Switchblade Sisters

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Children of Men with The Last Man on Earth's Cleopatra Coleman Jun 28, 2018

Show notes

This week we've got the multi-talented actor, writer, producer Cleopatra Coleman. You may know her best from her role as Erica on the beloved 'The Last Man on Earth' with Will Forte. But she's on the show this week to talk about Alfonso Cuarón's masterpiece, Children of Men. Cleopatra discusses the direct influence this film had on her new movie, the apocalyptic thriller that she wrote and produced, Hover. They discuss what the future looks like in both of these films and how the advertising and technology affect the lives of the characters. Cleopatra opens up about writing her first feature and the relationship she had with the film's director. She also reveals that she actually auditioned for a role in Children of Men. Plus, April discusses what went into the famous one take finale shot of the film and how it all went wrong.

You can watch Hover in select theaters now. It will be available on VOD on July 3.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Children of Men

With April Wolfe with Cleopatra Coleman

You can let us know what you think of Switchblade Sisters at @SwitchbladePod on Twitter. Or email us at switchbladesisters@maximumfun.org Produced by Casey O'Brien and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.

Rear Window with 'The Killing' and 'Seven Seconds' Creator Veena Sud Jun 21, 2018

Show notes

We are so lucky this week to have TV creator, writer, and director Veena Sud on the program. She's most well known for creating the TV show, The Killing. But she's got a new show out now called Seven Seconds. It follows the aftermath of the death of a 15 year old black cyclist who is killed in a hit and run accident by a white police officer. She's also on the program to discuss Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rear Window. Veena elaborates on the effect that Hitchcock has had on her career, and how it has influenced her being drawn to darker stories. She reveals that she's just completed her first feature about a teenage girl who accidentally kills her best friend. She also tells a wonderful story of working with the late Jonathan Demme on her show Seven Seconds. This is a truly engrossing episode that deals with the craft behind writing and cultivating a meaningful story.

You can watch Seven Seconds on Netflix.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Rear Window

With April Wolfe with Veena Sud

Death Becomes Her with Angela Trimbur, Lauren Parks and Jenée LaMarque of 'The Feels' Jun 14, 2018

Show notes

We've got a packed house today with Angela Trimbur, Lauren Parks, and Jenée LaMarque of the new film The Feels. The three women all act in the film with Jenée directing and co-writing with Lauren. They're on the show to discuss Robert Zemeckis' Death Becomes Her. Although not similar in tone or genre, April and the guests quickly find that both of these films are united in their commentary on women's bodies. The Feels analyzes the shame felt by women unable to have an orgasm. While Death Becomes Her addresses the pressure women face to constantly look young - in, albeit, a very violent and supernatural way. Plus, they all discuss the special effects, the production design, and, of course, the delicious performance of Meryl Streep as the aging movie star, Madeline Ashton.

The Feels is available on Amazon.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Death Becomes Her

With April Wolfe with Angela Trimbur, Lauren Parks and Jenée LaMarque

Deep Rising with Rebekah McKendry Jun 07, 2018

Show notes

Rarely do we get a PhD. level academic on the show to discuss horror, but we got one this week! It's writer, director, professor and 'Shock Waves' podcast host Rebekah McKendry. She's on to discuss the underseen Deep Rising. She details her connection to aquatic horrors, dating back to her childhood growing up next to a river infested with alligator gars. April and her "dive" into what separates Deep Rising from all the other late '90's disaster/monster movies. Rebekah also divulges what goes into her filmmaking process; creating characters, directing actors, and designing creatures. To quote the tagline of this film - "Full scream ahead!"

Shock Waves is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Deep Rising

With April Wolfe and Rebekah McKendry.

28 Days Later with 'Bob's Burgers' Writers/Producers Lizzie & Wendy Molyneux May 31, 2018

Show notes

We've got a great episode this week with our first pair of sisters - Lizzie and Wendy Molyneux. The 'Bob's Burgers' writers/producers are on to discuss the Danny Boyle film, 28 Days Later. They elaborate on what goes into a storyline for Bob's Burgers, staying true to the format of the show, and seeing Tina Belcher in real life. Plus they explore what makes 28 Days Later such a classic; Cillian Murphy's performance, the introduction of the "fast" zombie, and the humanity behind the film. The sisters also make a case for adopting children during a zombie outbreak. This is a must listen episode for people interested in the process of writing comedic television.

Bob's Burgers is on Fox now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch 28 Days Later

With April Wolfe and Lizzie Molyneux & Wendy Molyneux.

The Craft with 'UnREAL' Creator Sarah Gertrude Shapiro May 24, 2018

Show notes

This week's episode was recorded LIVE at Resident in downtown LA, as a part of The Voyager Institute's lecture series. So you may hear some noises in the background that you're not normally accustomed to - audience members laughing, drinks being made, and people having the best night of their lives! We have on the program the co-creator of Lifetime's 'UnREAL', Sarah Gertrude Shapiro. She's on to talk about the beloved, 90's, goth-inspiring masterpiece, The Craft. April and Sarah discuss their love for the campiness of the film and the perfect casting of Fairuza Balk as the evil teenage witch, Nancy. Sarah also elaborates on what it is like running a TV show. She dives into the challenges of directing an episode while also needing to be in the writing room. Plus, she details her journey from working on 'The Bachelor', to ending up in advertising in Portland, to creating her own TV show.

UnREAL is on Lifetime now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Craft

With April Wolfe and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro.

Being John Malkovich with 'The Magicians' creator Sera Gamble May 17, 2018

Show notes

This week we've got the amazing creator of Syfy's 'The Magicians' - Sera Gamble. She's on to talk about the film that introduced the world to the mind of Charlie Kaufman - Being John Malkovich. Sera elaborates on her deep personal connection to the film. And admits it may have something to do with John Malkovich being her very first celebrity crush. She also takes April through the process of writing, and how often times the best way to write is by not knowing where you're going. They celebrate the performances of Cameron Diaz, John Cusack, and Catherine Keener - and also Cameron Diaz's phenomenal wig! They dissect the writing of Charlie Kaufman and how he came to create one of the most unique screenplays of all time. Sera connects the lessons she's learned from this film to her own work, and how she takes great pleasure in making the audience squirm.

The Magicians is on Syfy now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Being John Malkovich

With April Wolfe and Sera Gamble.

'The Fly' with 'Divergent' & 'Hell or High Water' Producer Rachel Shane May 10, 2018

Show notes

This week we are joined by producer Rachel Shane. She's produced such films as Divergent, Lawless, Hell or High Water and the National Geographic show Genius. She's on the program to talk all about David Cronenberg's The Fly. April and Rachel discuss all the aspects that make this movie great; Jeff Goldblum, the disgusting special effects, the efficiency of David Cronenberg. Plus Rachel shares what it is like working as a feature producer. She details the working relationships with directors, getting a hold of a really powerful script, and allowing actors and directors to see out their creative visions. Plus, she also elaborates on what it's like to be on set during risky stunts and how she chooses which projects she will produce.

Genius: Picasso is on National Geographic now.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Fly

With April Wolfe and Rachel Shane.

'Carrie' with 'RBG' Directors Betsy West & Julie Cohen May 03, 2018

Show notes

This week, we are joined by the directors of the brand new Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary, RBG, Betsy West and Julie Cohen. They are on to discuss the Brian De Palma classic Carrie. Believe it or not, in this episode several similarities are drawn between the "Notorious RBG" and Carrie White. Julie and Betsy discuss what the world was like when Carrie was released and the type of workplace humiliations they had to put up with back then. Betsy even shares a story involving a penis shaped cake. They dig into the importance and power of Justice Ginsburg and how she actually changed the world. They also discuss the techniques they use to interview people, making sure not to manipulate the audience, and staring at Ruth Bader Ginsburg while she watched the documentary.

RBG opens theatrically on May 4th.

If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Carrie

With April Wolfe, Betsy West and Julie Cohen

The Witches of Eastwick with Ramaa Mosley Apr 26, 2018

Show notes

This week director Ramaa Mosley (The Brass Teapot, Tatterdemalion) stops by to discuss George Miller's The Witches of Eastwick. If you're looking for an in depth discussion on making independent feature films, this is a must listen for you. Ramaa opens up about the difficulties and rewards of creating your own movie - from fighting for what you need, to learning how to push back against producers interference, to working with actors. Plus, she discusses the influence that The Witches of Eastwick has had on her as an artist. April and Ramaa praise Jack Nicholson's performance as the devilish Daryl Van Horne, the masterful directing of George Miller, and the powerful women (Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer) that drive the film.

Ramaa's latest film is Tatterdemalion

And if you haven't seen it yet, go watch The Witches of Eastwick

With April Wolfe and Ramaa Mosley

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