Behind The Lens

It's a day full of surprises on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to our special guests, director RANDALL BATINKOFF and writer/director NANCY GOODMAN. First up is actor turned director, RANDALL BATINKOFF, who is back for his third appearance on #BTLRadioShow! This time he's here talking about his latest film, INSIDE GAME, the betting scandal that rocked the NBA! In 2007, Tim Donaghy, James "Baba" Battista, and Tommy Martino, best friends since their days of shooting hoops at Cardinal O'Hara High School in suburban Philadelphia, were arrested and prosecuted for one of the biggest scandals to rock the NBA. Donaghy was a respected NBA referee. Battista was a big-time bookie with mob connections in the Havertown area outside Philly. Tommy Martino was the "go-between" between Battista and Donaghy, the latter who was providing coded inside info on multiple NBA games and through these schemes of Battista and Donaghy, was attempting to control the point spread of games. Ironically, the NBA

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we look to the stars and into the past as we take another look at THE RIOT ACT with two very special guests, plus an excerpt from our exclusive interview with the director of LUCY IN THE SKY. First up, take a listen to an excerpt from our exclusive interview with director NOAH HAWLEY as he talks about LUCY IN THE SKY starring Natalie Portman and Jon Hamm. Noah's first foray into the world of narrative features after a very successful career as a television writer ("Legion", "Fargo", "Bones") and sometimes director ("Fargo"), his direction and vision is solid; he takes some visual risks with aspect ratio as a means to further immerse the audience into the story and the mind of astronaut Lucy Cola who is experiencing an existential crisis and descent into madness following her latest mission into space and spacewalk. Then we've got a big welcome for actor MICAH HAUPTMAN who returns to #BTLRadioShow almost four years to the day,

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we take a step back in time with writer/director DEVON PARKS as he talks about his debut narrative feature directorial, THE RIOT ACT. Premised upon a fascinating and factual piece of history upon which Devon takes true events from the turn of the 20th Century and then hypothesizes "what if", creating a riveting tale of revenge and shifting allegiances. Take a listen as we go in-depth talking about the actual events of 1903 when locally respected and esteemed Dr. Parchman (fictionalized to "Perrauw" for the film) shot and killed his daughter to prevent her from running off with "a low life actor". (And yes, folks, he was acquitted because of his social stature.) But before Devon joins us live, take a listen as we go back in time talking about an icon who needs no introduction, Judy Garland, and RUPERT GOOLD's new film, JUDY. Set during Garland's final stint at London's The Talk of the Town mere months before her death, thanks to

This is a long-awaited episode of BEHIND THE LENS thanks to our incredible guest, entrepreneur and acclaimed documentarian BILL HANEY. Over the decades, Bill has shined a light on numerous important issues, honing in on the personal aspects and ramifications of subjects like slave labor in the sugar cane fields of the Dominican Republic with "The Price of Sugar", or the environmentally hazardous method of mountaintop removal for coal extraction from Coal River Mountain with "The Last Mountain". But now, Bill brings us a documentary that focuses on a man but touches on mankind on a global scale. A scientist, a Nobel prize winner, a man whose multi-decades passion and commitment led him to seek, and find, a cure for cancer – JIM ALLISON: BREAKTHROUGH. Listen to our insightful and thoughtful discussion on the making of JIM ALLISON: BREAKTHROUGH through the lens of Jim Allison's journey as a man, a son, and a scientist, as well as gain insight into Bill and some of his socially aware

A very interesting episode of BEHIND THE LENS as we take a look at an important moment in history thanks to our special guest, writer/director VALERIE McCAFFREY, who joins us at the mid-point of the show talking about her new short film – DIRTY BOMB. Based on true events of WWII involving the V-2 rockets and sabotage by prisoners at Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp who were forced to manufacture the bombs, this is a little known story but one with personal resonance for Valerie. A renowned casting director, Valerie continues to dip her toe into the waters of writing and directing telling impactful and important stories. DIRTY BOMB is one of them. Listen as Valerie talks about her personal connection to this story, her research process in order to attain historical accuracy in story and in visuals, securing locations, seasonal shoots, production design and costume authenticity, and casting, particularly in casting Ido Samuel. But before Valerie joins us, take a listen to our exclusive interview with writers/d

I'm very excited about this episode of BEHIND THE LENS as we welcome back two wonderful filmmakers, one with a new film that was just released, and the other with a film we've followed since the festival circuit which now has distribution and is available for all. Our first guest is writer/director/producer/editor QUINCY ROSE talking about his latest film, THE NARCISSISTS. It's a true joy to have Quincy join us again. #BTLRadioShow has had the privilege of showcasing all three of Quincy's feature films and having Quincy on hand to talk about each. With a storied cinematic pedigree, this latest love letter to New York City handily shows us whom a couple of his filmmaking influences are. Take a listen as he talks about casting this four-person ensemble, crafting the dialogue, showcasing New York – and not the iconic images, but rarely seen gems, embracing "the still" of the camera while life just moves on, sound design, and of course, some exquisite jazz musical pieces. Then,

Get ready because this is the biggest and one of the best BEHIND THE LENS shows ever! Two hours of guests coming at you! First up is JASON AXINN, director/editor of the killer graphic novel style animated TO YOUR LAST DEATH. Calling live from London fresh off the film's World Premiere, Jason talks about everything from the 2D hand-drawn animation to voice casting (William Shatner!!), to creating the visual look and meld of animated graphic novel styles, developing character and more. Not only Jason's first feature directorial, but first animated feature, Jason is candid about the journey to bring TO YOUR LAST DEATH to life. Next up is writer/director JUSTIN WARD who talks about his charming and fun new film RELISH. Known for his outstanding documentary work over the years (particularly "Inside the UFC", "UFC TV", and over 400 hours of sports programming), you'll be as amazed as I to hear Justin talk about completing principal shooting in only NINE DAYS! Justin goes in-

Get ready because this is the biggest and one of the best BEHIND THE LENS shows ever! Two hours of guests coming at you! First up is JASON AXINN, director/editor of the killer graphic novel style animated TO YOUR LAST DEATH. Calling live from London fresh off the film's World Premiere, Jason talks about everything from the 2D hand-drawn animation to voice casting (William Shatner!!), to creating the visual look and meld of animated graphic novel styles, developing character and more. Not only Jason's first feature directorial, but first animated feature, Jason is candid about the journey to bring TO YOUR LAST DEATH to life. Next up is writer/director JUSTIN WARD who talks about his charming and fun new film RELISH. Known for his outstanding documentary work over the years (particularly "Inside the UFC", "UFC TV", and over 400 hours of sports programming), you'll be as amazed as I to hear Justin talk about completing principal shooting in only NINE DAYS! Justin goes in-

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we are joined by writer/director SAM ZALUTSKY talking about his new potboiler, SEASIDE. Plus, we shine a light on two extraordinary young actors – EMMA NELSON and ANNA PNIOWSKY – with our exclusive interviews with each. Take a listen to writer/director SAM ZALUTSKY, who joins us live, talking about his new film SEASIDE. Set and shot on the Oregon Coast, Sam wades in deep talking about the film's metaphor of "dangerous beauty" within both story and visuals, the challenges of shooting and dealing with tides, plus lighting issues when caves are involved and natural lighting is the goal. First up is EMMA NELSON who goes toe-to-toe with Cate Blanchett in Richard Linklater's latest film, WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE. Emma's first feature film finds her not only playing Blanchett's daughter in this quirky, fun journey, but shooting on the ocean off the coast of Greenland, riding in Zodiacs being operated by co-star Billy Crudup, and having a stunt dou

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we take an in-depth look at a slow burn neo-noir thriller, plus the long-awaited big screen adaptation of Alvin Schwartz's beloved book series, SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. Take a listen to writer/director LISE RAVEN and actor FRANK BRUCKNER as they go deep into the making of SNAELAND. Character-driven and starring Bruckner and Emily Behr, SNAELAND was shot completely on location in Iceland and Berlin. From conception to character to casting to cinematography to sound, no stone is left unturned in our discussion. Presenting the unique challenge of sunlight 24/7, Lise provides great filmmaking insight into tackling this aspect of the production, including camera and lens selection, while Frank talks about how 24-hour daylight impacted not only him as an actor but in influencing his approach to his character. Lise also provides economical and ecological tips for minimizing the film's carbon footprint in Iceland while also navigating permits and travel of equipme

An interesting blend of films and guests this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we talk with athlete MILLAN LUDENA, producer JEFF BRAND, writer/director/editor ESME VON HOFFMAN, and hear some more of our exclusive with writer/director GUY NATTIV on SKIN. After the tragic events of the weekend with two more mass shootings in the United States, we shuffled up the show in order to bring you some more of our exclusive interview with SKIN writer/director, GUY NATTIV. With every passing day, we are reminded in some heinous fashion or other of the long-simmering violence and hatred stemming from racism and white supremacism across this country and beyond. No longer something "hidden" or not discussed, these issues are at the forefront of the conversation in today's world. And that is what makes Guy Nattiv's SKIN the most timely and topical film in America right now. We've been talking about SKIN for several weeks and you heard our full interview with JAMIE BELL who plays former white supremacist

Jam-packed is an understatement when it comes to this episode of BEHIND THE LENS thanks to special guests writer/director RICK ALVERSON, actor KIRBY BLISS BLANTON, and producer DRAKE DOREMUS! Kicking off #BTLRadioShow we're talking about ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD, truly Quentin Tarantino's love letter to Hollywood and specifically, the memorable year 1969. Hands down my fave Tarantino film, he has truly outdone himself on every level to deliver a masterpiece. And what about casting? Brad Pitt's best role and best performance in many a year, and possibly the best of his career. But be on the lookout for scene-stealing Julia Butters who is truly cinematic gold. Take a listen as I discuss the movie at length paying attention to cinematography, color, some fun action sequences, the integral importance of the beloved Musso & Frank's, and more. Shifting gears from the glory and fun of Tarantino, how about the glory of a film starring Jeff Goldblum and Tye Sheridan? Writer/Director

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we dig deep into what lies beneath Guy Nattiv's new film SKIN with an exclusive interview with JAMIE BELL. A brutally visceral and emotionally powerful film, SKIN is based on the true story of a young man trying to leave a Neo-Nazi supremacist group and start a better life for himself. Beyond timely and topical in today's volatile sociopolitically charged climate, Jamie pulls no punches as he talks about the film and finding the truth within his character, Bryan Widner. Listen as Jamie talks about producer Oren Moverman and coming on board this project, working with director Guy Nattiv, discussions with Widner as a means to ensure the authenticity of the story and Widner's journey, as well as walking the emotional line of a man leaving one life behind for a different future. And although this is a very heavy dramatic film, Jamie regales us with some lighter moments of working with "Boss", a very talented and very large Rottweiler. Then writer/director/ed

It's a day of lions and orcas and surfers, oh my, on BEHIND THE LENS as this week we go from Pride Rock to the Seven Seas as we take a look at three incredible films - THE LION KING, LONG GONE WILD, and BETHANY HAMILTON: UNSTOPPABLE. First up, take a listen to what director Jon Favreau had to say at the recent press conference about the VR and gaming system technologies that brought THE LION KING to life.  And composer Hans Zimmer answers my question on the majesty of the film's score and its orchestration. Then, writer/director AARON LIEBER joins us live talking about his new documentary, BETHANY HAMILTON: UNSTOPPABLE, as we go beyond Bethany's story of losing her arm to a shark in 2003 only to come back and surf again. Listen as Aaron talks about the genesis of the documentary, his love of surfing and what draws him to these films (now his third surfer film), developing the throughline and story while insuring the voice of the film is that of Bethany, culling through some 500 hours of archi

It's all about the trials and tribulations of family and the human condition this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we take a look at two distinctly different films – DESOLATE and SWORD OF TRUST – and two distinctly different approaches to filmmaking. First up, take a listen to our exclusive prerecorded interview with writer/director LYNN SHELTON as she talks about her new film, SWORD OF TRUST. Always a laugh-filled joy to speak with Lynn, we kick off our conversation talking about her directorial lessons learned over the past few years while focusing on episodic television versus feature films and now her return to the humor of her earlier works like "Humpday". And then writer/director FREDERICK CIPOLETTI joins us live talking about his new film DESOLATE, a story that focuses on farmers decimated by drought, turning their farm, the town, and community to the brink of collapse while allowing conflict, crime, and violence to erupt as each struggles to survive. Take a listen as Frederick talks about

Today on BEHIND THE LENS we're looking at two distinctly different films, both with a theme of "home invasion" of sorts. First up, we'll hear from GREG KINNEAR as he talks about making his directorial debut with PHIL. Although Greg wanted to appear live on #BTLRadioShow, due to his production schedule, we had to do a prerecord exclusive interview for today's show. Not only directing in PHIL but starring in it, this is a real eye-opener as Greg is quite candid about his insecurity going into the project, his attention to detail, working with incredible collaborators, casting, and the challenges of directing and acting. Plus, some insight into three other films Greg has opening this year! A sparkling cinematic gem, PHIL hits theatres July 5. Then, take a listen to our exclusive interview with director ORSON OBLOWITZ talking about his new film opening July 12 - TRESPASSERS. A true home invasion thriller, Orson and I dig deep into creating atmosphere, selecting the perfect location, cin

An exciting day on BEHIND THE LENS as we welcome and congratulate, fresh off his Sunday night win, ANDREW GIBSON, writer/director/editor of the Dances With Films Grand Jury Prize winner GUTTERBUG!! Plus, writer/director JOSH HUBER joins the fun talking his latest film MAKING BABIES, the genesis of the film, working with the hilarious Steve Howey, establishing the tone, and more. AND, hear from PAVAROTTI sound mixer extraordinaire CHRIS JENKINS in our exclusive prerecorded interview as he talks about working with Ron Howard and sound mixing with Dolby Atmos! http://behindthelensonline.net http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

This week on BEHIND THE LENS we take an up close and personal look at two narrative features making their World Premiere at DANCES WITH FILMS, plus it's all about Forky with Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 4! Joining us LIVE in the first half of the show is Writer/Director BRETT BENTMAN who's on hand to talk about his new film 90 FEET FROM HOME which makes its world premiere at DWF on June 20th. An emotionally powerful film that draws you in from beginning to end, take a listen as Brett talks about bringing this true story to the big screen, the film's themes, the challenges of finding the perfect cast (which he has done beautifully) and what each brings to their respective roles and the film as a whole (more Shawn Michaels, Adam Hampton, and Thom Hallum, please!), Anthony Gutierrez' rich cinematography and their collaborative influences for the film's visual tonal bandwidth, and more! And then Writer/Director/Editor/Cinematographer MARCUS MIZELLE is back with us LIVE talking abou

It's all about DANCES WITH FILMS FILM FESTIVAL this week on BEHIND THE LENS, and most particularly, the opening night gala presentation, APPLE SEED. Now in its 22nd year, DANCES WITH FILMS is truly one of the last celebrations of independent film and the creativity and struggle that goes into making a film and seeing it through to a big screen appearance. Known for showcasing films which are traditionally lo budget/no budget/micro budget, DWF shines a light on filmmakers who know how to tell emotionally and visually appealing stories while getting the most bang from their limited budget bucks. The festival is once again held at the TCL Chinese 6 complex at Hollywood & Highland in the heart of Hollywood and runs from June 13-23, 2019. Take a listen as I talk about some of my early faves in the festival, most notably: 90 FEET FROM HOME, the dark comedy DRIVEN, BLOWING UP RIGHT NOW, WHERE WE DISAPPEAR and WOWZERS. But then our attention turns to the DWF Opening Night Gala film – APPLE SEED. From wri

Summer kicks off with a bang this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we take a look at three winning films and speak with their gifted filmmakers who are not only good storytellers, but really good guys. And here's a bonus for you – all three films open in theatres this week on June 7! First up, take a listen to our exclusive interview with RON HOWARD talking about his new documentary, PAVAROTTI! The film is, in a word, Bellisimo! Exquisitely told and emotionally beauteous, the detail and depth with which Ron Howard tells the story of the man behind the voice is not only told with an objective eye, but a caring one. By film's end, one feels as if they know "Luciano", that they sat at the table and ate pasta with him, shared laughs. Listen as Ron talks about the research and assimilation of archival materials and the technical challenges presented with the use of old footage and recordings, gathering interviews, finding a throughline and working with his editor Paul Crowder, opting for sound mix