, and Jackie Chan, the modern advancements in stunt technology, how acting classes made him a better director, and the insane lengths he went to shooting (literally) Act of Valor!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Velvet Steamroller herself, Denise Di Novi, joins Todd to discuss her start in the world of journalism, how she came to produce classic films like Heathers and Little Women, the string of hit movies she made with Tim Burton, how film development has drastically changed since the 80s and 90s, her foray into directing, and how Practical Magic and Catwoman found new audiences thanks to streaming!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sometimes you have to change fields. Literally. Co-founder and CCO of Angel Studios Jeffrey Harmon shares how he took his entrepreneurial spirit from an Idaho potato farm to the digital ad space, fought off a lawsuit from Disney, and pivoted into film and TV production where he helped finance titles like Sound of Freedom, Sketch, Solo Mio, and Young Washington. Jeff shares how he developed the "Pay It Forward" model, Angel's mission statement to amplify light, and what he hopes for Angel Studios in the future.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Todd is joined by 2521's Chris Hammond (President) and Jon Walter (Co-Founder & CEO) to discuss their work and success in producing, financing, and distributing independent films, including their collaboration with Todd on RUNNER (in theaters September 11th).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veteran producer Brad Fuller returns to the podcast with his son and partner at Platinum Dunes, Cameron Fuller. They discuss why Brad was initially reluctant to work with Cameron, what happened to change his mind, their contrasting generational perspectives, and their outlook on the future of the movie industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.